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March 2014 eNews
As spring project planning begins to ramp up, we've highlighted several funding opportunities, as well as some great upcoming workshops and professional development opportunities. Rounding out this month's newsletter is a great article published in the Journal of Conservation Biology about the successes and challenges of large landscape conservation programs.
We'd like to thank Hillary Page for being our monthly Faces & Places feature highlighting her work on the Mount Broadwood project. You can click here to see her full feature story. If you know of a personal story of conservation in the Kootenays that you think should be shared, please email us at info@kootenayconservation.ca.
We hope you enjoy your monthly conservation update. You can click here at anytime to check out news and events posted on the KCP's news blog.
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A few upcoming KCP dates to add to your calendar:
East Kootenay Stewardship Committee Meeting: 1:00pm Mountain Time, Thursday, March 6 - Invermere
West Kootenay Stewardship Committee Meeting: 10:00am Pacific Time, Thursday, March 13 - Nelson
KCP Steering Committee Meeting - 2:00pm Mountain / 1:00pm Pacific Time, Thursday, March 13 via conference call
KCP Annual Gathering & AGM - October 3-4, 2014 (venue/location tba)
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Hillary Page
Mount Broadwood
Hillary started working for the Nature Conservancy Canada seven years ago and is generally responsible for the delivery of stewardship on NCC's thirteen Canadian Rockies properties. This includes invasive species management, restoration of open forests and grasslands and property management planning. She enjoys working with partners to develop conservation plans for NCC's Canadian Rockies Natural Areas (South Selkirks, Kootenay Rockies and the Elk Valley) and developing biological rationale for new conservation projects.
Part of Hillary's work includes the Mount Broadwood project. At 8,900 hectares it is the largest conservation land donation in Canadian history. Mount Broadwood was donated to the NCC in 1994. Although the site has undergone some industrial development for resource extraction over the past fifty years, it supports phenomenal conservation values. Mount Broadwood is critically important for the maintenance of wildlife connectivity for wide-ranging carnivores, particularly Grizzly Bear, Wolf, Wolverine and Lynx. The property has resident populations of Bighorn Sheep, Mule Deer, Moose, Elk, Grizzly Bear, Cougar, Wolverine, and Badger. The Wigwam River supports some of the largest Cutthroat Trout in southeastern BC and is the single most important Bull Trout spawning system in the Kootenay Region.
Click here to read the full story.
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Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou
Government of Canada
The Minister of the Environment and the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency are the competent ministers under SARA for southern mountain caribou. The Minister of the Environment led the preparation of this recovery strategy as per section 37 of SARA. To the extent possible, it has been prepared in cooperation with the Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta as per section 39(1) of SARA. Consultation period closes on March 18.
Registration now open for Resource Roads
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI)
CMI expects a diverse group will attend with participation by industry, government, First Nations, non-governmental, and academic organizations. As well, consultants and public user groups are welcomed. For the latest version of this event's speaker list click here.
Citizen scientists monitoring baseline water quality
Columbia Basin Water Quality Monitoring Project
During the inception of the Columbia Basin Watershed Network in 2005, watershed groups identified a desire to collect water quality information for smaller watersheds in the Columbia Basin. As a result, the Columbia Basin Water Quality Monitoring Project (WQMP) was born and the project has evolved into a long-term monitoring program enhancing technical skills and understanding in local stewardship groups.
Canadian Water Quality Guidelines
Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment
Epic Sequel to Burgess Shale
Kootenay National Park
An assembly of fossils discovered in Kootenay National Park may prove to be richer in terms of variety than the famed Burgess Shale Beds in adjacent Yoho National Park. In 2012 a group of scientists discovered a new 'phyllopod bed-like assemblage' in Kootenay National Park's (KNP) Marble Canyon area, about 40 km southeast of the Burgess Shale Walcott Quarry, near Field.
Click here for the full story.
Amendment to Parks Act
Wildsight
On February 13, Bill 4, an amendment to the Parks Act was introduced by the BC government. If passed by the legislature, this Bill would allow for exploratory drilling, ore sampling and road building within BC Parks.
Click here for more information.
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Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area (CVWMA)
Wetland Naturalist - Closes March 2, 2014
As a Wetland Naturalist with the CVWMA, you will be a member of a team dedicated to providing quality environmental education programs and front country excursions. You will interpret natural history; explain the purpose and management techniques of the CVWMA; conduct canoe, gallery, walking and bird watching tours; facilitate and lead school programs, develop and deliver interpretive programming; assist volunteers; prepare daily wildlife sighting reports; and perform key holder and maintenance duties.
Click here to find out more.
Friends of Kootenay Lake
Call for Lake Advisory Council Members
The Friends of Kootenay Lake (FOKL) invites community members to be a part of their volunteer Lake Advisory Council. The mission of FOKL is to protect the fish and wildlife habitat of Kootenay Lake while supporting economic, recreation and traditional uses. FOKL is working hard to give community members the tools they need to protect their own water resources.
Click here to find out more.
Nature Conservancy of Canada
Canadian Rockies Stewardship Interns (2) - Closes March 5, 2014
The Conservation Leaders of the Future is a partnership initiative between the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Shell Canada Limited. The Program goal is to provide aspiring conservationists with practical experience in the conservation field. In 2014, the Program will engage developing biologists from across BC in stewardship and management work on NCC properties, and in other career-related activities that advance the work of NCC. This partnership builds on the successful history of Shell Canada and NCC working together to conserve many of our country's most important natural places.
Click here to find out more.
Columbia Basin Trust
Sector Initiatives Analyst - Closes March 14, 2014
The Sector Initiatives Analyst is responsible for research and analysis of various issues and provides analytical support to the implementation of programs, initiatives and other responsibilities of the Sector Initiatives Department. This position reports to the Director, Sector Initiatives. This is a temporary, full-time position to cover a 14-month term. The position is preferably based out of either our Castlegar or Golden office.
Click here to find out more.
Blue Lake Forest Education Society
Event Planner Volunteer
The Event Planner will work closely alongside the Executive Director to develop, plan, coordinate and implement the Grand Reopening event, with assistance from staff and recruited volunteers. Days and hours of work will be flexible, provided the details of the event are planned, coordinated and implemented within the timeline set out by the Executive Director, in conjunction with the Event Planner.
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Mountain Equipment Coop
Deadline: March 10
Support for projects involving land acquisition, capacity building, advocacy and awareness, and access and activity.
Real Estate Foundation of BC
Deadline: March 14
Stage 1 deadline for grants over $20,000 supporting sustainable food systems, freshwater sustainability or the sustainable built environment.
Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative
Deadline: March 14
The Great Northern LCC is pleased to announce the FY14 strategic science funding opportunity. Proposals targeting the priorities and specific criteria described in the Funding Guidance will be accepted until 5pm MST on March 14, 2014. There will be two conference calls for questions about the Funding Guidance: February 18 at 10am MST and February 27 at 2pm MST.
Weeden Foundation
Deadline: May 23
Funding biodiversity preservation and land acquisition.
Click here for more information.
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Community Conversations - Workshops for Non-profits
March 11, Cranbrook
Workshops from 8:30am - 4:30pm on Risk Management, Criminal Records Review Changes and New Directions for the Non-profit Sector.
Rockstar Farmer Tour - Big Yields, Small Lots
March 11, Kimberley
Jean-Martin Fortier, Canada's rockstar farmer, will share his personal success as a young professional farmer on his own microfarm.
Rockstar Farmer Tour - Six Figure Farming for Small Lots
March 12, Cranbrook
Jean-Martin Fortier, Canada's rockstar farmer, will lead a workshop teaching his smart, intensive farming techniques married with smart business sense.
Taking Action on Climate Change Adaption Workshop
March 19 - 20, Missoula
A workshop to develop shared strategies for our shared landscape.
RSVP for this workshop to Sasha at crownmanagers@gmail.com.
Board of Directors Development Webinar
March 31, Online
This webinar focuses on board members' key responsibilities and moves boards out of operations and into the "big picture". This learning opportunity covers leadership models, modes of governing, board recruitment, meeting management, committee structure and evaluation techniques.
Shaping the Future of Columbia Lake Park
March 31, Fairmont Hot Springs
Rich in natural and cultural diversity and growing in recreational popularity, Columbia Lake Park is one of the most unique provincial parks in BC. Increasing public access and expanding recreation will be discussed at an open house being held in the lodge at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort (Cedar Room) on March 31st from 2:00pm - 8:30pm with presentations @ 3:00pm & 7:00pm. If you have an interest in Columbia Lake Park, want to learn more about proposed improvements and share your perspective; please come join in the discussion. Open house visitors will also be encouraged to submit written comments at the open house or on-line on the BC Parks website in mid-March.
Columbia Basin Watershed Governance Webinar
April 14, Online
This webinar will build on the momentum of the 2013 "Think Like a Watershed" Columbia Basin Symposium and discuss key learning outcomes from the 2014 Watersheds Forum.
Click here for more information.
Farm-Food-Fork Festival and Feast
April 5, Nelson
This festival will feature the Lexicon of Sustainability art show, food films, education, local producers, workshops and a local seasonal feast in celebration of our food-shed. Click here for more information.
Wings over the Rockies Festival
May 5 - 11, Invermere
This year's festival will provide the opportunity for visitors and locals alike to learn more about the mystery of migration and about the Columbia Valley, our backyard - the envy of the world. The historic Pynelogs Cultural Centre on the shores of Lake Windermere will again be the focal point for the Festival and the venue for evening presentations and workshops.
Creston Valley Bird Festival
May 9 - 11, Creston
Some of the highlights of the 2014 Bird Fest are keynote speaker Dave Quinn, CBC radio's "outdoor adventure guy, a photography workshop hosted by well-known West Kootenay photographer Jim Lawrence and raptor specialist Brian Baxter from Libby Montana. Registration opens March 1st an closes May 9.
CMI - Resource Roads in BC: Environmental Challenges at a Landscape Level
May 14 - 15, Nelson
This conference put on by the Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology (CMI) hopes to address road-network effects and management responses for addressing landscape-level environmental and social impacts.Talks will summarize the positive and negative effects of road networks across large regions or landscapes.Call for presentations closes on November 22, 2013.
For more information and registration, click here.
5th Annual Conference of the Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent
September 10 - 12, Waterton
CMI - Solving Wicked Problems: Using human dimensions to inform natural resource management
October 1 - 3 - Kimberley
During this CMI conference participants will examine how to use human dimensions research and methods to help resource practitioners resolve "wicked problems" in southeastern BC. Click here for more information.
KCP Annual Gathering
October 3 - 4, Location TBA
Save the date! Details TBA.
Columbia River Basin International Conference
October 21 - 23, Spokane
Learning from Our Past to Shape Our Future
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Journal of Conservation Biology
Successes and Challenges from Formation to Implementation of Eleven Broad-Extent Conservation Programs
Integration of conservation partnerships across geographic, biological, and administrative boundaries is increasingly relevant because drivers of change, such as climate shifts, transcend these boundaries. We explored successes and challenges of established conservation programs that span multiple watersheds and consider both social and ecological concerns. We asked representatives from a diverse set of 11 broad extent conservation partnerships in 29 countries 17 questions that pertained to launching and maintaining partnerships for broad-extent conservation, specifying ultimate management objectives, and implementation and learning.
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If you have news or announcements you would like to share via our eNews, please email them to duncan@kootenayconservation.ca by the 26th of each month.
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