Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews
October 8, 2019
KCP Conservation Leadership Award
Three recipients honoured for conservation service 
KCP announced the recipients of its annual Conservation Leadership Award on Friday, October 4 in Invermere as part of the annual KCP Fall Gathering. For the East Kootenay, the 2019 honours went to Dan Murphy and Susan Bond. For the West Kootenays, the 2019 recipient was Dr. Michael Proctor.

Kootenay Connect receives Canada Nature Fund grant
Species at Risk get a boost in the Kootenays!
The Kootenay Conservation Program has recently been awarded $2 million over four years in a federal Environment and Climate Change Canada grant to protect and restore species-at-risk habitat and ecological connectivity in four biodiversity hotspots in the Kootenays.

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund
Deadline: November 1  
KCP in partnership with 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). 
 
Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund
Deadline: November 1  
KCP in partnership with the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake, specifically Electoral Areas A, D, and E ( click here for map ) within the RDCK through the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund (KLLCF).  

Stewardship Solutions
Online Promotion Package now available online
KCP Partners, community organizations, interested individuals, local governments, Chambers of Commerce and more who want to help promote and distribute the Stewardship Solutions Online Toolkit and accompanying printed handouts are encouraged to take advantage of our handy online promotional package, which includes easy-to-use content that can be copied and pasted into newsletters, websites and social media posts. You can also inquire about presentations for your organization or region. KCP will coordinate a limited number of presentations about Stewardship Solutions on a request basis.
Selkirk College & Columbia Basin Trust
Climate change website launched
A new online source — the Columbia Basin Climate Source website — was initiated by Columbia Basin Trust and developed by Selkirk College’s Applied Research and Innovation Centre. The site is for people seeking easy-to-understand information on climate change specific to communities throughout the Columbia Basin and boundary regions.

Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program
Updated Columbia Region Action Plans available now
The FWCP updated  2019 Columbia Region Action Plans  are now available. These updated ecosystem-based Action Plans define Priority Actions eligible for projects, and are based on input from agencies, First Nations, fish and wildlife stakeholders, and local citizens. Each updated plan includes actions to conserve and enhance the ecosystem and species of interest, and reflects our FWCP  vision and mission

Environmental Farm Plans
Species at Risk Fact Sheets now available online
Species at Risk Partnerships on Agricultural Lands (SARPAL) is an initiative supported by the Government of Canada under the National Conservation Plan. The goal of this initiative is to help recover and protect species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) through voluntary stewardship on farmland where critical habitat for SARA-listed species are found.

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada
Seeking ways to protect western bats from deadly white-nose syndrome
As associate conservation scientist with Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, Cori Lausen is looking for ways to protect western bat populations from deadly white-nose syndrome (WNS). This includes cutting-edge research supported by Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) to develop and apply a probiotic cocktail that can help bats survive the disease. HCTF has contributed nearly one fifth of the $583,000 budget for the two-year project.

B.C. Government
Enclosed carcass collection facilities along Highway 3
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) has developed enclosed carcass collection facilities along Highway 3 in an effort to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. On September 19, MOTI announced the construction of enclosed carcass collection facilities along Highway 3. A Ministry spokesperson explained that this came after a request by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resources and Rural Development to assist in managing bear activity in the area

Columbia Basin Environmental Network
Local Environmental Educators recognized for excellence
Seven educators from the Columbia Basin have been recognized by the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) for their excellence in encouraging stewardship and sustainability through environmental education. Through their experience, collaborative efforts and mentorship, they have collectively made a deep and lasting impact on our entire region.
Learn more about the CBT Environment Grants Program
October 16, via Teleconference
This is the second information meeting the Trust will be holding to review the Environment Grants Program and answer questions about the application and selection processes. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend an information meeting. Information meetings will be hosted by teleconference and the same content will be covered at both information meetings. If you are unable to attend an information meeting via teleconference, please reach out directly to Trust staff to discuss your application at 1-800-505-8998 or email  envirogrants@ourtrust.org .

CMI Annual Researchers' Forum
October 18, Golden
Every year CMI members get together to provide updates on their projects such as local research, field trials, new initiatives in southeastern British Columbia, etc. It’s an informal atmosphere and non-CMI members are encouraged to join. There will be a morning of presentations, a delicious lunch catered by Bacchus Books, an afternoon of field trips and an opportunity to socialize at one of the Whitetooth Brewing Co. in the evening before the event.

LakeKeepers Workshop
October 19-20, Invermere/Premiere Lake
This chance to become a LakeKeeper, and steward for the lake is an exciting opportunity to connect with Lake Windermere and the other lakes in our region. It will be facilitated by Norm Zirnhelt with BC Lakes Stewardship Society and will cover a variety of topics related to lake health in the Columbia Basin. The workshop will be two days, starting with a classroom (9am to 4pm) session hosted at Pynelogs Cultural Centre and the second day heading out on a field trip to Premiere Lake (10am to 2pm) to get some hands on training.

Spotlight on Shore-spawners
October 21, Balfour
Friends of Kootenay Lake are presenting this free workshop at Balfour Hall. Featuring talks from Fish Biologist Jeff Burrows and Kokanee Creek Nature Centre’s Senior Naturalist Joanne Siderius, this evening event will offer informative presentations on the biology and behaviour of shore-spawning kokanee, as well as the challenges they are currently facing on Kootenay Lake. Admission is free; however donations are welcome and will go directly to FOKLSS Shore-spawning Kokanee Habitat Restoration and Community Education Program.

Banff National Park Bison Reintroduction Project presentation
October 22, Golden
In February 2017, Parks Canada began a 5-year pilot project to reintroduce North America’s largest land mammal (bison) to Canada’s first national park (Banff). At this Wildsight Golden event, Karsten Heuer - the Bison Reintroduction Project Manager for Banff National Park - will summarize the project and provide some behind-the-scenes stories of the effort to restore this iconic animal to a place where it’s been missing for 140+ years. By donation please.

FOKLSS 7th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit
November 8, Nelson
Registration is now open for the 2019 Kootenay Lake Summit that will be hosted at Taghum Hall. The focus of the 2019 Summit will be to provide residents with sound knowledge on the impacts climate change will have on the Kootenay Lake community and ecosystem. Get informed on the current research and knowledge the local community has on climate impacts to the lake, and get inspired by the brilliant work being done to plan for and mitigate these changes. Please register before October 25, 2019. This is a free event, however, there is a recommended donation of $20 to help the organization cover costs.

QGIS: Introduction & Level II
November 18-19, Kimberley
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is offering this course in Kimberley this November with Richard Johnson. This free, open source QGIS program is used and supported by a world-wide array of developers. Learn how to use this program to produce maps from public databases and your own knowledge. The course is presented over two days, with the option of taking both days, or just one of the two courses presented. The course is presented in a workshop style with minimal formal presentation. A significant portion of the course allows students to work on their own computer.

Fire in the Crown of the Continent - Save the date!   
March 10-12, 2020, Cranbrook
The Crown of the Continent ecosystem (Crown) spans 72,000 km2 (almost 18 million acres) along the shared Rocky Mountain region of Montana, British Columbia and Alberta. Internationally recognized for its biodiversity, the Crown is one of North America's most ecologically diverse and jurisdictionally fragmented landscapes. Fire in the Crown of the Continent will take place at St. Eugene Resort in Cranbrook March 10-12, 2020.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Land Stewardship Grant program
Deadline: October 16
The Land Stewardship Grant program provides three-year funding for operations and management activities on conservation lands owned and managed by non-profit organizations. This program was made possible through an endowment contribution from the Province of British Columbia. Application forms and instructions are available on the HCTF website, with a deadline of October 16, 2019. This opportunity for funding only comes once every three years.

Wildlife Habitat Canada Grant Program
Deadline: October 16
Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is now accepting grant funding applications for projects that will begin in the 2020-2021 fiscal year. These projects will begin on April 1, 2020 and end on March 31, 2021. Application information, including eligibility and project requirements, can be on the WHC website: https://whc.org/grants/.

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Grants
Deadline: October 25
The annual intake for Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Grants is open. All grant applications are due Friday, October 25, 2019, by 5 p.m. PDT. The FWCP funds projects that align with priorities in their regional Action Plans.

Columbia Basin Trust Environment Small Grants
Deadline: October 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, the Environment Small Grants intake is now open and will close October 30, 2019.

Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund
Deadline: November 1   
KCP in partnership with 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). 
 
Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund
Deadline: November 1   
KCP in partnership with the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) provides funding for projects that benefit conservation in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake, specifically Electoral Areas A, D, and E ( click here for map ) within the RDCK through the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund (KLLCF).  

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Online Grants 
Deadline: November 1 
The Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) is now accepting applications for  Enhancement & Restoration Stewardship , and  Caribou Habitat Restoration Fund  grants. Applications must be submitted through HCTF's online application system by 4:30pm on Friday, November 1st, 2019. Before beginning your application, please review the updated proposal writing guidelines and resources on  HCTF's website .

Columbia Basin Trust Environment Grants
Deadline: November 12
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 is now open and will close November 12, 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; decisions are made the following month. 

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.
Living Lakes Canada
Administrative Director
Living Lakes Canada is seeking a passionate, creative, and driven Administrative Director to join their team. The successful candidate will have experience in the non-profit sector to manage and improve the efficiency of administrative operations. Responsibilities will include improving organizational systems and management, overseeing human resource requirements, administrative functions, meeting coordination and facilitation, funding administration and management, financial and reporting requirements, and developing operational procedures and policies. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2019.

Selkirk College
Seeking ideas for student projects that lead to paid internships
Dr. Adela Kincaid, Peace and Justice Studies Instructor and RDI research lead at Selkirk College, is extending an invitation to all environmental and social justice-oriented NGOs who have ideas for undergraduate student projects. Dr. Kincaid teaches an independent studies course at Selkirk College where students are required to complete a project that benefits NGOs. She has also applied for funding to continue these projects into the summer as paid internships. Your organization would benefit because each project is supported by research faculty expertise and students have access to software and various tools available at Selkirk College and the Applied Research and Innovation Center. Students benefit by gaining invaluable and experiential experiences by working directly with local NGOs. 
Contact Dr. Adela Kincaid at  akincaid@selkirk.ca  to discuss any environmental or social justice ideas for projects that you might have.

Wildsight Golden
Seeking volunteers for the Golden Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Project  
The Golden Rocky Mountain Bighorn herd has reduced in size since 2016 and Wildsight Golden has begun the Golden Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep Project in hopes of helping this herd of sheep survive. They are asking for help looking for dead or alive sightings of Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep along Highways 95 between Radium and Golden and along Highway 1 east of Golden to the ten mile bridge. With the widening of Highway 1, these animals could face additional stressors and decline in number. Reporting of bighorn sheep and other   wildlife   takes place using the free   MAPS.ME app .
Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
Climate Change resources compiled
With the up-swelling of interest in climate chang e education and empowerment for action through initiatives such as  Fridays for Future, CBEEN has provided some of the latest  information and resources to help informatively and effectively educate all audiences about climate change. 

(Re)Connecting Wild: Restoring Safe Passage
Mule deer migration success story featured in new film
ARC Solutions and the Center for Large Landscape Conservation are delighted to announce the release of (Re)Connecting Wild: Restoring Safe Passage. This film tells the remarkable story of the decade-long effort by the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and its partners to improve human safety by re-connecting an historic mule deer migration that crosses over both US-93 and I-80 in rural Elko County, Nevada. Ultimately, NDOT’s tireless efforts have achieved its primary goal of improving human safety and welfare – as evidenced by the more than 40,000 successful crossings by wildlife at the four priority sites – while at the same time restoring safe passage for migratory mule deer to more than 1.5 million acres of summer and winter habitat.
Watch the film on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/NK-mvhPMokY or Vimeo:  https://vimeo.com/357164380.

Association of State Wetland Managers
ASWM-NRCS Wetland Training Webinar Series - 2 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.

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.

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.