Curious coyote watching a River Otter, Lia McKinnon photo. Full story in "News".

South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program

December 2014 Newsletter

In This Issue

Funding Opportunities

Local Government Events

Link to biodiversity strategy

Link to SOSCP web site

SOSCP accepts organization or individual donations and issues tax receipts. Send

"Contribution to SOSCP"

RDOS 101 Martin Street, Penticton BC V2A 5J9

Program Manager's Message

Judging from the frigid temperatures and the swans dabbling around Pyramid Provincial Park on Okanagan Lake, the holidays must be just around the corner! This year, why not consider a gift from you, or on behalf of your loved ones for conservation? There are many opportunities for green giving to support the excellent local conservation work underway all year round.

See our giving section below for great ideas.

Warm wishes from SOSCP for the holidays.

Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager

Partner News

Okanagan wetlands benefit from funds and strong partnerships

The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) announced new funding from Environment Canada towards Phase 2 of the Okanagan Wetlands Strategy. Hands-on wetland restoration projects will support ONA work to support Western Painted Turtle on the Penticton Indian Reserve, as well as many other projects. Jillian Tamblyn has been hired as the OBWB's Okanagan Wetlands Strategy Project Manager. Partners include the Regional District of Central Okanagan, BC Wildlife Federation, South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program, Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society, and B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Link to OBWB press release and further project details.

The value of natural capital in the Okanagan

Natural ecosystems provide humans with a range of provisioning, regulating, and cultural services upon which we depend on. Examples include food, raw materials, clean air and water, erosion protection, water flow regulation, biological pest control, pollination, and recreational opportunities. Such services are provided for free and are typically taken for granted until they are lost. Lael Parrott and Catherine Kyle from the Okanagan Institute for Biodiversity, Resilience, and Ecosystem Services (BRAES) at UBC-Kelowna, have estimated the value of ecosystem services provided by agricultural and natural land cover types in the Okanagan Valley. The total monetary value of ecosystem services provided by the present day Okanagan landscape is estimated to be about $6.7 billion annually. Link to study results.

Violations - who you gonna call?

The Natural Resource Violation reporting website and toll-free hotline 1 844-676-8477 are part of a pilot project in the Thompson-Okanagan region. Natural Resource Violations include illegal or unauthorized activities related to use of Crown land, forestry operations, gravel extraction, works in and about water, use of fire in forests or on grasslands, use of off-road vehicles, damage to habitat or forest recreation sites and trails, and livestock on crown pastures. To report a violation related to environmental protection, including fishing, hunting or problem wildlife, call the Conservation Officer Service RAPP line at 1 877-952-7277.

SORCO launches new web site

The Okanagan Raptor Centre, located north of Oliver, is known throughout the region for the rescue, rehabilitation and release birds of prey. A new website provides people with tips on what to do if someone comes across an injured or orphaned raptor. The site is packed with interesting videos, photos, stories and information about the work Manager Lauren Meads and a small army of volunteers do to rehabilitate birds of prey. "Getting a new, much-improved site back online is critical to our efforts," said Meads. "We are a non-profit organization and, therefore, totally dependent on grants and donations. And this is the time of year when we receive a lot of donations. We also have a new Christmas package for those wishing to purchase a unique gift to support injured or orphaned raptors." Link to site.

The story behind this month's banner photo

Through the National Wetland Conservation Fund, Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship (OSS) is developing a photographic catalog of wetlands on private lands throughout the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. During a visit to Wildlife Habitat Steward, Ruth MacDonald's wetlands, Lia McKinnon came across this coyote stalking a river otter in ponds along Park Rill in Oliver. Read the full story here.

Upcoming Events & Workshops

December 6 En'owkin Arts & Crafts Fair

Local Aboriginal artists and crafters feature their work from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Green Mountain Road, phone 250-493-7181.

December 9 En'owkin Student Showcase

Student presentations and exhibits, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For details phone 250-493-7181.

December 10 Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance AGM

Join OSCA board and members from 4:30 -6:30 p.m. at Shatford Centre, Penticton.

Guest speaker, Aaron McRann, Executive Director of the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan. RSVP by Dec. 8 to chair@osca.org.

Dec. 15 Regulated Rivers: Environment, Ecology & Management
May 6-7 Columbia Mountain Institute Conference at Selkirk College, Castlegar. Further details.

This holiday season consider giving gifts of nature or making a year-end donation to a local conservation organization working in our region.

The BC Lake Stewardship Society is currently facing challenges with core funding for office operations. When you donate to the BCLSS you contribute to the vision of clean, healthy lakes throughout BC that provide good drinking water and quality habitat for aquatic life, wildlife, and people. Donation information.

A donation with twice the kick!

The Nature Conservancy of Canada's Leaders in Conservation program is a group of supporters who give an annual gift of $1,000 or more ($84 per month). NCC's long-time corporate partner Kicking Horse Coffee, has pledged to match $1,000 for the next 101 supporters who join Leaders in Conservation--a conservation "double shot" to protect British Columbia's important natural spaces! Details here.

Great gift ideas from Houdini

Check out three new SORCO gift packages featuring Houdini the Great Horned Owl. There are lots of goodies in each package from adopt-a-raptor certificates to tote bags, mugs, and books. SORCO holiday gifts.

The Nature Trust of BC
This holiday season, please consider a gift to one of our priority projects such as Conservation Youth Crews and our South Okanagan Antelope-brush property. View projects here.

A donation to the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance can be directed to the Meadowlark Nature Festival or ECOstudies environmental education programs. Donation page.

The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society works with landowners to promote stewardship, conservation and restoration. Donation page.

Employment Opportunities

COSEWIC Contract: Regional ecosystem threat assessment report

COSEWIC seeks a qualified individual, or small group of individuals, to undertake a thorough review and analysis of existing information on the threats to the ecosystems of the South Okanagan. Analysis will provide information that can be accessible to authors producing reports on species being assessed or re-assessed by COSEWIC. Deadline: December 17. Details here.

Funding Opportunities

December 12 Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program

RFCPP supports the sustainability and productivity of recreational fisheries by assisting fishing and angling groups, and conservation organizations to undertake partnership projects aimed at restoring recreational fisheries habitat in Canada. Details here.

December 15 RBC Bluewater Project
Expression of Interest letters for Leadership Grants (up to $100,000) are due. Details here.

December 15 & January 15 Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation
Regular grants (up to $5000) and Small grants (up to $1000), for projects by individuals and organizations that increase understanding, appreciation and conservation of Canadian birds in their natural environment. Details here.

January 22 RBC Bluewater Project Community Action Grants
Grants up to $10,000 for water related projects. Details here.

February 6 Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen
The CFSO two-step submission process begins December 5. Details here.

Local Government Events

Link to upcoming events and meetings scheduled by south Okanagan municipalities and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.

Bryn White
The South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
102 Industrial Avenue, Penticton V2A 7C8 250-490-8225