In 2019, BC Conservation Foundation granted $100,000 to the Nature Trust of BC to purchase and manage the Columbia River Wetlands –Edgewater, located near Edgewater in the Western Kootenays. The conservation lands encompass 171.5 hectares for Grizzly Bears and American Badgers, along with winter range for Mule Deer, White-tailed Deer and moose.
The property complements other conservation lands as part of the Columbia National Wildlife Area and Columbia Wetlands Wildlife Management Area that serve as significant migratory bird habitat for over 200 species.