BC's Ministry of Environment lists the American Badger as a "red" species -
provincially threatened or endangered. A provincial Recovery Strategy
was published in 2008.
Photo courtesy: Badgers in BC
South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program
|
|
|
 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
|
Thank you for reading our e-newsletter despite it being a beautiful summer day outside.
SOSCP is gearing up to kick off our public information campaign in support of the Conservation Fund this fall. Do you have photos that show the best of nature in our backyard? Do they tell the story about what you love and want to protect in the Okanagan? Show us!
Send your photo to me and a few words about what nature in the Okanagan means to you and we will share it with others. Email soscp01@gmail.com.
Bryn White, SOSCP Program Manager
|
|
|
|
|
Partner News
|
 Managing Director appointed to Grasslands Conservation Council of BC
David Hillary has joined the Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia (GCC) as Managing Director. For more than 20 years, Dave has been championing innovation, large landscape conservation, and sustainability. Most recently he was President and CEO of Conservation by Design Inc. and is a former Program Manager and Director of Development with the Nature Conservancy Canada. The Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia is dedicated to the stewardship and conservation of the rare grasslands of BC and works to provide methods and tools to better care for them. Learn more about the GCC here.
 OSCA Seeking Interpreters for
Bird Banding and Salmon programsOkanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) is seeking two to three Interpreters for Grade 3/4 school programs at Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory, and Salmon Programs for Grade K-12. These are temporary part-time positions running September to October 2016. Please submit a resume, references, and cover letter to Janet Willson chair@osca.org by August 15, 2016. Details here. Photo courtesy Tanya Luszcz.
 Badgers in BC works to recover populations of this endangered species
In a recent CBC news story, Brady Strachan reported that the endangered BC badger population took a hit this week when in a span of two days, four animals were struck and killed by vehicles on Okanagan highways. Incredibly, that number represents about 2% of the entire BC badger population, estimated at about 200 . Badgers in BC is working on a plan to put barriers along highways in known badger territory to force the animals to use culverts to get from one side of a roadway to the other. Meanwhile, they are asking for the public's support in keeping badgers safe by slowing down at night and keeping an eye out for animals crossing the road. They are also asking the public to report any badger sightings at their website. More information here or view the provincial Recovery Strategy here. Source: CBC News BC. Photo credit: Ian Walker.
|
|
Upcoming Events and Workshops
|
 August 7 Spawning Kokanee at Hardy Falls Regional Park This year, the Kokanee are back ahead of schedule. Central Okanagan Regional Parks' staff have recorded the return of Kokanee to Deep Creek over 3 weeks early in the last week of July. The reasons for their early return are not known. As a result they've moved their celebration for the Red Fish to Sunday, August 7th from 11am-3pm. Regional Parks staff will be on hand with activities for the family and prepared to answer all of your questions about Kokanee and their lifecycle. In addition there Park Interpreters will be at Hardy Falls Regional Park every Saturday and Sunday from August 7th through September 11th between noon and 4pm. For more information call 250-469-6140 or visit their website. Photo courtesy Regional District of Central Okanagan.
 August 13 Romancing the Desert
Experience the beauty of the desert from sunlight to starlight. Enjoy an evening of food and wine highlighted by a twilight tour through one of Canada's rarest habitats. The evening begins at 5:30 pm with wine tastings and an outdoor dinner set amid beautiful desert surroundings. Following the meal, guests are treated to a twilight walking tour through the desert along the Centre's iconic boardwalk. During the one-of-a-kind guided tour guests visit stations en route to sample local wines and enjoy a variety of after-dinner treats. Live music, a silent auction and door prizes round out the evening's festivities. Proceeds support the habitat conservation, restoration and education efforts of the Osoyoos Desert Society. Tickets are $70 per person. Advance registration required. Call 250-495-2470 or mail@desert.org. More information here. Photo courtesy Osoyoos Times.
 August 14 8th Annual Okanagan
Feast of FieldsFarm Folk CityFolk's annual Feast of Fields is a three hour wandering gourmet harvest festival that highlights the connections between farmers and chefs, field and table, and between farm folks and city folks. Guests stroll across a farmers field, traveling from tent to tent, listening to live music, and tasting gourmet creations from BC top chefs, farmers, fishers, ranchers, food artisans, vintners, brewers, distillers and other beverage producers. Each year the event is held on a different farm in the Okanagan Valley. Funds raised support FarmFolk CityFolk's work to cultivate local, sustainable food systems across British Columbia. This year's event takes place at Off The Grid Organic Winery - 3623 Glencoe Road, West Kelowna from 1 to 4 pm. Information and tickets here.
 August 27 to September 2 BC Wildlife Federation Wetlands Institute 2016
The BC Wildlife Federation's Wetlands Institute is a 7-day environmental stewardship workshop suitable for consultants, planners, environmental/ conservation groups, government and First Nations representatives, engaged community members and keen outdoors-types. This year, participants will assist renowned Wetland Restoration Specialist Tom Biebighauser in the creation of a wetland as well as hear other speakers and topics including Invasive Reed Canary Grass and Yellow Flag Iris control with Gord Gadsden (Fraser Valley Regional District) and Catherine Tarasoft (Thompson Rivers University); Working with First Nations with Kelly Squires and the Katzie First Nation; Wetland Plant ID with Terry McIntosh (University of BC); Grants and fundraising with Neil Fletcher (BC Wildlife Federation) and more. The workshop takes place in Chillwack August 27th to 28th and Mission August 28th to September 2nd. To submit an application and for more information contact Jason Jobin, Wetlands Education Program Coordinator at wetlands_coordinator@bcwf.bc.ca or 604-882-9988 ext 225 or Neil Fletcher, Wetlands Education Program Manager at wetlands@bcwf.bc.ca or 604-882-9988 ext 232. More details here.
 October 18 and 19 Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied EcologyRegistration is now open for Bio-engineering: A Restoration Course. The two-day course is offered by instructor David Polster covering soil bioengineering and the applied uses of live plant materials, rocks, soil and landscape elements to perform engineering functions such as slope stabilization, soil erosion control or seepage control. The course is designed for anyone interested in restoring the natural functioning of damaged ecosystems. Registration is $395 and includes catering and a course manual covering all materials discussed in the class. Registration and more information here. Photo courtesy Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology.
|
|
Funding Opportunities
|
August 31 BC Community Gaming Grants
Community Gaming Grants support the delivery of community organization programs that benefit the citizens of British Columbia. Environment grant applications intake is between July 1-Aug 31. Further information.
September 1 Canadian Wildlife Federation
Canadian Wildlife Foundation's Funding Program provides financial assistance to conservation programs and educational programs related to wildlife and research. Further information.
September 8 Real Estate Foundation of BC
Applications for general grants are accepted in the area of sustainable food systems, freshwater and the built environment. Details here.
September 10 Mountain Equipment Coop
Access and Activitiy and Capacity Building grants enable people to enjoy the outdoors and support conservation initiatives. Further information.
September 16 Telus Community Foundation (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.
September 19 TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TDFEF)
In celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary next year, TDFEF has announced a special round of funding focused on the revitalization, animation and stewardship of public green spaces. The foundation has combined what would have been its December 2016 and April 2017 funding rounds into a single round in February 2017. A new process for grant applications has also been introduced. Applicants with eligible projects must submit an Expression of Interest outlining the details of their project by September 19. The Expression of Interest will be reviewed and successful applicants will be invited to submit a more detailed grant application by November 21. Details and important dates 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
|
|
|
|
|
