Three of 53 monarch butterflies reared and released by Okanagan resident Eva Antonijevic. Tagged with labels supplied by Washington State University, this was the first time tagged monarchs from wild BC stock have been released as part of a large monitoring program to help our understanding of where our monarchs survive the winter months.
Photo credit: Eva Antonijevic.
South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
March 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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I'm sure we are all noticing the subtleties of spring - the budding wax currant leaves and the call of the Red-winged blackbirds from amongst the cattails.
Spring is also time to think about growing - about farms and gardens and crops. While communities are challenged with the need for farm workers, there is a silent labour force that is struggling to survive.
Our lives depend upon the successful regeneration of plants. The majority of plant regeneration in turn depends upon pollinators (primarily bees).
The value of pollination for Canadian food crops has been estimated at $1.2 billion a year. Crop yields reduce as pollinator diversity declines, suggesting that healthy populations of numerous bee species and other pollinators is necessary for sustaining local agricultural production and ensuring local food security.
While the global decline of European honey bees has been widely documented in recent years, the fact that native bees in North America are declining is now coming to light. The primary threats they face are habitat loss and degradation, as well as pesticide use.
There are 459 species of pollinators in BC. 1/3 of those occur here in the South Okanagan Similkameen.
Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
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Partner News
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 New Water Sustainability Act officially released February
29th
The long-awaited Water Sustainability Act and new regulations were officially released February 29, 2016 marking a historic day for BC water governance. The Water Sustainability Act updates and replaces the old Water Act and delivers on an important government commitment to ensure our water stays healthy and secure. The Act and new regulations will help protect water flows for ecosystems and fish and include new and improved requirements for groundwater use and licensing, well construction and maintenance, dam safety, and compliance. With the size and complexity of the Water Sustainability Act and the number of required regulations, government is implementing the new Act using a phased approach. Work on the next phase of regulations and policies will be initiated later this year and includes measuring and reporting, livestock watering, water objectives, planning and governance. More information about the Water Sustainability Act and the new regulations can be found here. Photo courtesy Government of BC.
 Bat research and conservation starts at homeDid you know half the 16 species of bats in BC are of conservation concern, including species like the Townsend's big-eared bat, Fringed bat, Northern Myotis and Little Brown Myotis? There are many threats facing bats including habitat loss and fragmentation, intentional and unintentional colony disruption, mortality due to wind turbines, and the potential arrival in BC of White-nose Syndrome, a devastating fungus that has nearly wiped out several bat species in just a few years. All 16 species of bats in BC are protected under the Provincial Wildlife Act. 
The "Got Bats?" initiative of the Community Bat Programs of BC promotes conservation of bats, including engaging citizen scientists to collect data on bat populations. It has also just created a set of new documents to assist people who may be encountering bats in and around their homes. These resources can help identify roost sites for species at risk, help residents report their bats and conserve their roost sites, or provide a conservation-based strategy for removing bats from homes. If you have seen bats in or around your home, have a look at the following documents: Managing bats in buildings, and 7 Steps for Excluding bats in buildings. If you are a home builder or realtor the following documents may be helpful: BC bats for roofers, BC bats for realtors, BC bats for builders. For any other information please contact Community Bat Programs of BC, Okanagan Chapter coordinated by Margaret Holm, phone 1-855-922-2287 extension 13 or email okanagan@bcbats.ca or check their website. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
New business offers water-wise garden design 
Dancing Grasses Xeriscaping is a new business owned and operated by Paula Rodriguez de la Vega. An environmental consultant and educator, Paula worked for many years with the Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society. She has a strong habitat and wildlife stewardship background and solid local knowledge of flora and fauna. Dancing Grasses Xeriscaping specializes in water-wise and wildlife-friendly garden designs. Have a look at Dancing Grasses website for more information! All the best with your new endeavour Paula!
Highlights of Invasives 2016 Forum and AGM
The Invasive Species Council of British Columbia (ISCBC) held their Invasives 2016 Forum and AGM in Richmond, BC last month, where a record-setting 150+ participants from across the province and North America attended. Over 20 expert speakers presented at the event covering topics ranging from new management tools like sniffing dogs and  drones, to species at risk, government updates and celebrating industry leaders responding to invasive species. ISCBC has released a highlight sheet for anyone unable to attend. It includes interesting quotes from select sessions like this one: "I nvasive mussels can live out of water for 30 days - they can live for several weeks in the microscopic stage. Of 21,400 inspections, 11 boats were found to be positive for mussels (detected by sniffing dogs and/or inspection crews) and most of these were headed for BC." - Cindy Sawchuk, The Alberta Conservation K-9 Program, Government of Alberta. To read the highlight sheet click here. More detailed summaries of the Forum can be found on their website here. Photo courtesy Okanagan And Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS).
 Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Seeks
Board MembersThe Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship Society (OSSS) is currently seeking candidates for 1 to 3 positions on thier Board of Directors. They are looking for individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and experiences interested in promoting stewardship, conservation and enhancement of important habitats for wildlife throughout communities of the Okanagan and Similkameen valleys. For more information and the complete posting, click here.
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Upcoming Events and Workshops
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 March 11 Friends of the Gardens presents
The Season of the Bee
Okanagan beekeepers Kevin & Janelle Dunn share pictures and experiences of their work as it takes them from springtime pollination to summertime honey production. No two days are ever the same in this unique environment of bees, blossoms and beyond. From facts to folklore, the lives of bees transcend into metaphors of our own lives. The floor will be opened to questions about the challenges of beekeeping and the life cycle of these most amazing communal insects and more. The event takes place from 10am to noon at Superintendent's House, Summerland Ornamental Gardens, 4200 Hyw 97S, Summerland. The cost is free for members or $25 for non-members (includes membership). For a look at all upcoming events click here. Photo credit: Ed Wrobel.
 March 12 Osoyoos Desert Society presents
BATS - Movie & An Expert
Take a journey into the intriguing world of bats. View a documentary to learn more about bats and the mysterious white-nose syndrome decimating bat populations in North America. Following the film, Margaret Holm with the Okanagan Community Bat Program will share fascinating facts about our local bat species and what you can do to help them. The event takes place at the Watermark Beach Resort, 15 Park Place, 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.
March 12 First Things First Okanagan presents SolarFair This inaugural one-day symposium on solar energy includes presentations on how municipalities can work towards becoming carbon neutral, developing a sustainable relationship between culture, landscape and building, environmental responsibility and climate action, alternative energy solutions and more. The Keynote Speaker is Josha MacNab, Master of Resource & Environmental Management (Simon Fraser University). Details here.
 March 17 Pollination: Science and Stewardship Symposium
The Entomological Society of British Columbia, The Royal Saskatchewan Museum and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment jointly invite you to Pollination: Science and Stewardship at Okanagan College, Penticton Campus, Room PC 113, 586 Duncan Avenue. Through the process of pollination, bees, flies, beetles, and moths and butterflies enable the reproduction of plant species and the production of many of our food crops. These valuable wild and managed pollinators have been declining due to habitat loss, pathogens, pesticide use, and climate change. The symposium is open to everyone interested in pollination and features experts from across Canada. For a look at all guest speakers, click here. Cost is $20 if registered by March 14th and $30 at the door and includes coffee and lunch. Registration and coffee starts at 8 am and the symposium runs 8:45 am to 4:30 pm. To register online click here. For more information contact Cara at caradwsn@gmail.com. Photo credit: Eva Antonijevic. March 19 Pollinator Stewardship on Your Property The British Columbia Ministry of Environment invites you to an information session entitled Pollinator Stewardship on Your Property. The session includes results from a 2015 survey on pollinator diversity in the Okanagan and Similkameen, information on identifying pollinators on your property including bumble bees, wasps, flies, butterflies and beetles, and makes recommendations on native plants for pollinators including species, bloom times, soil and how to grow them. The session takes place from 9:30 to noon at the Cawston Community Hall, 2119 Main Street, Cawston. Refreshments and snacks will be served. The info session is free but registration is required. To register email caradwsn@gmail.com or call 778-888-6874.
 May 1 SORCO Open HouseJoin the South Okanagan Rehabilitation Centre for Owls (SORCO) - Raptor Rehab Centre for their 28th annual Open House. Typically closed to the public, this is a rare chance to tour the facility, take part in interactive education centres and the Kiddies Corner, support the organization through a Silent Auction and help celebrate Houdini's 17th birthday. Also taking part is the Burrowing Owl Conservation Society who shares the site with SORCO. Learn about their breeding facility and meet Pluto, their new Education Owl. The Open House runs from 10 am to 3 pm and admission is by donation. More information here. Houdini photo courtesy SORCO.
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Funding Opportunities
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March 10 Mountain Equipment Coop
Access and Activity and Capacity Building Grant deadlines. Details here. March 21 Vancouver Foundation Field of Interest Grants Grants of up to $75,000 for organizations with innovative projects in four fields of interest: Arts and Culture; Education and Training; Environment and Animal Welfare; and Health and Social Development. For the 2016-2017 grant cycle, each field of interest and grant type has a unique deadline starting March 21. Click here for a list of the types of grants and deadlines. 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.
November 1 OQO Capacity Development Funding Program
The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has announced the OQO Capacity Development Funding Program. Funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada under the Natural Areas Conservation Program, and administered by NCC, the OQO Capacity Development Funding Program provides up to $125,000 in support of conservation in communities across Canada over the next three years. Click here for more information.
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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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