Looking for a meaningful gift that gives back to the Kootenays? Choose gifts that help protect our lakes, forests, and favourite outdoor spaces from invasive species. These thoughtful picks are perfect for nature lovers, outdoor adventurers, gardeners, and anyone who cares about keeping our region healthy.
Make a Donation to CKISS
Looking for a gift that truly gives back? A donation to CKISS supports invasive species prevention, education, and on-the-ground action throughout the Kootenays. From community pulling events to youth education and on the ground management, your gift helps protect what we love.
Bonus idea: Pair a donation with a handwritten card explaining the impact of the gift. Click here to make a donation.
Boot Brush & Hiking Guide
A boot brush is one of the simplest and most effective tools for stopping the spread of invasive plants especially for hikers exploring multiple trails and ecosystems. Seeds and soil easily hitch a ride on footwear when hiking, mountain biking, hunting, or walking the dog. Pairing a boot brush with a local hiking guide encourages people to stay on designated trails, discover new areas responsibly, and clean their gear between adventures, helping ensure invasive species don’t move from place to place.
CKISS recommends locally focused hiking guides such as West Kootenay Hiking by Abby Wilson and Where Locals Hike: The West Kootenay Trails Guide, which showcase great trails while promoting responsible recreation close to home.
Learn more about why cleaning your gear matters through the PlayCleanGo campaign.
Native Seed Packs
Native seed packs make a beautiful and eco-friendly gift for gardeners, landowners, and restoration enthusiasts. Planting native species supports pollinators, strengthens ecosystems, and helps prevent invasive plants from taking over.
Connect this gift to CKISS’s PlantWise and Eco Garden programs, which promote responsible plant choices and invasive-free gardening across the region.
Shammy for Your Boat
For boaters and paddlers, a quality shammy or towel is a must-have and a great reminder to Clean, Drain, Dry. Properly drying boats, paddles, and gear is critical for preventing the spread of invasive mussels and aquatic plants between waterbodies.
Tie this gift to the Clean Drain Dry campaign to reinforce best practices on the water.
BC Native Plant Field Guide
A field guide to BC’s native plants is perfect for hikers, foragers, gardeners, and curious naturalists. It helps people identify native species, learn what belongs here, and avoid accidentally spreading invasive plants.
We suggest popping into your local book store and asking for Plants of Southern Interior British Columbia or Popular Wildflowers of South-Central British Columbia by Neil L. Jennings
Magnifying Glass for Firewood Checks
Invasive insects can lurk unnoticed under bark and inside firewood. A simple magnifying glass encourages closer inspection and sparks conversations about why moving firewood is risky.
Link this gift to the Buy Local Burn Local message and help protect our forests from invasive pests.
Think Twice About Gifting a Pet
Pets might seem like a fun surprise, but unwanted aquarium fish, reptiles, and amphibians are often released into the wild—where they can become invasive and harm local ecosystems.
Instead of gifting a pet, consider joining a loved one to volunteer at a local SPCA.
Learn more through the Don’t Let It Loose campaign.
This holiday season, give gifts that protect the places we love. Every thoughtful choice helps stop the spread of invasive species—and keeps the Kootenays wild, resilient, and thriving for generations to come.