Kootenay Conservation Program eNews
January 2016 

The KCP would like to wish you a Happy New Year!  May 2016 be a year of positive change in working together for the conservation of our precious environment! 

We are pleased to announce our upcoming Winter Webinar Series. As follow up to our 2015 Fall Gathering, the webinar series will focus on the theme
Large Landscape Conservation. Large Landscape Conservation means enhancing the conservation value of all lands, helping conserve key connections between landscapes, implementing climate adaptation initiatives, and developing strategies to help nature remain resilient on a grand scale (Center for Large Landscape Conservation, 2015).  The series will include 4 sessions starting in January and running through to the end of March.   Our first webinar is scheduled for January 21, 2016 at 11:00am (Mountain Time Zone), where Harvey Locke will present on "Y2Y" Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative. Gary Burnett from the Blackfoot Challenge will present in our second webinar of the series, discussing partnership building and community based processes related to watersheds on February 11, 2016 at 11:00am.  Stay tuned to our website for further information about the webinar series as well as information for registration.  You won't want to miss these fantastic speakers!   
 
The KCP is pleased to announce the opening of the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund (KLLCF). The KLLCF will provide local financial support for important projects that conserve valuable natural areas and restore and preserve a healthy environment.  Funding application forms along with more information about the fund can be found on our website by clicking here . Anticipated closing for applications will be January 31, 2016.      

We hope you enjoy your monthly conservation update. You can read our blog  at anytime during the month to check out current news and events. As always, please submit any news you'd like to share with our network by the 26th of each month to  info@kootenayconservation.ca.


Kelly Diamond
KCP's New Administration and Communications Coordinator
The KCP is pleased to introduce Kelly Diamond as our new Administration and Communications Coordinator.  Kelly will be taking over duties previously completed by Duncan Whittick who has moved on to pursue other endeavors.  We would like to thank Duncan for work completed on behalf of the KCP and wish him luck with his future projects. Kelly is happy to be aboard and looks forward to meeting and chatting with KCP partners and stakeholders as opportunities arise! To read Kelly's full story and to see her photo, click here .

Real Estate Foundation of BC
New Board of Governors Appointment 
The REFBC is pleased to welcome Ramona Faust to their Board of Governors. Ramona is one of the area directors for the KCP's new Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund and a municipal government official in the Kootenays.  She has been appointed to the REFBC Board by the Union of BC Municipalities.

Invasive Species Council of BC
Early Bird Registration Extended for Upcoming Forum and AGM Event
ISCBC's Forum and AGM event, Invasives 2016 , will be held on February 2nd and 3rd, 2016 at the Pacific Gateway Hotel in Richmond, BC. The event
plays a pivotal role in providing current information to those planning, managing and responding to new and current invasive species in BC. The forum also provides a venue for dialogue and learning among peers. Over 150 attendees representing all levels of government, industry, private sector, and First Nations groups will be present. Please find the attached Invasives 2016 event agenda. Early bird registration pricing has been extended until January 8, 2016.
Click here to register.
 
Columbia Basin Trust (CBT)
$1 Million for Environmental Education
Columbia Basin children and communities will continue to receive opportunities to learn about, appreciate and care for the natural world around them, through Columbia Basin Trust's $1-million commitment to two environmental education initiatives. These are the Know Your Watershed program and the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network. For more information, see CBT's News Release by clicking here .

Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF)
New Strategic Plan
HCTF has completed its new Strategic Plan. Over the next five years, this plan will serve as a roadmap, guiding us towards a vision of a future where fish, wildlife and habitats are healthy and valued by all British Columbians. The plan was jointly developed by HCTF Board and Staff members to provide a clear vision of what HCTF stands for and how they will achieve their goals.
To view the strategic plan, click here

POLIS Water Sustainability Project
BC's New Water Law
Last week, the WSP released the new research repor t "Awash with Opportunity: Ensuring the Sustainability of the British Columbia's New Water Law".   With the new Water Sustainability Act replacing the 106-year-old Water Act in 2014, British Columbia has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to modernize its freshwater legislation and usher in a new era of water stewardship. The Water Sustainability Act has many promising features that can better protect the province's fresh water. Yet full implementation of the new Act hinges on passing critical supporting regulations that will provide the necessary details to make the Act fully functional.
Click here for more information.

Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Project (WTCP) 
Deadline: January 31, 2016
The WTCP provides up to $50,000/year for research or restoration projects in the Waneta/Trail, BC area. Preference is given to projects that focus on species at risk, or mitigating impacts related to the construction of the Waneta Expansion Project. Applications are now being accepted from non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and individuals. 
Click here for more information.

Alpine Club of Canada
Deadline: January 31, 2016
The Alpine Club of Canada maintains or administers permanent funds to which people may apply for financial support for their mountain-related projects and initiatives. Support is provided in the form of annual cash grants and scholarships to individuals and groups who are judged as best meeting the selection criteria. Each year the ACC grants over $10,000 through these grants.
The Nature Trust Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund
Deadline: February 16, 2016
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 
For more information contact Marian Adair at 604-969-3242 or email madair@naturetrust.bc.ca
 
RBC Blue Water Project - Community Action Grant 
Deadline: February 18, 2016 
These grants range from $1,000 to $10,000, and are awarded to local or community-based organizations in Canada, the United States or the Caribbean.
Click here for more information.     
 
Environment Canada Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Environment Canada's Science Horizons program is a collaborative effort with Canadian universities, the private sector, non-governmental organizations and other eligible organizations that offers promising young scientists and post-secondary graduates hands-on experience working on environmental projects under the mentorship and coaching of experienced scientists and program managers.  Maximum of $12,000 per year is available for eligible applicants. 
Click here for more information. 

Get Youth Working! Program
Deadline: Ongoing (as long as funding is available) 
This Program, funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Job Fund, offers employers in your region of BC a $2,800 hiring incentive to hire eligible youth 15 to 29 years of age. Additionally, employers may request up to $1,000 to purchase training for the newly hired youth.
Click here for more information.

Columbia Basin Trust Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Ranchers and individuals with Crown range tenures, environmental groups and non-profit societies are encouraged to apply for funding to improve and enhance grasslands and rangelands. Ranchers, for example, can use the support to build fences, install cattle guards and do other improvements on Crown land--activities that permit better livestock management practices and therefore result in better stewardship of rangelands.
Click here for more information.  
 
  
Blue Lake Centre Office Manager
Deadline: ASAP
Blue Lake seeks an Office Manager for a one year maternity leave term starting February 2016 through March 2017. 
Click here for more information.

Glacier Adventure Stewardship Program Coordinator
Deadline: January 4, 2016
The North Columbia Environmental Society (NCES) seeks qualified applicants to coordinate their Glacier Adventure Stewardship Program.  This part time contract position runs from February 1, 2016 to November 30, 2016.  The position pays $25/hour, up to a maximum of $5000 for the duration of the contract.
Click here for more information.
 
CBEEN
Green Teacher Webinars
February 4 & 10 
CBEEN continues its series of webinars with the following topics and dates:
    • Collecting Field Data on Local Birds with Elementary Students. Presenters - Renee Bachman and Ted Watt.  Thursday, February 4 2016 7:30-8:30pm EST;
    • Remote Cameras in Environmental Education. Presenters - Ryan Pennesi and Dawn Tanner.  Wednesday, February 10 2016 7:30-8:30pm EST;
For more information and to register, click here.

Columbia Mountain Institute of Applied Ecology Environmental and Social Assessment Forum
February 23-24, College of the Rockies, Cranbrook
The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is organizing a Forum to address recent changes in environmental assessment legislation, policy and process. The purpose of this forum is to provide attendees with practical "hands-on" experience and skills. It will also include networking opportunities, a trade show/poster session, a keynote speaker and a panel discussion.
Click here for more information.
 
16th Annual Fly Fishing Symposium 
March 19-20, Castlegar 
The place to be for all fly-fishing enthusiasts is the 16th Annual Fly Fishing Symposium taking place on March 19-20, 2016 at the Castlegar Complex. Admission is free! Come out for a chance to win great door prizes, attend free seminars and find out about some sweet Kootenay fishing spots. Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) will be there to promote the CLEAN, DRAIN, DRY campaign.
Click here for more information.

Crown Managers Partnership Annual Forum
March 15 - 17, 2016, Fernie
The Crown Managers Partnership will be holding it's 16th annual forum in Fernie, British Columbia on March 15 - 17, 2016. The topic of the Forum is " We Need the Needles: Coordinating Action to Conserve 5-Needle Pine Forests in the Crown of the Continent"
Click here for more information.
 
Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent 
October 13-14, 2016, Fernie 
Save the dates!  The Roundtable is coming to The Northwest part of the Crown for its Fall gathering in Fernie, BC.
Click here for more information.
 
Under Western Skies biennial conference series - Call for Proposals
Under Western Skies (UWS) is a biennial, interdisciplinary conference series on the environment. The fourth conference organizers invite prospective researchers, authors, artists, and presenters to consider submitting proposals for oral and poster presentations as well as workshopsand panels.  The 2016 conference will be held on the Mount Royal University campus (Calgary, Alberta, CANADA) and will focus on the theme "Water". For more information about this conference and opportunities to present, visit their website. 
 
Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) British Columbia 2015 Year in Review
NCC invites you to celebrate the many conservation successes of 2015.  To view the NCC's 2015 Year in Review for BC, click here .

Yellowstone to Yukon Initiative (Y2Y)
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) is a joint Canada-U.S. not-for-profit organization that connects and protects habitat from Yellowstone to Yukon so people and nature can thrive. Harvey Locke is a strategic advisor to the Y2Y initiative and will be leading the first of KCP's winter webinar series on January 21, 2016 to continue with our theme of Large Landscape Conservation.  Harvey is globally known for his work wilderness, national park and large landscape conservation from Yellowstone to Yukon and beyond.  View the Y2Y website here .

Blackfoot Challenge
The Mission of The Blackfoot Challenge is to coordinate efforts that will enhance, conserve and protect the natural resources and rural lifestyles of the Blackfoot River Valley for present and future generations. Blackfoot Challenge supports environmentally responsible resource stewardship through cooperation of private and public interests. Gary Burnett has served as the Blackfoot Challenge's Executive Director for close to nine years and will be presenting in the KCP's upcoming winter webinar series on February 11, 2016.  Stay tuned to the KCP website for further information.  To view the Blackfoot Challenge website click here .

The Practitioners' Network for Large Landscape Conservation
Continuing with our theme of Large Landscape Conservation in preparation of KCP's upcoming Winter Webinar Series, the Practitioners' Network is an alliance of professionals and citizens engaged in leading, managing, researching, advocating, funding, educating or setting policy to advance large landscape conservation initiatives. 
Visit their website.

 

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