July 2018 e-Bulletin
Greetings!
This month, we are offering a series of resources to help the efforts to eradicate Japanese beetle. We're delighted to update you on the WIMBY contest winners and don't forget you can now take free invasive species e-learning - designed for real estate and land use professionals!
Join the July 25 Webinar: Japanese Beetle - What You Need to Know
Date: July 25, 2018 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Presenters: Shannon Derksen and Melissa Cook, Canadian Food Inspection Agency joined for questions and answers by Tracy Hueppelsheuser, British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture.
Overview: The invasive Japanese beetle was found in Vancouver in 2017 and eradication efforts are underway. Join this webinar to learn about Japanese beetle biology and damage, and an overview of the status of Japanese beetle in BC. Hear from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency on what's being done to monitor and contain Japanese beetle in Vancouver, what the nursery, plant retail and construction/development industry needs to know, and resources for further information. If you want to learn more about this damaging pest and if you move plant material and soil out of the City of Vancouver – this webinar is for you!
NOW AVAILABLE:
e-Learning for Real Estate and Land Use Professionals
Working in partnership with the British Columbia Society of Landscape Architects (BCSLA) with financial support from the Real Estate Foundation of BC (REFBC), we have developed a free interactive e-learning resource for real estate professionals, professional landscape architects, land developers and other land use disciplines. The aims of this training are to expand the knowledge and understanding of invasive species and their impacts, so professionals can provide their clients with useful information and educated advice. Read more about e-learning for real estate and land use professionals.
NEW INVASIVE SPECIES EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS
Two new educational videos have been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastucture are now available to watch online.
Best Management Practices for Invasive Plants During Gravel Pit Operations
Watch this new video gravel pits to learn what you can do to prevent the spread of invasive species through gravel pit operations.
Knotweed & Transportation Corridors
Watch the knotweed and transportation corridors video and learn why knotweed is a big issue for highway operations and key actions to take.
What's in My Backyard Photo Contest Winners!
The month of May was proclaimed BC Invasive Species Action Month. Throughout May we challenged school classes and youth groups to get outside and take photos of invasive species in their "backyard" and enter the photos in the contest. The groups who posted the most photos were winners. Over 300 photos were entered! Congratulations to all who took part, and especially first place winner and runner up...
Congratulations on placing first: Ms Gawehns’ Grade 8 Class at Pitt River Middle School!
To celebrate their win, Ms Gawehns' class went on a field trip to Extreme Air Park followed by a wonderful picnic in the park. Ms Gawehns commented during the contest "The class has been having fun learning about invasive species and I'm excited to take the learning further now with them!".
Congratulations to runner-up: Ms Watkinson's Grade 7 Class at Lake City Secondary School!
Ms Watkinson's class put their prize money towards an out of district class field trip to Barkerville. The class enjoyed the day out and some students took the opportunity to venture on a hike and explore Williams Creek at Barkerville. Ms Watkinson commented "Thank-you for this amazing opportunity and contest!".
Japanese Beetle Resources
ISCBC has developed the following resources to help with education and awareness of the invasive Japanese beetle and how the public can help. The poster, sticker and rack card will be distributed at key locations in Vancouver over the coming months. Each of these resources is available to download as PDF from this web page .
Key Japanese Beetle Contacts