Upcoming
Events |
- AGM 2013 – Along the Fraser – Adapting to
Change Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club – May 2-5, 2013 – Registration in
Spring Magazine and our website
- January 15 Registration for Tofino Camp -April 27
– May 1, 2013 – Tofino Camp – Registration details in Winter Magazine and our website
- January 31, 2013 – Submission date close for Club
Support Grants for BC Naturalists Foundation Grants.
- February 28, 2013 – Deadline for BC Nature Awards
nominations.
- Skagit Valley Bird Blitz – May 10-12, 2013
- Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 14-16,
2013
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Caribou decline raises alarm |
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Alarmed by what it sees as a collapse of the mountain
caribou herd, a local group is calling for a moratorium on logging in the upper
Clearwater valley. Yet a government wildlife manager questioned on Monday
whether the southern Wells Gray herd is collapsing or simply in decline along
with other B.C. herds. The Wells Gray World Heritage Committee insists that the
ministry’s own population estimates show a marked decline in the southern herd.
Very few caribou have been seen in southern Wells Gray in the past decade, said
Trevor Goward, a committee member. “I have it on authority … that the southern
herd has collapsed,” said Goward, a lichenologist who studies the lichen on
which the caribou feed through winter. The population count is down by
one-third, from 325 animals a decade ago to roughly 200 today. “That’s a
collapse; that’s as much as I need to know.”
for the full story visit this
link |
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Issue
28 |
Date
December – January |
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Photo Contest
Winners |
Thank
you to all of the members who entered the 2012 BC Nature Photo Contest. Winners
will be showcased in the 2013 Spring Magazine. Amazing photographs were entered
into the contest and the judges had a difficult time narrowing down the
selection from 225 to 6! Look for our prize winner to be on the cover of the
Spring 2013 Magazine. |
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Response to BC Nature Letter on planned Wolf Management
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Your
email to the Honourable Steve Thomson, Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural
Resource Operations regarding the proposed wolf management plan has been
referred to me for a response.
The British Columbia government is committed
to ensuring sustainable wildlife populations and healthy predator-prey
relationships throughout the province. In addition, we are committed to working
with our stakeholders, ranchers and First Nations to manage the impacts of
wolves on livestock and protecting endangered species in British Columbia.The goal of wolf management in British Columbia is to ensure a
self-sustaining population throughout the species’ range and to ensure that
within the biological limits of the species, wolves are available in sufficient
abundance to fulfil their ecological role and to meet the cultural,
recreational, and economic needs of society. The plan indicates wolf populations
are likely stable or increasing across the province and are not considered an
‘at-risk’ species. The current wolf population estimate is approximately 8,500,
which is similar to an earlier estimate of 8100 in 1991.
While there are
strong differing beliefs and values on the management of wolf populations, it is
important that decisions are informed by sound science. Wildlife management
plans summarize the best available science-based information on biology and
threats to inform the development of a management framework. They set goals and
objectives, recommend approaches appropriate for species or ecosystem
conservation, and provide strategic advice. While the proposed plan does offer
some recommended management actions, it does not advocate any particular action
with respect to wolf management. Any future wildlife management decisions will
always be made with conservation of all species, including wolves, as the
foremost priority.
The wolf management plan is a comprehensive plan that
will help inform future government policy decisions. We have received over 2500
comments on the plan and each will be read and considered before the plan is
finalized.
Thank you for writing and expressing your concerns. Sincerely,
Tom Ethier – Assistant Deputy Minister Resource Stewardship |
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| Excellence in Water Stewardship Award |
British
Columbians are encouraged to nominate an organization, partnership, business,
community group or institution for the first annual Council of the Federation
Excellence in Water Stewardship Award.
The award recognizes outstanding
achievement, innovative practice and excellence in water stewardship in Canada.
Award recipients will be announced during Canada Water Week on World Water Day
(March 22, 2013). There will be one recipient in each province and territory.Please refer to the BC Nomination Package for more information. Nominations
must be received by January 31, 2013. See this
link for all of the information you will need to nominate a worthy project
or individual. |
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Protection for Kilpoola Lake Area IBA – Purchase by the Nature
Conservancy of Canada |
BC
Nature congratulates the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and its partners on
their recent purchase of two grassland properties totaling 520 hectares within
the 3200 hectare Kilpoola Lake Area Important Bird Area (IBA) near Osoyoos in
BC’s South Okanagan Valley. Full Story here
A good Day! |
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| Upper Lillooet Hydro Power Project |
Unfortunately,
the Upper Lillooet hydropower project was approved January 10, 2013. Thank you
for supporting the letter. We will continue to work to prevent further impacts
to the Upper Lillooet watershed and grizzly bears in southern BC. A Sad Day!
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| Interesting Sites and articles |
The
Lost Island Of Socotra – the most alien place on earth – Great link
Good Gas, Bad Gas – Interesting article
New Species of ‘Decoy’ Spider Likely
Discovered At Tambopata Research Center, Peru – link here
Do you Tweet ?…. – good Twitter
link found here |
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| About Town – Upcoming Events |
Engagement
Organizing Training for BC Freshwater Leaders – Friday, January 25th – Sunday,
January 27th, 2013 – Hosted by the Canadian Freshwater Alliance – Whistler. We
are seeking 15 participants representing groups and organisations working on
freshwater issues spread across British Columbia’s 9 major watersheds (Yukon,
Taku, Stikine, MacKenzie, Nass, Skeena, Coastal, Fraser, and Columbia).
Applicants will be selected to ensure a diversity of participants across issues,
watersheds, group/organisational capacity, and interest. Note small number of
travel subsidies will be available for some selected participants OUTSIDE the
lower Mainland and Southern Vancouver Island on an as-needed basis. details here |
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To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.