For two years, it has been a local story of looming deadlines, big bucks and a beloved little lake.
Monday was in fact deadline day for an effort aimed at saving 49 hectares of pristine privately owned forest above Cottonwood Lake, a popular recreation and wildlife area, just a few minutes south of Nelson, from imminent logging.
The Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society had until August 31 to raise $180,000 — part of a $400,000 price tag that would enable the society to purchase the land and preserve it for all, and forever.
As of Monday, the group was $80,000 short. However, all is not lost and the Cranbrook based land owner has agreed to an extension to allow the local organization to raise the remaining money and keep it from being logged.
Cottonwood Lake Preservation Society spokesperson Bruce Morrison spoke to KCR on Sep 2. to let listeners know about the latest on the #savecottonwood campaign and what’s next for the local recreation site south of Nelson and some of the private land that surrounds it.
You can listen to the entire interview here: