SOSCP banner w vision
A Wintery day on Vaseux Lake    
Photo credit: Kevin Dunn    

South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
December 2015 Newsletter
In This Issue
Partner News
Upcoming Events
Funding Opportunities
Local Government Events
 

 

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
Welcome winter. 

It's cold outside, but we are keeping warm with all the interaction and discussion underway about the new Environmentally Sensitive Permit Areas and the exciting concept of establishing a conservation fund. 

Four opportunities are coming up quickly to learn more and provide feedback on the updated designations in electoral areas F, D, A and E. See below under "Events" for more details. 

Also, check out the new Conservation Fund SOSCP webpage here to learn more about what is being proposed, and provide your comments. We are looking forward to hearing from you. 


    Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
Partner News
Key Environmental Strategies to be discussed at upcoming public information meetings
Based on updated information from the Keeping Nature in Our Future biodiversity strategy, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS), along with the SOSCP, is holding a series of public information meetings to outline changes to Environmentally Sensitive Development Permits (ESPDs), as well as gather public feedback on the establishment of a nature conservation fund. Your feedback is critical! Please plan to attend. For more information and a schedule of meetings in your region click here.

Several highly successful water conservation projects make a big impact over the past 10 years
The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) recently celebrated 10 years of water funding in the valley through its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program. The grant program was started in 2006 as a way to build collaborative approaches to address water issues and develop best practices. To date OBWB has awarded $3.2 million to 55 organizations and 197 projects. The groups behind these efforts, in turn, have delivered projects worth more than $20 million to help conserve and protect water in our region. OBWB also announced the call for WCQI grant applications for 2016. More information here. Photo courtesy OBWB.

Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Fall e-News "Hot off the press!"
The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Fall e-News has just been published with fantastic announcements about new Wildlife Habitat Stewards, great pictures of the Radies Family wetland enhancement project, and information about various Community Stewardship projects happening throughout the Okanagan Similkameen. To read the Fall e-News go to their website. If you would like to sign up to receive the e-News, please contact them at info@osstewardship.ca.

Request to add squirrels to your Christmas Bird Count
Dr. Karl Larsen, a wildlife ecology and management professor at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops is asking people to keep watch for introduced squirrels during the Christmas period and include them in the upcoming Christmas Bird Count. For a look at the four squirrels that could be encountered in the South Okanagan click here. Please report all sightings to Dr. Larsen at klarsen@tru.ca.
 Upcoming Events & Workshops
December 2     BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative 
BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative is presenting a Partnering for Agriculture Resilience workshop. Topics covered include assessing potential climate change impacts and regional agricultural adaptation strategies. The workshop takes place from 9 am to 2 pm at the Penticton Lakeside Resort, 21 Lakeshore Drive West, Penticton. Morning coffee, baked goods and lunch is provided. Please RSVP to okanagan@bcagclimateaction.ca or call 778-676-7657. More information here. Photo courtesy BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative.

December 2     RDOS Public Information Meeting - Electoral Area "F"
RDOS, along with SOSCP, are holding a public information session to provide updates to guidelines and mapping for Environmentally Sensitive Development Permits (ESDPs) and to gather public feedback on the establishment of a conservation fund. The Area "F" meeting takes place at West Bench Elementary School, 1604 West Bench Drive, Penticton from 6 to 8 pm. Details.

December 8     RDOS Public Information Meeting - Electoral Area "D"
RDOS, along with SOSCP, are holding a public information session to provide updates to guidelines and mapping for Environmentally Sensitive Development Permits (ESDPs) and to gather public feedback on the establishment of a conservation fund.  The Area "D" meeting takes place at Okanagan Falls Community Centre, 1141 Cedar Street, OK Falls from 5 to 7 pm. Details. 

December 9     
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation
Alliance AGM
Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) is holding its Annual General Meeting from 4 to 6 pm. Reports on OSCA's Ecostudies and Habitat Stewardship Programs (Salmon programs, Riparian Awareness Program, and Off-Road Vehicle Outreach), the 2015 Meadowlark Nature Festival, SOSCP's proposed Conservation Fund and the Vaseux Lake Migratory Bird will be heard. The AGM takes place at the Shatford Centre, 760 Main Street, Penticton.


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.

Funding Opportunities  
December 18     Environment Canada Federally funded programs
The 2016-2017 Call for proposals for the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP), the National Wetland Conservation Fund (NWCF), and the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) is now open. The programs will be accepting Expressions of Interest until December 18th 2015. The submission of an Expression of Interest is strongly encouraged, particularly for applicants who have not received funding in the past or for those applying to a new stream. The deadline for proposal submissions is January 15th 2016. For more information on the programs and to obtain the 2016-2017 application guidelines, please visit Environment Canada - Funding Programs.

December 15  & January 15   Baillie Memorial Fund for Bird Research and Preservation
The Baillie Fund provides grants to individuals, groups and organizations for projects that advance the understanding, appreciation, and conservation of wild birds and their habitats. Regular grants (up to $5000) and Small grants (up to $1000). Details here.

February 12    Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) Grant
The Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) grant program is a component of the Water Management Initiative of the OBWB. The grant funds projects that focus on drought planning, groundwater studies and water flow monitoring to assist water managers to better understand the state of our water supplies and adapt to extreme events like floods and droughts. Application Information here.

February 18    RBC Bluewater Project Community Action Grants
Grants up to $10,000 for water related projects. Details here.

February 19     Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen
The CFSO two-step submission process begins December 11. 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