CMI Annual Researchers’ Meeting and Annual General Meeting 2006

April 27-28, 2006

Nelson Rod and Gun Club Hall, 801 Railway Street, Nelson B.C.

To view a document containing abstracts of presentations from this meeting, click here for a 370 KB PDF download.

The following talks were presented at the meeting.

• Welcoming Remarks, Rachel Holt, CMI Director
• Monitoring of grizzly bear population trend and demography using DNA mark-recapture methods in the Owikeno Lake area of British Columbia: John Boulanger, Integrated Ecological Research
• Current issues in the Kootenay Fish and Wildlife Section, Ministry of Environment: Garth Mowat, Ministry of Environment, Nelson
• Elk Movement Patterns in the Slocan Valley: Leo DeGroot, Ministry of Environment
• Columbia Basin western skink inventory and assessment, 2005 results: Jakob Dulisse
• Historic influence of the Mountain Pine Beetle on stand dynamics in Canada’s Rocky Mountain national parks: Tom Braumandl, Biome Ecological Consultants
• Recovery efforts for the northern leopard frog in British Columbia, 2001-2005: Doug Adama, Adama Wildlife
• Profile of non-timber forest products in southeastern British Columbia: Michael Keefer, Kootenays Forest Innovation Society
• Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks Ecological Integrity Monitoring Program: Sal Rasheed and Jen Theberge, Parks Canada
• Endangered forest of the west Kootenay: A pilot project in the Incomappleux and Trout Lake area: Rachel Holt, Veridian Ecological Consulting, and Deb MacKillop
• Overview of Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee: Juliet Craig, Coordinator, CKIPC
• A Rocky Road: Whitebark Pine restoration activities on the Continental Divide: Brendan Wilson, Selkirk College
• Stewardship Outreach Initiatives: Patrick Daigle, Ministry of Environment, Victoria
• Kootenay Community Bat Project - A community approach to bat inventory and conservation: Juliet Craig
• Multi-scale habitat selection by wolverine in British Columbia: John Krebs, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
• Update on program activities: Angus Glass, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

Field trips were to these locations:

• Cottonwood Creek to look at restoration work. Coordinator was Eileen Pearkes
• Sproule Creek to look at restoration work. Coordinator was Steve Arndt, Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program
• Tour of laboratory at Wildlife Genetics International with David Paetkau.

Thirteen students attended the course, which was taught by Dr. Carl Schwarz from Simon Fraser University. Carl has a wealth of information about statistics for biologists posted on his website at: http://www.stat.sfu.ca/~cschwarz/. Participants were required to bring a laptop computer loaded with the JMP-IN 5.1 software.

Course Outline:

1. Review of statistical concepts on estimates, standard errors, confidence intervals, p-values etc.
2. Overview of environmental monitoring designs
3. Overview of some basic sampling strategies
     • simple random sample
     • stratified sampling
     • cluster sampling
     • two stage sampling
     • ratio estimation
4. Details on simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling
     • how to plan
     • sample size requirements etc
     • how to analyze
     • pitfalls and which to use when
5. Overview of experimental designs (single factor, two factor)
6. Details on single factor designs
     • two-sample t-test
     • one way ANOVA
     • subsampling
     • pseudo-replication, pairing, blocking, etc.
7. Overview of regression analysis
8. Details on single variable regression analysis
9. Overview of categorical data analysis
10. Details on chi-square tests
11. A.I.C. Statistics (very briefly)

Workshop Summary: A summary of the workshop presentations is available here as a 1.46 MB PDF document. You will need Acrobat Reader to open the document.

Workshop Description:
Communities adopting Bear Smart programs reduce the number of bear – human conflicts, thereby making their towns safer and reducing the number of black and grizzly bears that are destroyed. Yet many communities continue to allow practices that draw bears into our neighbourhoods, creating on-going hazards for people and bears alike. The Bear Smart Community Program, created by the BC Ministry Environment, the Union of BC Municipalities, and the BC Conservation Foundation, provides direction for municipalities, regional districts, businesses, interest groups, and citizens to work together to eliminate the root causes of bear – human conflicts. Bear Smart accommodates the individual needs of each community.

On November 2, participants heard about the components of the provincial Bear Smart Community Program and how its principles were being put into action in various communities around the province. Participants were introduced to people and resources that can support them in making their communities Bear Aware and Bear Smart.

On November 3, participants from Bear Aware and conservation–oriented community groups took part in an interactive workshop to learn the steps to achieving sustainability, including an understanding of the factors that promote sustainability, how to define goals, plan programs, find funding, etc. This workshop was led by Kylie Hutchinson, of Community Solutions Planning and Evaluation (http://www.communitysolutions.ca).

Thank you to our Volunteers and Supporters
The Columbia Mountains Institute would like to thank the organizing committee for this workshop: Mike Badry (Ministry of Environment), Richard Daloise (Big Red Consulting), Jacques Drisdelle (BC Conservation Foundation), Susan Hall (Parks Canada), Jackie Morris (Columbia Mountains Institute) and Loni Parker (Columbia Shuswap Regional District and Chair of Revelstoke Bear Aware Society). Loni Parker chaired the organizing committee.

We are grateful for the assistance of our three volunteers, who helped to keep the workshop running smoothly: Marcia Woods, Usieline Kambato, and Annie Doucet.

The following agencies contributed financial or in-kind support for this workshop. We are please to have worked with:

• BC Conservation Foundation

• Big Red Consulting, Nelson

• British Columbia Ministry of Environment

• City of Canmore

• City of Revelstoke

• Columbia Basin Trust, through the Columbia Kootenay Fisheries Renewal Partnership

• Columbia Shuswap Regional District

• Habitat Conservation Trust Fund

• North Shore Bear Network

• Parks Canada, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier National Parks

• Revelstoke Bear Aware Society

• Siderius Ecological Consulting, Nelson.

Speaker List

November 2, 2005

Welcoming Remarks by Richard Daloise, Master of Ceremonies.
Bear Biology and re-locating Bears – John Woods, Parks Canada.
The Bear Smart Program - Mike Badry, BC Conservation Officer Service, Ministry of Environment
Preparing Bear Hazard Assessments and Bear/Human Conflicts Management Plans - Joanne Siderius, Siderius Ecological Consulting
Revise planning and decision-making documents - Richard Daloise, Big Red Consulting Services
Developing a Bear Proof Community Waste Management System - Simon Robins, Canmore, Alberta
A Continuing Bear Education Program - Jacques Drisdelle, BC Conservation Foundation
Implementing Bear Smart Bylaws - Mike Badry
Case Study – North Vancouver - Tony Webb, North Shore Bear Network
Case Study – Revelstoke - Abby Pond, Loni Parker, Revelstoke Bear Aware Society.

November 3, 2005

Kylie Hutchinson, Community Planning and Evaluation
Loni Parker, Columbia Shuswap Regional District
Richard Daloise, Big Red Consulting.

Conference Summary:

To download the Workshop Summary for this event, click here.
This is a 888 KB PDF file.

Conference Description:
At this two day conference, 125 participants heard talks from federal and provincial government staff, and consulting biologists, on the methods and issues surrounding identification of critical habitat. As there is no “cookbook” approach suitable for all situations, presenters were chosen for their experiences with a variety of species and situations.

On the third day (October 20), CMI Director Ian Adams led 18 participants in a field trip from Cranbrook to Radium Hot Springs.

On October 20, 18 people attended a session offered by Karyn Sutherland and Susan Leech of FORREX (www.forrex.org) titled “ABCs of Planning a Communication Strategy that Works”.

Thank You to our Volunteers and Supporters
The Columbia Mountains Institute would like to thank the members of the organizing committee for this workshop: Ian Adams (Corvus Communications), Susan Hall (Parks Canada), Jackie Morris (CMI), Kari Nelson (Ministry of Environment), David Poll (Parks Canada) and Liz Williams (Ministry of Agriculture and Lands). David Poll of Parks Canada was Chair of the organizing committee.

Volunteers that helped with note-taking and logistics at the workshop were Angela Cunningham and Jennifer Karmo.

The Columbia Mountains Institute would also like to thank the workshop partners, whose in-kind and financial support made this event possible:

• BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands

• BC Ministry of Environment

• BC Ministry of Forests and Range

• Cortex Consulting

• Corvus Communications

• Environment Canada

• Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• Pandion Ecological Research

• Parks Canada

• Tantalus Ecological

• University of British Columbia

Speaker List
Welcoming Remarks by Chris Steeger, Master of Ceremonies.
1) Overview of Critical Habitat and Conservation Biology, Peter Arcese and Janelle Curtis, UBC Centre for Applied Conservation Research
2) Critical Habitat Under the Species at Risk Act: A Federal Perspective: Kent Prior, Parks Canada
3) Tools for Addressing Critical Habitat Identification in British Columbia: Jeff Hoyt, British Columbia Ministry of Environment
4) Resolving Critical Habitat Designation Failures under ESA: Reconciling Law, Policy, and Biology: Karen Hodges, UBC Okanagan
5) Building and Using a Model Framework to Inform Decisions on Critical Habitat in the Case of the Northern Spotted Owl: Louise Waterhouse, BC Ministry of Forests and Range; Glenn Sutherland and Dan O’Brien, Cortex Consultants
6) Critical Habitat for Plants: Contrasting the Examples of Lyall’s Mariposa Lily in Okanagan Grasslands and Vernal Pool Habitats within Garry Oak Ecosystems: Michael Miller, Consultant
7) A Habitat Model for the Coastal Giant Salamander in British Columbia: Jeff Lemieux, Tantalus Ecological
8) Using a Functional Approach to Define Critical Habitat for Mountain Caribou in Southeastern British Columbia: Dennis Hamilton, Nanuq Consulting, and Steven Wilson, EcoLogic Research
9) Critical Habitats in a Settled Landscape: A Case of Two Freshwater Fishes in the Lower Fraser Valley: Mike Pearson, Pearson Ecological
10) The Challenges of Identifying Critical Habitat for a Large River Fish Species, the White Sturgeon: Dan Sneep, Fisheries and Oceans Canada
11) Modelling Habitat Use by Wood Bison at Multiple Spatial Scales: Tools and Techniques to Define Critical Habitat: Olaf Jensen, Habitat Biologist, Canadian Wildlife Service
12) Letting Snails Show Us the Way: Delineating Critical Habitat for the Endangered Banff Springs Snail: Dwayne Lepitzki, Wildlife Systems Research
13) Unencumbered by Data: Combining Stewardship and Science to Address Information Gaps: Kari Nelson, BC Ministry of Environment, and Ian Adams, Corvus Communications
14) Observations from the Conference, and the State of Identification of Critical Habitat: Peter Arcese, Janelle Curtis.

Fifteen students attended the course, which was taught by Dr. Carl Schwarz from Simon Fraser University. Carl has a wealth of information about statistics for biologists posted on his website at: http://www.stat.sfu.ca/~cschwarz/. Participants were required to bring a laptop computer loaded with the JMP-IN 5.1 software.

Course Outline:

1. Review of statistical concepts on estimates, standard errors, confidence intervals, p-values etc.
2. Overview of environmental monitoring designs
3. Overview of some basic sampling strategies
     • simple random sample
     • stratified sampling
     • cluster sampling
     • two stage sampling
     • ratio estimation
4. Details on simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling
     • how to plan
     • sample size requirements etc
     • how to analyze
     • pitfalls and which to use when
5. Overview of experimental designs (single factor, two factor)
6. Details on single factor designs
     • two-sample t-test
     • one way ANOVA
     • subsampling
     • pseudo-replication, pairing, blocking, etc.
7. Overview of regression analysis
8. Details on single variable regression analysis
9. Overview of categorical data analysis
10. Details on chi-square tests
11. A.I.C. Statistics (very briefly)

To download the Workshop Summary for this event, click here.
This is a 3.8 MB PDF file.

Workshop Description

On the first day of this two day event, about 115 participants learned about climate models and what they are projecting for British Columbia. Then they heard experts speak about the implications of a changing climate for fire, insects, ecosystems, biodiversity, birds, and mountain caribou. On the second morning, presentations were on the use of models to visualize climate change, on responses of the Ministry of Forests to climate change, and on approaches for resource managers who need to plan for the uncertainties of a changing climate. The second afternoon was spent in breakout sessions, trying to put the knowledge gained at the workshop into practice. Using case studies for a managed forest and a protected area, workshop participants reviewed management objectives, identified vulnerabilities, and suggested adaptation strategies.

A summary of the workshop presentations and notes from the breakout groups is in preparation. A notice will be sent to all workshop participants when it is available. The summary will be posted on this website as a downloadable PDF document.

The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology would like to thank Patrick Daigle (CMI Director) for his role as chair of the workshop organizing committee and for being the Master of Ceremonies for the workshop; Jenny Fraser (Climate Change Branch of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection); and Greg McKinnon (Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network) for their commitment to making the workshop a reality. The CMI would also like to thank Kari Stuart-Smith of Tembec Forest Industries for preparing the case study for the managed forest, and Susan Hall of Parks Canada for preparing the protected area case study.

Our volunteers at the workshop were of great assistance both in recording what was said by speakers and in the breakout groups, and in helping with the many small logistical tasks of keeping the event running smoothly. They were Patricia Perkins, Lindsay McBlane, Alice Weber, and Marrisa Main.

Our workshop was attended by about 15 students from Selkirk College, as part of their field school. Thanks to the Community Initiatives Program of the Columbia Basin Trust, a class of Biology 11 students and a class of Geography 12 students from the Revelstoke Secondary School were able to attend parts of the workshop.

We are pleased to acknowledge in-kind and financial support from these agencies. Funding and support in the form of covering presenter costs were important to the success of the workshop.

• BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection

• Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network

• Canadian Forest Service

• Canadian Institute of Climate Studies

• Downie Timber

• Environment Canada

• Parks Canada

• Pope and Talbot

• Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation

• Revelstoke Credit Union

• Royal BC Museum

• Tembec Forest Industries

• University of British Columbia

• US Geological Survey

In most years, the CMI’s Annual General Meeting is held in concert with the Annual Researchers’ Meeting. This year, because the Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests workshop was held at the time we normally have the Annual Researchers’ Meeting, we did not host an Annual Researchers’ Meeting.

• Nine members attended the AGM.

• The Annual Report for 2004/2005 was presented at the meeting, and can be downloaded in PDF format, here. The financial statement for 2004/2005 is available to members by contacting the CMI office.

• Prior to the AGM, the Directors of the CMI recommended revisions of the Constitution to the members. A vote on the motion to approve the revisions was conducted by mail. The ballots were counted and the result was announced at the AGM. The revised Constitution and Bylaws were approved.

• The revised CMI Constitution can be viewed here.

• The list of Directors for 2005/2006 was announced. The list of fourteen Directors can be viewed here.

Fourteen students attended the course, which was taught by Dr. Carl Schwarz from Simon Fraser University. Carl has a wealth of information about statistics for biologists posted on his website at: http://www.stat.sfu.ca/~cschwarz/. Participants were required to bring a laptop computer loaded with the JMP-IN 5.1 software.

Course Outline:

1. Review of statistical concepts on estimates, standard errors, confidence intervals, p-values etc.
2. Overview of environmental monitoring designs
3. Overview of some basic sampling strategies
     • simple random sample
     • stratified sampling
     • cluster sampling
     • two stage sampling
     • ratio estimation
4. Details on simple random sampling, stratified sampling, cluster sampling
     • how to plan
     • sample size requirements etc
     • how to analyze
     • pitfalls and which to use when
5. Overview of experimental designs (single factor, two factor)
6. Details on single factor designs
     • two-sample t-test
     • one way ANOVA
     • subsampling
     • pseudo-replication, pairing, blocking, etc.
7. Overview of regression analysis
8. Details on single variable regression analysis
9. Overview of categorical data analysis
10. Details on chi-square tests
11. A.I.C. Statistics (very briefly)

Recent Advances in DNA Technology
     Instructor: David Paetkau, Wildlife Genetics International
     Nelson, BC
     Tel: 250-352-3563
     dpaetkau@wildlifegenetics.ca
     www.wildlifegenetics.ca

The goal of this session was to provide non-geneticists with targeted information that will enable them to understand, scrutinize, and defend the genetic data that they receive from laboratories. The workshop began with a review of basic molecular genetics (what is DNA, the central dogma, terminology, etc.), and an introduction to the common techniques (extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing) that a low molecular biologists to study the genetic code at its most fundamental level. This was followed by a description of the specific markers and techniques that are used to establish individual identity. The workshop culminated in a discussion of how and where things can go wrong, and what can be done about it. Participants were introduced to signatures of error, protocols that can prevent and detect error, and empirical evidence as to how good (or bad) datasets can be.

Designing a DNA-Based Project
     Instructor: Garth Mowat, Aurora Wildlife Research
     Crescent Valley, BC,
     Tel: 250-359-7699
     gmowat@telus.net

We discussed sampling designs for broad-scale inventories of terrestrial mammals including methods for predicting sample size needs. We began with a brief introduction to mark-recapture theory and how to use the program CAPTURE to predict estimator precision. Then we discussed field methods for sampling DNA from carnivores including bears, mustelids and felids. Topics included the use of baits, comparison of hair removal methods, and the handling of samples including sorting and sub-sampling to minimize laboratory analysis costs. We closed with a brief discussion of how broad-scale data of this type has been used and how we may benefit from these methods in the future.

Advanced Data Analysis Strategies
     Instructor: John Boulanger, Integrated Ecological Research
     Nelson, BC
     Tel: 250-352-2605
     iersite@telus.net
     www.ecological.bc.ca

In the past ten years there has been a large degree of advancement in mark-recapture estimation. One of the main advancements has been the advent of flexible models that allow incorporation of covariates and the testing of research hypotheses directly from mark-recapture data as incorporated in program MARK. In this session we explored explore the application of newer mark-recapture methods to DNA data from grizzly bear populations. An overview of newer models and general estimation methodology and philosophy was given. From this, case studies of DNA projects for the purpose of population estimation and trend were introduced and discussed with an emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of newer and older approaches to data analysis. Given the short time period of this workshop there was not enough time to analyze participant’s data sets. However, participants were encouraged to bring ideas and questions about how newer methods may be able to aid their research programs.

Recent Advances in DNA Technology
     Instructor: David Paetkau, Wildlife Genetics International
     Nelson, BC
     Tel: 250-352-3563
     dpaetkau@wildlifegenetics.ca 
     www.wildlifegenetics.ca

The goal of this session was to provide non-geneticists with targeted information that will enable them to understand, scrutinize, and defend the genetic data that they receive from laboratories. The workshop began with a review of basic molecular genetics (what is DNA, the central dogma, terminology, etc.), and an introduction to the common techniques (extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing) that allow molecular biologists to study the genetic code at its most fundamental level. This was followed by a description of the specific markers and techniques that are used to establish individual identity. The workshop culminated in a discussion of how and where things can go wrong, and what can be done about it. Participants were introduced to signatures of error, protocols that can prevent and detect error, and empirical evidence as to how good (or bad) datasets can be.

Designing a DNA-Based Project
     Instructor: Garth Mowat, Aurora Wildlife Research
     Crescent Valley, BC,
     Tel: 250-359-7699
     gmowat@telus.net

We discussed sampling designs for broad-scale inventories of terrestrial mammals including methods for predicting sample size needs. We began with a brief introduction to mark-recapture theory and how to use the program CAPTURE to predict estimator precision. Then we discussed field methods for sampling DNA from carnivores including bears, mustelids and felids. Topics included the use of baits, comparison of hair removal methods, and the handling of samples including sorting and sub-sampling to minimize laboratory analysis costs. We closed with a brief discussion of how broad-scale data of this type has been used and how we may benefit from these methods in the future.

Advanced Data Analysis Strategies
     Instructor: John Boulanger, Integrated Ecological Research
     Nelson, BC
     Tel: 250-352-2605
     boulange@ecological.bc.ca
     www.ecological.bc.ca

In the past ten years there has been a large degree of advancement in mark-recapture estimation. One of the main advancements has been the advent of flexible models that allow incorporation of covariates and the testing of research hypotheses directly from mark-recapture data as incorporated in program MARK. In this session we explored explore the application of newer mark-recapture methods to DNA data from grizzly bear populations. An overview of newer models and general estimation methodology and philosophy was given. From this, case studies of DNA projects for the purpose of population estimation and trend were introduced and discussed with an emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of newer and older approaches to data analysis. Given the short time period of this workshop there was not enough time to analyze participant’s data sets. However, participants were encouraged to bring ideas and questions about how newer methods may be able to aid their research programs.

CMI’s Annual Researchers’ Meeting and Annual General Meeting for 2002/2003 were held at the Blue Lake Forest Education Centre near Canal Flats, BC on April 29-30th. Twenty-eight people heard presentations about current ecological research and new initiatives in the Columbia Basin.

Summaries of presentations are available here.

 

To access report for the “Climate Change in the Columbia Basin” workshop:

• To view on your web browser, click here.
• To download the complete document as a PDF file (450KB) click here.
• Print copies can be ordered from the Columbia Mountains Institute for $15.00, (includes shipping and handling). Please prepay by cheque. The CMI does not accept charge cards.

The aims of this workshop were to begin the process of educating the public about climate change in southeastern British Columbia, and to begin a dialogue about how communities and stakeholders can begin adapting to a changing climate.

The “Climate Change in the Columbia Basin” workshop brought climate change researchers together with resource managers, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the Columbia Basin. On Friday night, 135 workshop participants and 35 “drop-in” members of the public heard two overview talks on British Columbia’s changing climate, including the themes of past and present climate change, potential impacts of a changing climate, and why we should prepare for climate change.

On Saturday morning, seven presenters addressed the possible impacts of climate change on the water resources, aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and forests of the Columbia Basin. In the seven breakout groups on Saturday afternoon, workshop participants discussed how climate change might affect their communities, businesses, and resource interests. These discussions were summarized in a plenary session, and the major points from the discussions form a part of this report.

The Columbia Mountains Institute is proud to have worked with the following partners in hosting this workshop:

• BC Hydro
• British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection (Water Air and Climate Change Branch)
• Canadian Climate Impacts and Adaptation Research Network British Columbia (C-CIARN BC)
• Columbia Basin Trust
• District of Invermere
• East Kootenay Environmental Society

Study Design and Field Methods for DNA-Based, Mark-Recapture Inventories
                Instructor: Garth Mowat, Aurora Wildlife Research
                Crescent Valley, BC,
                Tel: 250-359-7699
                gmowat@telus.net

We discussed sampling designs for broad-scale inventories of terrestrial mammals including methods for predicting sample size needs. We began with a brief introduction to mark-recapture theory and how to use the program CAPTURE to predict estimator precision. Then we discussed field methods for sampling DNA from carnivores including bears, mustelids and felids. Topics included the use of baits, comparison of hair removal methods, and the handling of samples including sorting and sub-sampling to minimize laboratory analysis costs. We closed with a brief discussion of how broad-scale data of this type has been used and how we may benefit from these methods in the future.

Genetic Analysis of Individual Identity in DNA-Based Inventories
                Instructor: David Paetkau, Wildlife Genetics International
                Nelson, BC
                Tel: 250-352-3563
                dpaetkau@wildlifegenetics.ca
                www.wildlifegenetics.ca

The goal of this session was to provide non-geneticists with targeted information that will enable them to understand, scrutinize, and defend the genetic data that they receive from laboratories. The workshop began with a review of basic molecular genetics (what is DNA, the central dogma, terminology, etc.), and an introduction to the common techniques (extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, DNA sequencing) that allow molecular biologists to study the genetic code at its most fundamental level. This was followed by a description of the specific markers and techniques that are used to establish individual identity. The workshop culminated in a discussion of how and where things can go wrong, and what can be done about it. Participants were introduced to signatures of error, protocols that can prevent and detect error, and empirical evidence as to how good (or bad) datasets can be.

Advanced Mark-Recapture Analysis of Genetic Data
                Instructor: John Boulanger, Integrated Ecological Research
                Nelson, BC
                Tel: 250-352-2605
                boulange@ecological.bc.ca
                www.ecological.bc.ca

In the past ten years there has been a large degree of advancement in mark-recapture estimation. One of the main advancements has been the advent of flexible models that allow incorporation of covariates and the testing of research hypotheses directly from mark-recapture data as incorporated in program MARK. In this session we explored explore the application of newer mark-recapture methods to DNA data from grizzly bear populations. An overview of newer models and general estimation methodology and philosophy was given. From this, case studies of DNA projects for the purpose of population estimation and trend were introduced and discussed with an emphasis on the strengths and weaknesses of newer and older approaches to data analysis. Given the short time period of this workshop there was not enough time to analyze participant’s data sets. However, participants were encouraged to bring ideas and questions about how newer methods may be able to aid their research programs.

A feature of the conference was the release of the provincial government’s "A Strategy for the Recovery of Mountain Caribou in British Columbia". This document is available at the BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection web site at: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/mtcaribou_rcvrystrat02.pdf

• BC Ministry of Forests
• BC Ministry of Water, Land, and Air Protection
• Canadian Mountain Holidays
• Columbia Basin Trust through the Columbia-Kootenay Fisheries Renewal Partnership
• Downie Timber
• Great Canadian Heli-skiing
• Mike Wiegele Helicopter Skiing
• Mountain Equipment Co-op
• Parks Canada
• Selkirk Tangiers Helicopter Skiing
• Tembec Industries

• University of California Wildlife Health Centre
  http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/whc/Necropsy/TOC.html
   
• US National Wildife Health Centre
  http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov
   
• Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Health Centre
  http://wildlife.usask.ca
   
• Gov't of Northwest Territories - Common Wildlife Diseases 
  http://www.nwtwildlife.com/publications/diseasepamphletweb/introduction.htm
   
• Michigan Wildlife Disease Manual
  http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10370_12150_12220---,00.html

For more web sites related to wildlife veterinary information, visit the "Links" section of this web site.

To download the PDF file (172KB) containing the Summaries of Presentations and the contact information for presenters, click here.

The field trip was to Drimmie Creek, about 15 km south of Revelstoke in the Upper Arrow Lakes drawdown zone. About 20 meeting participants went on-site with the BC Hydro contractors who had assessed the ecological benefits of BC Hydro’s seeding program.

Here the group is walking along the edge of a seeded area, looking at erosion in a side channel.

The CMI is grateful to BC Hydro for their financial and in-kind support of this meeting.

• Overview of bear biology and why bears come into communities.
• Why bear–proofing of communities is important.
• Case studies of success stories – Canmore, Whistler, Revelstoke, and Parks Canada
• BC Provincial government’s Bear Smart Communities Program
• Practical solutions – landfill fencing and bear-proof containers.
• Working within the municipal structure to become Bear Aware

A field trip around town on the morning of the second day showed what Revelstoke has done to become a leading "Bear Aware" community.

Click here to view the Summaries of Presentations for this workshop. Summaries are also available as a PDF download.

The Columbia Mountains Institute is grateful to the Columbia Basin Trust, through the Columbia Kootenay Fisheries Renewal Partnership, for a grant in support of this workshop.

Additional support comes from Parks Canada, Margo Supplies, Haul-All Equipment, the City of Revelstoke, Revelstoke Printing Company and Rollins Machinery.

The course consisted of a morning classroom session that addressed scientific questions, field techniques, sample storage, choosing a lab, and genetic concepts. In the afternoon field session participants learned how to set up and take down a barbed wire hair trap.

Instructor Michael Proctor has been using this technique for population estimation, fragmentation, and relatedness studies for the past six years.

This course will be offered again in two years or sooner if interest warrants. Contact the Columbia Mountains Institute at office@cmiae.org if you would like to be notified next time the course is run.

Abstracts for presentations are available here (63KB PDF).

Summaries of presentations are available here.

The Columbia Mountains Institute is grateful to the following supporters for their financial or in-kind support for this workshop:

• Armtech Limited
• BC Rail
• Canadian National Railway
• Canadian Pacific Railway
• CCI Coast
• Columbia Basin Trust/Affected Areas and Communities Initiatives
• EBA Engineering
• Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• Parks Canada
• Revelstoke Community Futures
• Summit Environmental Consultants 

Dr. Todd Shury, veterinarian, taught this four day course. Topics covered included

a.. animal anatomy and physiology
b.. pharmacology of immobilization drugs
c.. capture and immobilization techniques
d.. practical lab session

This course will be run again in early 2002. It is open to park wardens,
conservation officers and experienced biologists, and only fifteen
spaces will be available. To view the course outline, click here.

• Techniques to monitor bear populations
• Forest management issues and guidelines in bear habitat
• Living in bear country.

Three field trips were offered:

• Bear-proofing your community
• Forest practices and bears
• DNA collection methods

Dr. Steve Herrero spoke to the workshop participants and the public on the evening of October 17th. His topic was "Causes and Avoidance of Bear Attacks."

To view summaries of presentations and contact info for speakers, click here.

The Columbia Mountains Institute is grateful to the following supporters for their financial or in-kind support for