Nomination Deadline: September 14, 2020  

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their conservation work in the Kootenays? The annual KCP Conservation Leadership Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated leadership, innovation and dedication to conservation in our region. Nominees must be affiliated with a KCP partner organization (see our Partner Profiles booklet or contact us if unsure) and they must show a demonstrated commitment toward the KCP vision. We welcome your nominations before September 14. See attached nomination form. All nominees must have three nominators. Nominations will be valid for three years unless otherwise specified. Award winners will be announced at the KCP Virtual Fall Gathering on October 2.

October 2-3, Day 1: Online | Day 2: Localized field tours at 4 sites across the Kootenays

New research article: The Ecology of Human-Carnivore Coexistence

Thanks to the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund and the Regional District of Central Kootenay, residents of Area A, D and E can access a cost-sharing program to control knotweed on their property. Costs of knotweed treatment are shared, with landowners only contributing 50% of the costs. The Project Goal is to support private landowners to protect native habitat, keep their property safe, and fulfill their legal responsibility by controlling knotweed on their land

In an Op/Ed published by The Nelson Daily, Dr. Martin Carver, on behalf of the Upper Columbia Basin Environmental Collaborative (current members include the Sierra Club of British Columbia, BC Nature, Wildsight, Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society, and the North Columbia Environment Society) argues the new Columbia River Treaty must include ecosystem function as a third primary purpose equal to the existing purposes of international flood-risk management and hydropower with reservoir operations mimicking natural systems as much as possible.

Due to the COVID pandemic there is, of course, no Toadfest at Summit Lake Provincial Park this year, but the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, with support from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, is hosting a couple of online sessions via Zoom to share all the latest toad-worthy information! Get an update about the ongoing work to help Western toads at Summit Lake, check out some cool videos and photos, and ask a biologist any toad questions you may have. There will be games for the kids, and much more. Both events will take place 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm PST. Register for either session by emailing fwcp@bchydro.com.

Click here for more information or call Angus Glass at 250-352-1300.

This Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology course is for project managers who have to interpret the results of statistical analyses and make decisions about how much data to collect and which management actions to undertake. Taught by Dr. Joseph Thorley, R.P.Bio., a Senior Computation Biologist at Poisson Consulting Ltd., the course focuses on the fundamentals of uncertainty, effect sizes, significance, decision theory and the value of information. This course is full and a wait-list is in effect.

For 2020, the KCP Fall Gathering & AGM will be moving to a “hybrid” approach with a Virtual Conference using Zoom on Day 1, based on this year’s theme of “Conservation in a Time of Uncertainty: Adapting to Challenges”; and localized tours at 4 different sites across the Kootenays on Day 2, each in a different “Conservation Neighbourhood”: Kootenay Lake (Fish/Bear Lakes), Creston Valley (Yaqan Nukiy Wetlands), Columbia Valley (Galena Creek), and Elk Valley (Morrissey Meadows). The field tours will be limited to a maximum of 12 participants in light of COVID-19 physical distancing measures. Online registration will be announced later this month — please note that priority registration for the field tours will be given to representatives of KCP partner organizations.

This two-day Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology conference in Kimberley will address key questions in the development and application of camera trap methods. By showcasing established and emerging case studies, the conference will be a forum for sharing lessons on fundamental topics such as sampling design, data management and analysis, and multi-project collaboration.

NEW DATE TBA, Kootenay Lake (Yasodhara Ashram)

This leadership training opportunity is hosted as a partnership between CBEEN and Selkirk College. This is the first time this renowned training has been held in the Kootenays — the focus will be on climate change. This retreat at Yasodhara Ashram on Kootenay Lake will build your capacity for incorporating collaborative solutions, conflict resolution and collective wisdom building into your personal and organizational leadership practice with a focus on community action.

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 small Environment Grant. There are multiple intake dates throughout the year. The next deadlines is October 30, 2020 at 2 p.m. PT / 3 p.m. MT.

The Manager of Environmental Geoscience and Permitting is the BC provincial expert in the field of metal leaching and acid rock drainage and leads the review and assessment program related to water quality and mine waste effects for all mining projects in the province. The position supervises a team of highly specialized technical staff and professional contractors to meet legislative requirements and support an environmentally responsible mining industry. This position is based in Victoria, however the following locations may also be considered based on operational requirements and availability: Cranbrook, Kamloops, Prince George, and Smithers. Deadline to apply has been extended to August 13, 2020.

Wildsight Invermere is hiring a Climate Change Resilience Coordinator Intern. To be eligible for this program, the candidate must be 30 years of age or under and a recent graduate or student. The Coordinator will help build Wildsight Invermere’s climate change resilience programming, communications and outreach strategies. If you are an independent, self-motivated individual passionate about making a difference, please apply! Deadline to apply is August 17, 2020 by 12 p.m. MT.

The Sierra Club of BC is seeking to hire a Forest Community Liasion. This position will support and strengthen networks of community groups who are concerned about the interconnected impacts of current forest management on community health and resiliency, including on water, Indigenous cultures and jurisdiction, climate, flooding, salmon, old-growth conservation and endangered species. Although the Sierra Club of BC office is in Victoria on Lekwungen peoples territory, they are seeking and will prioritize applicants who live outside of urban centres and who are willing to work remotely from anywhere in BC. Applications will be reviewed starting on August 24. The call for applications will remain open until the position is filled.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) in partnership with the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are seeking to fill one vacancy on the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund (KLLCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC) with an expertise in wildlife. The role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects in the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund Service Area. Deadline to apply is October 1, 2020.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in partnership with the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are seeking qualified members for the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC). The role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for the area from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen. Applications will be received on an ongoing basis.

Developed by the Partnership for Water Sustainability, the BC Landscape Water Calculator is linked to a 500-metre gridded climate data set covering the entire province. The tool allows any property owner in BC to zoom in to their property and quantify their landscape water needs based on climate, soil, plant type and irrigation system. Watch an online demo.

KCP has created the “Case for Conservation” tri-fold brochure, which details 9 different reasons why conserving private land is so crucial to the health of the region’s ecosystems that support a myriad of plant, fish and animal species — many of which are currently rare or endangered or at risk of becoming so. The brochure opens up into an attractive poster that can be easily posted in offices, public spaces and homes. Printed brochures are available for distribution. If you would like copies, please contact KCP Program Manager Juliet Craig at manager@kootenayconservation.ca.