News from The Nature Trust

BOB LENARDUZZI

And The Nature Trust

We are delighted to announce that Bob Lenarduzzi will act as a spokesperson for The Nature Trust. Click here to see his video.

"My career has taken me around the world, and without hesitation I can say we have something very special in British Columbia.

However we choose to spend our days, nature is an important part of our lives - a healthy environment contributes to our own health. I hope that what I have enjoyed will be around for my children and theirs. I'm glad to know that The Nature Trust is working every day to ensure this happens. I look forward to helping raise awareness for this very worthwhile cause."

THANK YOU!

Slocan River Island

We would like to acknowledge our generous funding partners on the Slocan River Island property: Columbia Basin Trust, the BC Conservation Foundation - Land for Wildlife Fund, the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, FortisBC and The Kootenay Wildlife Heritage Fund. We would also like to recognize the Nixon Family Farm Society, the previous owners, who donated a significant portion of the value of the land under the Ecological Gifts Program. This picturesque 142-acre parcel is located between Winlaw and Slocan in the Kootenays.

DID YOU KNOW?

Not only is there a major international winter sporting event happening in BC this year, but 2010 has also been designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Biodiversity. Check out the 2010 Year of Biodiversity website for more information.

1% FOR THE PLANET

Since 2002, 1% for the Planet has inspired members of the business community to contribute 1% of sales to environmental groups around the world. The Nature Trust is listed on 1% for the Planet's website as a designated non profit. In his first year of business, Emmanuel Lavoie of Reevolution Consulting chose this program as a way to support the land conservation work of The Nature Trust. Thank you Reevolution Consulting!

SPONSOR A CREW MEMBER!

Help give these young people who care about nature a lifetime experience!

East Kootenay Crew building a bridge over Cherry Creek

From the beginning of May until the end of August, The Nature Trust hires Conservation Youth Crew members to tackle on-the-ground work on conservation properties across the province. They remove invasive weeds, monitor wildlife, install interpretive signs and educate local communities about conservation.

Training these crews at the start of each season includes First Aid, handling power tools, Bear Aware and more.

Please consider sponsoring a crew member's training for $1,000.

You will recieve a tax reciept for the full amount and recognition on our website and in our newsletter.

All gifts are greatly appreciated. To learn more or to make a donation visit: www.naturetrust.bc.ca.

VANCOUVER ISLAND
Join us for the Brant Wildlife Festival!

The Nature Trust of BC invites you to the 20th Brant Wildlife Festival. Bring your family and friends for a lot of fun and experience mid-Vancouver Island hospitality!

From March 5 to April 28 the festival will host wildlife viewing adventures, learn to bird, a Voices of Nature concert, art and woodcarving exhibits, family days and much more in Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Nanaimo, Port Alberni and Comox.

The festival started because of a chatty little black goose that migrates from California and Mexico to Alaska and the Arctic to breed. Each year it stops on Vancouver Island to rest and feed. As many as 20,000 Pacific Black Brant and thousands of other sea birds and marine mammals may be seen at peak times during the Pacific herring spawn.

Brant symbolize our interconnectedness with nature and highlight how important nature is to our quality of life. Come celebrate the 20th anniversary of the festival and the amazing biodiversity of Vancouver Island as we join nations around the world in recognizing the International Year of Biodiversity.

The Nature Trust of BC is coordinating the festival with sponsorship from BC Hydro, BC Ministry of Environment, Ducks Unlimited Canada and the Lohn Foundation. We also want to thank the many volunteers and local event sponsors who contribute so much to make this festival possible. Visit www.brantfestival.bc.ca for more information.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Biodiversity Presentation: Join The Nature Trust's Habitat Ecologist Marian Adair and Simon Fraser University Professor for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation Nicholas K. Dulvy for an informative lecture on biodiversity.

March 15, 4:30 p.m. Simon Fraser University Burnaby Campus, Saywell Hall 10081

Check out and sign up for the event on facebook.

Splash: Good food, good wine and a good cause. Join us on April 28, 6:00 p.m. at Pacific Shores Resort & Spa in Nanoose Bay for a Brant Wildlife Festival fundraiser.

Tickets: $75 per person.

For tickets contact Tracy Loewen at tloewen@naturetrust.bc.ca to attend this special night.

Wings Over the Rockies: Join The Nature Trust's East Kootenay Land Manager Rob Neil, geologist Bill Ayrton, wildlife biologist Trevor Kinley and biologist Kari Stuart-Smith for a Hoodoos Hike during the festival.

May 8, 10:00 a.m.

To register for this free event, visit www.wingsovertherockies.org or call 1-888-342-9464

Fore the Hoodoos: Calling all golfers! Get ready to enjoy a round of golf and some lively fundraising with Nature Trust director Carmen Purdy and all the folks at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Riverside Golf Course on May 13.

For more details, contact Robin Rivers at: rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca

Earth Wind Fire: Mark your calendar for this outstanding 2nd annual event in Kelowna. Enjoy the best of Okanagan food and wine while listening to live music and bidding on the Great Wall of Wine!
May 29, 5:30 p.m. Delta Grand Okanagan Resort

Tickets: $150 per person. For tickets contact Robin Rivers at: rrivers@naturetrust.bc.ca