Photo by Edie Stowell

Why We are Donating to The Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society

Choosing to donate through our agency to the Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society (CLPS) was an easy decision for our team. Many of us had already made personal donations so it was a natural next step to make a contribution as a business.

As longtime residents of Nelson, we have enjoyed Cottonwood Lake Regional Park’s natural beauty for decades with our families.

The lake’s close proximity to Nelson makes it a destination for relaxing and recreating throughout the year. People fish and picnic, bike, boat, swim, skate and x-country ski here while enjoying the atmosphere created by the surrounding forest which harbours trees as old as 400 years.

Ecosystem Preservation
Grizzly bears, an umbrella species—defined as flora or fauna that have large habitat needs or other requirements whose conservation precipitates the preservation of many other species in the same ecosystem—utilize the Cottonwood Lake area as a travel corridor. Osprey catch their meals here as the six-hectare lake is stocked with Rainbow trout and a fun, family fishing weekend takes place annually on Father’s Day (with electric powered boats only). Preserving this area has far-reaching implications.

Places such as Cottonwood Lake act as an enticing interface between humans and nature while maintaining natural habitat for local species.

Massive Clearcutting
It’s hard to imagine that a place as special as this, enjoyed by so many, could be the victim of extensive private logging. However, it happened. In late 2018 concerned citizens called an emergency meeting to stop the deforesting carnage that was occurring right next to the lake. The community of Nelson was shocked to learn that the majority of the land surrounding their beloved lake was private, and was slated for massive timber harvesting. The west slope above the water had been clear-cut with only a strip of forest left between the devastation and the lake.

The Forming of Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society
Rallying together, a group of Nelson area residents voiced their concerns and advocated for action. Citizens engaged in creative conservation: signs were posted and social media feeds buzzed. The Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society was formed, solidifying the community’s commitment to purchase privately owned land parcels adjacent to the lake.

Today, nearly two years since the first public meeting, the CLPS has done an amazing job garnering support from local government, foundations, residents, and businesses. Their tireless volunteer efforts have created awareness about the need for collective action. They have successfully met their first milestone and have preserved one-third of the forested land next to the regional park.

Raising Money
But there is still much to be done; the privately-owned, additional 49 acres of land surrounding the lake needs to be purchased in order to protect it. With a hefty price tag of $750,000, this is no small feat. In order for this important piece of nature to be preserved and enjoyed for future generations, all possible donors need to come forward.

Together We can Save the Cottonwood Lake Habitat Everyone who can contribute is encouraged to do so, in any capacity possible, which is why we, as a local business, made the decision to give to the campaign in this second round of fundraising. Together we can save the important and beautiful forest habitat surrounding our much-loved Cottonwood Lake Regional Park. Click on the link below to learn more about how you can help save Cottonwood Lake.

#SaveCottonwood Click here to visit Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society.