Healthy Landscapes.
Healthy Wildlife.
Living Traditions.

When natural pathways stay open, animals can reach seasonal habitat and fish can complete their migrations. When routes are blocked, wildlife can become isolated and rivers and wetlands don’t function as well, affecting the lands and waters people rely on.

Keeping nature connected helps ensure hunting, fishing, and gathering remain part of life in the Thompson–Okanagan—for generations.

What Connectivity Means

Ecological connectivity is how wildlife, water, plants, and natural processes move across the landscape.

Ecological corridors are the linked lands and waters that make that movement possible. In the Thompson–Okanagan, these pathways often run along valley bottoms, creek corridors, benchlands, and ridgelines—connecting seasonal habitats from low-elevation winter range to higher summer country.

Corridors can include:

valley bottoms used by migrating elk and deer
ridgelines and benchlands used by mule deer
creeks and rivers salmon return to each year
wetlands that support waterfowl
forest patches that link larger habitats

When connectivity is strong:

wildlife can reach food, water, shelter, and safe breeding areas
plants and seeds spread naturally across the landscape
rivers, wetlands, and floodplains function well
ecosystems recover faster after fire, drought, or floods
species can shift and adapt as conditions change

Wildlife don’t recognize boundaries—corridors often cross public land, private land, ranchlands, and working forests.

Why Movement Matters

In the Thompson–Okanagan, movement connects valley-bottom winter range, upland summer habitat, and creek corridors used by fish and wildlife.

In 2023, more than 12,000 vehicle crashes in BC involved animals
-ICBC

Wildlife crossing structures paired with fencing can reduce collisions by up to 97%
- Huijser et al., 2009

What's Working

These actions reconnect seasonal ranges and spawning waters—supporting healthy wildlife populations and sustainable harvesting traditions.

Explore Connectivity in Action

Fence
Modification

Fish Passage

Safe Road
Crossings

Habitat
Restoration

How You Can Help

Hunters, fishers, and gatherers know healthy populations depend on healthy, connected landscapes.

Here are a few simple ways you can help keep nature connected where you live and spend time outdoors.

Backyard
Habitats

Local
Stewardship

Community
Science

Wildlife-Friendly
Practices

Keeping Nature Connected

Connectivity isn’t about restricting where people go—it’s about keeping wildlife and fish moving through the Thompson–Okanagan’s valleys, uplands, and waterways. When key routes stay open, we support healthy herds, strong fish runs, safer roads, and the traditions that depend on this land and water.

Join us in keeping nature connected.