| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Rocky Mountain Naturalist’s (RMN) vision is for Elizabeth Lake to be a healthy, functioning ecosystem, with a diversity of native plants and animals, where people can discover and enjoy nature. To this end, we have been working with other organizations to provide a diversity of habitat for wildlife species at Elizabeth Lake, including species at risk. Over several years, the Elizabeth Lake area has experienced habitat degradation from misuse and a proliferation of invasive weeds. Through our habitat restoration project we began to reverse this habitat degradation through invasive weed control, soil rehabilitation and the introduction of grasses, shrubs and trees. The Rocky Mountain Naturalists are a group of highly committed individuals and families that strive to learn about nature and improve the natural environment in which plants and animals live. The RMNs have a long history of both enjoying the environment that Elizabeth Lake has to offer, and giving back to this area through stewardship activities. Past president Art Gruenig has been very active in numerous projects, such as creating and maintaining nesting sites and habitat for painted turtles. Art and other RMNs have also planted trees, shrubs and grass, created hardened trail surfaces, transported large boulders to serve as benches, and installed berms to provide visual barriers. The RMNs plan to continue our stewardship activities, through on-going cooperation with other organizations. Several concerns about the health of the Elizabeth Lake have been raised. In particular, the area has experienced substantial habitat loss and degradation from misuse and a proliferation of invasive weeds. This habitat loss and degradation negatively affects insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals, including species at risk such as the Copper Dione butterfly (red listed) and painted turtle (blue listed). A wide range of bird species use the wetland for nesting or during migration. Given the loss and degradation of many wetlands in the East Kootenay, those that remain are critical for those species that depend on them. The Rocky Mountain Naturalists and the general public from Cranbrook and beyond regularly visit the Elizabeth Lake area to walk, learn about the natural environment and/or view wildlife. For our habitat restoration project, we chose to focus on an area adjacent to Highway 3 and the tourist information booth (the “A loop” in the below map). This area was chosen for two main reasons. First, it is the main entrance to Elizabeth Lake and provides visitors with an initial impression of the site. Second, there is a great need for restoration in this area, given the abundance of invasive weeds and degraded soil. Further, this site is appropriate for technical reasons: water for irrigation is available and the site is accessible for heavy equipment. Several other organizations are currently involved in management at Elizabeth Lake, either because they hold title to the land, or simply because they have an interest in how the land or its resources are managed. The RMNs have and will continue to work closely with these groups on stewardship activities. Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) has constructed nesting islands and loafing rafts, and maintains a stop log and weir near the outlet of the lake. The Parks and Protected Areas Branch of Environmental Stewardship administers three parcels of land, one of which falls within the City of Cranbrook. The Land Conservancy (TLC) owns a parcel of land that is also within the city limits. This parcel was donated to the organization in 1998. The City of Cranbrook is responsible for the management of Confederation Park, which is the area of Elizabeth Lake within city limits that is not owned privately (including by TLC) or by the government of British Columbia. |
