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Conservation in the Kootenays
Monthly eNews
November is here, and with it comes many great stewardship and conservation opportunities and events, including our Fall Gathering & AGM at the end of the month.
We hope you enjoy this monthly update!
As always, a big thanks goes out to our supporters! You can
click here to read more about some of the great organizations that support conservation in the Kootenays.
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2016 Fall Gathering & AGM
The KCP 2016 Fall Gathering is filling up fast! This annual even 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 "Promoting Conservation on Private Land: A Local Conservation Toolkit". It will take place in Creston on November 25-26. Click here for the draft agenda. We will explore five main elements of a local conservation toolbox including landowner outreach, stewardship agreements and assessments, capacity building and resources, local conservation fund, and securement. Special guests include Lorne Fitch to share insights from the Cows and Fish program in Alberta and DG Blair from the Stewardship Centre for BC to share their successes and resources for private land conservation. We will take advantage of this opportunity to also have a very short (45 minute) Annual General Meeting for KCP partners. Please submit your registration by Friday, November 18.
KCP partners can access discounted rooms at the Ramada Hotel in Creston until November 3 by calling 250-254-1111 and referencing Group Code #374.
Conservation Leadership Awards
Winner to be announced at our Fall Gathering!
Thank you for your nominations! The 2016 Awards are now closed for submitting nominations, and the winner will be announced at our Fall Gathering. These awards recognize individuals who are proven leaders and contribute to the field of conservation in the Kootenays.
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Faces & Places Monthly Partner Feature
Duncan Whittick: Non-profit by Nature
Duncan Whittick is the co-owner of Non-profit by Nature, a Basin-based consulting firm that specializes in non-profit capacity building and collaboration. He was previously Operations Coordinator for the Kootenay Conservation Program, and is now working in an interim capacity as KCP's Communications Coordinator.
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Local Conservation Fund Feature Project
Neighbourhood Invasive Plant Program
The Neighbourhood Invasive Plant Program (NIPP) Columbia Valley is a multi-year project which has been funded by the Local Conservation Fund for six years. This program is administered under the umbrella of the Neighbourhood Invasive Plant Program, offered region wide. This initiative is operated through a partnership between the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) and the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK).
Since its introduction in 2010, the program in the Columbia Valley has pre-approved landowners for over $82,000 in funding for invasive plant control efforts. Of this figure, over $50,000 has actually been put 'on the ground' to fund invasive plant treatments on private lands within Electoral Areas F & G (including municipalities). Dozens of landowners have benefited from this program since it began. The majority of applicants are those involved in the agriculture industry. These landowners see NIPP as an important tool in helping them to protect and restore ecological, economic and social values on private land in the Columbia Valley.
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The Nature Trust of BC
Major Milestone
The Nature Trust of British Columbia has reached a major milestone: conserving 175,000 acres of land for wildlife across the province. The Nature Trust of BC began 45 years ago with the mandate to conserve the exceptional biological diversity of this province. Since that time we have put together a collection of properties that are home to a wide diversity of wildlife, fish and plants. From land at Boundary Bay in Delta which is part of the Pacific Flyway where thousands of birds stop to rest and feed during their migration each year to Wigwam Flats which provides habitat for elk, bighorn sheep and mule deer, The Nature Trust has acquired over 480 properties. Thanks to our donors, conservation partners, other organizations, companies and all levels of government for making this possible.
Wildsight Golden
Monitoring Local Water Health
Did you know that since 2009, Wildsight Golden has been monitoring water quality in the Golden area? It's true, and this important project is part of a larger Columbia Basin wide initiative called the Columbia Basin Water Quality (CBWQ) Monitoring Project. In order to provide consistent and scientifically accurate data on local creek health, Wildsight Golden has a team of aquatic enthusiasts that have been monitoring streams using the nationally accepted standardized Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN) methods.
Wildsight
Columbia Wetlands receives
long awaited protection
After 16 years of effort from a broad spectrum of stakeholders, the final part of a three-part boating regulation, created to minimize threats to the Columbia Wetland ecosystem and enhance public safety, was enacted.This precedent setting federal regulation, jointly requested by the BC Ministry of the Environment and local environmental organization Wildsight, restricts boats over 20 hp on the main channel of the upper Columbia River and its tributaries, from Fairmont Hot Springs to Donald (excluding Lake Windermere). The first two parts of the regulation were passed in 2009, banning motor vessels from the the wetland portion of the Columbia Wetland Wildlife Management Area and eliminating waterskiing and wake-boarding from the main channel of the upper Columbia River.
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Wildlife Habitat Canada
Deadline: November 1
Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC) is now accepting grant funding applications for projects that will be carried out during the 2017-2018 fiscal year (April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018). WHC primarily supports projects that support the priority activities under the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP), including the human dimensions goal, as well as regional and local habitat projects of importance to other migratory game birds.
EcoAction Community Funding Program
Deadline: November 1
The Program encourages action focused projects that will protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment, and build the capacity of communities to sustain these activities into the future.
Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Enhancement and Restoration Grants
Deadline: November 4
These grants are provided to projects that: focus on freshwater wild fish, native wildlife species and their habitats; have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome; best represent the interests of the Trust Foundations' contributors, and maintain or enhance opportunities for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and associated outdoor recreational activities.
Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk
Deadline: November 18
The Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) allocates funds to projects that conserve and protect species at risk and their habitats and help to preserve biodiversity as a whole. These funds promote the participation of local communities to help with the recovery of species at risk and preventing other species from becoming a conservation concern.
National Wetland Conservation Fund
Deadline: December 9
The National Wetland Conservation Fund (NWCF) is a 5 year (2014-2019) funding program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada that supports Canadians in undertaking on-the-ground activities to restore and enhance wetlands in Canada. These activities must take place on private lands, municipal lands, provincial Crown lands, and Indigenous lands.
The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk
Deadline: December 9
The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) program supports the development of IndigenousFootnote 1 capacity to participate actively in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). This fund also enables the Government of Canada to facilitate Indigenous involvement in activities that protect or conserve habitats for species at risk (SAR) and to proactively prevent species, other than SAR, from becoming a conservation concern.
Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program (WTCP)
Deadline: January 31
The Waneta Expansion Limited Partnership (WELP), a partnership between Fortis Inc., Columbia Power Corporation and Columbia Basin Trust, is accepting applications for the 2017 Waneta Terrestrial Compensation Program (WTCP). This program will provide a total of up to $50,000 to projects in the Waneta area that promote conservation and restoration through research, physical works, and other on-the-ground or applied projects.
Alpine Club of Canada
Deadline: January 31
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.
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. Currently accepting applications for projects for the 2016 funding.
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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Columbia Basin Trust
Basin Youth Network Communications Consultant
Columbia Basin Trust is seeking a qualified contractor to provide communication consulting services to the Trust's Basin Youth Network framework.
Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network
Wild Voices for Kids Community Educators
Are you conducting stewardship or conservation activities in the Columbia Basin region? CBEEN's Wild Voices for Kids program connects individuals who are involved with stewardship and conservation with teachers looking to share this with their students. CBEEN also finds funding for travel and offer an honoraria to presenters.
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Building Bridges: Citizens, Science and Policy
November 1, Banff
This November, as part of the North American Lake Management Society Symposium in Banff, Alberta, Living Lakes Canada is hosting the first ever national dialogue on community-based water monitoring. This interactive, full-day workshop will connect indigenous and non-indigenous citizen scientists with some of the world's leading water scientists.
Societies Act Information Sessions
November 7/8, Castlegar/Cranbrook
Join CBT for a free presentation on the changes to the Societies Act with a Q&A to follow. Anyone affected by changes to the Societies Act in BC is welcome to attend. No registration is required.
Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative: 7th Annual Northwest Climate Conference
November 14, Stevenson
The annual NW Climate Conference is the region's premier opportunity for a cross-disciplinary exchange of knowledge and ideas relating to climate impacts and adaptation. The conference brings together up to 400 researchers, resource managers and policy makers from academia, public agencies, sovereign tribal nations, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector, to share the latest climate science, challenges to infrastructure, industry, environment and communities, and adaptive solutions. Abstracts will be due on July 15.
Field Leader Certification Course & Winter Module
November 24 - 26, Fernie
Join CBEEN for the Outdoor Council of Canada's Field Leader certification course including the Winter Module. This intensive two-day course introduces the roles and responsibilities of the leader. Discover the values and systems that promote high-quality low-risk outdoor programs.
KCP Fall Gathering & AGM
November 25 - 26, Creston
The organizing theme for this year's Fall Gathering is "Promoting Conservation on Private Land: A Local Conservation Toolkit". We will explore five main elements of a local conservation toolbox including landowner outreach, stewardship agreements and assessments, capacity building and resources, local conservation fund, and securement. Special guests include Lorne Fitch to share insights from the Cows and Fish program in Alberta and DG Blair from the Stewardship Centre for BC to share their successes and resources for private land conservation.
Celebration of Environmental Education
November 26, Fernie
Celebrate the value of environmental education at this event which showcases the incredible depth and value of environmental education programs around the region. This wine & cheese event will include an Environmental Education Expo, Vignettes, and the presentation of the 2016 Awards of Environmental Education Excellence.
River Restoration Northwest Stream Restoration Symposium
February 7 - 9, Columbia River Gorge
River Restoration Northwest is gearing up for the 16th Annual River Restoration Symposium at Skamania Lodge in Stevenson Washington
February 7-9, 2017
. They have issued a call for Session Proposals and Oral/Poster Abstracts.
Community-based Social Marketing (CBSM) Institute
June 1 - 2, Castlegar
This 2-day Institute will provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of community-based social marketing and how it is being applied throughout the world, and in the Columbia Basin, to foster sustainable behaviour. Attendees will learn the 5 steps of community-based social marketing and be exposed to numerous case studies, as well as have the opportunity to identify key behaviour changes they wish to target in their audiences.
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Province of British Columbia
Species at Risk Engagement
The Five-Year Plan for Species at Risk in British Columbia, released in 2014, committed the Province of British Columbia to work together and consult with all levels of government, First Nations, conservation partners, industry and stakeholders to ensure the successful protection of species at risk in BC. Species at risk recovery is a shared responsibility and we all need to cooperate to ensure that we are working towards effective protection and recovery of species at risk. We are asking British Columbians for input and innovative ideas on new ways to protect species at risk and how to better support activities such as inventory, monitoring, research and stewardship programs for species at risk in our province. These questions will be open for feedback until November 30, 2016.
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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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