Save Cottonwood

Thank you for your interest in this critical campaign!  Why do we need your help?

Two parcels of land adjacent to Cottonwood Lake Regional Park and the Nelson Nordic Ski Club (around the Apex area just south of Nelson) are privately owned and scheduled to be clear-cut this spring. This type of logging is unregulated in BC, with no requirement for environmental impact assessment, replanting, or public safety.

Clearcutting these lands will negatively impact the wetland-riparian ecosystem at Apex as well as the important wildlife corridor used by grizzly bears and other large mammals between the Nelson and Bonnington ranges. Clearcut logging will also create instability in the snowpack above Cottonwood Lake and trails, and drastically increase spring runoff and flood risk for Cottonwood Creek flowing into Nelson. Losing this highly-visible and beloved area will also impact our four-season tourism-based economy and compromise the most cherished and accessible non-motorized fishing area we have.

Our original target was $50K and we reached it … isn’t the work done?  No!

Raising $50K sent a powerful signal to local politicians as to how much the community wants to save this land but our campaign still needs to grow in order to bring partners to the table.   As a next step, we're increasing our fundraising goal from $50K to $150K to gain more buy-in from local politicians and other parties who have the ability to match funds and turn the tables on this campaign. Help us do more!

We need  to keep building momentum.. The strength of our voice depends on what we bring to the table. Please donate and help spread the word so that this beautiful valley is enjoyed for generations to come.

What’s it worth to you?

The Cottonwood-Apex corridor has significant value to our community.

- The area provides critical habitat and a wildlife corridor for grizzly bears (a species at risk) and other wildlife with a wetland-riparian ecosystem at Apex and mature, diverse forests on surrounding slopes. This diversity must be preserved.

- The sensitive wetland ecosystem feeds two watersheds and local water licenses. Clearcutting will threaten the overall health of this wetland and the water quality for downstream water users.

- It’s a valuable recreation area for hikers, fishers, bikers, skaters, and cross-country skiers. Cottonwood Lake, in particular, is rare for its ease of access and quiet waters. The very young to the very old  can fish, and swim and boat safely here.

- It’s beautiful and, if cut, the denuded slopes would  be a visual blight on the gateway to our community, affecting the impressions of visitors travelling the corridor to and from Whitewater, the US border and beyond.   

- It plays a key role in attracting economic development to the area. New companies are setting up shop here because of the area’s natural beauty, healthy ecosystems,  and unspoiled recreational opportunities.

It’s potentially dangerous not to protect it.

- Avalanches will become a real threat. Experts have explained that the angle and aspect of the slopes will create a new avalanche risk to people and infrastructure if clearcut logging occurs.

- Downstream Flooding  risk will increase. Without trees, snowpack will be deeper and spring melt will be more rapid, with higher flows and more sediment load.  This directly threatens homes, businesses and the stability of the Cottonwood Creek channel as it passes through the City of Nelson.
 
And last, this area is in our hearts! We grew up here, skied and skated and swam and fished with our kids here. We must do all we can do to keep it in our future.

Who are we?

The registered non-profit, ‘Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society’ was established in January 2019. It is run by tireless volunteers who are committed to ensuring these forests, lake, and wetlands will be preserved for the welfare of our local environment, ecology, economy, community, and future generations.