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Kootenay Conservation Program eNews
September 2015
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) invites KCP partners to join us for our Fall Gathering and Annual General Meeting. This will take place at St. Eugene Mission Resort (near Cranbrook) on September 25-26. The theme of the event is Large Landscape Conservation, and we have a great line-up of presenters for Friday and an excellent field trip to the Flathead planned for Saturday. Our Keynote Address will be from Gary Tabor, Executive Director of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation. We will also have representatives from the Heart of the Rockies Initiative (HOTR), Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV), Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GNLCC) and University of Montana Institute on Ecosystems.
We hope you enjoy your monthly conservation update. You can click here at anytime during the month to check out current news and events on our blog. As always, please submit any news you'd like to share with our network by the 26th of each month to
info@kootenayconservation.ca.
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Richard Klafki
Nature Conservancy of Canada
In 2014, Richard joined the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) as Stewardship Coordinator for the Canadian Rocky Mountains program based in Invermere. Richard became interested in pursuing a career in wildlife shortly after high school in Golden, and has lived and worked as a biologist in the Kootenay region ever since. One of Richards's first wildlife-related jobs was as a student biologist with the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program where he became exposed to a wide variety of ecological-based projects throughout the Columbia Basin.
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The Story of a Once Wild River
Living Lakes Canada
From my viewpoint looking out over Lake Koocanusa, I can't help but imagine this landscape; pre-highway 3, pre-Libby dam, pre-flood. A wild river called the Kootenay. A river allowed to travel its course from riverbank to riverbank, and back again. Constantly depositing precious gravel, spawning substrates and nutrients to feed the river system. An endless system, originating north of Kootenay National Park, crossing the border into Montana, and back again to rest for a time as Kootenay Lake before plunging into the Columbia River at Castlegar.
BC Salmon are in Hot Water: Record Breaking Heat is causing BIG problems
Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society
Scorching, blazing, sizzling, blistering, oven like; take your pick to describe summer in B.C. The low snow year combined with prolonged high temperatures has resulted in drought like conditions. The Columbia River is at it's lowest flow in the past 60 years. Wildlife experts have estimated 80% of the spawning salmon could die because of warmer water temperatures in the Columbia River. Prior to the heat wave the greatest threat to Salmon was invasive species like Northern Pike. Pike are non-native opportunistic predators who are are taking over native fish habitat, and fast. Northern Pike have been directly linked to the decline of multiple fish species, including Salmon across the globe.
Natural Areas Conservation Program - Other Qualified Organizations (OQOs) Program
Nature Conservancy of Canada
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is pleased to offer a new round of funding under the Other Qualified Organizations (OQO) Program.
Under Environment Canada's National Conservation Plan, up to $5 million of funding from the Natural Areas Conservation Plan is available to support conservation in communities across Canada. This funding is administered by NCC.
Eligible organizations are invited to apply to this federally-funded program to assist and support the securement of ecologically significant areas across Canada, protect habitat for species at risk and migratory birds, and enhance connections and corridors between protected areas.
Controlling Burdock No Easy Task
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
The working conditions were harsh for tackling common burdock in the Duncan-Lardeau area in June and July: intense heat, wasp nests, stinging nettles and more mosquitoes than you could shake a planting shovel at. Despite all of this, a six-member team made greater progress than expected in pushing back this problematic plant. With FWCP support, the work was coordinated through the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and hired through the BC Conservation Foundation. Team members, all from the local communities of Cooper Creek, Kaslo, and Argenta, spent six weeks removing burdock on the Duncan-Lardeau Conservation Properties.
HCTF Photo Contest
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
If you've captured a spectacular image of BC's wildlife, freshwater fish, natural landscapes, or people participating in activities that connect them with these assets, you could enter it for a chance to win this year's grand prize of a $500 VISA gift card, or one of two $250 runner-up gift cards.
SunMine Commercially Operating
Columbia Basin Trust
The City of Kimberley is pleased to announce that SunMine is commercially operational. The 1.05 MW (megawatt) solar project is B.C.'s first grid-connected solar facility, as well as being Canada's largest project to use solar trackers. Production data since June 22nd confirms that the energy being generated by the SunMine is exceeding the modeled design potential.
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Canadian Wildlife Federation Funding
Deadline: September 1
Canadian Wildlife Foundation's Funding Program provides financial assistance to conservation programs and educational programs related to wildlife and research.
Click here for more information.
Mountain Equipment Coop
Deadline: September 10
Grants enable people to enjoy the outdoors and support conservation initiatives.
Real Estate Foundation of BC
Deadline: September 16
Water, sustainable food systems and well-planned built environments are a priority for these grants.
Columbia Basin Trust
Deadline: October 19
CBT's Environment Grants fund community-initiated and community-supported projects that advance environmental well-being in the areas of ecosystems, climate, water or environmental education
Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund
Deadline: October 31
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the area from Spillimacheen to Canal Flats through the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) which is administered by the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP). The intent is to provide funding for conservation projects that are not the existing responsibility of the federal, provincial or local governments. Through the CVLCF, the Kootenay Conservation Program has financially supported over 50 stewardship projects including ecosystem restoration, invasive species control, lake management, water quality monitoring, and a pilot ecological services project.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation
Deadline: November 2
These grants are provided to projects that: focus on freshwater wild fish, native wildlife species and their habitats; have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome; best represent the interests of the Trust Foundations' contributors, and maintain or enhance opportunities for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and associated outdoor recreational activities.
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
Deadline: November 13
The FWCP funds fish and wildlife projects that align with our Action Plans. If you have an idea for a project to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife, you may be eligible for an FWCP grant. Our new web-based grant application will be online by October 1, 2015.
Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Project (WTCP)
Deadline: January 31
The WTCP provides up to $50,000/year for research or restoration projects in the Waneta/Trail, BC area. Preference is given to projects that focus on species at risk, or mitigating impacts related to the construction of the Waneta Expansion Project. Applications are now being accepted from non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and individuals.
Columbia Basin Trust Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Over $200,000 still available for projects in 2015 - 2016.
Ranchers and individuals with Crown range tenures, environmental groups and non-profit societies are encouraged to apply for funding to improve and enhance grasslands and rangelands. Ranchers, for example, can use the support to build fences, install cattle guards and do other improvements on Crown land--activities that permit better livestock management practices and therefore result in better stewardship of rangelands.
Kootenay Conservation Program Professional Development Bursary Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) Professional Development Bursary Program provides financial assistance to our partner organizations to allow their staff and volunteers to attend professional development activities. It is funded by the generous support of the Columbia Basin Trust (CBT) and delivered by the KCP.
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.
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Friends of Kootenay Lake Program Manager (to cover a 12 month maternity leave)
Deadline: October 16
As the Program Manager you be involoved with improving the health and stewardship of Kootenay Lake through monitoring, habitat restoration, capacity building and the empowerment of local communities and stakeholders.
Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund Technical Review Committee Member (Alternate)
Deadline: October 16
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in partnership with the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) is seeking to fill one vacancy for an Alternate (volunteer) position on a five person Technical Review Committee to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for the area from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen.
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September 12, Invermere
A day full of fun free activities open to everyone
to create awareness of the loss of salmon in the Upper Columbia.
Wild and Scenic Film Fest
September 12, Golden
The Wild & Scenic Film Fest goes on-tour to over 150 communities, making it North America's largest environmental film festival. Wildsight Golden will bring two hours of the beautiful, the exciting and the inspiring to the big screen at the Golden Sports Field.
Meadow Creek Open House
September 12, Meadow Creek
This event will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North end of Kootenay Lake, 4 kms west of Meadow Creek. View thousands of spawning kokanee, talk to biologists and learn about BearSmart, Grizzly Bears, and the Nutrient Restoration Program in Kootenay Lake. A great free, family event! Hosted by the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) and the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (FLNRO). MCSC is open daily during the kokanee spawning season from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please be aware that if there are high bear densities, the Channel may be completely closed to the public, at any time, by FLNRO.
CKISS Field Tour & AGM
September 16, Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area
Join CKISS at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area for informative presentations, interactive tours and a complimentary lunch.
Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent Conference
September 16 - 18, Missoula
New Ideas and Enduring Values: The Next Generation of Leadership in the Crown is the theme of the 6th annual conference of the Roundatable on the Crown of the Continent. This international conference connects people to discuss ways to sustain and enhance culture, community, and conservation in the Crown. During the past five years, the conference has moved around the Crown to feature and celebrate different regions. This year, in Missoula, Montana, we will explore how our businesses, cultures, and communities are building on traditional values and knowledge to create innovations and new solutions to the changing environmental, economic, and social conditions in the Crown of the Continent.
KCP Fall Gathering & AGM
September 25 - 26, Cranbrook
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) invites KCP partners to join us for our Fall Gathering and Annual General Meeting. This will take place at St. Eugene Mission Resort (near Cranbrook) on September 25-26. The theme of the event is Large Landscape Conservation, and we have a great line-up of presenters for Friday and an excellent field trip to the Flathead planned for Saturday. Our Keynote Address will be from Gary Tabor, Executive Director of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation. We will also have representatives from the Heart of the Rockies Initiative (HOTR), Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV), Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative (GNLCC) and University of Montana Institute on Ecosystems.
Okanagan Wetlands Institute
September 28 - October 4, Kelowna & Vernon
The BC Wildlife Federation's Wetlands Institute, a 7-day environmental stewardship workshop, is coming to the Okanagan. The workshop is suitable for consultants, planners, environmental/conservation groups, government and First Nations representatives, engaged community members and keen outdoors-types. Participants should come to the course with a wetland project or program that they wish to implement in their community.
Voices for Sustainability Symposium
October 2 - 4, Edgewood
Join environmental educators and outreach specialists at Whatshan Lake Retreat near Nakusp for CBEEN's 7th annual gathering to share best practices and new ideas in communicating sustainability and stewardship in the Columbia Basin.
Food Forest Workshop
October 3 - 4, Clear Sky Centre
Have fun and develop hands-on experience with one of Canada's most experienced forest gardeners in our one-acre cold climate food forest, just 35 minutes from Cranbrook, and 50 minutes from Fernie, BC.
Rally 2015: The National Land Conservation Conference
October 8 - 10, Sacramento
Rally is packed with diverse topics, colleagues and friends to learn and share with, and the resources you need to take your conservation skills further. No matter what conservation hat you wear, Rally covers the topics that are most important to you with more than 100 workshops on a diverse array of subjects, full and half-day seminars to dive deeper on issues.
3rd Annual Kootenay Lake Summit
October 24, Nelson
An Introduction to Bayesian Methods for Ecologists
October 27 - 29, Revelstoke
Bayesian methods supplement the standard analysis methods such as regression, ANOVA, and generalized linear models. They are helpful in two general situations. First, when information from a number of studies is to be merged together. Second, there are certain problems that are "hard" to do using standard methods. For example, dealing with censored data in regression, or random effects in logistic regression. This course will present an overview of the use of Bayesian methods in ecology.
6th Annual Northwest Climate Conference
November 3 - 5, Coeur d'Alene
The NW Climate Conference annually brings together more than 250 researchers and practitioners from around the region to discuss scientific results, challenges, and solutions related to the impacts of climate on people, natural resources, and infrastructure in the Northwest. It is the region's premier opportunity for a cross-disciplinary exchange of knowledge and ideas about regional climate, climate impacts, and climate adaptation science and practice.
CBEEN Project WET Workshop
November 7, Rossland
This Project WET workshop will provide participants an opportunity to try a variety of activities in the Project WET Activity Guide and learn about water as a vital shared resource. This workshop will also identify ways to integrate water education using the new BC Education Plan. Facilitators Monica Nissen and Lee-Anne Walker are highly skilled water educators and WildBC facilitators who lead Know Your Watershed in the Columbia Basin.
CBWN Fall Member Meeting
November 6 - 8, Blue Lake Centre
Catch up with watershed groups, learn from others, have a great time! We will meet jointly with the Columbia Basin Water Quality Monitoring Program Fall Meeting.
Email cbwn.coordinator@gmail.com for more information.
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Center for Large Landscape Conservation
Since large landscape conservation involves great geographical scales and touches many lives, it requires a collaborative effort-not something one organization can fully shoulder alone. We see ourselves as the "hub" for large landscape conservation, connecting people, organizations and resources to foster powerful solutions that respect diverse stakeholders.
Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture
The CIJV partnership provides opportunities for the efficient use of resources and expertise. Individuals can support the CIJV by joining
or contributing to one of our many partner conservation organizations and/or by taking part in local initiatives. These efforts are critical to conserving the region's wealth of natural habitat and wildlife diversity.
Heart of the Rockies Initiative
The Heart of the Rockies Initiative is a land trust partnership that works to conserve both continentally significant ecological values at the landscape scale and community values that are prized locally. This partnership provides strategic vision, the latest science, and international cooperation to the strong collaborative work being done by 23 land trusts, protecting critical habitats and private ranch, farm and timberlands in the Rocky Mountains of Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta.
Great Northern Landscape Conservation Coorperative
The GNLCC partnership is network of U.S. federal, Canadian provincial and federal, Tribal Nations, state, academic, and conservation organizations. Working to achieve a collective landscape vision, the partnership implements a regional approach to address conservation issues across boundaries and jurisdictions by sharing data, science, and capacity.
Montana Institute
on Ecosystems
The Institute on Ecosystems (IoE) is a Montana community of scholars and partners with a shared vision to advance integrated environmental sciences and related fields. We draw on the extraordinary landscapes of Montana and beyond to understand complex ecosystems including the interconnectedness of people and nature.
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| If you have news or announcements that you would like to share via our eNews, please email them to info@kootenayconservation.ca by the 26th of each month. |
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