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| Grants Available |
| BC Hydro Grants and Sponsorships: BC Hydro provides Sponsorships and Donations. These are in addition to the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program that some clubs are aware of. Sponsorships are for events such as annual meetings or conventions. Donations are for ongoing programs with focus on environmental sustainability, youth education and community leadership. Donations are in the range of $5000 for regional programs and $15,000 for provincial programs. New funding cycle starts April 1. Here is the link |
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| Canyon Camp – April 28 to May 1 |
| The Chilliwack Field Naturalists, BC Nature and Hope Mountain Centre are teaming up to host an exciting 3-day camp in the historic Fraser Canyon. Food and accommodation will be provided by Camp Squeah near Yale. Expert educators will lead day trips that reveal the canyon’s fascinating cultural history and ecology. Highlights archaeology site, gold rush wagon roads, railway history, the Othello Tunnels near Hope, and a rare Gary Oak Ecological Reserve near Yale. Early spring is a great time to explore, when flowers and birds are returning to this rugged canyon landscape. Info now available on BC Nature Web site or Hope Mountain Center |
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| Conservation Groups Join to Help BC Protect the Flathead River Valley |
| The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) have announced a multi-million dollar funding commitment to help remove major threats to British Columbia’s Flathead River Valley – a spectacular wilderness area that straddles the Canada-U.S. border. The two leading conservation organizations will provide $9.4 million to the Province of British Columbia to help offset the costs of enacting a historic memorandum of understanding signed a year ago by BC Premier Gordon Campbell and the Governor of the State of Montana, Brian Schweitzer. That agreement permanently prohibits coal mining as well as exploration and development of oil, gas and mineral resources on nearly 400,000 acres (160,000 hectares) in southeast British Columbia. In addition, the conservation groups will assist the BC government in maintaining and enhancing high conservation standards in the natural area in order to protect the rich diversity of plant and animal life. |
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| New Member on the Board of Directors – Director of Communications |
| At our last executive meeting, it was decided that in order to update all of our communications with members, we would actively like to pursue a new volunteer position – Director of Communications – this new position will be a new position on our board of directors. This director would oversee the editorial aspect of our BC Nature Magazine and oversee a committee for the upgrading of our website. This position would involve working directly with the BC Nature office manager on both the website and the BCnature magazine and from time to time would have to make decisions regarding content of the magazine. If interested and you require more information, please email us at the office addressed to the President. John Neville. |
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| Interesting Links and Dates |
| Interesting article in todays paper – BC Parks 100 year celebration and the budget – click here
Beat the Winter Blues and keep the kids or grandkids occupied over spring break — visit Van Dusan Gardens website for all the details
Interesting Article – “The ominous rise of amateur ornithology.” |
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| Mt. Robson Bird Blitz – June 3 – 5th |
| Birders! Come and join us on the weekend of June 3rd to 5th in Mt Robson Provincial Park for the 24th Annual Mt Robson Bird Blitz. Over the years, the number of species has ranged from 76 to 111, with the average being in the 90’s. Birders can drive the Highway 16 corridor, paddle the Moose March area, hike to the high country or explore a variety of additional areas by foot. Camping is available at Robson Meadows Campground and cabins are located nearby at Mount Robson Lodge. For further information contact Gail Ross |
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| Consultation DFO – Shorthead Sculpin |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is seeking your input in consideration of listing the Shorthead Sculpin as “Special Concern” under the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Shorthead Sculpin (Cottus confuses) was listed as Threatened in 2003 on Schedule 1 of SARA. This species has been recently re-assessed by COSEWIC as being of “Special Concern”. The Shorthead Sculpin is a small fish species whose known Canadian range consists of the Slocan River, the Kettle River, and the mainstem and tributaries of the Columbia River. General threats to this species include changes in water quality and quantity, including adverse impacts from industrial, agricultural and residential land use. For comments and input, please see Link by March 14th |
On Family Watershed Day join artist Juliana Bedoya from Plants Are Teachers for a day-long participatory weaving project. Using recycled t-shirt yarn, willow, cattails, and scotch broom, participants will create Water Catchers and Woven Salmon that honor the colours and connections of the Puntledge River and the Pentlatch Watershed.