December 2004 to January 2007

For the sake of brevity, these archived updates have been edited.  Most time-sensitive Items have been omitted.

1.  CMI News

Things are pretty busy around here because we are planning SEVEN events in the next two years.  Plus there are other smaller projects coming and going.  Bearing in mind that most of these events are still in the planning stages and we don’t have much detail for the events further in the future, here’s a list of what’s coming up.

April 26-27, 2005  -  Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests workshop

April 26, 2005  -  CMI AGM (no Researchers’ Meeting this year)

Last week of May 2005  -  Statistics Refresher Course for Biologists

June 2005  -  Identification and Protection of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk workshop

Fall 2005  -  Creating Bear Aware Communities workshop

Spring 2006  -  Mountain Caribou Conference

Fall 2006           -Grizzly Bear Conference

Note that we aren’t planning an Annual Researchers’ Meeting this year.  We figure that lots of you will be at the Climate Change conference, and won’t want to travel twice in the same month for a CMI event.  We will have the Annual General Meeting at some point during those two days.  You don't have to be registered for the conference to attend the AGM.

The Stats Refresher course will be very similar to the one we offered in May 2004, and the Creating Bear Aware Communities workshop will be similar to the one we offered in November 2001. Check the "Past Workshops" section of our web site for details on what we did last time.

Many thanks to CMI Member Alice Weber of Revelstoke, who was able to de-mystify my understandings of PowerPoint templates and masters.  CMI now has a standard show that can be used by the Directors to introduce the society.

Speaking of PowerPoint, we all know how important it is to be able to put together a good presentation.  But most of us just slog our way through the program and we miss the finer points of what makes a good show.  Thanks to John Woods we will be bringing you a “Power Point Tip of the Month” from now on (see the end of this bulletin for your first Tip!) and after a few months I will archive them on the web site.  If you’d like to contribute a one-paragraph PowerPoint tip, or other presentation tips, please send them to office@cmiae.org.

2. Changes to BC Conservation Data Centre Plant Community Listings

The BC Conservation Data Centre's list of natural plant community elements has been extensively revised.  Changes to Provincial Conservation Status ranks, names, and relationships to the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification, and addition of some Global Conservation Status ranks and new plant communities, are all part of the revisions. For background on the revisions, and access to lists of the changes see the Endangered Species and Ecosystems 2004 Changes web page:

http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/changes.htm

For access to new Forest District lists of natural plant communities, see the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer Natural Plant Community Help web page: http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/help.do?helpType=NPC  

To search for natural plant communities see the BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer Natural Plant Community search web page:

 http://srmapps.gov.bc.ca/apps/eswp/search.do?searchType=NPC

3.  Internet Resources

BC Government Databases

We always knew the internet was a good way to disperse information!  Take a look at these web sites from the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and the Ministry of Forests.  These are one-stop listings of the different databases available from both ministries.

http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/tib/

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/library/lib_db.htm

Google’s New Search Engine

Google has released a new search engine to search for scientific articles.  Google Scholar enables you to search for peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, reprints, abstracts and technical reports from all broad areas of research. Check it out at: http://scholar.google.com .  Since it searches the literature in all disciplines, be sure you choose your keywords carefully or you will get thousands of returns.  Read “About Google Scholar” on the above web page to find out how they go about listing articles.

4.  New Reports

Performance Indices for Highway Crossings for Large Mammals

Tony Clevenger’s new paper titled “Performance indices to identify attributes of highway crossing structures facilitating movement of large mammals” came out in Biological Conservation 121 (2005) pp 453-464. You can view the abstract  at:  http://www.sciencedirect.com/   and type in the name of the journal, then the issue #121.

Climate Change & Water Management in the Okanagan Basin

On November 30, 2004 Environment Canada and Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada released a three year study report entitled "Expanding the Dialogue on Climate Change & Water Management in the Okanagan Basin, British Columbia".  Contents of the report included scientific findings of global warming resulting in reductions in regional water supplies and increases in water demand for irrigation and residential needs in the Okanagan.  A summary of the report is available at: http://www.climatechange.gc.ca/english/publications/okanagan/ with the complete report available at http://www.ires.ubc.ca/downloads/publications/layout_Okanagan_final.pdf

5. Courses

Ecological Monitoring Using Remote Sensing and GIS

Selkirk College, Castlegar

May 11-13, 2005

Integrating principles of remote sensing in ecological and environmental modeling, the focus will be on analysing plant and animal habitats and conservation actions using remote sensing and GIS.  Analysis and mapping will be conducted using PCI Geomatica and ESRI's ArcGIS 9. For more information go to:

http://selkirk.ca/learning/continuing/course_detail.asp?cecourseid=1044

6. PowerPoint Tip #1

Keep your photograph file sizes as small as possible.  With today's high resolution cameras and scans, it's easy to have your show bog down by unnecessarily huge file sizes.  Take a few moments to re-size your images before you insert them in a PowerPoint.  The rule of thumb is that they need to be no larger than your computer screen (and LCD projector) can display them.  It is often possible to take a 1 megabyte *.tif file and turn it into a 100 kilobyte *.jpg file with no apparent loss of image quality on the screen.  You'll need to look at the re-sizing options on your software to see exactly how to do this -- but resizing to 1024 x 768 with 72 dpi is a good place to start.  The ultimate test is to display them on your screen to make sure they still look great.  If they look okay on your screen, they will be okay in your show.

1. Climate Change Impacts in BC

Here’s a quote from the new "Weather, Climate and the Future: B.C.'s Plan", produced by BC Water Lands and Air Protection in December 16, 2004:

"Projected impacts for B.C. include reduced snow pack in southern B.C. and at mid-elevations, an earlier spring meltwater surge on many snow-dominated river systems, reduced summer stream flows and soil moisture in some regions, glacial retreat and disappearance in southern B.C., an increase in the weather conditions that support fire and pest outbreaks and other disturbances, and loss of some wetland and alpine ecosystems.  Also projected are changes in the frequency and/or severity of drought, high intensity rainfall, flooding, coastal storms, and other extreme weather events."

If these words strike you as rather significant, and you’d like to know more, you need to register for our April 2005 workshop titled “Implications of Climate Change for BC’s Southern Interior Forests”.  Look on our web site at www.cmiae.org and follow the links to the workshop information, including a speaker list and the registration form.

The full plan as released by WLAP is available at:

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/air/climate/

2.   BCIT Offers On-Line Course on Managing for Ecological Integrity in BC Parks and Protected Areas

Many of the province's protected areas are faced with issues and challenges that are threatening their ecological health. If you work in or around parks and protected areas, or have an interest in the future of our system of protected areas, you need to know what ecological integrity means and how park agencies are hoping to achieve their management goals.  The classroom version of this course was delivered in 2001 to all BC Parks staff as a 3.5 day seminar.  Through a partnership with BCIT, the course has been converted to an on-line learning format.

If you are interested in participating please register directly online by going to the following web address:

http://www.bcit.ca/study/courses/prks3410

3. PowerPoint Tip #2:

Save your finished shows as a PowerPoint 'Show' rather than a 'Presentation'.  Almost everyone saves the last edit of their PowerPoint as a presentation--you'll recognize it by the *.ppt extension on the file name.  We do this because this is the format we use to edit the show on our home computers.  However, if you do a "save as" and then select "show" (generates file extension *.pps) rather than presentation (*.ppt), your show will be saved in a file that can be run on any computer--you don't need to have compatible versions of PowerPoint on it.  This is a great stress reliever when travelling to a conference and wondering if everything will run okay.

1. CMI News

We welcome Rob Serrouya as our newest holder of a CMI Researchers’ Memorandum of Understanding.  Currently we are assisting Rob with an application to the Endangered Species Recovery Fund, for his project Quantifying forest stand and landscape attributes that influence mountain caribou habitat fragmentation.

2. Ancillary Benefits of Re-Vegetating the Upper Arrow Reservoir Drawdown Zone

After ten years of seeding the Upper Arrow Reservoir drawdown zone to control dust, BC Hydro investigated the ancillary benefits of this program.  They have released a CD containing the reports documenting the return of plant communities and wildlife to this area  immediately south of Revelstoke.  (Those of you who attended the CMI’s 2002 Annual Researchers’ Meeting heard presentations based on these reports.)  Thanks to Ed Hill at BC Hydro, the entire CD with all the reports can now be downloaded from our web site.  It's a BIG file, 36MB when zipped.  Go to www.cmiae.org and look in Research Highlights, then go to the Biodiversity category, and click on the link.  If you have trouble downloading this file, please call me at the CMI office.

3. New Publication on Grasslands

Gayton, D. (2004) Native and non-native plant species in grazed grasslands of British Columbia's southern interior. BC Journal of Ecosystems and Management 5(1): 51-59

Available online at: http://www.forrex.org/jem/2004/vol5/no1/art6.pdf

Abstract:

Herbaceous vegetation on 17 native grassland sites in southeastern British Columbia were assessed for their proportion of native and non-native plant species.  All sites were on grazed Crown rangeland, and found within the Ponderosa Pine and Interior Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zones.  Vegetation cover values for individual species were aggregated into native and non-native categories.  Values for non-native herbaceous species at the 17 sites ranged from 0 to 84% of total herbaceous cover, with an average of 35%. When compared to ungrazed controls, results varied by site. Managers of these grasslands should review and adjust current practices to discourage not only noxious weeds, but all non-native species.

4. Meetings and Workshops

Interested in White Sturgeon?

Fisheries and Oceans Canada invites you to attend a community dialogue session in Castlegar to discuss the Species At Risk Act (SARA) legal listing of White Sturgeon.  The community dialogue will provide information and seek feedback.

Wednesday, January 19, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. at the Monte Carlo Motor Inn, 1935 Columbia Avenue in Castlegar. 

For more information call 604.666.0646, or email sara@pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

17th Annual North American Wolf Conference: Call for Papers

Pray, Montana

April 19 - 21, 2005

Papers are now being accepted for the 2005 North American Wolf Conference. The 2005 conference theme "A Decade After Reintroduction: Wolf Conservation, Conflicts and Collaboration," highlights the 10th anniversary of the wolf reintroduction to Idaho and Yellowstone. Closing date for abstracts is February 16.  More information at:

http://www.regonline.com/Checkin.asp?EventId=18446

Wetlands Institute - course

July 3-9, 2005

Victoria, BC

Participants will learn wetland mapping, inventory, and restoration techniques, all placed in a community context.  The Wetlands Institute focuses on project development and implementation.  Participants interested in building and implementing a plan for a wetland education, conservation or restoration project in their own community are encouraged to apply.

More information at:

http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/programs/wetlands/wetlandsinstitute.html

1. CMI News

Constitutional Reform

The Directors are doing a tune-up of our society’s bylaws and considering whether the constitution needs some changes.  In the ten years since the constitution was written, we have become more of an educational institution than a research institution, and this should be reflected in our constitution.  Bylaw changes relate to the use of email or faxes to notify members of meetings. If the Directors recommend changes, members will be asked to approve them by mail-in ballot prior to the Annual General Meeting in April.  (We don’t hold votes at our AGM because we recognize that our far-flung membership can’t all make it to the AGM.)

2. Mountain Caribou Web Site

The Revelstoke Caribou Recovery Committee, a local recovery group in Revelstoke, has prepared a internet resource about mountain caribou which includes the key information on government reports, census results, research papers, maps, a film clip, and other links to the latest information on mountain caribou.  One stop shopping, so to speak, at www.cityofrevelstoke.com/caribou .

3. Botanical Electronic News (BEN)

If you are a plant person you may wish to subscribe to the list serv “Botanical Electronic News” complied by Dr. Adolf Ceska in Victoria.  Includes nomenclature, reviews of new books, course information, and lots more.  Even includes the cultural aspects of botany – the last bulletin was devoted to portrayal of botanists in our past and present, and the role of botany in popular movies! 

Subscriptions: http://victoria.tc.ca/mailman/listinfo/ben-l

Send submissions to aceska@telus.net

BEN is archived at http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/ben/

4. Integrated Pest Management Act Now in Force

The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection administers the British Columbia Integrated Pest Management Act and Regulations, which: regulates the sale, use and handling of pesticides in the province; and promotes an Integrated Pest Management approach to managing pests. The Integrated Pest Management Act received Royal Assent in October, 2003 and came into force on December 31, 2004. The Act and Regulation can be viewed at the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection’s IPM website at the following address:

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/epd/epdpa/ipmp/index.html 

5. BC Mountain Goat Workshop

Prince George, British Columbia

March 1-2, 2005

The Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection, in partnership with the Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program, is hosting a BC Mountain Goat Workshop. During workshop, biologists and managers will exchange information on the current state of mountain goat research and management in British Columbia, and discuss future research needs and key management issues.  Best management practices, key management issues and research needs identified during the workshop will be used to assist in developing a provincial Mountain Goat Management Plan.  An evening presentation by guest speaker Dr. Steve Cote will be given during a group dinner on March 1.  The workshop format will be topic oriented, with presentations by invited speakers followed by a group discussion period focusing on key management issues and research needs.  Session topics include Aerial Disturbance, Forest Harvesting, Habitat Supply Modeling, Population Inventory, and Management.  Proceedings of the workshop will include presentation summaries, and a synthesis of the key management issues, research needs, and action priorities for each session topic. For more information on the workshop, contact Ian Hatter, Provincial Ungulate Specialist at 250-387-9792 ian.hatter@gems6.gov.bc.ca or Mari Wood, Peace/Williston Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program  at 250-565-4191 Mari.Wood@gems7.gov.bc.ca .

1. CMI News

Registrations are now coming in for our Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests workshop.  We have a limit of 150 people for this event, so please don’t wait until the last minute to register.  We have lined up the experts to speak about shifting biogeoclimatic zones, implications for fire, insects, caribou, and biodiversity; Ministry of Forests policy, and more.  I now have most of the abstracts in hand so if you’d like to see them please let me know.

2. Info Sessions on Lake Fertilization Programs

The Columbia Basin Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program is hosting information sessions on its lake fertilization programs in the north arm of Kootenay Lake and the Arrow Lakes Reservoir.  Learn what is involved and what the results have been, and give them your thoughts on the fertilization program.  Meetings start with an open house at 6:30 p.m. and are followed by a public presentation at 7:00 p.m.  Dates and locations are: 

March 7, Nelson Municipal Library, Victoria Street.

March 6, Kaslo Community Hall

March 14, Revelstoke Community Centre

For more information call the CBFWCP at 250 352-6874 or visit  http://www.cbfishwildlife.org/

3. List Serv for University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group

The climate update list serve provides a means for individuals to receive periodic research updates, meeting announcements, and other information related to planning for climate variability and change in the Pacific Northwest from the University of Washington's Climate Impacts Group.  The Climate Impacts Group pays attention to the Canadian portion of the Columbia Basin.  Join the list serv at http://mailman1.u.washington.edu/mailman/listinfo/climateupdate  Some of you will remember Alan Hamlet and Philip Mote from this group; they presented at our Climate Change in the Columbia Basin workshop in 2003. You can visit the Climate Impacts Group web site at http://www.cses.washington.edu/cig/

4. Workshops

Researchers in Humanities, Social Sciences, Fine Arts, Business, and Education are needed to develop environmental research projects in the South Okanagan.

Friday, March 18, 2005, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Penticton Campus, Okanagan University College

583 Duncan Ave W, Penticton BC

The South Okanagan-Similkameen region of British Columbia has been identified as one of the most endangered ecosystems in Canada.  The region is under pressure from urban and agricultural development, as well as the creation of a new national park.  The South Okanagan is home to at least 42 species of plants and animals that are currently listed as nationally endangered, threatened or vulnerable.   The human and natural worlds are in collision. Academic research in the South Okanagan has been dominated by scientific study and community - driven habitat preservation and rehabilitation projects.  The goal of this workshop is to spark interest in conservation research projects amongst groups of academics who might not normally consider ecologically-focussed studies and publications.  Humanities, Social Science, Fine Arts, Education and Business creative, critical and analytical skills are needed.  At least three of the research clusters for The University of British Columbia Okanagan focus on the environment 1) Creativity, Culture and Community-- Economy, Culture and Space; 2) Indigenous Studies; 3) Sustainability. 

For information on registration, guest speakers, and the schedule of events, go to www.artsecology.org .

Phone Nancy Holmes at (250) 494-0439 for more information, or email nholmes@ouc.bc.ca .

The Land Trust & Stewardship Seminar Series 2005

March 17-20, 2005

Naramata Centre

Each year, the Land Trust Alliance of BC hosts a Seminar Series for people interested in stewardship and conservation.  The public is invited to take part in workshops and presentations on legal tools for land protection, including conservation covenants, First Nations stewardship experiences, stewardship options on farmland and in urban areas, new funding strategies, and changes to environmental and species protection legislation.  Site visits to nearby stewardship projects will give participants a chance to see some of the Okanagan's exciting conservation initiatives at work, and will also give a sense for some of the common challenges to conservation in this area.  A 1.5-day pre-conference Baseline Inventory Monitoring workshop is offered on March 17-18th. The LTA will help with travel arrangements. Travel subsidies are available.  

For all the details visit:  www.landtrustalliance.bc.ca/seminarseries.html

5. PowerPoint Tips

Keep to approximately one minute per slide -- Keep your audience visually stimulated by change slides at least once a minute.

Minimize the number of bullets per slide -- Split your points up onto several slides, and keep on changing 'em!

Minimize the number of words per slide --Your slide should be a summary of your key "take home" points, not a word-by-word account of your talk. If you find yourself reading verbatim from your slide, that's a danger signal. (Read from your hand held notes, but not from the slide.)

Minimize use of animation between slides and other bells and whistles -- These can be distracting and interfere with the flow of thoughts.

1. CMI News

Over the winter the CMI Directors re-drafted the CMI’s Constitution and Bylaws.  These documents were prepared about ten years ago, and it’s time for them to be updated. The revisions, as recommended by our Directors, will be sent to you along with a mail-in ballot.  Most of our membership won’t be attending the Annual General Meeting on April 26 so we prefer to use the postal system ftp seek your approval for the revisions.

About half of the 150 seats available at the “Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests” workshop are taken.  If you plan to register please do so soon, as we expect registrations to pick up quickly now that “March Madness” is over and the new fiscal year has started for many of you. 

2. Best Management Practices for Recreation Activities on Grasslands Now Available

Best Management Practices for Recreation Activities on Grasslands is now available at the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection’s Guidelines and Best Management Practices website: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/bmp/grasslands_th_ok_bmp.pdf

The Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia, in partnership with the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection facilitated the development of this document with a wide range of commercial and non-commercial recreation interests.  The BMP document was developed with input and careful review from over 40 organizations resulting in a comprehensive code of practice developed by the user, for the user.  The BMP document focuses on: grasslands in the Thompson and Okanagan Basins ('interior grasslands'); 12 recreational activity types; and both motorized and non-motorized forms of recreation.

3. Web Mapping Application of the Species at Risk Web Site is now online

On December 16th 2004, the Web Mapping Application of the Species at Risk Web Site was re-activated. The main purpose of this web mapping application is to assist users to identify endangered, threatened, and special concern species that occur in geographic areas of interest (Currently only SARA Schedule 1 species are available, as this remains work in progress). The application interface and base data has been improved, but more importantly, the species distribution data has been completely revised for greater quality and consistency.  To access the Species at Risk Web Mapping Application, please go to:

http://www.speciesatrisk.gc.ca/map/default_e.cfm .  

4. New Book

Biological Control of Invasive Plants of the United States

Edited by Eric M. Coombs, Janet K. Clark, Gary L. Piper, and Alfred F. Cofrancesco, Jr.
2004.  448 pages. Full-color photographs. Paperback, $45.00 (US)

http://oregonstate.edu/dept/press/a-b/BioControl.html

Undesirable invasive plants are infesting public and private lands and waterways in the US at an alarming rate. Various methods are used to suppress these non-native weeds, from herbicides to burning to cultivation. Classical biological control-in which selected host-specific, plant-attacking insects, mites, nematodes, and pathogens are introduced from the invasive plant's native lands provides an additional tool for land managers. In this book, leading experts review the discipline of biological control of invasive terrestrial and aquatic plants. Topics addressed include ecology, safety testing, non-target impacts, and the processes of identifying, introducing, distributing, and monitoring biological control agents.

5. Workshops and Courses

Managing Forested Viewscapes: Public Expectations, Operational Challenges and International Perspective
April 19-20, 2005

Kamloops, BC

The objective of this conference is to share information about visual impact issues in a variety of domestic and international jurisdictions. The event will provide practitioners with the latest information on innovative operational approaches, research results, and BC’s visual resource management framework.  Over the course of two days, using a mix of plenary and concurrent sessions, they will focus on take-home messages by presenting information on key issues relevant to both practitioners and researchers.  For details visit:

http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/fordev/conference.htm

Canadian Youth Climate Change Conference

July 3-6, 2005

Royal Roads University, Victoria BC

Climate Change is the challenge of a generation and the opportunity of a lifetime.  This summer, 15-20 years olds will join inspiring world leaders to develop solutions to climate change. Objectives of the workshop are: give youth the knowledge of the root causes of climate change; challenge youth to rethink how society operates, searching for sustainable alternatives; give youth the support structure, tool kit, and mentorship to develop Action Plans; create an active network of Canadian youth to support effective action after the event.  For details go to:

http://www.yc3.net/

Announcement and Call for Papers

Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network

National Science Meeting

November 20-26, 2005

Penticton, British Columbia

Environment Canada’s Ecological Monitoring & Assessment Network Coordinating Office is pleased to announce the Call for Papers and Posters for the 2005 EMAN National Science Meeting to take place November 20-26 in Penticton, BC.  Building on the results of the 2004 meeting in Quebec City (summary at http://www.eman-rese.ca/eman/reports/meetings/national2004/summary.html), the theme of the 2005 meeting will be Sustainability at the Landscape Scale: Supporting the Process through Multi-party Stakeholder Participation

Papers are also sought to contribute toward the following special sessions held in conjunction with the EMAN science meeting:

• The Canadian Society of Landscape Ecology and Management Annual Meeting; and, 

• Workshop on Monitoring Alien Species in the Urban/Forest Interface

For details go to:

http://www.eman-rese.ca/eman/

1. CMI News

Annual General Meeting and Annual Report

Our AGM was held on April 26 as part of the climate change workshop.  We reviewed the Annual Report, which is now available on-line at www.cmiae.org in the About CMI section. Note that the on-line version does not include the financial statement. The statement is available to members - just call me at the office.  We also announced the results of the vote for our revised Constitution and Bylaws.  The new versions were approved.  You can view the new Constitution on-line, www.cmiae.org in the About CMI section.

Directors for 2005-2006

Three of our Directors have retired from their positions.  Many thanks to Garth Mowat and Ed Hill for serving terms as CMI Directors and thanks also to Bruce McLellan, who was a founding Director when CMI was established ten years ago.  CMI relies heavily on the expertise and energy of its volunteer Board, and we are grateful for the time that these three folks have put into our organization.

We welcome a new Director to our Board.  Evelyn Hamilton is Manager of Wildlife and Range for the Ministry of Forests, in Victoria.  Evelyn has her finger on the pulse of many research projects across the province and will be a key person in keeping our events connected to current issues and research.  Evelyn also brings her personal interest in non-timber forest products.

Our list of Directors for 2005-2006 is as follows:

• Ian Adams - President

• Karen Bray

• Patrick Daigle

• Jenny Feick

• Evelyn Hamilton

• Susan Hall - Secretary

• Rachel Holt

• Ian Parfitt

• Chris Steeger

• Del Williams - Treasurer

• Brendan Wilson – Vice President

• Guy Woods

• John Woods

Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests Workshop

About 115 registrants (plus two classes of Revelstoke high school students that dropped in for a few hours to see what a science conference is like) attended our workshop.  Participants heard what the climate models are predicting, what the implications are for flora, fauna, and ecosystems, and heard about approaches on how to plan for an uncertain future.  A workshop summary will be available as a free download at our web site in a month or so. Take home messages?  Climate change is definitely happening; ecosystems will unravel and BEC zones will take a long time to re-establish in new areas, if they do at all; identify where your resources and management plans are vulnerable to climate change and develop coping strategies; plan for uncertainty.

2. Job Postings

The RNS Newsletter (see item further down in today’s update) lists the following sites as places to check for environment-related job postings.  They may not have postings at present but check back regularly. Postings are for a variety of skill levels.

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
www.spec.bc.ca/job/index.php

The Land Conservancy
www.conservancy.bc.ca/regioncontent.php?regionack=vi§ionack=employment

Civic Info BC
www.civicinfo.bc.ca/16.asp

Canadian Environmental Jobs site
www.canadianenvironmental.com/envirojobs/

Jobs for Nature and Heritage Interpreters and Eco Tour Guides
www.naturepark.com/jobs/

Jobs in Environmental Companies in British Columbia
www.ejobs.org/states/brccom.html

British Columbia Government Postings site
www.postings.gov.bc.ca/index.html

Federal Government search site
www.jobsetc.ca/toolbox/job_search/jobSearch.do?lang=e

Federal Government

http://www.jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/alljobs_e.htm

3. Mountain Caribou Sightings near Revelstoke

The local Revelstoke Caribou Recovery Committee has been collecting information on caribou sightings in the Revelstoke area.  This is anecdotal information but it’s a way of keeping “the locals” aware of where the caribou are and what they are doing.  Del Williams at the Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation has compiled the 34 sightings into a spread sheet, and you can ask him for a copy (del@rcfc.bc.ca). He can describe how the sightings are collected.

4. Maps Web site – Zoomable satellite views of North America

www.maps.google.com

This web site is a simple but neat site that would be suitable for school children or ecologists who are satellite photo junkies. It provides street maps of North America (sort of like Mapquest) but the fun part is to then switch to the satellite version of the same map.  Zoom in on the area you’d like to see, using the street and highway maps to get you fairly close. Then click on the word “satellite” in the top right hand corner. The highway map switches to a satellite map. Cool!  Some areas, for example Greater Vancouver, have higher definition satellite photos. You can see the trees in front of people’s houses.
 

5. Publications of Interest

Partners in Flight North American Landbird Conservation Plan

This plan provides a continental synthesis of priorities and objective that will guide landbird conservation actions at national and international scales.  The scope for this Plan is the 448 species of native landbirds that regularly breed in the U.S. and Canada.  To view the plan, go to:

http://www.partnersinflight.org/cont_plan/default.htm

Restoration of Natural Ecosystems Newsletter

http://web.uvic.ca/~emj/rns/

Recent CMI Member Eva Johansson produces a very interesting on-line newsletter out of the Restoration of Natural Systems Program at the University of Victoria.  Current and archived issues of the RNS newsletter are available at the above web site address. Contact Eva at rnseditor@uvcs.uvic.ca  to be notified each time a newsletter is posted.

New e-journal: Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy

(I picked this item up from the RNS newsletter, as noted above)

Sustainability: Science, Practice, & Policy, a new peer-reviewed, open access journal, has launched publication.  The purpose of this project is to develop a Sustainability Science database that examines the countless interactions of all living entities, especially humans, with the Earth and its environment. Accessible at http://ejournal.nbii.org/ , the e-journal provides a platform for the dissemination of new practices and for dialogue emerging out of the field of sustainability. It is published as part of an ambitious government/private industry partnership between the USGS-coordinated National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) www.nbii.gov and NBII partner CSA www.csa.com.

FORREX’s Streamline Watershed Management Bulletin

Spring 2005 issue now available online

Download it at:

http://www.forrex.org/Streamline/ISS29/streamline_vol8_no2.pdf

The contents of Vol. 8 No. 2 are:

Salt Dilution Gauging for Streamflow Measurement Part III - Slug Injection Using Salt in Solution

An Inexpensive, Automatic Gravity-fed Water Sampler for Investigating Water Quality in Small Streams

Live Gravel Bar Staking Channel Stabilization in the Lower Elk River

A Qualitative Hydro-Geomorphic Risk Analysis for British Columbia's Interior Watersheds: A Discussion Paper

Re-creating Meandering Streams in the Central Oregon Coast Range, USA

Results of Streamline Reader Survey 2004

Update - Events / New Publications

6. Workshops and Courses

Sensitive Habitat Inventory Mapping Course (SHIM)

May, 2005  (Three Days)

Selkirk College, Castlegar

Selkirk College is collecting names of people who want this course.  Call Louise Porto   (lporto@selkirk.ca or (250) 365-7292 x348) to express your interest.

The SHIM method is a standard for fish and aquatic habitat mapping in urban and rural watersheds in British Columbia.  This course teaches the participant to collect data using global position systems (GPS) and map reliable, high quality, current, and spatially accurate information about local freshwater habitats and watercourses.  Requirements: GPS Training for Field Operators.  Fee: $400 (includes all manuals and materials) 

Workshop on Post-Wildfire Watershed Rehabilitation in BC

June 8, 2005

Kelowna, BC

This workshop focuses on post-wildfire watershed rehabilitation techniques in a British Columbia context. The workshop will present case studies on the effects of wildfire on watershed processes and detail the efficiency and types of rehabilitation techniques applied in BC. Workshop talks will also examine the effectiveness of post-wildfire rehabilitation techniques used in other jurisdictions (i.e., PNW USA). Although the focus of the workshop is on water and soil resources, other issues germane to the successful application of rehabilitation techniques in BC (e.g., ecosystem, vegetation, and biodiversity) will be discussed.

More information: http://www.forrex.org/events/Post_Wildfire_Rehabilitation_Workshop_First_Announcement.pdf

Contact person: Robin Pike robin.pike@forrex.org phone (250) 387-5887

Canadian Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Network – Annual Meeting

September 16-19, 2005.

Ottawa ON

Presentations and posters for the CARCNET annual meeting are open to all aspects of the conservation biology of amphibians and reptiles and herpetological research (e.g., population and metapopulation dynamics, genetics, diseases, commercial harvest, status assessment, recovery plans, monitoring, habitat protection, etc.).  Presentations on public education projects and ethics are also welcome.  For  more information about CARCNET and (limited) information about the  2005 annual meeting, please visit http://www.carcnet.ca/

1. CMI News

CMI Executive Positions

The following people have accepted positions on the CMI Executive committee:

• Brendan Wilson, President

• Ian Adams, Vice President

• Del Williams, Treasurer

• Susan Hall, Secretary.

Our Statistics for Biologists Refresher Courses are both finished.  We held a course in Revelstoke on May 31-June 2 and another in Castlegar on June 7-9.  (The course in Castlegar was held at the request of the Golder office located there, and we filled the extra spots with people on the standby list for the Revelstoke course.)  Dr.Carl Schwarz, the professor from SFU who instructs the course, is developing more courses for staff at the Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection.  CMI will eventually be able to make them available to non-government people.  These include one or multiple day courses on mark-recapture, trend analysis, and analysis of time-series data.

Should CMI events become “Carbon Neutral”?

At our April workshop titled “Implications of Climate Change in BC’s Southern Interior Forests”, a participant approached me to ask whether CMI had considered a carbon-neutral policy for our events.  The answer is: no, we haven’t.  Although the concept is commendable it’s hard to think beyond carpooling as a practical answer.  But perhaps there is a CMI member who would like to think more on this, and draft up a few ideas?  Please contact Jackie at the CMI office 250-837-9311 if you are interested.  Here are two web sites to get you thinking:

http://www.davidsuzuki.org/Climate_Change/What_You_Can_Do/carbon_neutral.asp

http://www.cerc04.org/energy/index.html

Upcoming CMI Events

Identification of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk - October 18-20 2005 at Cranbrook

Communications Planning for Species at Risk - October 20 2005 at Cranbrook, in partnership with FORREX

Creating Bear Smart Communities - November 2-3, 2005 Revelstoke

GPS Collars and Wildlife Studies - May 9-10, at Castlegar, Selkirk College in partnership with CMI

Recovering Caribou Populations in Mountain Ecosystems - Late May 2006, event in planning stages.

Bear Conservation in a Fast-Changing North America  - October 24-27 2006, Revelstoke, event in early planning stage. 

2. Climate, Decision-Making, and Biodiversity Research Project

The objective of a new research project at the University of British Columbia is to aid decision-making for forestry, fisheries, and biodiversity preservation in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest, within the context of climate change.  One of the projects being developed is for biodiversity preservation and parks along the US-Canada border in the Rockies and Purcell Ranges.  The research will examine three specific locations involving different kinds of land use and protected area planning for: potential park expansion; land use next to an existing ecological reserve; and the influence of a new large-scale ski area on an existing wilderness park.  For more information, contact Dr. Tim McDaniels, Institute for Resources, Environment, and Sustainability, UBC, 604-822-9288, timmcd@interchange.ubc.ca .  The project is part of a wider collaboration between UBC and Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.  You can see more at www.cdmc.epp.cmu.edu/.

3. Documents On-Line

Climate Change Adaptation for Park Managers

This article reviews past, current, and future climate change to make the point that climate change is real and inevitable.  The bulk of the article then summarizes relevant and feasible actions that ecosystem managers may consider in adapting to climate change.

Welch, D., 2005.  What should protected areas managers do in the face of climate change?  George Wright Forum 22(1):75-93.  You can download a PDF version from www.georgewright.org .  Click the link to the Forum journal and scroll down the page.

Best Management Practices for Amphibians and Reptiles in Urban and Rural Environments in BC

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/BMP/herptile/HerptileBMP_final.pdf (PDF 620KB)

This is a comprehensive information source and guide.  It sets out Best Management Practices designed to help maintain the viability of native amphibian and reptile populations in urban and rural areas of British Columbia subject to land development activities.  Its primary purpose is to provide developers, consultants, landscape architects, local and regional governments, urban planners, land use managers and the public with the practical, cost-effective tools and supporting scientific information necessary for mitigating development activity impacts on amphibian and reptile populations in the province. Although often highly modified, urban and rural habitats can still provide important habitat for reptile species and amphibians.  Measures to help maintain the viability of these native wildlife species are described in this report. 

Invasive Alien Species Framework for BC: Identifying and Addressing Threats to Biodiversity (PDF 1.77MB)

http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/wld/documents/alien_species_framework_BC_0205.pdf

This is a background document on invasive alien species issues that affect biodiversity in British Columbia.  It sets out a framework for the use of science, and coordinated involvement of partners, to address the threats to BC's environment and economy posed by invasive alien species.  Conservation biologists have globally ranked invasive alien species as the second most serious threat to species at risk after habitat destruction.  Collaborative leadership, organization, and action are key to addressing invasive alien species concerns in British Columbia.

BC Reptiles web site

http://www.bcreptiles.ca/

This website is hosted by Thompson Rivers University and BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection. It was designed to provide information on British Columbia’s reptiles to members of the public, devoted naturalists, professionals, students, and even young children with an interest in these animals. Includes recommendations for field books and other web sites.

4. Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee – New Group Forms

The Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee recently formed because of concerns about invasive plants in the region.  This non-profit society is comprised of government, utility companies, NGO's, and members at large and is focused on raising awareness about invasive plants and their impacts on local ecosystems.  The Committee will undertake activities from Creston to Rossland and north to Nakusp, including developing extension materials (e.g. brochure, website, display booth), conducting inventories of highly invasive plant species, and promoting a collaborative approach to management.  For more information on the Central Kootenay Invasive Plant Committee, call 250-352-1160, invasiveplants@uniserve.com.

5. Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies  - Web Site Opens

http://www.wildlifebc.org

The primary function of the Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies is to operate and maintain the Wildlife Data Centre, the location for gathering, compiling, archiving, and summarizing information on wildlife in British Columbia.  The initial concept for establishing a central repository for all wildlife information in British Columbia was originally conceived by Wayne Campbell and Michael Preston in 1998.  In August 2004, after years of gathering information from the public domain, the Biodiversity Centre for Wildlife Studies was formally established.  The formation of the Society was based on the recognition that no registered society or government agency in British Columbia was presently compiling and archiving historical and current information on all wildlife in the province.  By recognizing the need for information to make informed decisions about wildlife conservation and management, the Society was formed to fulfill this need by way of a comprehensive collection of wildlife information.

6. Workshops and Courses

Restoration of Freshwater Aquatic Systems (course)

July 11-15, 05

University of Victoria

The objective of this one week course in Restoration of Freshwater Aquatic Systems will be to discuss and review the different physical/chemical/biological components of a number of general freshwater systems including: Riparian areas, Streams, Rivers, Lakes, Wetlands, Offchannel areas, and Estuaries.  Our course will be a combination of understanding function and dysfunction, approaches used to identify disturbance/degradation and develop of a tool kit of potential restoration strategies and specific techniques used in freshwater aquatic systems.  More information from:  Mark Johannes,  250-472-4569 at UVIC, mark@fishclimate.ca.

Seeing the Forest Beneath the Trees: An introductory workshop on non-timber forest products

July 5-6, 2005 East Kootenay Workshop at College of the Rockies

July 7-8, 2005 West Kootenay Workshop at Selkirk College

BC forest communities are seeking new sources of long-term economic well being.  Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) include wild foods, decorative greens, ecotourism, natural health products and native plants for landscaping and restoration. This two day workshop will provide an introduction to this diverse sector, including how to recognize plant species, wreath and tincture making demonstrations, how we can incorporate NTFPs into forest management and the economy, and a hands-on demonstration of community-based NTFP inventory.  This workshop will be of interest to entrepreneurs, forest land owners and managers, and community development organizations both aboriginal and non-aboriginal.  Presented by: Kootenays Forest Innovation Society and the Centre for Non-Timber Resources Workshop at Royal Roads University.  Price: $119.00 with limited scholarships available. For more information, view our website at www.kfis.ca or contact Michael Keefer Email (preferred): Mkeefer@kfis.ca.

Centre for Non-Timber Forest Products Hosts Events

August 25-29, 2005 

Victoria BC

An international Non-Timber Forest Products conference and trade show attracting non-timber forest resource experts and exhibitors from around the world and throughout BC is being hosted by Royal Roads University in Victoria.  Details are at http://www.ntfpconference.ca . The event includes:

• A Future Beneath the Trees Symposium:  An International Symposium on Non-timber Forest Products, Community Economic Development and Forest Conservation. 

• Buy BC Wild Conference: BC Industry Conference for Buyers and Sellers of non-timber forest products

• International Trade Show and Public Exhibition of non timber forest products,

Making the Best Use of Ecosystem Mapping

Prince George BC

November 7-9, 2005

In the past ten years, millions of dollars have been spent throughout British Columbia on various forms of ecosystem mapping.  It is estimated that over 60% of BC now has some form of large scale ecosystem mapping complete.  This conference will be the first major forum to bring practitioners together to learn about the many existing and potential uses of ecosystem mapping.  Details are at: 

http://www.forrex.org/home/Ecosystem_Mapping_Workshop_1st_Notice.pdf

7. Kootenay Community Bat Project - Got Bats?

The Kootenay Community Bat Project, which began as the Slocan Valley Bat Project last year, is continuing as a community-based approach to bat inventory and conservation.  Funded by the Columbia Basin Trust, the goals of the project are to: 1) identify local bat species, 2) promote the conservation and enhancement of roost sites, and 3) work with landowners to develop roost conservation strategies.  Last year the project identified roost sites for the blue-listed Townsend's big-eared bat, including the largest maternity colony known in the West Kootenay.  For more information or to report bat roost sites: Phone (250) 352-2260, Email kootenaybats@uniserve.com, or see www.kootenaybats.com