Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews

With both Spring Tours concluded, we at KCP are anticipating our next big event: the 2018 Fall Gathering taking place in Nelson October 12-13. Day 1 will be an indoor conference featuring numerous experts presenting on our 2018 theme of Conservation in the Context of Climate Change as well as Conservation Cafe group discussions, our annual Conservation Leadership Awards presentation and, of course, delicious catered meals, snacks and refreshments to keep you fuelled throughout the day. Day 2 will be a field trip to nearby conservation properties/projects with transportation and lunch included. 

Online registration will open in September and we offer the choice of attending either Day 1 or Day 2, or the full two days. All KCP Partners and members of the public are invited, and there is no charge to attend our Fall Gathering, but seats do fill up quickly so be sure to book your spot. More details will be available in our next eNews. Please save the date and join us! 
For coverage of both the West and East Kootenay Spring Tours that took place in May and June, click here. The Spring Tours provided an e xcellent opportunity for partners to meet, share updates, exchange ideas and witness conservation in action. If you missed this year's tours, they will return in Spring 2019.

A reminder that we now have a new shared events calendar on our website that links to the calendars of other Columbia Basin Environmental Networks - the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), the Columbia Basin Watershed Network (CBWN) and the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI). Bookmark http://kootenayconservation.ca/calendar/ to ensure you stay up-to-date on all conservation-related events in our region. 
 
Please feel free to submit any photos, news or events you'd like us to share by the third week of each month to communications@kootenayconservation.ca. Please click  here throughout the month to check in on current news and events. You can click here for our KCP Partner list and click here to read more about some of the great organizations that support conservation in the Kootenays. You can also like us on Facebook to hear more news from partners throughout the month.
 
As always, a big thanks goes out to our supporters!
 


2018 KCP Fall Gathering
Save the Date! October 12-13, Nelson 
Join us in Nelson on October 12-13, 2018 for the 2018 KCP Fall Gathering! This year's theme is Conservation in the Context of Climate Change. Please "Save the Date" by marking it in your calendars.
 


Faces & Places Monthly Feature
Penny Ohanjanian   
Penny is a Kimberley-based biologist who has specialized in rare and endangered birds and amphibians for over 30 years. She is the lead on the Reintroduction of Northern Leopard  Frogs to Columbia Marshes project that's currently underway near Brisco involving both the Calgary Zoo and Vancouver Aquarium. She attributes her strong research skills to her unique background in Ancient Greek and Latin literature and history. 
 


Regional District of East Kootenay
Request for feedback on Lake Windermere Official Community Plan until July 6
The RDEK recently posted several online surveys to gather feedback on the Lake Windermere Official Community Plan (OCP). The surveys are on a range of topics including environmental concerns and agriculture as well as open space, recreation and trails. The environment survey asks specifically for feedback on ER, wildlife corridor connectivity, invasive species, etc. The draft policy and land use questions contained in the surveys are meant to address concerns the RDEK has heard in previous engagement activities. The survey deadline is July 6.

Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI): Watershed-level pilot implementation in B.C.
Call for Expressions of Interest
The Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) offers a methodology and support for local governments to integrate natural assets into core asset management and financial processes using the same systems as for engineered assets. MNAI is now offering a watershed-level program in BC focussed on the needs and capacities of smaller / rural local governments, in a single geographic region. Deadline for Expressions of Interest is August 17, 2018.

Columbia Basin Trust & Living Lakes Canada
Community Engagement in Water Governance report now available
Produced by KCP partners Columbia Basin Trust and Living Lakes Canada in partnership with the University of Victoria's POLIS Water Sustainability Project, the Community Engagement in Watershed Governance: Case Studies and Insights From the Upper Columbia River Basin report highlights how community-based organizations in the Basin are supporting watershed health. The following four watershed groups are featured: Kootenay Lake Partnership, Lake Windermere Ambassadors, East Kootenay Integrated Lake Management Partnership and Elk River Alliance.

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
CBEEN launches Environmental Education Endowment Fund
CBEEN understands that environmental education is a long-term investment in the general health and well-being of individuals, communities, ecosystems and the planet and established the Environmental Education Endowment Fund to help support environmental education in perpetuity.

Columbia Basin Watershed Network
Spring Meeting recordings
The CBWN Spring Meeting and AGM took place on April 20th in Creston. Video recordings of member group presentations at the Spring Meeting are available on the CBWN website.

Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development 
Wanted: public feedback on wildlife management and habitat conservation
The Province of B.C. seeks a better understanding on the challenges facing wildlife management and habitat conservation, and ways to explore opportunities for developing more effective management tools. The purpose of this engagement is to open a discussion among Indigenous peoples, rural communities, wildlife organizations, natural resource development industry stakeholders, and the public to identify ideas on ways to improve the way wildlife and their habitat are managed. This province-wide engagement is open until July 31.

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Kootenay Boundary Wildlife Habitat Features Order effective July 1
In the fall of 2016, the Province initiated a project in the Kootenay Boundary region to establish a Wildlife Habitat Feature Order and assess the implementation process. On May 29, 2018 the Minister of Environment & Climate Change Strategy signed the Order identifying 14 wildlife habitat features in the Kootenay Boundary region. The protections cover the nests for bald eagles, osprey, and Great Blue Herons, the burrows for American badgers, the dens of the grizzly bears, bat hibernation sites and several other wildlife features. The effective date of the Order is July 1, 2018. 

Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Launch of the Species-at-Risk Legislation Engagement
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy has been given the mandate to develop stand-alone species at risk legislation. One opportunity to join the discussion is through the govTogetherBC website where the Province has just launched a series of moderated blogs. This website will be the main communication portal where all the feedback received will also be posted to the site.
Go to www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcspeciesatrisk/ to join the discussion. Input can also be provided directly to Species.At.Risk.BC@gov.bc.ca.
 
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Consultation on proposed Shorthead Sculpin Management Plan
The document Management Plan for the Shorthead Sculpin (Cottus confusus) in Canada will be open for public consultation on the SAR Public Registry for a 60-day comment period. Fisheries and Oceans Canada will review comments and integrate them as appropriate, after which the final version will be posted on the Public Registry. The consultation closes August 11.

East Kootenay Invasive Species Council
Community Weed Pulls
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council has had a program in place for many years to assist with Community Weed Pulls all over the region. Community weed pulls provide an excellent opportunity for a group of people to get outdoors, learn about invasive plants and control the spread of these destructive species.
   
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The KCP encourages partners to take advantage of our eNews - send your content to  communications@kootenayconservation.ca.   


Cover Crops for Soil Health
July 8, Nelson
Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) provides free, technical production support and information to agricultural producers with a network of specialized resources including independent consultants and academics. For this free field day event, presenter Oscar Somasco, an advisor to farms transitioning to organic, will present test plots of several cover crop species at both his farm and at Bent Plow Farm to demonstrate techniques to build soil and reduce weeds.

Introduction to Willow Classification
July 9-10, Revelstoke
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is hosting an "Introduction to Willow Classification" course July 9-10 in Revelstoke. Willows ( Salix) are among the most widespread, diverse, and ecologically important vascular plants in British Columbia, yet are well known as one of the most difficult groups of plants to identify accurately to species. This course aims to provide students with a sufficient background in the genus to help untangle some of these complexities and become familiar with the identification process in the group. Both in-class and in-field components will allow students to practice identification using taxonomic keys and other materials. Space is limited to 15 people.

Graphic Facilitation Workshop (for working with groups)
July 9-10, Rossland
This two-day experiential workshop provides the skills and confidence needed to use a range of visuals for projects, meetings and reports.
Click here for more information and to register.

Bumblebee Identification Course
July 15, Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (just north of Bonners Ferry)
This full-day training runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is provided for anyone who has a curiosity for bumble bees and flowers, and an interest in contributing to an important citizen science project to provide a better understanding of the status of native bumblebees in the Pacific Northwest. Course registration is free but space is limited.
Click here to register.

CABIN Field Certification
July 17-18, Nelson
Living Lakes Canada will be hosting a standard 2-day Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) course July 17-18 in Nelson that's open to the public. The training provides the knowledge and skills required to conduct biomonitoring program to CABIN standards. Online modules guide you through data entry, analysis and reporting, while the field course gets you into a river with experienced CABIN trainers to go over the steps of collecting data for CABIN-based monitoring. L earn how to create and carry out your own biomonitoring program to assess the health of your surrounding freshwater ecosystems.
Click here for more information and to register.

Blueberry Production & Management
July 28-29, Christina Lake & Proctor (near Nelson)
Kootenay & Boundary Farm Advisors (KBFA) provides free, technical production support and information to agricultural producers with a network of specialized resources including independent consultants and academics. For this free event, presenter Dr. Eric Gebrant, research director for BC Blueberry Council, Raspberry Industry Development Council and Strawberry Growers' Association, will demonstrate best practices for blueberry crop management and include field observations.
Click here for more information and to register.

Green Shores Level 1
August 11, Invermere
Lake Windermere Ambassadors and the Stewardship Centre of BC are offering a one-day Level 1 workshop in Invermere to introduce participants to the Green Shores program, including its rationale, benefits, and application. The content is of interest to elected officials, landowners, municipal staff, conservation organizations, real estate agents, and others who have a general interest in shoreline ecosystem protection. This workshop is free of charge. Register by phone at 250-472-4747 or online.

Dirty Teaching Workshop: A Practical Guide to Getting Outside with Juliet Robertson (sold out)
August 21, Sparwood
Join Juliet Robertson at this unique 1-day workshop that will provide elementary and early years educators with a range of open-ended possibilities for developing great literacy and math experiences outside. Juliet Robertson is a world-renowned Scottish-based education consultant who specializes in learning and playing outdoors.
Click here for more information and to register.

Toadfest
August 22-23, Nakusp
The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program will be hosting Toadfest at Summit Lake in Nakusp on August 22-23. This free, fun, family event raises awareness of the Western Toad and the other species that call the area home. Learn about the toad's natural history, life cycle, and habitat needs, and check out the other local live animals on display.

Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Fall Survey
September 29, October 5 & 15   
Wildsight Golden's 2018 Fall Waterbird Surveys will take place on September 29, October 5, and October 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There will be free bird ID training sessions and a limited amount of optical equipment lent to volunteers in need. If you're interested in being part of this citizen-science project or would like to learn more about the fall surveys, please contact the program biologist at racheldarvill@gmail.com or call 250-344-5530. 

EECOM 2018 Conference: Classrooms to Communities
October 18-21, St. Eugene Mission Resort
From coast to coast, over 300 educators will have the opportunity to gather to learn, share and connect at this made-in-Canada environmental education conference. The theme for the 2018 Conference is Classrooms to Communities (C2C) which envisions learners and educators being deeply connected to place, community and planet. EECOM 2018 will be hosted as a partnership between EECOM, the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), the BC Environmental Educators Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) with the support of the BC Classrooms to Communities (C2C) Network. 

Columbia Basin Trust Career Internship Program
Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
CBT's new Career Internship Program provides wage funding for employers to hire college and university graduates in permanent, career-focused positions. Eligible employers are businesses, registered non-profits, municipalities, regional districts and Indigenous organizations within the Columbia Basin Trust region that have a demonstrated fiscal and organizational need for an intern and wage funding. The funding is up to 50 per cent of the new employee's wage over the first seven to 12 months, to a maximum of $25,000. The intern position must include a training plan that provides structured learning to the new employee and transitions to full-time, permanent employment at the end of the internship.
Vancouver Foundation Systems Change Grants
Grant applications open July 3
Systems Change Grants support projects that take action to address the root causes of pressing social, environmental or cultural issues by influencing the behaviours of populations, organizations, and institutions. Short-term grants can be submitted at any time throughout the year, beginning July 3 a and decisions are made the following month. Deadline to submit Letters of Intent for multi-year grants is July 20.

Columbia Basin Trust Environment Small Grant
Upcoming Deadlines: July 31, October 31, January 31
Environment Small Grants funds projects that take place within the Columbia Basin Trust region requesting up to $5,000 that will strengthen the environmental well-being and address one of the following four categories: ecosystems, climate, water and environmental education. 

Real Estate Foundation of BC General Grants
Next Deadline: September 6
The REFBC General Grants can fund projects in all five of REFBC's interest areas (sustainable land use, built environment sustainability, freshwater sustainability, and local and sustainable food systems, professional excellence in real estate.) The Foundation has two intakes per year. Applications are open to any non-profit organization doing work related to land use and/or real estate in B.C.
Click here for more information and how to apply. 

Columbia Basin Trust Environmental Grants
Deadline: September 13
Does your organization have a project that will benefit the Basin's environment? Projects requiring more than $5,000 should address the categories of: ecosystem diversity and resiliency, climate change, water resources and healthy waterways, and environmental education. Eligible applicants include registered non-profits, public organizations, municipalities, regional districts and Indigenous organizations. Businesses may be considered depending on the project and its broad community impact. 
Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Delivered for the Columbia Basin Trust by the Kootenay Livestock Association, the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program supports efforts to maintain and/or enhance grassland resources while meeting conservation, environmental and recreational objectives. Objectives include promoting the stewardship of the grassland resource, striving to maintain and enhance biodiversity and long-term fish and wildlife productivity in public grassland ecosystems and improving compatibility between livestock management and recreation use.

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Community Engagement Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
The goal of the Community Engagement Grant is to provide an opportunity for FWCP stakeholders (e.g. environmental groups, rod and gun clubs, non-profits, stewardship organizations, government, and First Nations), to apply for small amounts of funding to support their conservation and enhancement work. 
 

Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area  
Conservation Programs Assistant 
CVWMA is looking for a driven and passionate Conservation Programs Assistant to support the Head of Conservation Programs in the delivery of projects, and operations and maintenance activities. This new and exciting position will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to apply his or her skills to frequently changing and challenging environments. This is a one-year contract with probability of permanent full-time. The application deadline is July 3 by 4 p.m. PST.
Click here for the full job posting and how to apply.

Wildsight
Education Coordinator
Wildsight seeks a part-time Education Coordinator to join our team and support our classroom environmental education programs throughout the Columbia Basin, with a focus on four Education in the Wild programs - Winter Wonder, Nature through the Seasons, Classroom with Outdoors and EcoStewards. This position is a 0.4 FTE, based in the Wildsight office in Kimberley, BC, with flexible working hours. Apply before July 4th.

Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia
Executive Director
The Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia (GCC) is seeking an Executive Director to successfully manage and deliver the organization's programs according to the strategic direction set by the GCC Board of Directors. This is currently a part-time contract position with full-time potential dependent on success of fundraising programs. The location is flexible with strong preference for Kamloops, B.C. This position is open until filled.


Kootenay Conservation Program
Conservation Resources for our Region
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) helps partners to coordinate and facilitate conservation efforts on private land, and in an effort to support this, KCP has developed a webpage that compiles some of the best conservation and stewardship resources available for our region. 

Securing Private Land for Conservation in the Kootenays
FAQ document now available online
KCP has prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document to provide an overview of conservation securement in  the Kootenays. This is a living document that may be updated regularly to reflect the evolving and variable securement process. 
Click here for the online PDF.   

Kootenay Conservation Program
KCP Winter Webinar Series Recordings
If you missed the 2018 KCP Winter Webinar Series or would like to revisit any of the webinars, the recordings are available on the KCP website.

Association of State Wetland Managers
ASWM-NRCS Wetland Training Webinar Series
This webinar series has been designed to provide participants with a general level of knowledge about wetlands and wetland restoration options and considerations. Participants will come away from trainings with key knowledge, the ability to be more conversant about wetland issues, knowing what questions to ask when looking at restoration opportunities, and knowing when to contact or bring in an expert.
Click here for the upcoming webinars in the training series.

Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute
State of the Basin 2017 - Full Report now available 
The Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute, at Selkirk College, is a regional research centre with a mandate to support informed decision-making by Columbia Basin-Boundary communities through the provision of information, applied research and related outreach and extension support. The State of the Basin Initiative provides a region wide check-up on community and regional well-being in the Columbia Basin-Boundary region. 
Click here to see the latest conditions and trends.

Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (Selkirk College) 
A 'Made in the Basin' approach to climate adaptation
Columbia Basin-Boundary communities, like other parts of rural Canada, are highly vulnerable to climate change. With the overall goal of building capacity and resilience to climate change, the State of Climate Adaptation Pilot Project, which ran from fall 2016 to spring 2018, helped to better understand community level vulnerabilities and refine a suite of indicators to help measure progress on adaptation. 

BC Flood and Wildfire Review
Final report is now complete
The BC Flood and Wildfire Review final report, "Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster Management in BC", and its corresponding Executive Summary are available for download. The report includes 108 recommendations to improve flood and wildfire emergency management in B.C.
Click here for the results of the independent review and public engagement process.

BC River Forecast Centre 
Snow Conditions & Water Supply Bulletin
Data from snow courses and automated snow weather stations around the province (collected by the Ministry of Environment Snow Survey Program, BC Hydro and partners), and climate data from Environment and Climate Change Canada form the basis of this report.
Click here for the most current and previously issued bulletins.

BC Invasive Mussel Defence Program 
Watercraft Inspection stations are now up and running
To date, B.C. is still free of highly invasive zebra and quagga mussels. To keep it this way, it is mandatory for all watercraft to stop at road side inspection stations. Watercraft includes sailboats, motorboats, car toppers, kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards being transported in B.C. Failing to stop at an inspection station is illegal and may result in fines.
Click here for more information and a map of the 2018 BC Watercraft Inspection Stations.

Forests, Lands & Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development Invasive Plant Program
Report-a-Weed Mobile App
The mobile Report-a-Weed BC app is available free of charge for both iPhone and Android platforms. It lets you report invasive plant sites anyw here in B.C., in just a few simple steps.Your report will go to one of B.C.'s invasive plant specialists, who will coordinate follow-up activities with the appropriate local authorities.
 

 

If you have news or announcements that you would like to share via our eNews, please email them to communications@kootenayconservation.ca by the 25th of each month.