Submitted by Kootenay Conservation Program

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is proud to announce the recipients of its annual Conservation Leadership Awards, which recognize one person from a partner organization in both the East and West Kootenay who has demonstrated leadership, innovation, and dedication to conservation.

The awards were announced earlier this month as part of the 2025 KCP Fall Gathering held in Fernie.

In the East Kootenay, the 2025 honour goes to John Bergenske with Wildsight, who received a framed custom photograph by Pat Morrow of Buster Lake with the Bugaboos in the distance.

John is a charismatic leader, whose passion and commitment to protecting all living things has resulted in extraordinary contributions to protecting the lands, waters and wildlife of the region, while inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders. John has been an active member and leader of the conservation community in the Kootenays for over 50 years.

He came to Canada in the early 1970s and was a founding member of Wildsight (originally named the East Kootenay Environmental Society), serving as Campaign & Executive Director for more than 10 years. He is now Wildsight’s Strategic Advisor.

John is solutions-oriented and values-based, building effective partnerships to advance conservation efforts. He is equally skilled at government relations and policy change as he is on the ground; a unique combination in the conservation community, and one that means the policy changes he is advocating for – including wildlife, forestry, and protected areas – are deeply grounded and informed by the reality here in the Kootenays.

He excels at finding alignment on shared values amongst what are often referred to as non-traditional allies, and has an incredible skill in bringing the right people to the table that collectively can make things happen. His approach to building relationships is grounded in authenticity, integrity, and shared values – it’s through these relationships that he is able to accomplish so much.

John’s accomplishments in conservation are many.

He was instrumental in establishing St. Mary’s Alpine Park and the Purcell Wilderness Conservancy in the early 1970s. He was key to the designation of the protected areas and parks that came out of B.C.’s Commission on the Environment and Resources in the 1990s, and worked to establish the Columbia Wetlands and East Columbia Lake Wildlife Management Areas.

In addition to Wildsight, he has been instrumental in founding other East Kootenay organizations focused on conservation. These include the Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society, a diverse group of stakeholders committed to the conservation and restoration of the grasslands and open forest of the Rocky Mountain Trench, and the BC Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Coalition, bringing together a unique group of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses to advocate for biodiversity, ecosystem health and the long-term health of fish, wildlife and habitat in BC.

He has conducted extensive field research on both mountain caribou and grizzly bears in the region, as a contribution to the Mountain Caribou Recovery Plan, which included the protection of 2.2 million hectares from logging and motorized access.

John applies practical solutions to conservation issues, such as being deeply involved in the certification of Tembec’s (now Canfor) forest operations in the East Kootenay under Forest Stewardship Council certification. He was pivotal in achieving higher environmental standards at the Skookumchuck Pulp Mill, reducing effluent and improving emissions. He has been an active member of ‘Organizing for Change’ for over 10 years, a coalition of 12 of B.C.’s Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) working to collectively advance environmental policy priorities.

During this time, he has also worked to build meaningful relationships with many Indigenous community members and works to advance Indigenous-led conservation.

John’s work continues, with a large focus on protecting the southern Rocky Mountain Wildlife Corridor: from the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park to the Banff Protected Areas Complex, including the Flathead, Wigwam and Elk Valleys. He works closely with a diverse group of partners, including local guide outfitters and the BC Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, to steward this vital connectivity corridor.

He is a member of the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council and was pivotal in establishing the East Kootenay Wildlife Habitat Advisory Council, part of the Together for Wildlife Strategy. He continues to advocate for policy changes to better protect wildlife and biodiversity, including changes to the Wildlife Act and implementation of the Old Growth Strategic Review.

John has helped to actively mentor numerous colleagues over the decades, supporting the next generation to step into leadership roles within Wildsight. He believes in people’s ability to channel their unique skills and will provide effective encouragement and constructive criticism to steer them in the right direction.

John’s advice for young people interested in conservation and stewardship work is to “be grounded in nature and accept impermanence. Follow your passion – know your issue and its context. Share your understanding with others; develop relationships based on trust. Find or create communities with a common cause. Focus your efforts where they are most likely to influence outcomes. Be respectful. Persist. Find your joy in contributing to the joy of all living beings.”

John’s lifelong commitment, passion, and contributions have created an incredible conservation legacy in the Kootenays and beyond.

For the West Kootenay, the 2025 recipient is Gregoire Lamoureux, recognized for his leadership with Slocan River Streamkeepers. Gregoire received a beautiful framed photograph by Lucas Jmieff called ‘Slocan River Serenity.’

Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is a partnership of over 85 organizations that work together for connected habitats and landscapes in the Kootenays that sustain biodiversity and naturally functioning resilient ecosystems that, in turn, support community well-being. Learn more at www.kootenayconservation.ca.

Lead image: John Bergenske with his 2025 East Kootenay Conservation Leadership Award. Photo submitted

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