Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews

KCP is pleased to welcome Nicole Trigg as our new Communications and Administration Coordinator. Nicole brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the program.  Click here to read more about Nicole. 

Thanks to Duncan Whittick for helping the KCP in an interim capacity. It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him and we appreciate his knowledge, skills, energy and innovation. We look forward to continuing to work with him through a variety of the other hats that he wears. Click here for his Faces & Places feature.

As you'll see below, there are plenty of opportunities and resources available this month. Please  click here throughout the month to check in on current news and events. Also, please feel free submit any 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! 

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. 



Spring Stewardship Field Tours
May 2 - Duncan/Lardeau/Meadow Creek Area, May 11 - Columbia Valley
KCP will host full-day East and West Kootenay Stewardship Committee meetings that will include a morning business meeting and a catered lunch for committee members, followed by local field tours in the afternoon. Please note: These field tours are open to all KCP partners and you do not need to be a member of a Stewardship Committee to attend. If you are interested in joining us for lunch and the tour, please RSVP to marcy@kootenayconservation.ca. 

Critter Day
May 13, Beaver Creek Provincial Park (near Trail)
The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) and Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are organizing another "Critter Day" this year on May 13 at Beaver Creek Park near Trail. This free, fun family event for the general public is aimed to increase awareness of the special ecosystems in the Trail and  Pend D'Oreille region and share information about the unique and at-risk plants and animals that call them home. 

KCP Strategic Planning Session: Putting Our Heads Together for Conservation
May 30, Creston
Have any thoughts on how to better support private land conservation in the Kootenays? How can a network of over 80 partners best use its energy? What priorities should we focus on in the next five years? The KCP is welcoming its partners to come to this valuable workshop to put our heads together to identify our focus. Join us at the Ramada Inn in Creston from 10 am to 5 pm PDT. Travel bursaries will be provided for those who require it. Please mark your calendar and RSVP by April 1. 

KCP Fall Gathering: Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity
September 29 - 30, East Kootenays
The KCP 2016 Fall Gathering & AGM serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region. The organizing theme for this year's Fall Gathering is Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity.



Faces & Places Monthly Feature
Rob Neil
Rob grew up in the grasslands of Kamloops on the South Thompson River. As a youth Rob first became interested in becoming a wildlife biologist when a wounded swan, that was accidentally shot, was brought back across the river to his home by neighboring wildlife biologist Pat Martin. Pat took the time to explain how the bird could be brought back to a healthy condition before it was released back to the wild. Rob was hooked and eventually graduated from Washington State University with a degree in wildlife ecology. Since graduation Rob has worked in the forestry, fisheries and wildlife habitat disciplines throughout BC.  In 1972 Rob moved to the Kootenays to work in the habitat protection section of the Ministry of Environment's Fish and Wildlife Branch. Since 2003, Rob has worked as the Kootenay Conservation Land Manager for The Nature Trust of BC.


Local Conservation Fund Feature Project
Windermere West
A conservation-minded couple has partnered with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to protect more than 11,000 acres (4,500 hectares) of grasslands on their Columbia Valley ranch. Bob and Barb Shaunessy are the owners of SRL-K2 Ranch, a working cattle ranch that dates back to 1898. The Shaunessys have spent years restoring the ranch's grasslands to their former vitality, efforts which have culminated in the establishment of a conservation covenant on a large portion of the ranchlands.
The conservation covenant, which is held by the Nature Conservancy of Canada, protects the lands from the biggest ecological threats that valley-bottom lands in the East Kootenay face: subdivision and development. Located on the west side of Windermere Lake, the SRL-K2 Ranch Conservation Project ensures that much of the west side will remain free of the development pressures that have significantly altered the ecology of the east side of the lake.



Governments of Canada and of British Columbia 
Conclude study on protection of southern mountain caribou
Conserving wildlife is integral to Canada's natural environment, and it supports our health and economy. The Government of Canada is committed to working with the provinces, territories, Indigenous people, and stakeholders to manage and support the recovery of species at risk.  The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, and the Minister of Environment for British Columbia, the Honourable Mary Polak, released today the final report from the joint Canada-British Columbia study on the protection of southern mountain caribou and their habitat.

Stewardship Centre for BC
Stewardship Champions
As part of Canada's 150th birthday, we are featuring  stewardship champions  who have made a difference. Some are dedicated to spending time protecting the land and water around them. Others have provided  legacy gifts  of land, money or other resources. Celebrate their contributions by filling out a Stewardship Champion nomination form.

Rural Development Institute
Sneak a Peak at the New State of the Basin
The goal of the State of the Basin is to monitor and report on information relating to well-being in the Columbia Basin-Boundary region. This year the State of the Basin got a facelift, with some exciting changes and additions. Today the Rural Development Institute (RDI) is rolling out the first products from the  2016 State of the Basin . 

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.

Federal, Provincial, and Territorial Governments of Canada
National Ecosystem Services Toolkit
On behalf of the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) governments' Value of Nature to Canadians Study Taskforce, it is with great pleasure that we present the new Ecosystem Services Toolkit.  The Toolkit contains key tools and resources  for planning and undertaking an ES assessment and the analyses that contribute to such an assessment.

The Nature Trust of BC
Bull River-Grassland Corridor
The Nature Trust of BC recently aquired the Bull River-Grassland Corridor property. This 67.7 hectare (167 acre) property is located in the East Kootenay near the community of Bull River-approximately 1.5 km north of the confluence of the Bull and Kootenay Rivers-which is 20 kilometres southeast of Fort Steele. This is one of the largest private inholdings in the Bull River Conservation Lands Complex. It will be added to 727 hectares (1,796 acres) of Nature Trust land interests (fee simple and woodlot) and 83 hectares (205 acres) of provincial conservation lands.  The securement of this property removes threats of disease transmission from domestic livestock to wild sheep, protects winter range for elk and deer, and protects habitat for Red-listed American Badger.  This property establishes a relatively uninterrupted linkage between the Crown acquisition on the south side of the property to the notation of interest and Crown land north of the property. 

The Nature Trust of BC
Meadow Creek South
The Nature Trust of BC has secured the 31 hectare (76 acre) Lardeau-Duncan- Meadow Creek South property. This property is located near the community of Meadow Creek in the West Kootenay, and is adjacent to The Nature Trust's existing Lardeau-Duncan property.  The Meadow Creek South property is on the floodplain of the Duncan River which supports regionally significant fisheries. The terrain is relatively flat, comprised of a diverse cottonwood and conifer riparian forest, shrub thickets, sedge wetlands, cattail marshes, tall grass meadows, and small open water sloughs. It has the capability to support the Blue-listed Great Blue Heron, Grizzly Bear, and Western Toad.

Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
Upadated Priority Plant List
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society has updated the Priority Plant List for the Columbia Shuswap Region


The KCP encourages partners to take advantage of our eNews - send your content to  communications@kootenayconservation.ca. 


CMI Annual General Meeting and Members Night
April 7, Creston
Every year a multi-disciplinary group of CMI members gather at a different place within our region to catch up on what members are doing, and have our short Annual General Meeting. This is a casual opportunity to rub elbows with each other, and non-members are always welcome.

Invasive Species Boating Industry Workshop
April 20, Salmon Arm
The Ministry of Environment (MOE), in partnership with ISCBC, will be hosting free workshops for members of the boating industry this April. Anyone involved with the boating industry is  welcome, including marina owners and staff, commercial boat haulers, marine operators and boat dealers. The purpose of the 90 minute workshop is to collaborate with boating industry professionals and raise awareness about aquatic invasive species (AIS). 

Speaker Series and AGM
April 26, Cranbrook
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council  (EKISC) invites you to Save the Date for their Annual General Meeting & Speaker Series entitled "Partnering for Solutions".

Avoiding Incidental Take of Bird Nests: From law to practice
April 26 - 27, Cranbrook
This Columbia Mountains Institute forum will provide an opportunity for dialogue between an environmental lawyer, industry, regulators, and biologists whose work involves the MBCA and relevant mitigation. Registration now open! 

Electrofishing Certification Course
April 29 - 30, Castlegar
NRTG's Electrofishing Certification course is approved by WorksafeBC (British Columbia), and endorsed by Worksafe agencies throughout Canada.  This course is two days in duration, and includes a Day One classroom lecture and demonstration followed by a Day Two field practicum session.

Spring Stewardship Field Tours
May 2 - Duncan/Lardeau/Meadow Creek Area, May 11 - Columbia Valley
KCP will host full-day East and West Kootenay Stewardship Committee meetings that will include a morning business meeting and a catered lunch for committee members, followed by local field tours in the afternoon. Please note: These field tours are open to all KCP partners and you do not need to be a member of a Stewardship Committee to attend. If you are interested in joining us for lunch and the tour, please RSVP to  marcy@kootenayconservation.ca. 

Environmental Education Leadership Clinic
April 29 - May 2, Kootenay National Park
The 2017 Leadership Clinic will help to facilitate the development of a Local Chapter of the Environmental Educator's Provincial Specialist Association (EEPSA) in each school district in the Columbia Basin. 

BCWF Annual General Meeting & Convention
May 4 - 6, Nelson
This year's BC Wildlife Federation theme is "Conservation Through Collaboration" and is hosted by the  Nelson District Rod & Gun Club .

Wings Over the Rockies Festival: Birds, Bats, Bears and Beyond
May 8 - 14, Invermere
In 2017 Canada will celebrate its 150th birthday. Canada was founded upon its nature and wildlife that remain symbols of our nation. The 21st Wings Festival appropriately explores the theme Birds, Bats, Bears and Beyond in recognition of Canada's interconnected but increasingly challenged wildlife international migratory birds; mysterious bats and grizzly bears, symbols of wilderness. The festival will bring in experts provide insights into the lives of these animals and the conservation challenges in protecting them. Danny Catt, an internationally known conservationist, photographer and environmental educator, will be the Keynote Speaker at the Gala.

Statistics Refresher for Biologists: in "R" software
May 9 - 11, Castlegar
Many scientific studies are full of statistical jargon, tables of averages and other statistics, and results of statistical tests which purport to prove a certain hypothesis. The purpose of this course is to review some of the basic sampling and experiment designs used by ecologists and to understand exactly what can and cannot be extracted from a set of data. With the advent of modern statistical packages, the analysis of data is fairly easy, but it is far too easy to get nonsense results. This course will also review common pitfalls in the analysis of data.

Invasive Plant ID and Management Training Workshop
May 10, Revelstoke
This course covers everything from identification of key invasive plants in your area, to implementing best management practices in the field to prevent the spread of invasive species. 

Critter Day
May 13, Beaver Creek Provincial Park (near Trail)
The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) and Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are organizing another "Critter Day" this year on May 13 at Beaver Creek Park near Trail. This free, fun family event for the general public is aimed to increase awareness of the special ecosystems in the Trail and  Pend D'Oreille region and share information about the unique and at-risk plants and animals that call them home. 
More information coming soon! 

KCP Strategic Planning Session: Putting Our Heads Together for Conservation
May 30, Creston
Have any thoughts on how to better support private land conservation in the Kootenays? How can a network of over 80 partners best use its energy? What priorities should we focus on in the next five years? The KCP is welcoming its partners to come to this valuable workshop to put our heads together to identify our focus. Join us at the Ramada Inn in Creston from 10 am to 5 pm PDT. Travel bursaries will be provided for those who require it.  Please mark your calendar and RSVP by April 1. 

Community-based Social Marketing (CBSM) Institute
June 1 - 2, Castlegar
Registration is now open. Learn how to foster sustainable behavior.  CBEEN has engaged Doug McKenzie-Mohr, world-renowned developer of Community-based Social Marketing (CBSM), to facilitate a 2-day CBSM Institute.  This Institute will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of community-based social marketing and how it is being applied throughout the world, and in the Columbia Basin, to foster sustainable behaviour. Attendees will learn the 5 steps of community-based social marketing and be exposed to numerous case studies.

Field Soil Description & Classification Course
June 7 - 9, Revelstoke
Participants can expect to be able to describe and classify forest soils by the end of the course. They will have a couple of new field techniques to improve the quality of their soils data. They will be able to determine the % sand in the field to aid in soil texture determination, using the "spoon" method invented by the instructor. They will have applied soil properties to assess soil salvage, soil remediation, restoration and reclamation activities.

Introduction to the Wetland Plants of British Columbia
July 25 - 26, Revelstoke
This course will introduce students to the freshwater vascular plants of British Columbia, providing them with an overview of prominent and ecologically important groups as well as giving them the skills to identify many species in the field. The course will prioritize the identification of families and easily-identifiable species, but will also cover species-level identification within more challenging genera so as to introduce students to the process of species-level identification using dichotomous keys. 

Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) Conference
September 20 - 23, Nelson
Every year experts, policy makers, and practitioners come together for a conference dedicated to rural places hosted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF), a charity dedicated to supporting the sustainability of rural Canada through collaboration with rural community groups, the private sector, all levels of government, and researchers. Selkirk College is proud to partner with CRRF to host the 2017 conference to be held in Nelson from September 20-23, 2017.

Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent
September 23 - 25, Choteau, Montana
The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent is an ongoing forum to bring together people who care about this special place.  Through workshops, forums, policy dialogues, and conferences, the Roundtable provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore opportunities to work together -- to sustain the natural and cultural heritage of this remarkable landscape.

Wetlands Institute
September 23 - 29, East Kootenays
The Wetlands Institute is an intensive 7 day hands-on workshop  that educates participants about wetland stewardship, restoration and construction skills. Participants come to the Wetlands Institute with a wetland project they wish to implement in their home communities whether if be restoration, protection, enhancement, or education related. During the workshop, participants receive support from knowledgable experts from around the province and obtain hands-on training in order to successfully implement their wetland projects upon returning home. 

KCP Fall Gathering: Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity
September 29 - 30, East Kootenays
The KCP 2016 Fall Gathering & AGM serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region.  The organizing theme for this year's Fall Gathering is Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Diversity.

Inquiring Voices Sustainability Symposium
September 29 - October 1, Blue Lake Centre
This annual CBEEN event brings together environmental educators who live in the same bioregion to form a rich learning community meet to share, inquire, 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.

Columbia Basin Symposium
October 13 - 15, Kimberley
Symposium discussions will focus on on three global trends that are having a long-term impact in the Basin - demographics, technology and climate change. Conference participants will hear from experts and be involved in discussions about the how the region can adapt to these trends and leverage opportunities from them. 

Interpretive Guide Training
November 3 - 4, Kimberley
CBEEN is offering this 2-day Apprentice Interpreter course designed as a stepping stone to the Professional Interpreter Accreditation. It is appropriate for any guides or interested individuals who want an introduction to effective interpretation skills, as well as local natural and cultural history. 


Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Public Conservation Assistance Fund 
Deadline: May 16
HCTF 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.

Nature Conservancy of Canada Round 3 of Other Qualified Organizations (OQO) Program
Deadline: Ongoing 
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is pleased to announce Round 3 of the Other Qualified Organizations (OQO) Program.  Funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and administered by NCC, the program will provide up to $5 million in support of conservation in communities across Canada. Land acquisitions closing between April 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018 will be considered under Round 3 of the OQO Program, and applications will be accepted until 5:00pm EST on November 1.

Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Delivered for the Columbia BasinTrust 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. Currently accepting applications for projects for the 2016 funding. 

Columbia Basin Trust Small Grants Program
Deadline: Ongoing
If you have an idea that will address community priorities and encourage community development activities, including those that relate to the environment, you can apply for up to $5,000 through this program.

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 Environmental Education Network
Wild Voices for Kids Program Manager
CBEEN is seeking a contractor to manage this environmental education program which engages local experts in the delivery of place-based classroom presentations and field studies to K-12 students in the Columbia Basin. 

West Kootenay EcoSociety
Summer Event Coordination Assistant
West Kootenay EcoSociety works to preserve wild places, air and water for future generations; to take action to reduce the crisis of climate change; and to promote sustainable local food systems. If you are passionate, organized, and love people, we want you to join our team as our Event Coordination Assistant summer student.

Yellowstone to Yukon
Columbia Headwaters Associate
Y2Y is seeking an Columbia Headwaters Associate to support our campaign for greater conservation in the North Purcell and North-Centreal Columbia mountains: collectively, the Columbia Headwaters. You will assist our B.C. and Yukon Program Director with all aspects of the campaign, including identifying and liaising with stakeholders and decision-makers; researching, compiling and communicating relevant information from a variety of disciplines; developing and distributing campaign materials; organizing field trips and events; and participating in strategic discussions.

BC Parks
Senior Ranger Positions
The Senior Park Ranger is the front line field contact with park and protected areas visitors, interest groups, First Nations, and contractors through direct or supporting delivery of the full range of BC Parks programs in the areas of conservation, recreation, outreach, and division services within a complex park or group of parks, protected areas, conservancies and ecological reserves.

Wildsight Golden 
Invasive Plant Program Coordinator 
Wildsight Golden is seeking one qualified person to coordinate Golden's Community Invasive Plant Program and to develop and deliver public interpretive programs on invasive plants.This program is jointly supported by Wildsight Golden and the Town of Golden.


K ootenay 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, the KCP has developed a webpage that complies some of the best conservation and stewardship resources available for our region. 

 

If you have news or announcements that you would like to share via our eNews, please email them to communications@kootenayconservation.ca by the 26th of each month.