Help Us Secure Permanent Flathead Protection

Sierra Club BC raises public awareness about the Flathead River Valley, and inspires British Columbians to take action to protect this special place. Our goal is to protect the lower one-third of the Flathead Valley as a National Park. We are also urging the provincial government to establish a Wildlife Management Area in the rest of the Flathead River valley and adjoining habitat.

The BC government says that it has not heard from enough British Columbians that the Flathead River Valley merits permanent protection. Parks Canada has a long-standing interest in making the Flathead a National Park—yet the BC government must agree before a National Park feasibility study can commence.

World Heritage Committee Petition

In June 2008, Sierra Club BC and 10 other Canadian and US conservation groups petitioned the World Heritage Committee. We asked the Committee to declare Waterton- Glacier International Peace Park a World Heritage Site in Danger, due to mining and energy threats in the adjoining Flathead River Valley. 

On June 26, 2009, the 21-member committee voted unanimously to send a 2009 World Heritage Centre mission to “evaluate and provide recommendations on the requirements for ensuring the protection” of Waterton-Glacier. The committee cited concern about the threats that potential mining and energy development within the Flathead Valley would have on water and ecosystem connectivity.  It also asked Canada and the US to work together to prepare a report that examines all Flathead River Valley energy and mining proposals and their cumulative impacts.

Media stories in early 2010 said that the World Heritage Committee report -- slated for public release in July 2010 -- would recommend a ban on Flathead mining, and establishment of a transboundary conservation and wildlife management area.  

RAVE draws conservation photographers

Members of the International League of Conservation Photographers gathered in the Flathead in July 2009 for a RAVE--a Rapid Assessment Visual Expedition. Their goal was to document the extraordinary natural values of the Flathead River Valley, and to draw international attention to energy and mining threats.

RAVE photographers fanned out over the valley, working in the early mornings and late evenings to capture the best light. They shot all sorts of images, from aerials to landscapes and specialized underwater river photography. One photographer who specializes in large mammals set up remote cameras to capture the many carnivores and ungulates that inhabit the Flathead. The photographers have donated their stunning images to Sierra Club BC and other environmental groups working to protect the Flathead River Valley.

Flathead Wild Web from Epicocity Project on Vimeo.

East Kootenay support for a Flathead Park 

A November 2009 poll showed that a majority of East Kootenay residents want to protect the Flathead River Valley as a national park.  Almost 80 percent of people polled believe there should be wildlife sanctuaries in southern B.C.

Mayors Help Launch "Friends of the Flathead"

Four prominent British Columbians used the occasion of Earth Day 2009 to kick off the new on-line group "Friends of the Flathead".   

The "Friends of the Flathead" website aims to show the BC government that people across the province demand permanent protection for the globally-significant Flathead River Valley.

"Friends of the Flathead" was launched by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin, former federal Environment Minister David Anderson, and adventure photographer Pat Morrow. Become a Friend of the Flathead and receive bi-monthly updates with the latest Flathead news.

What will it take to save the Flathead? 

Along with our BC partner organizations, we believe that a groundswell of letters and phone calls to Premier Gordon Campbell will lead to permanent protection for the Flathead.

Click here to learn what you can do to help save our  Flathead River Valley.