The Wilderness Stewardship Foundation (WSF) is a society of individuals who have a shared interest in the conservation of the South Chilcotin Mountains. Our goal is to unite all resource users in a collaborative conservation effort to protect this area for years to come.
The Wilderness Stewardship Foundation, a non-profit organization was established in 2008 when they realized the need for a conservation group in the area. The wilderness stewards of the WSF make use of data collected by Wilderness Trails, a local eco-tourism operator which has been collecting data on local species for 15 years. This data includes 12 years of grizzly bear hair samples.
The WSF does most of its work in the South Chilcotin Mountains Provincial Park. This park was established in 2004 as part of the Lillooet Land and Resource Management Plan. The park is of provincial significance for its recreational and aesthetic values. More importantly, it’s a biodiversity hotspot. This is because of the high degree of topographic and climatic variation present in the area. This variation creates a broad range of ecosystem types which support healthy populations of large predators and their prey. Most importantly, this is a key area for grizzly bears and is the link between northern and southern populations.
We conduct research on the native wildlife and ecosystems of the South Chilcotin Mountains. Our research spans many species and spatial scale. We also collaborate with other researchers, universities and non-profit organizations.
In addition to research, we do on the ground work such as habitat restoration and invasive species removal. We utilize our knowledge and experience to educate the public and disseminate information of local projects. We participate in the stewardship of our area by engaging in the referral process of any new development.
We are fortunate to live a life closely tied to nature. In every aspect of our work we must find a balance in our resource use and impact. We practice and promote good resource management in order to conserve and preserve our local habitats and surrounding area. We hope to educate, and through this encourage and empower others to do the same, not just in their local areas, but for the world as a whole.
If you are interested in being part of the WSF’s goal to conserve nature, you are invited to join us for a wilderness stewards internship. You can make a positive difference for the nature of this unique ecosystem.
“I cannot do all the good that the world needs. But the world needs all the good that I can do.” – Jana Stanfield
Jasmin, Ontario
