Thank you to everyone who took part in our 2021 Winter Webinar Series on the theme “From Alpine to Valley Bottom: Conserving Essential Habitats in the Kootenays”. Detailed webinar descriptions, information about the presenters and links to the recordings can be found on the Winter Webinar Series page on the KCP website.

If you missed signing up for the “For the Love of the Kootenays” daily video series last month, or if you signed up and want to see any of the videos again, check out the Stewardship Solutions Playlist on the KCP YouTube channel, where you’ll find all 12 short videos featuring amazing Kootenay-based resources that are among those listed on the KCP Stewardship Solutions Online Toolkit website. This toolkit is designed for stewardship practitioners, local government planners and other service providers as well as a one-stop shop for private landowners interested in stewardship options for their property.

Click here for the full posting. 

From old-growth forests of ancient trees in deep rugged valleys to thick snowpacks on high alpine peaks, the Upper Columbia region of southeastern British Columbia is special.

With full support from their membership, the Revelstoke-based North Columbia Environmental Society has agreed to make the move to become Wildsight Revelstoke. The North Columbia Environmental Society (NCES) has worked to protect wilderness in the Revelstoke area for more than 20 years, representing the environmental issues that concern residents of Revelstoke. With a mission that aligns with Wildsight, the two organizations have long stood together in support of wilderness protections.

Join the Columbia Basin Rural Development Institute (RDI) at Selkirk College, ACT (the Adaptation to Climate Change Team) SFU, and the Planning Institute of British Columbia (PIBC) Kootenay Rockies Chapter for an exciting 2-day virtual conference on improving low carbon resilience in small and rural communities in British Columbia. This conference will incorporate knowledge from across British Columbia to highlight innovations and insights from small communities and rural regions seeking to build low carbon resilience.

Dr. Annette Lutterman is a dynamic speaker and leader in Wildsight Golden’s West Bench Study. This talk will review insights from a range of research programs looking at the responses of wildlife to human backcountry recreation through the four seasons. As we head out boating, hiking, skiing, biking, sledding, and off-roading, what can it mean for moose and mountain goats, bears and beavers, wolverines and waterfowl if we boldly go everywhere, anytime, and by any means? Join Dr. Lutterman and Wildsight Golden on March 10 at 6 pm PT/7 pm MT.

Y2Y is pleased to be offering additional workshops to explore and celebrate new conservation agreements between First Nations and colonial governments, and hear from more Indigenous experts on the topic of land-based reconciliation. This webinar will run from 10 am to 11:30 am PT / 11am to 12:30 pm MT. Check the link below for details as they become available. This workshop series is designed as a package, building from one session to the next. More information is available in the Entering Ethical Space backgrounder.

This introductory course provides students with an opportunity to improve their amphibian species identification and handling skills, learn about survey design and standard inventory and monitoring techniques, and get hands-on experience surveying for amphibians in a variety of settings. Offered through Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology. Adapted for online delivery April 7th & 14th, includes live streamed field session!

Join Haley Higdon of Natural Curiosity to learn about the 2nd edition of their resource, The Importance of Indigenous Perspectives in Children’s Environmental Inquiry. This resource supports a stronger basic awareness of Indigenous perspectives and their importance to environmental education. Hosted by the CBEEN Outdoor Learning Store & Partners.

This conference will address key questions in the development and application of camera trap methods. By showcasing established and emerging case studies, the conference will be a forum for sharing lessons on fundamental topics such as sampling design, data management and analysis, and multi-project collaboration. This Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology event has been adapted to an online format — registration has re-opened! It will take place via Zoom over three mornings and will feature an incredible line-up of speakers and poster presentations addressing various aspects of camera trapping, and a panel discussion. An adapted workshop will also take place focused on coordination and standardization of key aspects of camera surveys such as sampling design, camera protocols, and data management and analysis.

Real Estate Foundation of BC grants support projects that strengthen communities and protect our shared land and water. For information on eligibility and funding priorities, visit refbc.com/grants or email grants@refbc.com to discuss your project idea.

The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) was established in 2004 and supports the development of Indigenous capacity to participate actively in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). 

The David & Lucile Packard Foundation has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to grassroots organizations focused on the following: Forest protection and community land rights; Frontline community organizing and power-building around social, environmental, or climate justice; Combatting extractive energy industries, such as oil, gas or land-intensive industrial bioenergy. For organizations headquartered in British Columbia, Alberta or the U.S. South, this is a new opportunity to submit expressions of interest to the Climate and Land Use Program for consideration. Successful applicants will receive up to $100,000 over two years and will be eligible for additional support from the Foundation’s Organizational Effectiveness team. The deadline for submitting expressions of interest is March 8.

A new pilot project is seeking a Bat-friendly Communities Lead to engage and work with First Nations on local bat conservation initiatives to develop bat-friendly communities. The Bat-friendly Communities Initiative encourages local action to support bats and increase awareness of bats and bat habitat, and may result in official Certification. Deadline to apply is March 3.

The Kootenay Columbia Discovery Centre Society is seeking a Wetland Naturalist to motivate, inspire, and connect children and adults to the wonderful world of wetlands by providing quality environmental education programs and front country excursions at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. The Wetland Naturalist position is seasonal from May 3 to September 4, 2021. Deadline to apply is March 5.

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the CSISS Executive Director and Program Coordinators, the Program Assistant will be responsible for carrying out various functions of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society’s programs, as described in job duties in the job posting. The base of operation will be out of Revelstoke, but there will be extensive travel throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. Deadline to apply is March 8.

(GCC) Chair, the General Manager will work with the GCC Board of Directors and its members to successfully coordinate, manage and deliver the organization's activities according to the strategic and operational direction set by the GCC Board. This is a remote position with preference for Kamloops. Deadline to apply is March 15.

CKISS is looking for a hard working, self-motivated individual with a background in communications, graphic design or similar to fill the role of Outreach Program Assistant. The Outreach Program Assistant will assist the Education Program Coordinator with invasive species prevention programs through education and outreach activities. Deadline to apply is March 12.

CKISS is looking for two team players with strong communication skills who love physical work in an outdoor setting to fill the role of Invasive Species Technicians. The Invasive Species Technician (IS Tech) will assist the Field Operations Program in a variety of invasive species fieldwork activities. Deadline to apply is March 12.

The Kootenay Native Plant Society working board is currently in the early phases of a large, grant-funded project to conserve and restore pollinator habitat at a landscape scale in the Lower Kootenay/Columbia corridor - the Pollination Pathway Climate Adaptation Initiative (PPCAI). KNPS is looking for new directors to join and to bring new ideas and skills along as we begin the PPCAI. Directors attend regular meetings, participate in KNPS outreach, and lead special projects. Directors hold a 2-year term and are appointed/elected at the annual general meeting. Email your interest by April 1.

The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) in partnership with the Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) are seeking qualified members for the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund (CVLCF) Technical Review Committee (TRC). The role of the TRC is to make recommendations on allocating annual funding for conservation projects for the area from Canal Flats to Spillimacheen. Applications will be received on an ongoing basis.

KCP has created the “Case for Conservation” tri-fold brochure, which details 9 different reasons why conserving private land is so crucial to the health of the region’s ecosystems that support a myriad of plant, fish and animal species — many of which are currently rare or endangered or at risk of becoming so. The brochure opens up into an attractive poster that can be easily posted in offices, public spaces and homes. Printed brochures are available for distribution. If you would like copies, please contact KCP Program Manager Juliet Craig at manager@kootenayconservation.ca.