FGM – 2012 FGM is being co-hosted by Nanoose
Naturalists and Arrowsmith Naturalists. Dates are September 27-30th, 2012. This
event also should be circled as a no miss event. Registration in the Summer
Magazine – early payment discount – August 20, 2012
Lillooet Camp – only a few spots left – October 1
– 6th, 2012 For further information, please contact
Elders Council for Parks BC – Who are we?
Retiree’s from Parks Canada, BC Parks and Regional Parks. We are hosting a fun
weekend @ Manning Park Sept 7 – 9, 2012. So – if you are a fellow park retiree,
please come join in the fun, book your space through Mel Turner –
Interesting Sites and articles
Here is a link about Harper’s cuts to air pollution
monitoring. More carcinogens will go into the atmosphere from industry and there
will be no way to know how bad it is and no way to enforce violations whatever
environmental laws Harper bothers to leave in place. Check out the link here
We don’t want to eat Farm Salmon with
the Salmon Flu link & Petition
A great Blog from one of
our CONC members Link
Grizzly Bear Identification poster – link Here
South Coast Conservation Program – link
IBA Updates here
Local BC Nature birder and the Caspian Terns Link Here
Tanker Nightmare – Tyee Link here
As a regular contributor to BCnature
Magazine, please find an interesting Blog from Terry Taylor
Lawyers give failing
grade Canadian budget bill link
Issue
23
Date
June 2012
Noisy Sea Lions
BC Nature Website
Update
Within
the upcoming months, you will see a change in our website. Part of our updating
will include a “members only” section. The password will be based on your name
as entered into our database. When you receive your BCnature Summer magazine,
please check the mailing tag on the back page to ensure that your name is
correct. If otherwise, please email the office with
corrections.
BC Wildlife Federation Workshop
Wetland
Institute 2012 Sea-to-Sky Corridor, July 8-15 Make your wetland conservation
project happen!
The BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Institute, an 8-day
environmental stewardship workshop, is coming to the Sea-to-Sky Corridor. It is
with great pleasure and excitement that we bring this valuable course to the
Squamish-Pemberton area free of charge (worth over $1,000 per participant) – if
you register before June 10th! This special offer is as a result of the generous
contributions from our 2012 funders (this does not include food and lodging,
although these can be arranged for a reasonable fee). The workshop is suitable
for consultants, planners, environmental/conservation groups, government and
First Nations representatives, engaged community members and keen
outdoors-types. Participants should come to the course with a wetland project or
program that they wish to implement in their community. Sign up early, as this
course has been known to fill quickly!
Throughout the workshop,
knowledgeable experts will cover the following topics: • An appreciation of the
importance and diversity of wetland types and functions; • Approaches for
raising public awareness and influencing conservation policies in municipalities
with Kyle Hawes (Ecoscape Ltd.); • Hands-on experience planning, constructing
& restoring wetlands with both ground water and liner techniques with
internationally renowned Wetland Restoration Specialist Tom Biebighauser (US
Forest Service); • Invasive species in wetlands with Kristina Swerhun
(Sea-to-Sky Invasive Species Council); • Current inventory/evaluative field
techniques for vegetation with Michele Jones (Mimulus Consulting); • Wildlife
Survey Techniques for bats (Erin Rutherford, South Coast Bat Action Team), small
mammals (Pontus Lindgren, Madrone Ecological Services) & amphibians (Elke
Wind, consultant Herpetologist).
For questions, contact Neil Fletcher toll
free: 1-888-881-2293 ext. 232 or via email to Sea
to Sky workshop Information
On going Enbridge Information, articles,updates
Enbridge
Throws Millions on a Advertising Campaign Link
PUBLIC
LECTURE by Dr. Bridget Stutchbury) – NAOC-V, August 2012 Ornithologists from
all over North America and beyond will be flocking to Vancouver in August to
attend the Fifth “North American Ornithological Conference” (NAOC-V), likely to
be the largest ornithological event ever held in Canada. To open the conference,
there will be a Public Lecture by renowned Canadian ornithologist Dr. Bridget
Stutchbury (Professor and Canada Research Chair in Ecology and Conservation
Biology at York University, Toronto) on the UBC campus in the evening of Monday
13 August. Attendees will be able to meet Dr. Stutchbury in a reception after
her lecture and she will be signing copies of her best-selling book “The Bird
Detective: Investigating the Secret Lives of Birds”. There will be no charge for
attending the Public Lecture but, as space is limited, tickets will need to be
ordered in advance. For further details contact: Dr. Robert W. Elner, Chair of
the Local Organizing Committee for NAOC-V Lecture
Information () Inventory of Barn Swallow Colonies
in the Lower Mainland
This spring and summer I am working on an
inventory of Barn Swallow colonies in the Lower Mainland, including the Fraser
valley. I would appreciate hearing of any colonies with 5 or more nests that you
know of in the region. If you could include an approximate number of nests and
location information with landowner names if possible, that would be great – but
even if it’s just: “old barn at the intersection of roads…” that would help. I
have someone working for me for 4 weeks this June to track colonies down and am
hoping to have a Master’s student start a project next summer studying Barn
Swallow productivity in relation to weather and landscape context. Your help
will be greatly appreciated and I will be sure to add all data into the Breeding
Bird Atlas if you have not previously entered it.
Grizzly Bear Joins the Secies at risk List
Earlier
this month, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
(COSEWIC) assessed 35 species as at risk during their spring meeting in
Kananaskis, Alberta. There are now 650 species listed under various risk
categories, and the Grizzly Bear – an iconic Canadian symbol of wilderness – is
among them. Read the Nature Canada Blog
Delta ALR Petition Delivered
The
Petition to the Legislative Assembly today, opposing industrial development
plans for prime ALR land near Deltaport was delivered at the end of May. This is
the same petition many of you signed at the AGM in Kelowna this year! Read all
about it here
British Columbia Students the Winners
Thirteenth
Annual PMC Science Fair Fun Run Raises $40,000 for Science and Technology
Programs in Province Vancouver B.C., May 30, 2012 – The thirteenth annual PMC
Science Fair Fun Run attracted over 1,000 participants on Sunday, May 27, 2012.
Despite a struggling Canadian economy the PMC Science Fair Fun Run raised
approximately $40,000. In the past thirteen years the run has raised over
$530,000 for The Dr. Michael Smith Science Fair Endowment in support of Science
Fair programs across British Columbia.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“The students and the Foundation are thankful for the support of participants
and sponsors over the past thirteen years and in particular 2012,” says Patti
Leigh, Interim Executive Director of the Science Fair Foundation of B.C. “The
students benefit greatly as is evident from their outstanding results at
national and international competitions I’m thrilled so many people participated
and volunteered. We hope to see everyone again next year.” The PMC Science Fair
Fun Run is the largest timed 5km run in B.C. and has received generous support
from Vancouver’s leading companies and institutions; including representatives
from the high-tech, biotech, financial, and legal community, as well as local
universities and schools. After the Run, participants enjoyed giveaways, live
entertainment and science experiments. PMC, a leading high-tech company in the
Lower Mainland, has been the Fun Run’s title sponsor since it began in 2000.
Participants from across the Lower Mainland enjoyed a day of science, fitness
and fun hosted by PMC and other generous sponsors including BC Innovation
Council, E-Cubed, Running Room/Walking Room, Science World, SFU and UBC. If you
would like to get involved with the PMC Science Fair Fun Run next year, please
visit our website at http://www.sciencefairs.ca/Fun-Run.aspx
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About Science Fair Foundation BC The Science Fair Foundation supports science
education through the science fair program to foster curiosity and building for
the future. The Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia (SFF BC) is a
non-profit, charitable organization incorporated in February 1998 to support and
promote science fair activity in British Columbia. The Foundation is committed
to ensuring ongoing financial support in order to build a stronger and more
visible Science Fair Program throughout the province. To learn more about the
Foundation please visit the Science Fairs Link
Nature Vancouver – Summer Camp Openings
Some
spots are still available for week 2 (July 29 – August 5) of Nature Vancouver’s
summer camp in the Chilcotin’s Niut Range. This fully catered week long camp
costs $725 and families are encouraged with a children’s rate of $250. Info is
available at our web site naturevancouver.ca/2012_camp or contact our registrar
Elly Brok 604 438-1871 or Camp Chair Don Griffiths 604 228-1450 Camp
Enquiry
International Badger Symposium to be held in Edmonton, Alberta,
Canada, 1-4 October 2013
Alpha
Wildlife Research & Management will be hosting the first INTERNATIONAL
BADGER SYMPOSIUM in October 2013. The objective of this symposium is to bring
together researchers, conservationists and managers working on the following
species: American Badger (Taxidea taxus); European Badger (Meles meles); Ferret
Badgers (Melogale spp.); Stink Badgers (Mydaus spp.); Hog Badger (Arctonyx
collaris); Honey Badger (Mellivora capensis). Topics include: Evolutionary
history – Phylogenetic relationships – Distribution and status – Population
structure and spacing – Reproductive Biology – Man-caused and natural mortality
– Parasites and Diseases – Habitat Ecology – Food Habits – Translocation –
Interspecific Relationships – Man-Badger Relationships – Research &
Management Techniques – Conservation Programs. Call for Papers – If you are
interested in presenting original research findings, a conservation program, or
a review on one of the above-noted subjects, please submit abstracts before 15
September 2012. Please consult the symposium website at: here Selected papers for oral presentations or posters will be
peer-reviewed for a synthesis book published by Alpha Wildlife Publications ( here . For
further inquiries about the symposium, please contact email
us here
Upper Lillooet Hydro Project – Feedback
The
public is invited to obtain information about and comment on the application for
an environmental assessment certificate for the proposed project. Open houses
will be held in Mt. Currie and Pemberton . A 45 day public comment period on the
application will start on June 15, 2012 and end on July 30, 2012. All written
comments received by online form, fax or mail during this time period in
relation to the application will be considered. Link with information and forms
Iona Island BC Butterfly Atlas survey bonanza
WildResearch
invites you to our Iona Island BC Butterfly Atlas survey bonanza.
Date: Saturday June 23rd, 10:30am – 2:30pm
Location: Iona
Island, Richmond BC
Meeting spot and time: Iona Island parking lot, 10:30am
Details:
The BC Butterfly Atlas is a new citizen science project aimed at
increasing our understanding of butterfly species distributions and abundances
here in BC. WildResearch has committed to surveying the 10x10km atlas square,
which includes Iona Island, for the BC Butterfly Atlas. The Iona Island BC
Butterfly Atlas survey bonanza will kick off WildResearch’s Butterfly Atlas
survey efforts.
How to Register: email
us here
What to bring: -camera -handheld GPS (if possible) -smart phone
with GPS app -notebook and pencil -butterfly net (if possible) -butterfly field
guides (if possible) -sunscreen -snacks and water
______
Additional
Butterfly Atlas volunteer opportunities with WildResearch: Volunteers are need
to survey the following additional sites within WildResearch’s Atlas square: 1)
Vanier Park 2) Jericho Beach/Spanish Banks 3) Pacific Spirit Park 4) Southlands
5) Sea Island 6) Iona Island 7) Arbutus Corridor For an overview of these
locations, please look at the following pre-set google maps link: BC Butterfly
Atlas Wildresearch Vancouver Sites.
If you, or anyone you know is interested
in assisting with butterfly surveys at the above locations, please sign-up to
survey with WildResearch by indicating: 1) your name(s) 2) site(s) interested in
surveying (of 7 listed above) 3) survey period(s) (either 1) mid-June, 2)
mid-July, or 3) second half of August **You are free to sign-up for more than 1
survey site/period, priority will be given to WildResearch members Any questions
or interest in these surveys can be directed to
WildResearch is looking forward to working with you on this project and is
excited to help see the BC Butterfly Atlas through its very first year of data
collection. Thanks for your contributions to this great project!
New Horizons for Seniors Programs
Calling
all clubs – Close Date June 29/12 We are pleased to announce Service Canada’s
New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) is holding another Call for Proposals
(CFP) for Community based Projects. The program offers grants of up to $25,000
for projects that encourage seniors to share their skills and experiences with
others and help communities increase their capacity to address local issues.
Deadline for applications: June 29, 2012 You or someone from your organization
may have an interest in attending an information session for the current Call
for Proposals. Please distribute this email to others who may be interested.
Additional information on the Call for Proposals can be found at the following link
To
remove your name from our mailing list, please contact the BC Nature Office email
us here All email addresses are protected from misuse by BC Nature by way of Blind Carbon Copying these notices. Questions or comments? Contact us via
E-mail us at BC Nature
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.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: . ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides. Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.#birding#comoxvalley#iba#courtenay airpark ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox ValleyThis walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Registration required through The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in. ... See MoreSee Less
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.