Environmental Conservation and Restoration
Little Slocan River Riparian Restoration & Enhancement Education Site
ERC’s location at the confluence of the Slocan River and Little Slocan River is a unique and ecologically important wildlife corridor. ERC seeks to protect and restore the land in which we are privileged to operate on and steward in Sinixt təmxʷúlaʔxʷ.
This project has been in motion since 2020, and its goals include restoration of the riparian zones at ERC while also creating an outdoor, hands-on classroom at Elk Root Conservation Farm to share information and education with respect to the importance of being responsible ecological stewards of riparian zones on private lands.
Pollinator Highway Project
The Pollinator Highway project in the Slocan Valley will establish and connect crucial pollinator habitats to support the health and movement of pollinator species pollinator habitat connectivity, addressing the urgent need to protect pollinator populations, such as monarch butterflies and wild bumblebees, which have seen dramatic declines due to habitat loss and climate change.
This initiative aims to establish and connect crucial pollinator habitats to support the health and movement of pollinator species, such as monarch butterflies and wild bumblebees, which are vital to ecosystem stability.
Biodiversity Catchment Pond
ERC constructed its Plastic-Free Biodiversity Catchment Pond in 2024. Designed to serve multiple functions, the pond acts as an emergency water supply for the farm, promotes biodiversity, and supports native species by recreating wetland conditions. Extensive research was undertaken to enable the pond to retain water without plastic liners. Instead, it relies on self-sealing bentonite clay to prevent leaks and cracks, along with carefully engineered dimensions of rock and compaction grades.
In just one year, this project has already shown the benefits of thoughtfully restored habitats. Over the summer our team observed dozens of dragonflies and aquatic insects using the pond for basking, hunting, breeding, and shelter. Juvenile robins have used the pond to bathe and drink, and a western toad visited to lay their eggs! We were lucky enough to watch as these eggs went from tadpole to toadlet over the course of the summer.
Bat Condo
Details Coming Soon