August 2014 eNews

 

This month we are pleased to feature Gerry Wilkie in our 'Faces & Places' story. Click here to read more about Gerry and his involvement in the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund.

With the announcement by the Regional District of Central Kootenay that they will pursue a Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund in the rural areas around Kootenay Lake, KCP staff will be focusing efforts on supporting this initiative in advance of the referendum on November 15, 2014. Click here to read more about this proposed Local Conservation Fund. 

 

Please note that our KCP Annual Gathering and AGM will take place in Creston from September 26-27. KCP has reserved a block of rooms at the Ramada at a preferred rate.  For bookings call 250-254-1111 and reference the Kootenay Conservation Program. Tom Swann (Nature Conservancy of Canada), Steve Hilts (Teck Resources) and Scott Benton (Grasslands Conservation Council) have all been confirmed as speakers on Ecosystem/Carbon Offsetting. There will also be a tour of Darkwoods- the largest private land conservation project in Canadian history. Please email info@kootenayconservation.ca to confirm your attendance. 

 

Nominations are now being sought for the KCP 2014 Conservation Leadership Award. Do you know of someone that should be nominated for this award? If so, please click here for nomination details. The deadline for nominations is September 15, 2014 and the winner(s) will be announced at the KCP AGM in Creston.

 
We hope you enjoy your monthly conservation update. You can click here at anytime during the month to check out current news and events on our blog.

 

As always, please submit any news you'd like to share by the 26th of each month to duncan@kootenayconservation.ca. 

Gerry Wilkie

Regional District of East Kootenay - Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund

 

Gerry Wilkie, who sits as an Area Director for the Regional District of East Kootenay's Electoral Area G, postulates that the Columbia Valley Local Conservation Fund has made a significant contribution to the Columbia Valley's quality of life. "While many of these projects are relatively modest in scope, cumulatively the Local Conservation Fund is doing what it was designed to do. It is making a significant contribution to our quality of life by providing the funding and opportunity for non-governmental organizations to enhance and conserve our local land base and biophysical environment," he said, adding taxpayer money is being closely monitored by elected officials. He also stated he'd like to see the program copied elsewhere in the region. 

 

Click here to read the full story. 


Look Outside Launch

Wildsight 
Click. Share. Connect. That's how easy it is to participate in Wildsight's new photo contest. Lots of cool prizes and a great way to share your love of the Purcell Mountains. Submit your photos at #wildlookoutside. 
Click here for more information.

Invasive Species Summer Events 
East Kootenay Invasive Plant Council
Join EKIPC at the Kimberley Nature Park at 8:30am on August 4th for a weed pull. You can also check out the EKIPC Aquatics Crew during their Boat Inspection Blitz taking place in key boat launches across the region. 
Click here for more information.

Land Award Finalists Announced

Real Estate Foundation of BC

The Real Estate Foundation of BC unveiled the finalists for its fifth annual Land Awards Gala. The awards honour companies, non-profits and governments leading innovative land use projects that contribute to sustainable communities.Finalists are selected on their ability to demonstrate innovation, leadership and collaboration in sustainable land use in BC and are chosen in three categories; private sector, public sector and non-profit sector.

Click here for the full story. 

 

New Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science

Wilburforce Foundation

Wilburforce Foundation, in partnership with COMPASS, is excited to announce the launch of the new Wilburforce Fellowship in Conservation Science, a year-long program beginning April 2015. The purpose of the fellowship is to build a community of scientists who pursue decision-relevant research, communicate scientific findings effectively, and contribute to conservation solutions by engaging with local communities, policymakers, land managers, advocates, and others.

Click here for the full story.  


Corporate Challenge for Kids

Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN)

This summer CBEEN is looking for 10 local Kootenay businesses who are willing to provide $500 in sponsorship towards the Wild Voices for Kids program. This program started over a decade ago and now offers 125 different curriculum-linked environmental education field trips and presentations led by 75 local experts. This year CBEEN would like to be able to offer programs to over 10,000 students across the Kootenays! CBEEN has a variety of ways they will recognize businesses which accept the challenge.

Click here for the full story.


Nature Conservancy of Canada (Invermere) - Administrative and Philanthropy Assistant 

Deadline: August 19

This dynamic organization has an opening for a Full Time (1.0 FTE) Administrative and Philanthropy Assistant, based in the Invermere office. Reporting to the Program Director, Canadian Rocky Mountains, the incumbent will assume a lead role in the coordination and delivery of administrative, fundraising support and event coordination for the Canadian Rocky Mountains Program and for the broader BC Region as needed. Other responsibilities may include support for communications and special projects. 

Click here to find out more.

 

Canadian Environmental Network - Special Project Volunteers
Deadline: Fall
The Canadian Environmental Network is looking for additional volunteers to help build the new virtual organization through work on a number of projects and programs. As a volunteer you will have a very direct role, working with Board members and other volunteers in determining the future of the organization and will be able to network with individuals and environmental organizations from across Canada. It will also provide you with an opportunity to put into practice your knowledge, expertise and skills.
Click here to find out more.

BC Community Gaming Environmental Grants

Deadline: August 31

Funding for non-profit organizations providing programs or services of direct benefit to the broader community. 

Click here to find out more.

Patagonia Environmental Grants

Deadline: August 31

Supports local groups working to protect local habitat (biodiversity and ecosystem protection). Priority areas: to protect and restore native fish populations and the habitat on which they depend. 

Click here to find out more.

 

Canadian Wildlife Foundation

Deadline: September 1

Financial assistance to conservation programs and educational programs related to wildlife and research.  

Click here to find out more.  

 

Mountain Equipment Coop

Deadline: September 10

Grant funding helps keep space for adventure by conserving ecologically important places and by inspiring and enabling Canadians to be active outside. 

Click here to find out more.

 

Real Estate Foundation of BC General Grant Program

Deadline: September 11

The Foundation's overall aim is to transform land use attitudes and practices, thus contributing to resilient, healthy communities and natural environments. Our grant programs support progressive initiatives that address current challenges and plan for the future.
Click here to find out more. 

Transition Farm Webinar

August 5, Online

Transition Agriculture is hoping to build the framework to enable agencies and producers to provide feedback to one another ensuring that both the needs of agencies, NGOs, and producers are met by aggregating pertinent information in an unbiased website application.

Click here for more information and to register.

 

Exploring Public Participation in Scientific Research Conference

September 9 - 10, Calgary

This conference will explore the diverse and growing field of citizen science with sessions on program design, evaluation, policy implications, technology and applications in parks and protected areas.

For more information email events@rockies.ca.

 

5th Annual Conference of the Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent

September 10 - 12, Waterton

More information coming soon here.

Columbia Salmon Festival

September 13, Invermere

The 4th annual Columbia Salmon Festival will celebrate the history of the salmon that once migrated to the headwaters of the River. Learn about the cultural significance, the challenges and the prospects of restoring salmon to the Columbia Basin. 

More event information will be available soon here.  

 

Kootenay Conservation Program Annual Gathering and AGM
September 26 - 27, Creston
Included in this year's gathering will be a tour of Darkwoods - the largest private land conservation project in Canadian history. 
More information coming soon here. 

Solving Wicked Problems: Using human dimensions to inform natural resource management

October 1 - 3, Kimberley

During this Columbia Mountains Institute (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.  

 

Public Participation for Natural Resource and Environmental Assessment Managers 

October 2 - 3, Kimberley  
This Columbia Mountains Institute facilitated course is designed as an introduction to public participation basic concepts and skills. Despite the demonstrated benefits of effective public participation, few resource and environmental assessment managers have formal training or professional development in planning for and implementing participatory processes. Registration closes September 15.
Click here for more information and course registration.

Real Estate Foundation of BC Land Awards Gala
October 17, Vancouver
The Land Awards will be presented in the categories of Public Sector, Private Sector and Non-profit Sector as well as the individual Land Champion Award.
Click here for more information.  

Voices for Sustainability Symposium
October 17 - 19, Golden
The Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network's (CBEEN) popular annual gathering of environmental educators will take place at Quantum Leaps Lodge in Golden. Registration to open in late August.  
Click here for more information.

Kootenay Lake Summit
October 18, Kaslo
Save the date for the 2nd Annual Kootenay Lake Summit.
Click here for more information.

Columbia River Basin International Conference
October 21 - 23, Spokane
Conference Theme: Learning from Our Past to Shape Our Future. 
Click here for more information. 

Plan for Species at Risk in British Columbia

Province of BC

Protecting Vulnerable Species: A Five-Year Plan for Species at Risk in British Columbia is a strategic document that sets out those high-level management actions that British Columbia plans to take over the next five years to improve management of species at risk in B.C. while balancing the province's economic, environmental and social priorities.
 Click here to view the Plan.

 

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