ISCBC e-Bulletin - May 26, 2020
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Greetings!
In this bumper newsletter, check out virtual events during Invasive Species Action Month, the launch of the Invasive-Wise Tourism Program, and our newest factsheet on pesticides and bees. Watch for Clean Drain Dry messaging on your TV and social media this summer. Have fun and take action against invasive species with your kids - use our selection of youth activities and don't forget to enter the WIMBY youth photo contest!
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Invasive Species Action Month in BC
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May was officially proclaimed Invasive Species Action Month (ISAM) by the Province of British Columbia. Throughout May, we've been broadcasting weekly live
webinars
and Take Action Tuesdays on
Facebook -
check out the video recordings if you missed them! There are many ways you can take action against invasive species and make a difference - at home, in the garden, at work, and with your pets and aquariums.
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FIVE DAYS LEFT
to Enter the What's In My Backyard Youth Photo Contest!
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We challenge you to enter the "What's in My Back Yard?" (WIMBY) Youth Photo Contest. Taking part is simple and you could win up to $350 in Mountain Equipment Co-op gift certificates for your family, youth group or class.
How to Enter
As a virtual youth group or class, or with your family, you're challenged to spot
and photograph
as many invasive species
in your home, yard or local area as you can. What's around your home that could become an invader? Perhaps you have an aquarium with aquatic plants, a goldfish, or potted plants that might be invasive. To help with ideas, visit
beplantwise.ca
to learn more about garden plants that are invasive and read about
Don't Let it Loose
to find out which pets become invasive if released into the wild. Either post each of your photos in individual posts on Twitter or Instagram using
#BCinvasivescontest
, or enter using the
online form
.
How to Win
Enter as many photos as possible for the chance to win. The individual, family or group with the most photos will win $350 in Mountain Equipment Co-op gift certificates and the runner-up group will win $200 in gift certificates.
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Use the Report Invasive Species App during WIMBY!
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The Report Invasives app not only helps you identify invasive plants and other species, but it also lets you report invasive species sightings anywhere in BC, in a few quick and easy steps. Your report goes directly to a BC specialist for the reported species. The app can also be used as a Field Guide. Don't forget to include photos with submissions and your phone automatically provides the location information.
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Invasive-Wise Tourism Program Launches
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ISCBC is excited to announce the launch of a new Invasive-Wise Tourism Program in 2020. BC is a top tourist destination for travelers worldwide and is known for its incredible diversity, natural landscapes, wildlife and wild spaces. British Columbia’s tourism industry is ranked as the most important sector to BC’s economy, however, tourism is also considered to be a major pathway for the introduction and spread of invasive species.
Read more
.
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NEW Factsheet: Pesticides and the Impact to Bees
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We regularly add to our range of factsheets about invasive species and related topics. This month we are pleased to promote our most recent addition:
Understanding Pesticides and the Impact to Bees
. This factsheet reviews the different types of pesticides and their use and how to prevent harm to bees when using pesticides. Browse our full range of almost
50 different factsheets
available to download.
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Clean Drain Dry Digital Media Awareness Campaign
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The three-year
Clean Drain Dry pilot in BC
, funded by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and under contract to the Canadian Council on Invasive Species, continues with the launch of
the summer Clean Drain Dry awareness campaign on television from May through September. You can view the commercials throughout the week on Global BC’s Morning News, airing Monday to Friday, 6:00-9:00 am. You can also catch the spots running on BC1 throughout their program schedule from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm. Over the course of the campaign the commercials will be seen over 3.7 million times by British Columbians. Simultaneously we are running a targeted video campaign on Facebook and Instagram.
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Call for Clean Drain Dry Partners
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ISCBC continues to partner with aquatic stewardship groups throughout the Province to pilot newly designed Clean Drain Dry (CDD) signs at waterfront locations. Through these partnerships, we will promote and foster increased support and education for the prevention of aquatic invasive species, including invasive mussels, to BC. We welcome interested organizations to submit an application to be a partner in the pilot of CDD signage and additional resources.
Read more
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Join our growing network of young adults volunteering across the province!
Young adults aged 15-30 are invited to volunteer, participate in amazing training and learning opportunities and have some fun at the same time! Volunteers get to work with experienced facilitators in three regions - Greater Vancouver, Williams Lake and Kamloops. The volunteer network has creative freedom to develop and implement projects they are most passionate about, right within their own communities. If you know a young adult keen to build their resume, learn new skills and help their local environment, share this opportunity with them. Ongoing volunteer applications are being accepted online at
bcinvasives.ca/volunteer.
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Support our Work - Join ISCBC as a Member
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ISCBC's vision is
healthy landscapes and communities free of invasive species
. Join us today to ensure this vision becomes a reality. ISCBC relies on the support of dedicated and passionate members. Sign up as a member and you will also benefit from discounts on courses, events and more.
Read more
.
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While BC starts to slowly reopen, we understand many parents, educators and youth leaders may find online resources particularly useful at this time. Here is a sample of resources we hope you find fun as well as educational!
View our full range of educational resources
.
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NEW! Agriculture, Invasive Species and the Cariboo - Take Action!
Check out this brand new
educator's guide
filled with fun activities including Who Am I? Guess the Invasive Species, Find the Invasive Species, drawing and colouring activities. Developed for the Cariboo region, the activities are adaptable for anywhere!
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Take Action Against Invasive Species - Educator's Guide
This
guide
was developed in 2019 to provide a range of activities that inform, engage and inspire participants to take action again invasive species in British Columbia. The activities are suitable for use in both formal school programs and for informal youth groups, camps and recreation programming, and can be done in any sequence. The activities are listed with suggested age / grade categories, but most of them can be adapted to suit almost any age and audience.
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Primary Activities for Ages 2-7
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Biodiversity Scavenger Hunt!
A fun and easy picture-based
scavenger hunt
for younger children to do in their backyards, that encourages discovery and close observation. Alternatively, use the ABC template to make up your own scavenger hunt to better suit your yard or green space!
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Solve the Mussel Maze!
What are some ways these invasive mussels have hitch-hiked their way into the lake?
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Find the Mussels!
Find all of the invasive mussels that have hitched a ride on this boat!
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Aquatic Invasives Colouring Sheet 1
Can you find and colour all of the invasive species?
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Bionic Bob to the Rescue
A fun, cartoon-filled activity book that highlights some of the main invasive plants in BC using stories, colouring pages, mazes and puzzles.
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Don’t Move Firewood Colouring Sheet
Download and print this youth activity sheet to help with education on the risks of moving firewood and the pests that can move with it.
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Elementary Activities for Ages 6-12
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Invasive Species on the Move!
Find at least 10 ways that invasive species are being introduced and spreading in this fun drawing.
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A Weedy Scavenger Hunt!
There may be invasive plants in your own backyard, school ground, field or favourite park! Go on a scavenger hunt and see how many of these clues you can check off! (Part of
Cariboo Educator's Guide
: page 3)
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WHO AM I?
Most Unwanted Cards
Guess the invasive species below by reading through the clues on each Who Am I? card!
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Build a Fairy Garden… Invasive-Free!
Create a fairy garden that highlights your favorite outdoor activity, and ways to keep invasive species out! (Part of
Take Action Educator's Guide
: #6.)
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Native / Non-Native Plant Collage
Create a collage of pictures and drawings of native and non-native plants found in your region
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Intermediate/Secondary Activities for Ages 12-16
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Pressing Invasive Plants - Make A Plant Press!
Learn ways to distinguish between native and non-native plant species of BC, make your own plant press to prepare a collection (part of
Take Action Educator's Guide
: #8).
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Invasive Plant “UN-Wanted” Poster
A fun art and research activity - study an invasive species and design a creative “Wanted” poster using the template provided (part of
Take Action Educator's Guide
: #7).
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Design a Native Plant Garden
Design a native plant garden for your yard, balcony or school - check out the great resources for all regions of BC, and create a poster of your design (part of
Take Action Educator's Guide
: #9).
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Invasive Plant Photo Scavenger Hunt
Look for and photograph native and invasive plants to be used in designing a field guide or slideshow.
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Invasive Plant Field Guide
Find and research invasive plants in your region, and create a local field guide.
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We hope you are finding ways to take action against invasive species during Invasive Species Action Month.
Thanks for your support!
Gail Wallin
Executive Director | Invasive Species Council of BC
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