Western bluebirds (and one lone goldfinch) check out a heated bird bath on a cold winter day. Photo credit: Eva Durance.
South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
January 2016 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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Happy New Year and welcome to 2016.
2015 was a productive year for conservation partners in the South Okanagan Similkameen.
Securement! The Nature Conservancy of Canada and The Nature Trust of BC acquired additional key properties to add to the flagship Sage and Sparrow, and the Antelope-brush Conservation Areas respectively.
Stewardship! The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society expanded the landowner and Wildlife Habitat Stewards program to include all of the central and north Okanagan.
Outreach! The Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance celebrated their 18th year of success delivering the Meadowlark Festival.
Restoration! The Okanagan River and Shuttleworth, Ellis and Penticton Creeks were given restorative attention to bring habitat values back for fish and wildlife.
Sustainable Land Use! The RDOS and SOSCP just completed the last public information session on the new Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Areas. January 31, 2016 is the last opportunity for public input. If you support these provisions, it is important that you comment. See below for more information.
How do we top that in 2016? Just watch us.
Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
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Partner News
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 New Environmental Provisions for Okanagan Electoral Areas
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has been working with the SOSCP to review and update Official Community Plan bylaws including mapping, policies and guidelines for Environmentally Sensitive Development Permit Areas. They want to hear from you. RDOS and SOSCP staff have recently wrapped up public information sessions throughout the Okanagan. Time is running out for public input. What is this all about? Here is a snapshot to help you get a leg up on the proposed changes and formulate your feedback.
 Penticton Museum unveils extraordinary sandbox
Penticton Museum has unveiled an extraordinary new educational tool for public programming called an Augmented Reality Sandbox. Similar to one at UCLA (watch UCLA's YouTube video here), the Augmented Reality Sandbox allows users to shift and sculpt the sand into mountains, canyons and rivers. As the sand is shifted and changed, it is recorded by a 3D camera suspended above the sandbox. Software in the camera then interprets the changing landscapes and projects images based on the topography onto the sand's surface, demonstrating concepts surrounding geology, erosion, water behaviour, and changing landscapes. The software can also do things like change water levels, increase/decrease the amount of virtual water in the sandbox system, and run simulations involving rain, dam failure and even volcanic eruptions. For more information contact Manda Maggs at Penticton Museum & Archives, 785 Main Street. Call 250-490-2454 or email manda.maggs@penticton.ca.
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| Upcoming Events & Workshops |
February 12 to 15 19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count
For a bit of winter fun, join in the 19th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC), a four-day event that creates a snap shot of where birds are around the world. Participants are asked to count birds for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count and enter their sightings at www.BirdCount.org. The information gathered by tens of thousands of volunteers helps track changes in bird populations on a massive scale. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada. For instructions click here and for more information click here.
February 18 Ground Water at Risk of Containing Pathogens (GARP) SeminarDesigned to enhance the competencies of qualified professionals and improve the uptake of Ministry guidance on assessing ground water for pathogenic risks, this seminar focuses on the appropriate application of the GARP assessment document and the subsurface treatment credits in the Ground Water Supplies in British Columbia (GWTO). Intended for professional geoscientists and engineers who provide hydrogeology services; professionals who use the services of professional hydrogeologists; health officers; water suppliers; water well drillers; and others who are called to deal with ground water issues. For registration and more information click here.
February 20 Osoyoos Desert Society presents Fire Ecology
Learn more about the complexity of fire management and fire ecology. In the documentary Disturbance, hear from biologists, fire managers, politicians, and citizens as they discuss fire issues in the Northern Rockies. Following the film, join ecologist and noted author Don Gayton ( www.dongayton.ca) for a look at local fire ecology research and management strategies. A book signing, with a selection of Mr. Gayton's books, will be held following his talk. The event takes place at the Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Pl ace, Osoyoos BC from 2 to 4 pm. Admission is by donation. For more information contact the Osoyoos Desert Society at 250-495-2470 or email mail@desert.org. Details here. February 23 and 24 Environmental & Social Assessment Forum
Assessment of potential environmental effects is part of the regulatory application process for a broad range of infrastructure, natural resource development, and other land-use projects. The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is organizing a Forum to address recent changes in environmental assessment legislation, policy and process. This will be a unique two day modular event where participants can learn how to work through the process from either a stakeholder or proponent position. Attendees will be able to choose from five different seminars to learn the tools required to successfully engage in or navigate through the environmental and social assessment process. Registration closes February 5th. For more information click here.
 February 27 Osoyoos Desert Society presents Plant Life and Food Forests
What Plants Talk About is a documentary integrating hard core science with a light-hearted look at plant behaviour and the surprisingly intricate and busy lives plants lead. After the film, Richard Walker will talk about food forest gardening, a way to grow food and medicine plants in a sustainable way, using less water and trapping carbon - in his words, how to "garden for 1000 years." This is based on nature's systems as well as successful indigenous systems used over the ages. A book signing will follow the talk. The event takes place at the Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Pl ace, Osoyoos BC from 2 to 4 pm. Admission is by donation. For more information contact the Osoyoos Desert Society at 250-495-2470 or email mail@desert.org. Details here.
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Funding Opportunities
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January 29 & May 6 Telus Community Board Grants
Thompson - Okanagan Community Board members choose programs that focus on youth, demonstrate social or technological innovation in program delivery, and involve arts & culture, education & sport, or health & well-being in our environment. Details here.
February 12 Brink/McLean Grassland Conservation Fund Established by The Nature Trust of BC, up to $2500 is available help gain a better understanding of grassland management. Applicants should contact Marian Adair to discuss their project and its eligibility for funding support. Deadline 4:30 p.m. Email madair@naturetrust.bc.ca. Details.
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. T he 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.
February 26 Canada Summer JobsProvides funding to help NGOs and small businesses create summer job opportunities for students aged 15-30. Details here.
March 10 Mountain Equipment CoopAccess and Activity and Capacity Building Grant deadlines. Details here.
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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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