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Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews
We are excited to announce our KCP 2018 Winter Webinar series focused on the theme of "Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity". We have great topics based on what partners have recommended, including fire management, wildlife inventory information, the soil finder tool, and standardized wetlands assessment. The first of the four KCP Winter Webinars is coming up quickly on February 8 so be sure to register soon. Event details and links can be found below in the KCP News and Upcoming Symposiums & Workshops sections.
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. As always, a big thanks goes out to our supporters!
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.
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KCP Winter Webinar Series
February 8 & 28, March 8 & 12
KCP is pleased to bring back the Winter Webinar Series. This four-part series will focus on the 2017-2018 KCP theme of "Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity" and will feature John Cathro, Albert Chirico, Deepa Filatow and David Poon, and Paul L. Hansen as presenters. See the Upcoming Events section below for details.
KCP 10-year Anniversary Celebration for the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund
April 10, Invermere
It's been 10 years since the first Local Conservation Fund in Canada was established in the Columbia Valley. A community celebration to mark this historic achievement is being planned for Invermere in the new Columbia Valley Centre. Mark your calendars!
Click here for event details as they become available.
2018 KCP Fall Gathering
Save the Date! October 12-13, Nelson
Please join us in Nelson on October 12-13, 2018 for the 2018 KCP Fall Gathering! Please "Save the Date" by marking it in your calendars. We will be announcing the location in the coming weeks.
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Faces & Places Monthly Feature
The Kootenays own Wayne McCrory is one of 75 individuals named toA registered professional wildlife biologist and conservationist with a long and distinguished career as a protector of bear habitat and biodiversity,the Canada 150 Land Trust Honour Roll by the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia (LTABC). The only person from the Kootenays to receive this recognition, Wayne is registered professional wildlife biologist and conservationist with a long and distinguished career as a protector of bear habitat and biodiversity,
Click here to read about Wayne's career and contributions to conservation in the Kootenay region and beyond.
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Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF)
Expanded HCTF and FESBC Partnership
Last September, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (
HCTF) announced that the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (
FESBC) had committed up to $1 million for wildlife conservation projects using HCTF's grant application process. Following this announcement, HCTF received a record number of wildlife funding applications, requesting double the amount that has historically been available. The HCTF is therefore thrilled to announce that FESBC has decided to double their investment for 2018-19 and commit up to $2 million dollars to wildlife conservation projects that meet both agencies' wildlife enhancement objectives. Applications submitted in November 2017 are currently being reviewed by HCTF technical committees to identify those that are technically sound, address important wildlife conservation issues, and have a high likelihood of success. A list of projects meeting these criteria will be provided to FESBC, who will then identify the projects they wish to invest in. Grants will be administered by HCTF, who will notify successful applicants by March of 2018.
For more information, please contact Shannon West at
shannon.west@hctf.ca or call 250-940-9789.
Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network(CBEEN)
Updated website with new opportunities and initiatives
Also on their website, you will find an updated organization directory at
http://cbeen.ca/directory/ that lists over 125 organizations that provide environmental education opportunities for all ages in the Columbia Basin.
BC Community Bat Program
Wanted: Reports of dead bats and of bats flying in the winter
The Ministry of Environment has contracted the BC Community Bat Program to collect dead bats for White-nose Syndrome testing. The typical first sign of this disease is bats flying during the winter, an unusual sighting at a time of year when bats are hibernating. Another sign of the presence of WNS is the appearance of dead bats as they succumb to the effects of WNS. Please report dead bats, and bats flying in winter, to the BC Community Bat Program (email
info@bcbats.ca or call 1-855-922-2287 ext. 24 or see
www.bcbats.ca for details).
CRED Talks (Columbia Region Ecological Discussions)
The CMI CRED talks end March 31, 2018. The Columbia Region Ecological Discussions taking place at the Revelstoke Community Centre will include speakers addressing a diversity of topics such as science communication, active ecological management, citizen science, research skills and techniques and the influences that our natural environment has on art and culture. The talks are recorded and posted to the CRED Talks event page so anyone can listen in.
Click here for more information.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Multi-Species Action Plan for Species at Risk - Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks
The final Multi-Species Action Plan, Mount Revelstoke National Park of Canada and Glacier National Park of Canada, has been posted to the Species at Risk Public Registry.
The action plan outlines measures that will be taken over the next five years to support protection and recovery of five species at risk - whitebark pine, woodland caribou, two species of bats, northern myotis and little brown myotis, and one bird, olive-sided flycatcher - that occur regularly in Mount Revelstoke and Glacier national parks. These five species are listed as endangered or threatened under Canada's Species at Risk Act.
Click here for the action plan.
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Trends Analysis and Environmental Impact Assessment
February 7-9, Revelstoke
Instructor: Carl Schwarz Environmental impact assessments want to know if trends over time differ between control and impact sites. Statistical methods for the analysis of trends over time use many of the same methods as the analysis of experimental data (e.g. ANOVA, regression) but must now deal with problems such as autocorrelation and process error. This course can accommodate students using both R and JMP software. This course will run on a schedule that will allow students to take up local winter recreation opportunities in the morning and/or by staying in Revelstoke for the weekend following the course.
KCP Winter Webinar Series - Fire and Forests: What we need to know in the Kootenays
February 8 (online)
Join forester John Cathro on Thursday, February 8, 10am-11am PST/11am-noon MST to learn about the importance of fire in healthy forest ecosystems, and strategies to manage for fire on private properties in the Kootenays.
Click here for registration details.
Mountainfilm on Tour
February 10, Invermere
Greenways Trail Alliance is pleased to announce the Tour is coming to Invermere for the first time on
February 10th. Bringing a selection of culturally rich, adventure-packed and incredibly inspiring documentary films, the public showing of the Telluride's Mountainfilm on Tour promises to showcase some truly awe-inspiring films. Opening reception starts at 5:30 p.m. and the screening starts at 7 p.m. The night will also include a photography auction. Tickets are $20.
KCP Winter Webinar Series - Fish and Wildlife Mapping: Tools everyone should know about
February 28 (online)
Do you want to be able to access fish and wildlife data for your projects? Or create maps with fish and wildlife locations? Join Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy Fish and Wildlife Information Specialist Albert Chirico, R.P.Bio. on Wednesday, February 28, 10am-11am PST/11am-noon MST to learn about data standards and requirements for submitting fish and wildlife data, a demonstration of BC Government digital libraries (CLIR, EcoCat and SIWE) and spatial tools (Habitat Wizard, iMap), and a look into what the future holds.
CBEEN Climate Change Education Workshop
March 3, Nelson
Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN) will work with local and regional partners to offer a 1-day workshop for educators to learn more about climate change science in the Columbia Basin, and best practices for sharing this information with audiences of all ages. This workshop will be grounded in local climate science using projections and historical information for our region. It will feature activities, resources, discussion groups and examples of effective climate change education across the region, province and country. This workshop is co-hosted by CBEEN, Wildsight, EEPSA and Columbia Basin Trust.
This workshop is now
FULL. If you would like CBEEN to host this event in the future, please
click here to add your name and email to the interest list.
KCP Winter Webinar Series - BC Soil Information Finder Tool: Because what's underground matters
March 8 (online)
Join Deepa Filatow and David Poon from the BC Government on Thursday, March 8, 10am-11am PST/11am-noon MST to learn more about the SIFT tool that can help identify restoration sites and opportunities. This webinar is relevant for many sectors including agriculture, restoration and natural resource management.
KCP & CBWN Winter Webinar Series - Lentic and Lotic Riparian Assessment: A standardized approach
March 12 (online)
Did you miss the lentic and lotic workshop in the Kootenays last summer? Did you attend and would like a refresher? Join Dr. Paul Hansen on Monday, March 12, 10am-11am PST/11am-noon MST to learn about a set of tools for collecting standardized site inventories and for assessing functional health of riparian and wetland sites. Since 1988, Dr. Hansen and his team have worked with a large number of North American organizations in a collaborative effort to create standardized forms for lotic and lentic wetland assessment. Learn about each of the seven forms, which have corresponding user manuals with discussions on proper application and explicit itemized instructions for their use. The information from this work is used extensively in riparian and wetland mitigation throughout North America and in parts of Europe. This webinar will be co-hosted by KCP and the Columbia Basin Watershed Network (CBWN).
2018 Crown Managers Partnership Forum: "Action on Recovery - Native Salmonid Recovery in the Crown"
March 20-22, Lethbridge (AB)
The 2018 Forum will bring together managers, tribes, First Nations, NGOs, industry, researchers and community members interested in working together. Objectives include assessing and prioritizing watersheds and identifying key actions for recovery of native salmonids; discussing challenges and opportunities for implementing actions; and brainstorming evaluation and reporting currently underway. Registration by March 13 is requested.
Click here for more information, the 2018 CMP Forum Agenda and to register.
Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Spring Survey (CWWS)
April 3,10 & 16, Golden
The CWWS is a coordinated bird count that uses citizen scientists to gather baseline data with the goal of having the Columbia Wetlands designated as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA). The 2018 spring waterbird surveys are set for April 3, 10 and 16 (8 a.m. - 11 a.m.). If you are keen to get involved in these surveys, please contact CWWS Program Biologist Rachel Darvill at
racheldarvill@gmail.com, or call 250-344-5530.
CVLCF 10-Year Community Celebration
April 10, Invermere
Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund. The first of its kind in Canada and a model for other regions in B.C., the CVLCF has supported valuable conservation initiatives since its inception. Don't miss this engaging evening to learn more about the CVLCF and its achievements in the past decade.
Click here for event details as they become available.
CBWN Spring AGM and Member Meeting - Save the Date
April 20, East Kootenay (Location TBA)
The Columbia Basin Watershed Network will be holding its Spring AGM and Member Meeting in the East Kootenay. Last year's event included a live stream webcast for those who couldn't attend in person.
Click here for the CBWN website.
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. Registration will open in May 2018.
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The Nature Trust of BC
Deadline: February 9
The Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund application for 2018 is now available. This fund was established by The Nature Trust of BC in May 2001 and it honours two of Canada's most celebrated conservationists and past Board members (Dr. Bert Brink and Dr. Alastair McLean) who devoted much of their lives to conserving B.C.'s native grasslands. The objective of the Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund is to promote research, habitat restoration and other stewardship activities that will assist in the management of the land, plants and animals of BC's native grasslands. All applications must be received on or before February 9 at 4:30 p.m.
Columbia Basin Trust Environment Small Grant
Deadlines: February 28
Environment Small Grants funds projects that take place within the Columbia Basin Trust 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.
Click here for more information about the Environment Small Grants and how to apply.
2018 Y2Y Partner Grants
Deadline: March 2
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is pleased to announce that its Partner Grants program has been extended to its 20th year. To be eligible for funding, organizations and projects must meet a number of requirements in order to be considered eligible (click on the link below for details). Please note that organizations that have received a Y2Y Partner Grant for the past three consecutive years (2015, 2016, and 2017) are not eligible to apply this year but may reapply in 2019. Grant awards will be limited to a maximum of $5,000. Completed applications should be submitted to Ellen McKay at
ellen@y2y.net by
midnight MST on
March 2, 2018. Notification of decisions will be made by
March 31, 2018.
Click here for the 2018 Partner Grants guidelines and application form.
EEEC EcoAction Community Funding Program
Deadline: March 21
Environment and Climate Change Canada's (ECCC) EcoAction Community Funding Program is now accepting applications for funding until March 21, 2018 for projects beginning summer 2018. Funding is available for new projects that engage Canadians and clearly demonstrate measurable, positive environmental results related to cleanwater or climate change.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Acquisition Grants
Deadline: March 31
HCTF accepts proposals for projects that acquire land or interests in land to secure the value of these areas for conservation of fish and wildlife habitats and populations. The deadline for submitting an HCTF Acquisition Proposal is March 31, 2018 at 4:30 PM PST.
Click here for more information and how to apply.
Environment and Climate Change Canada
: Funding available for the Columbia River and Kootenay River watersheds
Deadline: April 6
On February 1, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced new funding through the Environmental Damages Fund. $2.85 million in funding is available for the purposes of the conservation and protection of fish and fish habitat, or the restoration of fish habitat in the Columbia River or Kootenay River watersheds. The deadline to apply is April 6, 2018. For more information and detailed eligibility criteria, please visit the Environmental Damages Fund website.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Public Conservation Assistance Fund
The Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants to organizations and individuals who have a conservation project in mind but need financial help to make it happen. Projects must be of a conservation nature, with priority given to projects that focus on activities that maintain, conserve or restore native (indigenous) fish and wildlife species and their habitats. PCAF will fund eligible expenses up to $10,000 in any one year. The annual application deadline is May 16th at 4:30 PM PST.
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.
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BC Parks
Seasonal Park Ranger/Seasonal Senior Park Ranger
The 2018 BC Parks Park Ranger and Seasonal Senior Park Ranger competitions have been posted. Applications for both will be accepted until Monday, February 5, 2018 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Below are the links to the postings:
Columbia Outdoor School & Blue Lake Camp
Joseph Creek Educator/Project Coordinator
Columbia Outdoor School & Blue Lake Camp is seeking an Educator/Project Coordinator for their Joseph Creek restoration project. This position could lead to full time work. The role will be promoting and facilitating the East Kootenay Regional Science fair throughout the region, develop and coordinate the first-ever Bioblitz on the creek and work with the schools in that data collection process and then provide classroom and field study-based programs on the creek for school in the spring. This posting will close when a candidate has been found.
Click here for the full job posting and how to apply.
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council
Pesticide Applicator
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) will be seeking pesticide applicators in the coming months.
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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.
Click here for more information.
Yellowstone to Yukon
Webinar: Preservation of ecosystem function in the Columbia Headwaters: Caribou, wolverine and climate change
The Columbia Headwaters is located in the heart of the Canadian Columbia River drainage. This area is the northern part of the larger Y2Y focus area of the Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor, an important linkage area between the Salmon Selway Bitterroot Area and Canada's National Parks. Unique ecosystem functions, including hydrological, may have the chance to be conserved and restored in this area if the threats from forestry, road building and mechanized recreational access are mitigated. If you missed this webinar by Gwen Bridge, Y2Y's new Manager of Strategic Engagement, the recording is available online.
University of Alberta
Closing roads counters effects of habitat loss for grizzly bears
From the Journal of Applied Ecology: "In a recent study examining a long-term DNA dataset of grizzly bear activity in British Columbia, Clayton Lamb and his colleagues conclusively determined what scientists have long suspected: higher road density leads to lower grizzly bear density."
Columbia Basin Trust
Non-Profit Essentials Webinar Series
The Trust has partnered with Vantage Point, experts in learning opportunities for volunteers and non-profits, to develop and deliver the webinar series that explores important topics non-profit societies face today. Combining online videos with slide notes and workbooks, the series offers tools to expand the knowledge and build capacity in non-profit organizations across the Basin.
Click here to read more.
BEC (Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification) for the Kootenays
LMH#70 A Field Guide to Ecosystem Classification and Identification for SE British Columbia - Volume 1: South-Central Columbia Mountains
This field guide presents an updated and expanded site classification for the South-central area of the southern interior area, British Columbia.
Stewardship Centre of BC
Stewardship Practices Guides
The Stewardship Centre of BC offers a diverse and comprehensive set of resources for the stewardship community of B.C., including four Stewardship Practices Guides on the following topics: Drainage Maintenance in Agricultural Waterways; Guidance for Restoration Activities in Riparian Areas; Riparian Areas in Settled Landscapes; and Reducing Domestic and Feral Cat Predation.
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| 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. |
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