Author: Lorene Keitch

Moving kids from climate despair to hope

June 4, 2025 by Lorene Keitch

Where does the seed of hope come from? In the face of our global climate crisis, one teacher in a British Columbia classroom is facing climate concerns head on by bringing in an education program that counteracts despair with action…

From floaties to footprints: The growing impact of users on the Columbia River

May 13, 2025 by Lorene Keitch

Warm spring days have us dreaming of summertime in the Kootenays. But before you head out on your local waterways this year, Wildsight is urging you to consider the impact of your activity.

Plastic-free pond builds biodiversity and water security on West Kootenay farm

April 16, 2025 by Lorene Keitch

At the confluence of the West Kootenay's Slocan and Little Slocan rivers, there's a patch of land taking shape under the careful guidance of a conservation-minded organization. Elk Root Conservation Farm Society's (ERC) vision is to…

From trails to streams: Ecosystem health in Lois Creek

November 4, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

The churned-up dirt is dusted with autumn leaves and the air is heavy with the scent of decaying foliage as fall transitions to winter. Along the winding trails of Kimberley's Lois Creek, Wildsight's Youth Climate Corps (YCC…

How a pile of dirt became a bank swallow haven

September 18, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

A chance discovery by a group of Invermere birders led to a conservation success for a fledgling bank swallow colony in Invermere, British Columbia. In the spring of 2022, local birder Greg Scott and his fellow birdwatchers noticed a small…

A path to protecting native pollinator species

September 10, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

Elk Root Conservation Society in the West Kootenay's Slocan Valley is creating a pollinator highway. Pollinator highways are tracts of land dedicated to supporting pollinators (bees, hummingbirds, bats and more) by growing food sources such as native wildflowers, connecting…

Journey through the Columbia: Youth learn, reflect, and connect with an ancient watershed

August 19, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

Alfred Joseph grew up in the traditional territory of the Ktunaxa, in the area of ?akisq’nuk, the area of the two lakes in what is now known as the Columbia Valley, British Columbia.

The power of the pollinator

August 14, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

Global pollinator declines are causing rising concern for the future of global food security. Bee populations in particular are declining at an alarming rate, leading to organizations such as the United Nations to call for action to reverse the trend…

Testing the waters: Water monitoring puts career options top of mind

July 17, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

Emma Watson and Oliver Gatzke sit alongside a wooden dock that cordons off the end of a popular recreational lake near Skookumchuk, BC, a softshell black zippered bag opened between them. Emma grasps a tubular silver and black wand about…

Why place-based learning is one of our most important tools

July 10, 2024 by Lorene Keitch

Place-based learning: it's a well-used term in the education community. But what does it actually mean? As the name suggests, place-based learning helps students develop a sense of place through exploration of an environment.