Gord Grunerud wants to get people talking about wildlife.
Grunerud, the president of the West Arm Outdoors Club, will be speaking at a town hall April 19 organized on behalf of the B.C. Wildlife Federation. The event, which begins 7 p.m. at the Nelson Rod and Gun Club, will feature discussions about wildlife management and funding ahead of the May 9 provincial election.
"Basically this is maybe a good time to discuss with the candidates what our concerns are and just see where the parties are coming from on it," said Grunerud.
BCWF spokesman Jesse Zeman will deliver a keynote talk at the event, with discussions to follow.
Grunerud said candidates from both the Nelson-Creston and Kootenay West ridings have been invited. Kootenay West MLA Katrine Conroy, the NDP incumbent, as well local Green Party candidate Kim Charlesworth and independent Jesse O'Leary have confirmed their attendance.
Grunerud said current fishery levels on Kootenay Lake is a good example of bad management.
"The bottom has fallen out of it," he said. "There's no more of the big trophy Gerrards, which Kootenay Lake was world renowned for. Also the management of the caribou, the international herd here on the summit. It's down to 12 or 13 animals again.
"The effort that's being put into [preservation], and the management of the resources, we do not think is enough."