Message from Aaron Deans - the OCCP Interim Coordinator
It is conservation successes like the Sage and Sparrow Conservation Project recently announced by Nature Conservancy Canada that highlights the tremendous work done by many of our partners. Though these newly acquired properties near Osoyoos are outside the immediate vicinity of OCCP interests, knowing that conservation efforts can result in significant public benefit and interest can renew our focus, enthusiasm and commitment to maintaining regional biodiversity and ecological connectivity throughout the Okanagan. As an extension of our knowledge and understanding of nature and ecosystems, the OCCP is currently exploring the opportunity to develop an Okanagan Basin Environmental Educators Network that will support educators and the creation of educational programs linked to the environmental science of Okanagan landscapes. If you are interested in this initiative I encourage you to contact us. It is through collaboration and connecting with link-minded organizations and people that we will increase our collective capacity and further our achievement of in-common nature-related goals.
However you enjoy it, winter is a wonderful time of year to go outside and be in nature with friends and family; no season is without its compensation.
Feature OCCP Partners
Central & North Okanagan Naturalist Clubs
Each year between December 14th and January 5th the North and Central Okanagan Naturalist Clubs, along with volunteer bird watchers far and wide, participate in a Christmas Bird Count. These counts are carried out within a 24-km diameter circle that stays the same from year to year. For more information on Christmas Bird Counts in Canada, please check the Bird Studies Canada website.
Feature Project
Photo Credit - RDNO
RDNO - Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan
The Regional District of North Okanagan is coordinating the development of the Shuswap River Watershed Sustainability Plan. The purpose of the plan is to;
1) Create a common long-term vision for the management of the Shuswap River Watershed
2) Create a comprehensive plan that will guide agencies and the community in decision making with regard to land and water planning within the Shuswap River Watershed; and
3) Develop a sense of responsibility within the community for the Watershed.
For more information on the plan and next steps - visit OKCP.
OCCP Project Updates
Project Updates to Dec 9, 2012 by Susan Latimer
Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (OCCP) General: The mapping and methodology for the project draft has been reviewed and Caslys is now finalizing the report. RDNO is already using some of the mapping results and both RDCO and RDNO are waiting for the shapefiles so they can be used for upcoming planning initiatives.
The next step is to present the results of the North and Central Okanagan mapping and methodology report and current status of the biodiversity conservation strategy to councils between January and March 2013. Arrangements are currently being made to set up presentation times.
Aaron and Susan were present for the SOSCP AGM where they unveiled the release of their South Okanagan Similkameen Biodiversity Conservation Strategy “Keeping Nature in Our Future” December 5th. Bryn is anxiously waiting for funds secured from Great Northern Landscape Cooperative (GNLCC) for the Basin wrap up. When arrangements have been finalized to get the US funds to Canada, the data and mapping from both the OCCP and SOSCP Biodiversity Conservation Strategies will be used to start wrapping basin mapping and statistics.
Mapping: As noted above the mapping is complete and methodology report is close to completion. Once complete it will be uploaded to the BC Ecological Reports Catalogue (Ecocat) and the OCCP site.
Documents: Alison Peatt is now working on the second draft of the connectivity document after receiving feedback on the 1st version and the vision document. We expect to review the 2nd draft at the next Biodiversity Conservation Strategy steering committee meeting in late January.
Case Studies/Pilots: Susan and Brooke met several times in the last month or so to discuss the Vernon OCP case study. We are currently waiting for Brooke to provide a one pager on the outline.
Susan also met with RDCO Parks to develop their case study. Parks has put together the criteria they want to look at for the study and an estimate has been received from Caslys. We have since had a discussion with RDCO about possible funding options.
Funding Reporting: All required reporting is complete and we are still waiting on funds to be received.
New Funding: Susan is still looking for additional funding to finish connectivity document which is planned as an appendix to the Biodiversity Conservation Strategy. It will have an Okanagan focus but we hope to find additional funding to also develop it so that it will also fit as an appendix to the Green Bylaws toolkit. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in moving to stage 2 REF funding at this time. In January the project will be reworked based on feedback and possibly submitted at the next intake.
The Kalamalka and Wood Lakes Aquatic Habitat Index (AHI): We have received input on the draft documents and map and the final documents have just been received from Ecoscape. Once reviewed for requested changes steps will be taken to upload data and documents to the website in January. Presentation dates have also been finalized. GVAC Jan. 3rd, Coldstream Council Jan. 14th and the District of Lake Country Council Meeting Jan. 15th .
All Things Natural project update
Small Change Fund recently granted the All Things Natural project funding in the amount of $1,750.00. This money will go towards building a public on-line searchable database that will contain seasonally and regionally relevant nature-oriented information. The database, once developed, will be made available to public to search by key word and connect with facts about Okanagan nature. In the meantime, if you have questions about the natural world that you would like to have answered please submit questions to: askanaturalist@gmail.com.
News and Upcoming Events
Introducing - Keeping Nature in Our Future
After three years of intensive work, the South Okanagan Similkameen Biodiversity Conservation Strategy entitled "Keeping Nature in Our Future" as well as supporting materials are available on the SOSCPweb site. The next steps of the strategy include engaging the public and key stakeholders and completing an implementation plan.
Photo credit - Aaron Deans
An Educators Network for the Okanagan Basin
Recognizing the vital role that education plays in achieving the goal of ecological sustainability, the OCCP is exploring the opportunity to develop a basin-wide educators’ network. The Okanagan Basin Environmental Educators Network (OBEEN) is intended to support environmental education in the Okanagan by facilitating connections with other educators, promoting the sharing of information, resources and skills between educators and public and further encouraging delivery of engaging and environmental-science-based education programs throughout the Okanagan Basin. If you are interested in this initiative we want to hear from you, please drop us a line. We’ll keep you informed of progress and as we move forward on developing the network
Lessons From Sandy - Anna Warwick Sears (OBWB)
Mother Nature gave us a good smacking in 2012, as if to say “Smarten up! Get your act together!” Here in B.C., outrageous spring rainfall brought terrible mud-slides. All summer in the U.S. and Central Canada, there were devastating droughts. Windstorms knocked out power for millions of people during record heat waves.
If we really accept that “this is just going to be a thing that happens,” now is a good time to revisit our development planning. We really don’t have to live like this. Change is daunting, but doable. Read Anna's full blog
Improvements to water use reporting app unveiled
The OBWB was given an update on the BC Water Use Reporting Centre (BC WURC) – a web-tool developed by the OBWB, the Province of B.C. and Environment Canada. The tool allows water utilities to report their water use online, track their water use and use by other utilities, and will ensure the region can be more responsive to shortages. Since its launch in March 2011, 16 major Okanagan water utilities have joined and more are expected. The tool is also being used by the Nanaimo Regional District. For more information, visit .
'Winter Tracks' in Central Okanagan Regional Parks
Winter Tracks
Beginning on Sunday January 6, 2012 and Wednesday January 9 and continuing every Sunday and Wednesday (except February 10), join a Park Interpreters each week to explore a different Regional Park. Every program will start at 10:00am.
"Visitors familiar with the Tracks beginner walking program will enjoy this new program for its natural progression in their walking program and because it will finally introduce them to some of our other parks they want to explore. Anyone wanting to learn about the different regional parks in the Central Okanagan and maybe even try some new activities is invited to join!" more info
Hare chewing and watching snowshoers pass
Strange Encounters With Wildlife
On Snowshoe Safaris with Naturalist Rosanne Van Ee of Outdoor Discoveries, guests follow wildlife tracks. Sometimes we see the strangest things. Last winter, about ten minutes after a strong wind gust, we came across a pine grosbeak laying on the snow. I rescued it thinking it was knocked out, but it was dead as a doornail. We passed the grosbeak around for a good look. Everyone reverently held and photographed the bird. Then we had a little goodbye and I returned it to the snow. Next trip; no bird. Maybe lunch for a raven or weasel.
When tracking a snowshoe hare, some kid in the group squealed,” That rabbit’s smoking a cigarette!” A bunch of us witnessed a snowshoe hare chew up a 10 cm stick. It was hilarious! We’re having a blast learning first-hand about the natural wonders of winter. photos and more info
2012 Award Winners
City of Kelowna - Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards
2012 was the last year for the Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards in this format. Starting in 2013, the Mayor's Environmental Achievement Awards will become part of the Civic and Community Awards. Two Champion for the Environment awards will be given out.
For Movie Lovers - Top 10 Films
Announcing the Top Ten films most popular with Transition Town initiatives around the world! There's even a top ten countdown, check out this link to view the list with trailers. From 30 year old classics to the cutting edge. 'Dirt' is so cool - check it out!
Stupendous Winter Sunset, photo by Roseanne Van Ee while on a 'Sunset Snoeshoe Adventure'
Please contact Patrick (patrick @ okcp.ca) if you have any news or events to post to the OKCP website or information to share in upcoming OCCP newsletters. For up to date information on OCCP partnered projects, resources and events, please check out the OKCP at www.okcp.ca.
Happy Solstice Everyone - Bring on the Light!
