| |
Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews
It's a busy time for KCP and our partners. In May, we hosted our Elk Valley Conservation Action Forum, Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund Director's Tour, and the East Kootenay Stewardship Committee meeting. In June, we look forward to the KCP Spring Tour and West Kootenay Stewardship Committee meeting. We were sad to see Adrienne Shaw leave the position of KCP Stewardship Coordinator and wish her all the best spending more time with her family. We are excited to have Marcy Mahr returning to the position this month.
|
|
|
Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund
Directors Tour
On May 27, KCP hosted a field tour of projects funded by the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) for the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) Columbia Valley Directors. Five elected officials representing the Village of Canal Flats, the District of Invermere, the Village of Radium Hot Springs and RDEK Areas F and G received on-site presentations at five different locations. Presenters included Kendal Benesh and Danny Smart from the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council on leafy spurge control, Rachel Darvill from Wildsight Golden on the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey, Dave Zehnder on the Farmland Advantage pilot project, Lea Randall from Calgary Zoo on the Reintroduction of Northern Leopard Frogs to the Columbia Marshes project, and Kate Mackenzie from Nature Conservancy of Canada on the Luxor Linkage Conservation Area. Accompanying the local politicians were four members of the CVLCF Technical Review Committee, as well as RDEK Chair Rob Gay and RDEK Corporate Officer Shannon Moskal. The morning tour was followed by an afternoon roundtable on the successes, opportunities and next steps for the CVLCF.
KCP Neighbourhood Planning
Elk Valley Conservation Action Forum
KCP hosted our fourth Conservation Action Forum in Fernie on May 29 focused on the Elk Valley. This Forum brought together participants from a broad range of backgrounds to identify conservation targets and threats as well as shared priorities for conservation actions in the coming three years.
Highlights included "speed" (4-minute) presentations from scientists on 10 conservation topics, the opportunity to network with many diverse organizations, and small group planning focusing on four conservation actions.
The report from this event will soon be available here. Please check back.
KCP Spring Tour
June 26, Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area
KCP will be hosting a Spring Tour on June 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. Join other KCP partner organizations to explore the Fort Shepherd Conservancy Area. Owned by The Land Conservancy of BC, this unique property south of Trail has outstanding ecological and historic features. This is a Restricted Access property so don't miss this opportunity to visit!
Please
RSVP to manager@kootenayconservation.ca by June 18.
2
019 KCP Fall Gathering - Save the Date!
October 4-5, Invermere
Did you have a fun, enlightening time at the 2018 Fall Gathering - or wish you did because you missed it? Mark your calendar for the 2019 event, which will be taking place in Invermere in the East Kootenay. The KCP Fall Gathering & AGM serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region, complete with a guest speakers series, field tour, catered meals and more at no cost to attendees.
Visit the Fall Gathering page for coverage of the 2018 event.
|
|
Faces & Places Monthly Feature
Robyn Hooper
Robyn is the Executive Director of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS), one of three invasive species non-profits within the Kootenay Conservation Program service area dedicated to preventing and managing the spread of invasive species. With a background in climate change adaption and forest management, Robyn is uniquely positioned to lead CSISS given that invasive species may have an advantage over native species in a changing climate.
|
|
Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey
Spring Survey results and CWWS updates
95 volunteers counted and identified birds this spring during the waterbird survey. There were relatively low counts this year when compared to the previous couple of years that had a comparable amount of survey effort. In total, 25,496 birds were counted over the three survey dates. April 3rd had 8,344 individuals, April 10th had 8,491 and April 16th had 8,661 birds. It's not clear why counts were lower, but it could have had to do with the weather. To see the summary checklist for the spring 2019 surveys,
please click here.
Columbia Basin Trust
WildSafeBC benefitting Basin communities
WildsafeBC works with residents and communities in nearly 100 communities around the Basin to reduce human-wildlife conflict through education, collaboration and community solutions. With renewed funding from the Trust, even more communities will benefit from their programming this year.
Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society
Sightings of Harlequin Ducks Wanted in the Salmo River Watershed
Harlequin Ducks are striking sea ducks that overwinter on the coast and migrate to the interior to breed. For many reasons they are sensitive indicators of freshwater ecosystems. Pandion Ecological Research Ltd., in collaboration with Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society, is repeating a Harlequin pair and brood inventory from May to July 2019, along with stewardship follow-up at specific sites. Information and sightings are actively being sought from the public. Please share your sightings of Harlequin Ducks in the Salmo River watershed.
Report Invasives BC
App available for download
This Report Invasives app let you report invasive species sightings anywhere in BC, in a few quick and easy steps. Your report goes directly to a BC specialist for the reported species who will then coordinate follow-up activities with appropriate authorities when required.
Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
American Bullfrogs invader alert
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) has been working to protect the
native reptiles and amphibians of the Columbia-Shuswap region by urging pet-owners, Don't Let
It Loose. In late May, CSISS staff posted signage near waterbodies where pet-owners may be tempted to
release their unwanted pet bullfrogs into the wild, urging them to re-home the invasive
amphibians instead. The American Bullfrog is among the top 100 worst invasive species in the world. Voracious predators, these bullfrogs will eat anything that fits inside their mouth, including
native and
endangered frogs and salamanders, songbirds, mice, and snakes. This aggressive behaviour
has led to a documented decrease in native frog populations wherever the bullfrogs are
introduced.
Columbia Basin Watershed Network
2019 Spring Meeting speaker recordings available online
Recordings of the speakers who presented at the CBWN Spring Meeting & AGM on April 27 in Cranbrook are now available on the CBWN website.
United Nations Report
One million species facing extinction, posing a risk to human well-being
This report encompasses the first global assessment by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the international body tasked with pulling together the current state of knowledge on environmental degradation and the risk it poses to humanity. Assembled by 145 authors from 50 countries, the report is based on a review of approximately 15,000 scientific and government publications, with the aim of identifying key drivers to species and habitat loss and pathways to addressing those losses.
FACETS Science Journal
Protecting biodiversity in British Columbia: Recommendations for developing species at risk legislation
A new paper has recommendations from scientists for B.C. to protect biodiversity and develop species at risk legislation that build upon strengths and avoid weaknesses observed elsewhere.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
|
Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society AGM
June 3, Queens Bay
All are welcome. This a great way for members to be updated on what the FOKLSS is up to and for nonmembers to get some more info on FOKLSS projects and programs.
Enjoy live music from the talented harpist Dawna McLennan and some light refreshments. This is a free event but registration is required.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Advanced Field Ornithology: Identification and Surveys by Sound and Recordings
For many field ornithology surveys, the ability to identify bird species by their calls and songs is an essential skill. It is also one of the hardest aspects of field work to master.
This CMI course will combine field-experience listening to bird calls and songs during three mornings at the height of the breeding season, with hands-on recording practice to generate sound files. Each afternoon, the class will learn to edit and review their recordings using sound visualization software on their personal laptop computers. This course is full with a wait list.
Strategic Approaches for Invasive Plant Management Professionals
June 4, College of the Rockies Cranbrook Campus
An East Kootenay Invasive Species Council Professional level course designed for management professionals, land managers, and other interested individuals with management techniques relevant to industrial sites, roadsides, and lands used for producing crops. A great networking opportunity.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Native Plant Seed Collection and Meadowscaping Training
June 8, Balfour Community Hall
Both meadow plant species and the native pollinators (bee, butterflies) that these wildflowers support are imperiled in the West Kootenay, and in many other regions of British Columbia. Meadowscaping - the creation/enhancement of meadow habitat through a coordinated planting of native wildflower seeds - can result in direct and effective conservation benefits. With funding from the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund, and in partnership with the Idaho Panhandle Bees to Bears Climate Adaptation Project (B2B), Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation (Y2Y) Initiative, and KinSeed Native Plant Seed and Consulting, the Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS) is pleased to host Native Plant Seed Collection and Meadowscaping Training. This free workshop is part of a new KNPS project called Wildflowers for Pollinatorsdeveloped to introduce meadowscaping to the West Kootenay and to launch the Kootenay Lake Wildflower Seed Library. Kristina Boyd (B2B Citizen Science Coordinator) and Lincoln Best (Bee Biodiversity Expert) will be co-leading this workshop! The workshop will run 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Click here to learn more and to register.
Practical Invasive Plant Identification (multiple dates & locations)
June 8, Cranbrook - June 15, Fernie - June 22, Invermere
In this introductory level course offered through the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council, learn how to identify and remove common invasive plants, including Knapweeds, Burdock, Tansy, and more. This course involves hands-on observations and demonstrations in the field.
Invasive Species Habitat Restoration Workshop for Volunteers (multiple dates & locations)
June 9, Cranbrook - June 16, Fernie - June 23, Radium Hot Springs
Join the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council Weed Warriors! Whether you are an experienced steward or are just thinking about getting involved, this is a free training session for volunteers.
Publication Writing Workshop
June 11-14, Castlegar
This four-day publication workshop will take place on the Selkirk College Castlegar campus Sentinel 101. The workshop is for researchers who wish to write peer-reviewed papers (journal papers, conference papers, reports and/or book chapters) more efficiently and with more impact. Researchers of various experience are welcome - including those who have authored dozens of publications to those who have authored a master's thesis. The workshop format will include: 20% instruction time, 60% writing time, 20% peer review time. Researchers of various experience levels are welcome, including those who have authored dozens of publications or those who have authored a master's thesis.
The workshop will run through CE as a course (at no cost). Please note that some days will run longer than others (up to 5:30pm) and please register before May 15.
STREAM training practicum
June 12-13, Nelson
STREAM (Sequencing the Rivers for Environmental Assessment and Monitoring) DNA, is a new community-based project which involves the collection of samples for eDNA metabarcoding analysis from rivers across Canada. Through Living Lakes Canada, participants will be certified in the traditional CABIN protocol and learn new eDNA collection techniques. Participants will be supported to collect bulk DNA samples in their watersheds for the
STREAM project post training.
Field Soil Description & Classification
June 12-14, Revelstoke
The emphasis of this CMI course is to record accurate soil description data for subsequent soil classification in the field and verify with other groups. Techniques will be demonstrated to improve the quality of field determinations for soil texture, soil colour and % coarse fragment content. Soil remediation factors will be discussed in the field relating to agriculture, forestry, mining and oil & gas.
Moberly Marsh Bird Walk
June 13, Golden
Join Verena Shaw, Bird Watcher and Program Assistant for the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey to see what birds are at Moberly Marsh. Bring Binoculars/scope, field guide, water, snack, hat and perhaps rubber boots for potentially long wet grass. This is a free and family friendly event.
Â
Ursus & Us: Bear Day in Downtown Invermere
June 15, Invermere
An annual, family-friendly bear awareness day with fun activities, workshops and displays. Chat with local wildlife experts, learn how to keep bears wild and stay safe in bear country with hands-on bear spray lessons. This is a free event and runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Bumble Bee Biodiversity, Ecology, and Identification
June 17-18, Revelstoke
British Columbia has around 36 bumble bee species and identification to species can be challenging. This Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology course will provide instruction on Bumble Bee (Bombus) taxonomy and identification and will be accomplished in a classroom setting through a combination of lectures, problem solving activities, and microscopy. The goal is to provide participants with the skills to conduct research, monitor, and assess these taxa. The instructor is
Lincoln Best who is the lead taxonomist for the Oregon Bee Project and Atlas at Oregon State University, Corvallis in partnership with the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
This course has been approved by the
Society for Ecological Restoration
(SER) as a for-credit course! Students will earn 10 continuing education credits with SER's Certified Ecological Restoration Practitioner (CERP) program.
Professional Techniques for Recording & Reporting (multiple dates & locations)
June 18, Cranbrook - June 25, Invermere
Part of EKISC's Professional level course structure. This 6-hour course (box lunch provided) is designed to train professionals in field techniques for mapping and reporting invasive plant occurrences. This course provides in class and hands on training in field techniques.
BOTANY BC 2019
June 20-23, Rossland
Botany BC is an annual meeting of botanists and plant enthusiasts of British Columbia and is open to anyone interested in plants. Although BOTANY meetings are focused to British Columbia, we welcome all the plant enthusiasts from neighbouring provinces/states, and from elsewhere in the world.
Summer Solstice Plant Walk
June 22, Golden
Join Wildsight Golden on Summer Solstice for a Plant Walk. Meet at the IOOB campground at 10 a.m.
BC Wildlife Federation Wetlandkeepers Workshop
July 12-14, Rossland
The BC Wildlife Federation's Wetlands Education Program presents Wetlandkeepers, a free public workshop funded by sponsors. Wetlands can filter water, mitigate flooding, and provide critical habitat to hundreds of species. Unfortunately, wetlands are disappearing at an alarming rate and need our protection. BCWF's Wetlandkeepers Course is a 2.5 Day workshop that educates participants about wetland conservation. Upon community request, BCWF hosts the Wetlandkeepers workshop to cover topics of interest to community stewardship groups
Columbia River Field School
August 15-28, Columbia River
This summer, 16 inspiring Columbia Basin youth will take up paddles and navigate the complex social, economic and natural history of the might Columbia River. Traveling by canoe through key sections of the river, participants will learn from local expert voices as varied as the river itself. Participants will gain important canoe and camping skills, will earn certifications from the Recreational Canoe Association of BC and will be inspired to engage and help shape the future of the Columbia River.
Click here for more information.
The 6th International Columbia River Transboundary Conference
September 12-14, Kimberley
Online registration is open for the Columbia Basin Transboundary Conference: One River, One Future, an international conference addressing key issues related to the future of the Columbia River, its ecosystem, management, and international implications. Join Columbia Basin Trust and the Northwest Power and Conservation Council from September 12 to 14, 2019 in Kimberley, B.C. to connect and collaborate on the future of the Columbia River.
2019 Inquiring Voices Environmental Education Gathering
September 20-22, Whatshan Lake Retreat (near Nakusp, West Kootenay)
CBEEN's 2019 Inquiring Voices Environmental Education Gathering will take place at Whatshan Lake Retreat near Edgewood (south of Nakusp) from September 20-22, 2019. The goal of this annual event is to bring together educators to form a rich learning community meet to share, support, and collaborate with one another. These retreats are a great opportunity to network, share resources and stories, inspire one another and have fun through dialogue and activity.
2019 KCP Fall Gathering - Save the Date!
October 4-5, Invermere
The KCP Fall Gathering & AGM serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region, complete with a guest speakers series, field tour, catered meals and more at no cost to attendees.
|
 |
|
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation Grant
Deadline: July 15
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is a national charity that funds environmental projects across Canada. Eligible projects include schoolyard greening, park revitalization, community gardens, park programming and citizen science initiatives.
Columbia Basin Trust Environment Small Grant
Deadline: July 30
If you have an idea that will strengthen environmental well-being, this program could help support it. If your project requires $5,000 or less, you can apply for a Environment Small Grant. There are multiple intake dates throughout the year. The next deadline is July 30, 2019 at 2 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. MT.
Community Gaming Environment Grants
Deadline: August 31
Community Gaming Grants support eligible not-for-profit organizations that deliver community programs that benefit the citizens of British Columbia. The Environment grant program supports community-based environmental programs that benefit the citizens of British Columbia.
Applications are accepted July 1 to August 31 with final notification by November 30.
MEC Community Grants
Deadline: September 4
Through grants of up to $20,000 MEC supports organizations that can demonstrate their commitment to teaching responsible outdoor recreation practices and environmental stewardship. 2019 fall grants are accepted July 1 to September 4. Applicants are notified mid-November.
Columbia Basin Trust Environment Grants
Deadline: September 18
If you have an idea that will strengthen environmental well-being, this program could help support it.
If your project requires more than $5,000, the Environment Grants intake will open June 5, 2019 and close September 18, 2019.
Vancouver Foundation Systems Change Grants - Develop Grants
Deadline: Ongoing
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 (Develop grants) are a one-time application that can be submitted any time throughout the year and decisions are made the following month. The next granting cycle for multi-year grants (Test and Scale grants) opens January 2, 2019.
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.
Columbia Basin Trust Career Internship Program
Deadline: First-come, first-served basis
CBT's 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.
|
 |
Columbia Basin Trust
Manager, Environment
The Trust is seeking a Manager, Environment to join its team. This is a great opportunity for an individual with strong interpersonal and leadership skills and experience with ecological, climate change and water related issues and trends. The ideal candidate would also possess well-developed research, presentation and communications skills, and have the ability to work in a fast paced environment. Reporting to the Senior Manager, Delivery of Benefits, this position is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, evaluating and reporting on environment programs and initiatives related to the Trust's strategic priorities. This is full-time, 24-month temporary position based out of any of our four offices. The deadline to apply is June 24.
Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society
Summer Environmental Assistant
The Salmo Watershed Streamkeepers Society is seeking a motivated individual who enjoys working outdoors and with others to join their team. The successful applicant will be assisting in both field and office-based activities with the SWSS coordinator and full-time Environmental Assistant. This position will remain open until filled.
Goldeneye Ecological Services
Volunteers Wanted to Assist with Marsh Bird Surveys
An opportunity to experience little visited parts of the Columbia Wetlands and hear/see secretive marsh species. No bird experience necessary, but volunteers should be proficient with use of small watercraft and be available for 6-8 hours during an early morning.
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council
Pesticide Applicator Job Opportunities
EKISC aims to increase the number of experienced, licensed Pesticide Applicators in the East Kootenay region. If you are currently licensed and would like more information about contract opportunities, please contact Katie Reid, EKISC's Field Operations Manager, at
katie@ekisc.com for more details.
|
 |
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.
Stewardship Solutions Online Toolkit
For Landowners and Land Managers in the Kootenays
The KCP team has developed a fantastic resource for landowners and land managers in the Kootenay region featuring conservation groups engaged in landowner outreach in their respective regions. Find your "Conservation Neighbourhood" based on your location to access all the private land stewardship services available in your area. The toolkit is accessible online as an engaging and interactive website, or comes in the form of full-colour handouts that can also be downloaded from the website. The goal of this tool is to support organizations that do landowner outreach for conservation to showcase other organizations and services available in their region. This resource leverages the outreach work of partner organizations. Email
stewardship@kootenayconservation.ca if you would like print copies of the Stewardship Solutions for your region.
KCP Local Government Forum
Access presentations (video recordings & PDFs) online
The KCP Local Government Forum in Creston on March 13 brought almost 30 local government staff, elected officials and conservation group representatives together for a full-day workshop that showcased examples of voluntary and regulatory tools used in the Kootenays and elsewhere in B.C. to promote conservation in local government activities. The goal of this Forum was to identify specific tools/resources required by local governments of the Kootenays to integrate conservation principles into planning. Video recordings of all the speakers are now available on our website, as are PDFs of the slideshow presentations.
Long-Term Effect of Ecosystem Restoration Treatments on Understory Vegetation in the Ponderosa Pine Zone
Recently released report available
This study by Ross Range and Reclamation Services was designed to investigate the efficacy of stand-tending systems to rehabilitate over-stocked forests in the Ponderosa Pine biogeoclimatic zone. Several treatment types were monitored on ten sites within openings made in the late 1970's and early 1980's. Five sites were harvested in 2009-10 under ecosystem restoration prescriptions written in 2007. The study took place in the St. Mary's Prairie, Cherry-TaTa and TaTa/Skookumchuck Range Units, all of which are located within the Rocky Mountain Forest District in the East Kootenay region of British Columbia.
Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
Strategic & Operational Plans available online
The Strategic Plan aims to provide direction by defining the purpose, values, and goals and strategies of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society. The Operational Plan aims to provide a framework for invasive plant management activities within the Columbia Shuswap region. This plan provides direction to resource managers, community groups and private citizens on invasive plant species of highest management priority for control, inventory, and monitoring.
Elk River Alliance
New Water Quality Pamphlets
The ERA has been monitoring Lizard & Alexander Creeks since 2011/2012 (respectively) through their community-based water monitoring program. All the data has been analyzed and is now presented in new "e-pamphlets" available on the ERA website.
Kootenay Connect
Preliminary Report now available
Sponsored by KCP, Dr. Michael Proctor from the Trans-Border Grizzly Project and Marcy Mahr from EcoMosaic Consulting captured the concept of Kootenay Connect in the document "Kootenay Connect: Riparian Wildlife Corridors for Climate Change". This report outlines the concept of landscape connectivity in the Kootenays including biodiversity hot spots to focus on, provides a "proof of concept" for conservation actions to protect corridors, and outlines next steps moving forward.
Association of State Wetland Managers
ASWM-NRCS Wetland Training Webinar Series - 3 more webinars left!
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.
|
|
| 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. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
