Our 2016 FGM will be held in Prince George from September 22 – 25, 2016. The pricing on some FGM items has changed, and the early registration deadline has been extended to August 19th. Visit our website for an updated registration form and read below for more information.
Our 2017 AGM will be held in Lillooet from May 4 – 7, 2017. You’ll find details available in September.
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FGM 2016 Updates
In addition to adjusting the early registration date to August 19, the FGM organizers in Prince George have also done their best to reduce costs for attendees in a variety of ways, including optional lunch purchases for field trips that previously had mandatory, included lunches.
Other updates include set Executive and Directors’ meeting times, general field trip changes (carpooling), and alternate payment methods in case of a postal strike.
Please read the full list of FGM updates on our website and, as linked above, find an updated registration form reflecting the new pricing here.
Issue : 51
Date : July 2016
Two female Orcas.
BCnature Fall 2016 Magazine will come out in September!
However, the Summer 2016 issue of the magazine is viewable in the “members only” area of our website. If you do not have your password or access name, please email the office for your information (). For those that currently receive the magazine via Canada post mail, your name as it is written on the label and your password (top left corner) are your access to the members only area.
Some BC IBAs (Important Bird Areas) still need Caretakers!
The BC IBA program is coordinated by BC Nature (the Federation of BC Naturalists) with support from national partners Nature Canada and Bird Studies Canada. BC’s 82 designated sites form a significant portion of the network of ~600 IBAs across Canada, which is not surprising considering 76% of Canada’s bird species are found in BC.
Volunteer Caretakers are the eyes, ears, and hands on the ground at Important Bird Areas. They monitor birds, assess habitats, and conduct outreach and conservation activities within IBAs. To view a list of areas that still need Caretakers, please visit our website.
The Northern Gateway pipeline’s approval was overturned!
BC Nature firmly believes that the Northern Gateway project presented unacceptable risks to British Columbians and to the environment. This project threatened populations of woodland caribou that are already under tremendous pressure from habitat destruction and fragmentation. A marine oil spill would also have catastrophic consequences for communities and ecosystems along the BC coast.
The court’s decision highlights the need for urgent reform of federal environmental assessment law. “Canadians deserve an environmental assessment process that they can trust,” says Chris Tollefson, counsel to BC Nature. “There are deep-seated flaws in the current review process including inadequate consultation with affected communities and First Nations. Without proper consultation, projects like this will never secure the social licence upon which they must depend.”
Read our full press release through the link under “Latest News” on our website’s homepage, and check out this CBC article for a summary of the ruling.
Four recovery documents (for the Coastal Tailed Frog, the Blue-grey Taildropper, the Northern Leopard Frog, and the Pacific Gophersnake) have also been posted as proposed on the Species at Risk Public Registry for public comment. This comment period will close on September 4th, 2016. Links to these plans are listed above.
Wanted: Bobcat and Lynx photos for a UBC study
A bobcat/lynx study is currently under way at the University of British Columbia in partnership with BC’s Ministry of Environment. The study’s researchers are seeking photos of bobcats and lynx captured by trail cameras, or conventional cameras, from all corners of the province and from all time periods to help determine the provincial distribution of each species. The photos do not have to be great photography – they just have to show a bobcat or a lynx, or even just a part of one. Photos can be blurry or dark and don’t even have to clearly show which cat species is present.
Photos will not be published or shared with anyone without permission, and photographers will retain ownership of their photos. The results of this study will be gladly shared with all those who are interested. Please send photos, along with the date and location of each photo, to TJ Gooliaff at .
Participate in Upcoming Summer Festivals!
On September 11, The Treefest Planning Committee is hosting the 23rd Annual Treefest to celebrate and emphasize the importance of the fine collection of trees on the Riverview lands. Find more information about registering by emailing .
From September 23 – 24, the Fraser River Discovery Centre is hosting River Fest, a celebration of our province and World Rivers Day. Find more information about registering here!
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On July 1, 2014 Canada implemented new laws that regulate how we communicate electronically with our “followers”. Since our electronic communications are not commercial in nature, the new Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation does not apply. However, we wanted to take the opportunity to remind you that you can unsubscribe from our distribution list at any time by clicking the link above.
Dont miss these upcoming presentations, giving insight into wildlife rehabilitation, bird intelligence and the lives of coastal wolves: ... See MoreSee Less
Interesting and helpful advice from John Neilson and the Brooklyn Creek Watershed Stewards :Recently, BCWS has been made aware of two incidents of soapy water at the Brooklyn Creek fish ladder (see picture taken July 2nd). This has likely resulted from a release of a detergent into the stream, possibly from car washing or moss removal on roofs.As readers know, Pacific salmon are found in Brooklyn Creek every day of the year, and there certainly is no “safe” time to release detergents or other pollutants into the storm water system that connects with the Creek. Release of any deleterious substance into salmon bearing streams is contrary to the Fisheries Act, and subject to fines. Soapy water can impact young salmon by damaging their gills or skin.In addition to posing a threat to our salmon populations, soapy water may also indicate that some people are still washing cars, which as of June 23, is not permitted under Stage 3 water restrictions. Once car washing is again allowed, consider washing on a lawn, rather than a hard surface. This simple method can greatly reduce the amount of soapy water entering the storm water system. Thank you for considering the health of the Brooklyn Creek Watershed. Dr. John Neilson, President BCWS ... See MoreSee Less
Sophia Priestman, a graduate of Mark R. Isfeld Secondary School, is the 2026 recipient of the CVN Bursary. Our $1000 bursary was presented to her at the school’s awards ceremony on May 28.Sophia graduates with straight A grades. She made extensive contributions to the Environment Club throughout her career at Isfeld, taking on the president’s role in grades 11 and 12. She was also very involved in the Model UN Program, and participated in other school clubs and sports.Outside school, Sophia has volunteered with Anderton Therapeutic Garden and with Lush Valley for several years. At 12 years old she was offered a job by five vendors at the Farmer’s Market and chose Alderlane Bakery where she is in her sixth year of employment. She also has helped out at Pendleton Farm.Sophia has been accepted at the University of Victoria where she will pursue a dual major in Environmental Studies and Economics with a minor in Applied Ethics. Of this somewhat unusual combination of disciplines, Sophia says:This variety of disciplines will allow me to see complex political and environmental issues from multiple perspectives and find innovative solutions that both foster sustainability and ensure welfare for all (human and non-human alike).Congratulations, Sophia! ... See MoreSee Less
Help a Toad to cross the road!