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Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews
Private land conservation is celebrated in a new film that's particularly relevant to the KCP community.
On the Shoulders of Giants
is a 21-minute film produced in association with the Montana Association of Land Trusts about the value of conservation to Montana's landscape, economy, and way of life. The film marks the 40th anniversary of Montana's first conservation easement and the state's four decades of private land conservation achievement. The full film will be online by the end of July, but in the meantime click here for the trailer.
Of interest to many in the Kootenay conservation sector is the new documentary
Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest by
outdoor adventure film company
Wild Confluence Media, who is working with KCP partners Wildsight and Y2Y to set up a tour through the Kootenays this fall.
Visit the film's website for the most up-to-date information
and KCP will follow up next month to report any confirmed locations and dates.
Keen on more video?
Click here
for the best 3 minutes and 27 seconds of your day. Footage of ducklings leaping from a cavity nest high up in a tree courtesy of the first-ever edition of the Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey (CWWS) newsletter. A PDF of the informative CWWS newsletter is located in our Partner News section below.
These are just a few of the many highlights in this month's e-newsletter. Scroll down for our complete list of links that we think you'll find interesting, educational and, above all, useful!
And we've updated our Photo Gallery with two beautiful images from Columbia Valley-based naturalist Larry Halverson of Friends of Kootenay Park, a KCP Partner Organization.
P
lease feel free submit any photos, news or events you'd like us to share by the third week of each month to
communications@kootenayconservation.ca
.
As always, a big thanks goes out to our supporters!
Please click
here throughout the month to check in on current news and events. You can click
here for our KCP Partner list and click
here to read more about some of the great organizations that support conservation in the Kootenays.
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KCP Fall Gathering: From Grasslands to Wetlands - Connecting Biodiversity
September 29 - 30, East Kootenay
Join us in Cranbrook for the KCP Fall Gathering & AGM, which serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region. Day 1 is full-day meeting with a series of presentations complete with a catered buffet lunch, afternoon refreshments and buffet dinner. Day 2 is a half-day bus tour to nearby conservation sites. The organizing theme for this year's Fall Gathering is From Grasslands to Wetlands - Connecting Biodiversity. Guest speakers include wetland expert Tom Biebighauser. Registrations opening soon - stay tuned!
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Faces & Places Monthly Feature
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Local Conservation Fund Feature Project
Going the Extra Mile for Grizzlies
Grizzly bear populations in the south and west arm of Kootenay Lake are recovering from near-threatened status.
Grizzly Bear Coexistence Solutions, which is helping recovery efforts, is one of the 2017 projects funded by the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund and project coordinator Gillian Sanders is witnessing public tolerance towards grizzlies increase as conflicts are prevented and managed using long term solutions.
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Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy (CBEEN)
Call for Program Submissions - Wild Voices for Kids
Are you an outdoor or environmental educator interested in sharing your knowledge with the biologists, environmental advocates, geologists and foresters of the future? Consider developing and submitting a presentation or field study for the students in your community with Wild Voices for Kids this summer. CBEEN is taking submissions for new programs, in preparation for the coming school year. Drafts will be reviewed by CBEEN staff and Wild Voices for Kids Committee members for relevance to
the revised BC Curriculum, based on grade level.
Click here to learn more.
Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey
Newsletter, 1st Edition
The Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Survey (CWWS) continues to pick up momentum. The first edition of a CWWS newsletter was released early last month, and includes results from the spring 2017 survey, data being used to secure Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) status for the Columbia Wetlands, an initiative being spearheaded by Rachel Darvill, Program Biologist with Goldeneye Ecological Services, a Golden-based KCP Partner Organization.
Click here for the CWWS newsletter.
Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society
Teens take to Invasive Species Management
The Central Kotoenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS) teamed up with Columbia Power on June 7th to teach Grade 11 students from J.L. Crowe Secondary School's Outdoor Education class in Trail about biodiversity and invasive species, planting 390 native shrubs as part of the workshop as well.
To read more about youth contributing to ecosystem health in the Kootenays,
click here.
For more CKISS news - including an update on the American Bullfrog Program -
click here for the June CKISS newsletter.
Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative
Webinar Series - Cabinet-Purcell Mountain Corridor (CPMC)
The Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) hosted its first CPMC webinar on June 12. In the first In the first of the series, Dr. Michael Proctor of Birchdale Ecological presented an informative update on his grizzly bear research in British Columbia.
In case you missed it,
here is a recording of the webinar.
River Restoration Northwest
2018 RRNW Symposium Call for Abstracts
The River Restoration Northwest (RRNW) is gearing up for the 16th Annual Stream Restoration Symposium at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson, Washington and has issued a call for Session Proposals and Oral/Poster Abstracts. Session Proposals are due August 14, 2017. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations are due September 11, 2017.
Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program
Report Sightings of Herons in Columbia Region
Heron breeding activity has continued to decline in the southern portion of the Columbia Basin, based on 2016 monitoring results. The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program is asking the public to report any heron nest sites, active breeding colonies, or large groups of herons feeding in areas throughout the Columbia River Basin, especially from McBride to Valemount, and south to Revelstoke and Golden. The project is sponsored by the West Kootenay Naturalists' Association, and is funded by Columbia Basin Trust and the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP).
Stewardship Centre for BC
Stewardship Champions
As part of Canada's 150th birthday, the Stewardship Centre for BC is featuring
stewardship champions
who have made a difference. Some are dedicated to spending time protecting the land and water around them. Others have provided
legacy gifts
of land, money or other resources. Celebrate their contributions by filling out a Stewardship Champion nomination form.
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Exploring Bees in the East Kootenay
July 7, 8 - 9, Invermere
Renowned Bee Scientist Lincoln Best will discuss the Biodiversity of Bees and their Floral Relations on July 7 followed by a 2-day workshop exploring Bumblebees and Native Bees of the East Kootenay on July 8 and 9. This workshop will look at biodiversity, biology, floral ecology, habit restoration, landscape design and conservation strategies we can implement to help our local bees thrive.
Click here for more information.
Wetland Rapid Assessment Workshop
July 20 - 21, Cranbrook
Join the BCWF for a free two-day workshop where you will learn how to rapidly assess rangeland wetlands using the techniques developed by Dr. Paul Hansen. Dr. Paul Hansen is one of the founding specialists who developed a methodology to assess the proper functioning condition of lentic and lotic wetlands (i.e. isolated and stream-connected wetlands).
These protocols are used throughout the U.S. and Alberta with pilot programs in B.C. Both classroom and field training will be provided during the workshop. Please note that an application is required for this workshop as spaces are limited.
Click here for more information.
Introduction to the Wetland Plants of British Columbia
July 25 - 26, Revelstoke
This Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology course will introduce students to the freshwater vascular plants of British Columbia, providing them with an overview of prominent and ecologically important groups as well as giving them the skills to identify many species in the field. The course will prioritize the identification of families and easily-identifiable species, but will also cover species-level identification within more challenging genera so as to introduce students to the process of species-level identification using dichotomous keys.
Click here for more information.
CSISS Wetland Restoration & Invasive Species Workshop
July 27, Revelstoke
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is hosting a free one-day wetland restoration and invasive species workshop with the BC Wildlife Federation, in partnership with the Columbia Mountains Institute. This workshop will provide an overview of steps involved in restoring a wetland, including site selection, design considerations, and permitting requirements.
Following morning presentations, the participants will travel to a site to receive hands-on training in wetland restoration design. Instructor Neil Fletcher is the Wetlands Education Program Manager for BC Wildlife Federation. To register, email your name and your affiliation to
info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org or call 1-855-785-9333.
Click here for more information.
Get Outside BC - Kimberley Community Project
July 30 - October 28, Kimberley
The British Columbia Chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society is hosting a free three-phase Get Outside BC project for youth ages 14-18 from Kimberley and the surrounding areas. Phase 1 will be at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park. Phase 2 and 3 will be in the community and surrounding parks. Online applications are open until midnight on June 4th.
Wild Days!
August 5, 12 & 19, Slocan
The Slocan Lake Stewardship Society is offering three family-oriented nature programs in August to explore different habitats within the Slocan Lake watershed. View the Wild Days! poster
here. Each day will have local naturalists and scientists on tap to make the day interesting.
Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) Field Practicum
September 13 - 14, Nelson
The Canadian Rivers Institute is partnering with Environment and Climate Change Canada to deliver a 2-day field course where participants are certified in the CABIN protocol to biomonitor the water quality of streams. CABIN is an aquatic biological monitoring program led and funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada for assessing the health of freshwater ecosystems across the country.
Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF) Conference
September 20 - 23, Nelson
Every year experts, policy makers, and practitioners come together for a conference dedicated to rural places hosted by the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (CRRF), a charity dedicated to supporting the sustainability of rural Canada through collaboration with rural community groups, the private sector, all levels of government, and researchers. Selkirk College is proud to partner with CRRF to host the 2017 conference to be held in Nelson from September 20-23, 2017.
Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent
September 23 - 25, Choteau, Montana
The Roundtable on the Crown of the Continent is an ongoing forum to bring together people who care about this special place.
Through workshops, forums, policy dialogues, and conferences, the Roundtable provides an opportunity to exchange ideas, build relationships, and explore opportunities to work together -- to sustain the natural and cultural heritage of this remarkable landscape.
Wetlands Institute
September 23 - 29, East Kootenay
The BC Wildlife Federation's Wetlands Institute is an intensive 7-day hands-on workshop that educates participants about wetland stewardship, restoration and construction skills. Participants come to the Wetlands Institute with a wetland project they wish to implement in their home communities whether if be restoration, protection, enhancement, or education-related. During the workshop, participants receive support from knowledgeable experts from around the province and obtain hands-on training in order to successfully implement their wetland projects upon returning home. This year's location is TBA but projects will take place between Canal Flats and Fairmont Hot Springs.
KCP Fall Gathering: From Grasslands to Wetlands - Connecting Biodiversity
September 29 - 30, East Kootenay
The KCP 2016 Fall Gathering & AGM serves as one of the primary vehicles to connect and re-connect KCP partners from across the region.
The organizing theme for this year's Fall Gathering is From Grasslands to Wetlands: Connecting Biodiversity.
Inquiring Voices Sustainability Symposium
September 29 - October 1, Blue Lake Centre
This annual CBEEN event brings together environmental educators who live in the same bioregion to form a rich learning community meet to share, inquire, support, and collaborate with one another. These retreats are a great opportunity to network, share resources and stories, inspire one another and have fun through dialogue and activity.
Columbia Wetlands Waterbird Fall Survey
September 29, October 5 & October 15
The CWWS is a coordinated bird count that uses citizen-scientists to gather baseline data. Beyond data collection, this community-based project aims to enhance and maintain the biodiversity and habitat of the Wetlands through increased awareness. Free training sessions (including field training sessions) will occur in September, in both Golden and Invermere, and are available to all CWWS participants.
To volunteer, please email
racheldarvill@gmail.com or call 250-344-5530.
Columbia Basin Symposium
October 13 - 15, Kimberley
Symposium discussions will focus on on three global trends that are having a long-term impact in the Basin - demographics, technology and climate change. Conference participants will hear from experts and be involved in discussions about the how the region can adapt to these trends and leverage opportunities from them.
Click here for more information.
Fall Celebration of Environmental Education
November 3, Kimberley
Join the Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN), ed
ucators and community leaders in celebrating local environmental education (EE) programs, and showcasing the value of environmental education in our communities. This event will include an EE Expo, live EE vignettes, and the presentation of our Awards of Environmental Education Excellence.
Interpretive Guide Training Workshop
November 3 - 4, Kimberley
CBEEN is hosting this certification course as part of its Fall Gathering. This course is suitable for all guides, interpreters and teachers wishing to gain a greater understanding of our local environment, and tools to engage and manage groups outdoors. Participants will learn the natural and cultural history of the local region, interpretive tools and techniques.
Click here for more information and to register.
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TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
Deadline: July 15
Need funding for your environmental project? The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education and green space programs.
Kootenay Co-op Community Grants Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Community Grants Program offers up to $500 for a specific community project or initiative that encourages local awareness and involvement in environmental, agricultural, social and community-building initiatives, from a local to a global level. Community Grants are awarded on an ongoing basis and as funds for this program are available.
Nature Conservancy of Canada Round 3 of Other Qualified Organizations (OQO) Program
Deadline: Ongoing
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is pleased to announce Round 3 of the Other Qualified Organizations (OQO) Program. Funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada and administered by NCC, the program will provide up to $5 million in support of conservation in communities across Canada. Land acquisitions closing between April 1, 2017 and January 31, 2018 will be considered under Round 3 of the OQO Program, and applications will be accepted until 5 p.m. EST on November 1.
Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program
Deadline: Ongoing
Delivered for the Columbia BasinTrust by the Kootenay Livestock Association, the Grassland and Rangeland Enhancement Program supports efforts to maintain and/or enhance grassland resources while meeting conservation, environmental and recreational objectives. Objectives include promoting the stewardship of the grassland resource, striving to maintain and enhance biodiversity and long-term fish and wildlife productivity in public grassland ecosystems and improving compatibility between livestock management and recreation use.
Columbia Basin Trust Small Grants Program
Deadline: Ongoing
If you have an idea that will address community priorities and encourage community development activities, including those that relate to the environment, you can apply for up to $5,000 through this program.
Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program Community Engagement Grant
Deadline: Ongoing
The goal of the Community Engagement Grant is to provide an opportunity for FWCP stakeholders (e.g. environmental groups, rod and gun clubs, non-profits, stewardship organizations, government, and First Nations), to apply for small amounts of funding to support their conservation and enhancement work.
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Regional District of Central Kootenay
Request for Proposal - Kootenay Lake Conservation Guidance Document
The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Electoral Areas A, D and E established the Kootenay Lake Local Conservation Fund (KLLCF) in 2015. Since then, the Fund has provided financial support to local conservation projects within the participating areas that contribute to the conservation values of natural areas for the purpose of restoring and preserving a healthy environment. The RDCK is requesting the development of a Guidance Document that identifies priorities for conservation in the Kootenay Lake area. The Guidance Document will inform the Terms of Reference for the KLLCF so that projects can be strategically aligned with these priorities. Proposals will be accepted until 2 p.m. on July 21, 2017.
Click here for more information.
Keefer Ecological Services Ltd.
Senior Environmental Professional
Keefer Ecological Services (KES) in Cranbrook is seeking a self-motivated individual with excellent communication skills, 10 or more years' experience and an advanced degree, but others with the right combination of education and experiences will be seriously considered. A career at KES means being a valued employee in leading team in a unique rural green office space where company resources go back to the members of the organization through full health benefits, a yearly recreation allowance as well as profit sharing.
Click here for the full job posting.
Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Center Society
Volunteer Board Members
The Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Center Society has vacancies on its Board of Directors from time to time who serve until elections take place at the Annual General Meeting. Qualifications include sharing the Society's Vision and helping achieve its Mission, which includes the construction of a new Discovery Center located in the Creston Valley, home to 17,000 acres of internationally recognized wetlands
Click here for more information and to apply.
Municipal Natural Assets Initiative
Call for Expressions of Interest
Local governments wanting to participate in the next round of Municipal Natural Assets Initiative (MNAI) projects are asked to submit an Expression of Interest on or before Friday, July 14, 2017. Municipal Natural Asset Management (MNAM) offers a solution to the twin problems of aging infrastructure and ecosystems decline and the Municipal Natural Assets Initiative offers a methodology and support for local governments to integrate these natural assets into core asset management and financial processes. Overall, the MNAI objective is to ensure that, at the end of the 16-month project period, participating local governments have changed their decision-making such that the natural assets of interest are properly accounted for and have a plan for management.
Click here for the Request for Expressions of Interest, which provides details of the next round, including information on what local governments should expect as a result of their participation.
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Fisheries Biologist 2 (time limited - maternity leave backfill)
The Okanagan Nation Alliance is seeking to employ a skilled and experienced individual to coordinate and implement fisheries projects, supervise and train field crews, monitor data and assess fish and aquatic issues in the Columbia Basin. 40 hours per week. This opportunity will remain open until it's filled.
Okanagan Nation Alliance
Wildlife Biologist 3
The Wildlife Biologist 3 will undertake duties associated with Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) initiatives with a specific focus on wildlife,
hunting and natural resources. The job incumbent will be responsible for the active participation and coordination of a variety of wildlife and natural resource projects and programming within ONA territory, specifically within the upper Columbia and Kootenay regions. Full time 40 hours per week, with flexible work hours (i.e. some evenings and weekends). This opportunity will remain open until it's filled.
On-Call/Seasonal Wildlife Technicians
The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) employs wildlife technicians throughout the year. The work term will be approximately between May to end of September, with up to 40 hours per week, but will vary with field schedules.
This opportunity will remain open until it's filled.
ʔaq̓am
Land Code Planning & Implementation Manager
ʔaq̓am, located in the centre of Ktunaxa Traditional Territory, is hiring a Land Code Planning & Implementation Manager responsible for managing the planning, implementation and administration of the ʔaq̓am Amended Land Code according to natural law and traditional values, and supporting the Director of Lands and Natural Resources. This opportunity will remain open until it's filled.
East Kootenay Invasive Species Council
Pesticide Applicator Job Opportunities
The East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) aims to increase the number of experienced, licensed Pesticide Applicators in the region. If you are currently licensed and would like more information about contract opportunities, please contact Katie Reid, EKISC's Field Operations Manager, at
katie@ekisc.com for more details. If you are interested in learning more about becoming an invasive plant management practitioner, join us for our annual spring weed management workshops.
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Kootenay Conservation Program
Conservation Resources for our Region
The Kootenay Conservation Program (KCP) helps partners to coordinate and facilitate conservation efforts on private land, and in an effort to support this, KCP has developed a webpage that compiles some of the best conservation and stewardship resources available for our region.
Conservation Data Centre - Government of British Columbia
Recent Data Changes
Every year, the Conservation Data Centre reviews and updates conservation status ranks, species taxonomies and ecosystem classifications based on the most recent scientific data and information available. 2017 changes are now available through the
BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer,
Government of Canada
Species at Risk Public Registry
Additional publications and reports were posted to the Species at Risk Public Registry in April. If you wish to receive these updates and provide feedback,
sign up for email notifications
on the federal government website.
Forest Practices Board
Publications and Resources Online
The Forest Practices Board (FPB) has made a number of reports and other resources available online. Topics covered vary from rangeland restoration, clearcut impacts on wildlife and hydrology, etc. to recommendations about the provincial Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA).
Government of British Columbia
Site Remediation
Unable to participate in a workshop or webinar on site remediation that you wanted to attend? A number of presentations on this topic area have been made available on the Province of BC website.
Click here for more information.
Columbia Basin Trust
Non-Profit Essentials Webinar Series
The Trust has partnered with Vantage Point, experts in learning opportunities for volunteers and non-profits, to develop and deliver the webinar series that explores important topics non-profit societies face today. Combining online videos with slide notes and workbooks, the series offers tools to expand the knowledge and build capacity in non-profit organizations across the Basin.
South Coast Conservation Program
Species at Risk Series - 3rd Webinar
In case you missed it, the recording of the third South Coast Conservation Program (SCCP) webinar in the "Species at Risk" series is now available in two parts on the SCCP YouTube channel.
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| If you have news or announcements that you would like to share via our eNews, please email them to communications@kootenayconservation.ca by the 26th of each month. |
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