BC Nature eNews December 2017

 
Upcoming Events
  • AGM 2018 – Your host, Nature Vancouver, cordially invite you to sign up for another great conference. For registration and schedules, please visit this link.
  • Funds available for nest box or wildlife tree projects
    BC Nature has $3,600 earmarked for wildlife tree or nest box programs. Clubs that have projects involving these activities can apply for a share of this money. Send a brief (no more than 1 page) summary of your club project and the expected expenses to the BC Nature office: EMAIL Deadline for applications: 31 January 2018 The money will be divided up among eligible projects by the BC Nature Executive, in time for the spring breeding season in 2018.
  • Dates to Remember January 31, 2018 – Wildlife Tree Projects grant.
    February 28, 2017 – Resolutions for AGM due. BC Nature and BC Naturalist’s Foundation Club Support Grant applications due.March 15, 2018 – Rene Savenye Scholarship due. February 28, 2018
B.C. to end grizzly bear trophy hunting after this season
CBC News online – Trophy hunting ban will be effective Nov. 30, 2017, says B.C. government.
B.C. is ending the grizzly bear hunt throughout the entire province. First Nations still will be able to harvest grizzly bears in accordance with Aboriginal rights for food, social, or ceremonial purposes, or treaty rights. “Through consultations this past fall, we have listened to what British Columbians have to say on this issue and it is abundantly clear that the grizzly hunt is not in line with their values,” Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, said in a release.
Continue to this Link to read the complete article.
Issue 60
Date December 2017
Grizzly Bear and cub
BCnature Winter Magazine available now.
Your BCnature Winter magazine was mailed a few weeks back. For those that wish to receive it electronically or wish to download it from the Member’s Only area of BC Nature Website , please note: On the mailed copy of the magazine, you will find a label on the back page with your name, mailing address and a number in the top left corner of the label. The number in the top left hand corner is your access number and the name as it is spelled on your label (including spaces and punctuation) is your access name. Please email if you wish to change from Canada Post Mail to the electronic version.
BC Nature Annual Appeal
Last chance for charitable tax receipts for donations to BC Nature and BC Naturalist’s Foundation. For the 2018 tax year, we will have to receive your donation by December 31, 2017. Thank you to the members that have donated already.
We are at 70% of achieving our modest goal. We very much appreciate any size of donation you can send in. We are able to take donations direct through the office, Paypal or Canada Helps (receipts are issued for any donation over $20.00)
Amendments made to Water Sustainability Act regulations
Minor amendments are being made to two regulations under the Water Sustainability Act to support existing groundwater users and clarify requirements for authorizing water use. READ MORE Environment and Climate Change Strategy, Government Operations
Science Fair Team BC Off To Taiwan!
On January 24, two British Columbia students and an educator will board a plane for Taipei, Taiwan to represent British Columbia and Canada at the annual Taiwan International Science Fair (TISF) to be held January 28th to February 3rd, 2018. Aaliyah Mahboubi is a Grade 9 student at Charles Hays Secondary School in Prince Rupert and Yimeng Li is a Grade 10 student at Sir Winston Churchill Secondary in Vancouver. They will be accompanied by educator Pouyan Mahboubi from Prince Rupert, BC.

Aaliyah who attended the Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) in 2016 and 2017 will be bringing her most recent project, “Microbial-film Power Generation 2.0 – It’s about to get cooler” testing electricity production from microbial decomposition. Aaliyah received a University Entrance Scholarship, the Energy Challenge Award, a Renewable Energy Award and a Gold Medal for this project at the 2017 CWSF.

Yimeng also attended the 2016 and 2017 CWSF and will be bringing her most recent project “Anaerobic Respiration: A Novel Bioelectrochemical Copper Recovery System?” which aims to develop an electrochemical copper recovery system that is not dependent on external energy sources. Yimeng received a University Entrance Scholarship, the Youth Can Innovate Award, the Environment Challenge Award, and a Gold Medal for this project at the 2017 CWSF.

Ms. Mahboubi and Ms. Li are Science Fair veterans – both have participated in their local Regional Science Fairs and at the national Canada-Wide Science Fair. The TISF will offer an exciting new experience by bringing together students and teachers from around the world for seven days of competition, collaboration and exciting cultural exchanges. Congratulations Ladies – exceptional job

Interesting Nature-related Sites and Links
Bird song of the Month – by John Neville – Link

Lake O’Hara Larches Link

A good read over the holidays – Island of the Blue Foxes – Disaster and Triumph of the World’s Greatest Scientific Expedition by Stephen R. Brown Link

In the Aerie of the Philippine Eagle Link

In the News – Articles from other sites
Tyee – By William E. Rees Link Humans Are Blind to Imminent Environmental Collapse

Osoyoos Today – By Richard Cannings – Home  Editorial  Opinion  Answers to some questions about a proposed national park Answers to some questions about a proposed national park Link

CPAWS – Landmark Supreme Court decision is a victory for First Nations and environmental groups. Link

Kelowna Capital News – Commitment to South Okanagan National Park renewed Link Here

Sierra Club – Now’s Our Chance to Get Environmental Reviews Right – Let’s make sure laws for approving pipelines, dams and mines are strong and fair Link

Times Columnist – By David R. Boyd – It is time to stop treating nature as a commodity Should B.C.’s killer whales have legal rights? Link

Join Us in Vancouver in 2018
Registration is now open for the International Ornithological Congress in Vancouver! This premier event will take place from August 19-26, 2018, and will coincide with the Vancouver International Bird Festival. Discover why bird lovers will be flocking to Vancouver at this Link
Bulkley Valley Naturalists Nature Diary
Bulkley Valley Naturalists Nature Diary now available Link Here on how to get your copy now. Please email Email
New IBA Caretakers – Moore and Byers Islands and Banks Bella Bella, BC
Both are active naturalists & Walter is President of the Kitimat Valley Naturalists . This remote IBA off the Central Coast encompasses two Ecological Reserves with significant seabird numbers & few visitors. There are still a few BC IBAs needing Caretakers , such as Cecil Lake IBA in northern BC,Cleland Island & Southeast Clayoquot Sound IBA on Vancouver Island, and Cumshewa Inlet north to Sheldens Bay IBA in Haida Gwaii. If you are interested in volunteering as Caretaker for these or other IBAs listed on the BC Nature website , or if you have any suggestions for potential Caretakers, please contact Krista, the IBA Caretaker Network Coordinator .
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