02 Nov Stewardship in Action: Highlights from the 10th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit
On Saturday, October 25th, Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society (FoKLSS) hosted our 10th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit, themed “Stewardship in Action.” We were thrilled to welcome 85 guests to Harrop Hall for a night of learning, inspiration, and community connection centered around our shared love for Kootenay Lake.
The evening began with an optional wetland tour at the Harrop Wetland, where participants explored the restoration site alongside local experts and volunteers. Guests learned about the ongoing efforts to restore shoreline habitat, improve wetland health, an
d support wildlife diversity. A powerful start to a night dedicated to stewardship.
Back at Harrop Hall, guests were greeted with live music by Eva Tree, a fully catered dinner by Osprey Mountain Grill, delicious desserts from the Procter Village Café, and beautiful botanical decorations generously donated by Georama Growers and Dreamcatcher Farm. The hall was filled with conversation, community spirit, and a shared sense of purpose.
Our silent auction was a great success thanks to the generosity of all our donors and bidders. Together, we raised over $2,000 to directly support our ongoing stewardship, education, and restoration work.
We were also excited to launch our new Friends of Kootenay Lake T-shirt design. These are still available for order until November 8th using the link below.
Purchase a t-shirt here
Guest Speaker Recap
Our lineup of guest speakers inspired and informed throughout the evening:
- Andrea McKenzie shared insights from the Harrop Wetland restoration project.
- Jakob Dulisse explored what amphibians can teach us about lake and ecosystem health.
- Robin Louie from Yaqan Nukiy offered a moving perspective on Indigenous stewardship and connection to Kootenay Lake.
This year’s Summit also marked exciting growth in our community. Eight new members joined FoKLSS, and 15 people went a step further, and upgraded their annual memberships to become automatic monthly donors. We’re so grateful to everyone who chose to give in this way. Monthly donors provide reliable, year-round support that allows non-profits like ours to plan ahead, respond to emerging issues, and dedicate more time to meaningful fieldwork, outreach, and restoration instead of administrative work.
If you’d like to join our community of lake stewards, you can become a member or sign up as a monthly donor today:
Monthly Donors: Become a Lake Lover
Annual Membership
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who helped make this event possible — our speakers, volunteers, guests, silent auction donors and buyers, and event sponsors. Your energy, generosity, and commitment to the lake continue to inspire us.
Together, we’re building a stronger, more connected community dedicated to stewarding and advocating for Kootenay Lake for generations to come.
Thank you for celebrating this milestone with us!
Event Sponsors
Events like this would not be possible without the help from our sponsors, and we are so grateful for their support.
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program • Columbia Power • Kootenay Co-op • Nelson & District Credit Union • ReDi Grants • Province of BC • FortisBC • Columbia Basin Trust • Teck