Trashy But Flashy

The public is invited to obtain information about and comment on the draft Application Information Requirements which will specify the studies to be conducted and the detailed information to be provid

Title: Water Resources Research Assistant (1 placement available)

Terms of Employment: Seasonal, Full-Time Contract (potential to return in subsequent years of the project)

Biggest year ever for classes, warmest year for weather

Let’s encourage B.C. to take the next two. . .

Wildsight designs Climate Mitigation and Adaptation plans with community 

Pesticide-Free Kimberley Coalition is delighted by the February 8 council vote 

Members of Pesticide-Free Kimberley are grateful that Kimberley City Council voted to adopt a cosmetic pest

Conservation Groups Cheer B.C. and Montana for Going for "Conservation Gold”

Pre-Olympic throne speech has big news for wildlife, water and wilderness in B.C.'s Rockies.   

The news was unexpected—and it was big. The Province of British Columbia today announced a ban on all mining, oil and gas development in B.C.’s Flathead River Valley. The ban was announced by Lt.-Gov. Steven Point in a speech from the throne taking place just days before the start of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in Vancouver.

The ban satisfies a major goal conservation groups have been working toward for several years in their bid to protect the globally-significant values of the Flathead River Valley.

"Mining, oil and gas development and coalbed gas extraction will not be permitted in British Columbia’s Flathead Valley," said Point.

John Bergenske, executive director of Wildsight, praised the government’s initiative and saw it as a first step in thoroughly protecting the Flathead.

“This is an important announcement,” Bergenske said. “We applaud the government for doing the right thing for the Flathead River Valley. It’s a giant step, it’s in the right direction."

“We hope the government continues to listen to British Columbians and soon takes action to protect the Flathead permanently—in the form of a National Park and Wildlife Management Area,” said Sarah Cox, Sierra Club BC spokesperson.

Conservation groups urge that two further steps are critically important to the integrity of the Flathead/Crown of the Continent ecosystem. This ecosystem contains British Columbia’s most endangered river, the world’s first international peace park, and a biological richness that has scientists around the world supporting its protection.

“We look forward to working further with the provincial government to protect—in the strongest ways possible—the ecosystem and wildlife connectivity in the Rocky Mountains,” Bergenske said. “The next step is to connect the Flathead through the spine of the Rockies as a provincial wildlife management area so that wildlife values are adequately managed from Waterton-Glacier in the south to Banff/Jasper/Yoho/Kootenay in the north.”

Chloe O’Loughlin, executive director of CPAWS-BC, highlighted the century-old idea to create a Canadian national park in a portion of the Flathead River Valley.

“We believe it’s time for the government to heed the wishes of Canadians and create a national park in the lower one-third of B.C.’s Flathead River Valley,” she said. “This park would complete the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park and World Heritage Site/Biosphere Reserve and maintain healthy wildlife populations in the face of climate change and habitat degradation.”

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, the Sierra Club BC and Wildsight are encouraged by the provincial government’s announcement.

“It is the right move for the government to make,” Cox said. “Now we’re looking for them to complete the package—by creating a wildlife management area that protects connectivity and by establishing a national park—so the core values of the Flathead River Valley are protected for all Canadians and the world.”

 

Contact:

John Bergenske, Wildsight Executive Director: (250) 422-3566 - john@wildsight.ca 
Sarah Cox, Sierra Club BC: (250) 386-5255 x. 257, c. (250) 812-1762 - sarah@sierraclub.bc.ca 
 Chloe O’ Loughlin, CPAWS-BC: (604) 685-7445 × 23 - chloe@cpawsbc.org

 

Start: Feb 8 2010 3:29 pm Start: Feb 8 2010 3:29 pm

Freedom Riders, a core group of riders who evolved to creating a precedent setting relationship with the Forest Service and in doing so created the first freeride specific trails on public lands in the lower 48.

Freedom Riders a look at the evolution of the sport, the progression of trail users, and an inside story of a group of riders that would never see their passion die.
THEY ARE THE FREEDOM RIDERS...

For more information on the Fernie Mountain Film Festival and to buy your tickets visit www.ferniefilmfestival.com

Start: 03/15/2010 - 19:00

 Award winning chef, Michael Stadtländer's ISLAND PROJECT lavishes his local guests with the delectable creations of his edible art made with locally raised and foraged ingredients, creating seven dinners on four BC islands joined by local artists, farmers, environmentalists and loggers.

Visit www.allfernie.ca to learn more about this amazing, inspiring film.

 

Start: 04/22/2010 - 00:00

Come out and help clean up the Wilmer Slough!  No really, its better than it sounds....

For more information contact Ron Clarke - rvclarke@shaw.ca

Start: 02/02/2010 - 18:30 Invermere is Facing Up To Climate Change! Find Out How With Invermere's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction & Climate Adaptation Plans Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010 - 6:30 PM Pynelogs Cultural Centre, Invermere

1720 4th Ave, Adjacent to Kinsmen Beach

Check out recent research and recommendations on climate adaptation in Invermere. What are some of our challenges around projected temperatures and precipitation?

Find out about our emissions profile, and the targets and strategies developed to reduce our GHG emissions.

Hear some information presentations about the project, and plans for a sustainable future from Mayor of Invermere, Gerry Taft.   Hosted by Wildsight in partnership with the District of Invermere. Funding for this project is from the LaSalle Adams Fund.

 

Start: 04/06/2010 - 14:29

Lesley Anderton, retired geologist from Selkirk College returns to Creston with a fascinating presentation on Bathurst Inlet, an oasis of wildflowers, birds, and wildlife. Inuit sites and interesting geology add to the adventure.

All presentations take place at Rotacrest Hall next to the Rec. Centre.
7:00 pm to 9:15 pm
$6.00 entry fee to cover costs.
Everyone welcome.

Start: 03/09/2010 - 14:27

Volunteer community steward, Melissa Fuller from Yahk, will discuss the conservation opportunities and challenges in the Hawkins and Yahk River drainages that lie in the transboundary region of the Southern Purcell Wildlife Corridor.

Wildsight Creston Valley Branch Annual General Meeting to follow.

 

All presentations take place at Rotacrest Hall next to the Rec. Centre.
7:00 pm to 9:15 pm
$6.00 entry fee to cover costs.
Everyone welcome.

Start: 02/09/2010 - 14:25

Join Kimberley-based wildlife biologist, wilderness guide, and adventure photographer Dave Quinn for an evening of exploration of the culture, wildlife, and wild scenery of the Pacific Northwest, the high Arctic, and the Patagonian Atlantic coasts from the cockpit of a sea kayak.

All presentations take place at Rotacrest Hall next to the Rec. Centre. 
7:00 pm to 9:15 pm
$6.00 entry fee to cover costs.
Everyone welcome.

Bikes are about to be taxed an additional 7% with the implementation of the HST.

Sign the petition to stop it here - http://www.squeakywheels.ca/

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In conjunction with  ‘Building Sustainability: A Green Homes and Renovations’ conference, in Kimberley this weekend, you are invited to attend the Green Building Showcase, taking place at the College of the Rockies, Kimberly Campus from noon until 5 pm. on Saturday, January 30.
 
Wildsight and the Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council will be bringing together 23 exhibitors from around the region to showcase their products, services and information relevant to a variety of green elements in both home building and renovating.  Exhibits will feature everything from renewable energy sources and system designers, energy saving products, timber framers, sustainable landscaping products and services, to builders showcasing their building techniques which will save homeowners energy and reduce their carbon footprints, including Built Green homes and high efficiency LEED for Homes homes.

Also featured at the showcase will be a slide show highlighting green building techniques used in homes in and around the Kimberley area, from green renovations including upgrading insulation, windows, use of recycled and reclaimed materials, to a yurt, straw bale homes, reclaimed buildings, solar heating and more.

This is a great opportunity to see what is going on in our region in ‘Building Sustainability’.  Whether you are in the market to build or renovate your home, or are a tradesperson, realtor, building inspector, find out what is happening in green building and why. Meet the people, see the products, and see what can and is being done to make homes more energy efficient, and ultimately make our homes and communities more sustainable.

Conference partners include the City of Kimberley and the College of the Rockies and Wildsight is grateful for the financial support of the Columbia Basin Trust, a regional corporation created to deliver social, economic and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin.  For more information, please see www.wildsight.ca, or call 250.427.2535.

 

By Larry Pynn, Vancouver Sun