About the project
Over the next couple of years, in collaboration with PhD Candidate Gemma Cobb from Griffith University, Australia, Wildsight Golden will be expanding this project to build a better understanding of how local overlapping land use decisions (i.e. commercial logging, road building, wildfire risk reduction treatments, recreational trails and other infrastructure, etc.) may combine with the effects of climate change in the future and influence our ability to maintain a healthy environment for humans and wildlife in the Golden area.
Balancing goals for long-term landscape health with societal needs is an important part of land use decision making and is especially important in the areas around Golden that are experiencing rapid change. The main aims of this research will be to compile detailed baseline information in the Upper Columbia Valley focused on current land use activities and infrastructure and how these are situated within wildlife habitat.
Many wildlife habitat values have been documented through research associated with the Kootenay Connect project 1 and those relevant to the West Bench at Golden will be important resources in addition to Indigenous knowledge and perspectives and other local ecological knowledge. The broad goal of this project is to promote social learning and genuine collaboration on climate action and sustainable land use planning. It is an effort to develop the “big picture” story of the local landscape that can be shared with the community and all who have decision making authority.
Additionally, we are seeking to engage community members through surveys and interviews to explore environmental values held by residents and share interpretations of how climate change may influence this landscape in combination with human land use impacts. We aim to better understand areas of conflict and agreement by integrating ecological, social, cultural and climate information into spatial models to support a more holistic understanding of landscape-society dynamics.
This work will continue until early 2026 and we invite anyone who is interested in being involved to contact Gemma at gemma.cobb@griffithuni.edu.au with any questions.
Community survey results
In 2024, Golden and area residents shared their perspectives on wildlife and landscape impacts via an online community survey. While the formal publication process is still ongoing, we are excited to share some preliminary results in the below infographic. These results highlight the community’s strong understanding and engagement with current and future environmental issues and management strategies. Watch this space for a peer-reviewed journal article coming 2025 with the full results!
Many thanks for funding to:
