View from Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory. Photo: Karen Judenhagen
South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
October 2015 Newsletter
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 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 |
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Program Manager's Message
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While a bit of rain has helped to quell active forest fires and bump up the water in our creeks, many of our streams are returning to low flows. Some streams are now between 51 to 80 % of normal conditions.
Water is top of mind in the region in October - with two major water forums and the launch of the Second Edition of the Green Bylaws Toolkit (well-honed conservation policies for local governments).
Finally, building on the success of workshops with the South Okanagan Real Estate Board, SOSCP and partners OSCA are hosting local workshops for waterfront landowners called Protecting Our Natural Assets, focused on stewardship and protection of shoreline habitat. Funded by the Real Estate Foundation of BC, RDOS and Friends of the Summerland Gardens - these workshops answer the most compelling questions landowners have about owning and managing shoreline property.
Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
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Partner News
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New Wildlife Habitat Stewards
This month Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship welcomed two new South Okanagan Wildlife Habitat Stewards. Alexis Friesen, Okanagan Nation Alliance biologist, is in the process of converting her Penticton pool into a pond for local at risk wildlife. Lunessence Winery and Vineyard has also committed to stewarding two wetlands on their Summerland Vineyard for wildlife. (Photo: Handful of long-toed salamanders at new Penticton pond; by Alexis Friesen)
A Busy Summer for Stewardship
Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship staff and volunteers have been busy with habitat enhancement projects, summer markets and local events as well as Bullfrog monitoring within Penticton and Summerland. In just a few short months, over 15 wildlife habitat stewards received assistance with invasive plants, 7 western screech owl boxes and 1 bat box were installed, 16 community outreach events were attended, and 6 community stewardship enhancement projects received regular maintenance. (Photo: Volunteer Allan Garland assists in bat box installations at Ellis Creek; by Alyson Skinner)
Cover your Assets
Of special interest to waterfront property owners is Protecting Our Natural Assets: Water and Landscapes Along our Shores. SOSCP, the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) and the South Okanagan Real Estate Board are building on the momentum and interest raised through recent learnings about healthy ecosystems and healthy property values. With funding from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, Friends of Summerland Gardens, and RDOS - these three workshops are focused on the most compelling issues facing private landowners with shoreline properties right now:
- How shoreline areas contribute to ecosystem health and water quality
- What is legal for homeowners to do along waterways, shorelines and beach fronts, as they protect both the land value and biological value of waterfront properties
- How to landscape with easy-care, hardy native plants, shrubs and trees suitable to plant along the shoreline to act as buffers and to protect banks from erosion
- What to do about invasive species. How to maintain a healthy shoreline habitat!
"One of the most pressing issues raised in the workshop Protecting Our Natural Assets For Realtors was in relation to waterfront properties and shoreline habitat. These workshops will give waterfront landowners the tools to care for their shorelines, their property values and water quality in the valley." - Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
For more information and to register click here.
 Skaha Bluffs Park - Have Your Say
The Ministry of Environment (BC Parks) has recently completed a draft management plan for Skaha Bluffs Park and wants to hear from you. Skaha Bluffs has now become formally established as a Class A Park and the new management plan will provide updated direction for the protection of existing conservation, recreation and cultural heritage values. The draft plan is available for review and comment on the BC Parks website or download it here. Photo courtesy BC Parks.
BC Parks will also be hosting a public information session on the draft management plan:
When: Wednesday, November 4th. 2015. 4pm to 8pm Where: Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Penticton
(Merlot Meeting Room)
SOSCP Welcomes Jayme Friedt SOSCP is pleased to welcome Jayme Friedt, who has joined the team as the SOSCP Communications Coordinator. Jayme will be working to keep the connections among our partners and associates, linking them to nature conservation news and events. SOSCP thanks Margaret Holm for her un-ending energy as past SOSCP Communications Coordinator and wish her the best of luck in her new adventure.
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| Upcoming Events & Workshops |
Osoyoos Lake Water Workshops
October 7 Columbia River Treaty Workshop - Sonora Centre, Osoyoos BC
Canadian Water Resources Association and Adaptation to Climate Change Team (ACT) at Simon Fraser University invite you to participate in a Columbia River Treaty Workshop, taking place just before the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum. The workshop features expert presenters from various levels of government, First Nations, and academia, and will also invite participants to engage in panel discussions on issues related to the Columbia River Treaty, and to consider how a renewed treaty might be negotiated. The presentations and discussions will address the unique socio-economic situation of the Okanagan Valley as a sub-basin of the Columbia. For more information and to register click here.
October 7-9
Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum - Sonora Centre, Osoyoos BC
The Okanagan Basin Water Board, in partnership with the International Joint Commission and the Town of Osoyoos, is hosting the Osoyoos Lake Water Science Forum. The Forum relates to the entire Okanagan watershed from Armstrong to the Columbia River. Topics include drought, climate change, the effects of forest fires on water, toxic blue-green algae blooms, invasive mussels and milfoil, water for fish, and more. For more information and to register click here.
October 13 Green Bylaws Toolkit Second Edition Release - Webinar
The Green Bylaws Toolkit webinar will engage planners, consultants, municipal and regional district staff on ways they can integrate policies into conservation at a municipal and regional level. Topics to be covered include: mitigation banking, integrating sensitive ecosystem protection into a municipal framework, applications and recent revisions of the Green By-Laws Toolkit. Details here.
October 14 Okanagan Water Forum: From Knowledge to Forward Thinking - Kelowna BC
Join Okanagan Nation representatives and regional water stakeholders in an effort to build partnerships, and create actionable solutions in regards to water management in the Okanagan. Program includes a full day of presentations, networking and facilitated dialogue For more information and list of guest speakers link to the Forum Agenda. Purchase tickets here.
October 24 Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC
Join the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society of BC as they create a new site for burrowing owls in the Nature Conservancy of Canada Sage and Sparrow conservation area. Volunteers are being recruited to help dig holes and install artificial burrow systems for the owls to use. If you are interested in helping out, meet at the Osoyoos Visitor Centre October 24th at 9 am. A 4X4 vehicle is required. Bring proper footwear/clothing, snacks, water and a lunch. Contact Lauren Meads at (250)-485-2314 or by email at lmeads81@gmail.com or Lia McKinnon at (250)-809-4195 or by email at lmck@uvic.ca.
December 15 Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Anyone interested in presenting at the upcoming Predator-Prey Dynamics: From Theory to Management Conference taking place April 5-7, 2016 in Revelstoke, BC you are invited to send title, abstract (max 300 words), a short bio, and full contact information to the Columbia Mountains Institute by Tuesday, December 15, 2015. Details.
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October 15 TD Friends of the Environment
The Foundation supports a wide range of environmental initiatives, with a primary focus on environmental education, urban greening and enhancing biodiversity, and energy conservation. Please consult the checklist of what is and is not eligible for funding. Details.
November 1 EcoAction
Environment Canada's EcoAction Community Funding Program is accepting applications for community-based projects to protect, rehabilitate or enhance the natural environment. Preference will be given to projects that support the priorities of the Government of Canada's National Conservation Plan to conserve and restore lands and waters and connect Canadians to natural spaces, as well as larger multi-year projects (minimum $10,000, maximum $100,000) that demonstrate environmental and community engagement. Further details. Information on the National Conservation Plan.We encourage you to discuss your ideas with a Program Officer prior to submitting an application.
November 2 Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation - Enhancement and Restoration GrantsHCTF funds projects that focus on freshwater wild fish, native wildlife species and their habitats, have the potential to achieve a significant conservation outcome, while maintaining or enhance opportunities for fishing, hunting, trapping, wildlife viewing and associated outdoor recreational activities . Details.
November 2 Wildlife Habitat Canada
Funded by the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp, WHC primarily supports projects that conserve, restore and enhance wildlife habitat in Canada including habitat conservation projects, projects that promote conservation action and projects that foster coordination among conservation groups. Details here.
Vancouver Foundation Field of interest grants
Watch this video to understand the Foundation's new granting policies. The fall intake date has not been announced yet.
Watch for fall intake announcements from Environment Canada including AFSAR and HSP fund application deadlines.
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Local Government Events
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Link to upcoming events and meetings scheduled by south Okanagan municipalities and the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen.
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Bryn White
The South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
102 Industrial Avenue, Penticton V2A 7C8 250-490-8225
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