Are you interested in joining the Board of Directors of the Invasive Species Council of BC? Or, do you know someone you think would be able to make a valuable contribution as a Director of the Council? If you can answer ‘yes’ to either of these questions, please read more about the available positions on ISCBC’s Board of Directors and how to submit a nomination. 

The deadline for nominations is end of day on January 24, 2020 . Please read the nomination form to review the expectations of a Director. 

Join us at INVASIVES 2020 - ISCBC's 15th Annual Forum and AGM taking place February 11- 13, 2020, at the Pacific Gateway Hotel, Richmond BC. As we will be celebrating our 15th Anniversary, this year's Forum promises to be bigger and better than ever with two keynote presentations, engaging workshops, a variety of plenaries, poster presentations and lightning talks - all in addition to the Together in Action Gala Awards evening taking place on February 11, when we join together to recognize the contributions of individuals and organizations from across British Columbia! Join us to connect, learn and network - register for the forum by January 8 to benefit from Early Bird rates! Visit events.bcinvasives.ca for more info and to register today.

Full Detailed Agenda Now Online

Presenters at the INVASIVES 2020 Forum will be joining us from Switzerland, across the United States and Canada. Visit the Agenda section of the Forum website to read the most up to date draft agendas.

Brian Minter - British Columbia's very own Brian Minter will provide the keynote address " The New Relationships Between People, Plants, Wildlife and the Planet" on February 11, 2020.

Scientists, the World Health Organization and the United Nations are deeply concerned about the world’s inability to adhere to the terms of the Paris Agreement for controlling carbon dioxide emissions. While many world leaders are either ignoring this critical issue or refusing to be part of the solution, positive things are happening and changing our perception of this planet and its connectivity to all of us.

Millennials embrace these connections, and teenagers, led by inspirational people like Greta Thunberg, are forcing people to rethink their individual responsibilities. These new trends and discoveries are turning the tide toward a deeper appreciation of nature and fueling the desire to save our planet. Don’t miss Brian Minter's keynote address.

Dr. Daniel Simberloff - Renowned ecologist Dr. Daniel Simberloff will deliver the keynote presentation " Managing invasions: What's worked, what hasn't, and what might" on February 12.

A major problem in managing invasions is early detection. Increasing use of citizen scientists and iPhone reporting technology is aiding this effort, as is the advent of eDNA. Populations of many animal species and some plant species have been eradicated, especially but not only when detected early, and technologies to do so are rapidly improving. Many invaders have been maintained at low levels, even after widespread establishment, especially by physical, chemical, and biological methods. Non-target impacts have been a persistent problem of the latter two approaches. Both eradication and maintenance management have proven more difficult for marine invasions. Several new technologies to eradicate or manage invasions are in various stages of development. Among genetic approaches, gene-silencing is already used to manage invasive insects and is being developed for other species. Oxitec's genetically engineered Friendly© Aedes aegypti mosquito, though controversial, has been massively released in nature in the wake of the zika epidemic, and two major gene-editing projects employing CRISPR Cas 9 gene drives to eradicate invasive terrestrial animals are under development despite substantial controversy regarding potential unintended consequences.  Don't miss Dan Simberloff's keynote address. Register today!

Call for INVASIVES 2020 Abstracts Extended: Submit your abstract by Jan 15

Abstracts are still being accepted for the INVASIVES 2020 Poster session and Lightning Talks .

Submit your abstract today!

Members save on INVASIVES 2020 registration

Have you signed up to join the Invasive Species Council of BC? If you're passionate about your local landscape, there's no better way to protect habitats and keep communities free from invasive species! Annual or five year memberships are available and a s a member you will receive monthly e-bulletins, free copies of ISCBC resources, discounts on training courses and special events including the annual INVASIVES Forums & AGM. If you aren't sure if you are currently a member, please reply to this email.

 Join as a youth, individual, business or organization today and help ensure a future of healthy landscapes and communities free of invasive species.

Join as an ISCBC member and save up to $50 on Forum registration today!

Save the Date for the Invasive Species Research Conference - August 18 - 20, 2020

Calling all invasive species researchers, managers and practitioners! Save the dates August 18 - 20, 2020 for the Invasive Species Research Conference 2020 - Turning Science into Action . Join us in sunny Keolwna, BC for a packed agenda featuring two keynote speakers, themed concurrent sessions, lightning talks, poster presentations, field trips and more! Watch for the call for abstracts in late January 2020!

ISCBC's Dave Ralph Recognized with National Award

ISCBC's Dave Ralph was recently recognized for over 30 years of contribution to Weed Science. Dave received the national award for Excellence in Weed Extension from the Canadian Weed Sciences Society at their Annual Conference last month. Throughout Dave’s career he has received a wide range of accolades from people across Canada for his knowledge, passion and dedication to the ‘weed world and extension’. 

Read more about the Award and Dave Ralph's extensive experience in weed extension.

Calling all producers! Join the January 22 webinar to hear ISCBC's Dave Ralph present on the highest priority weeds species affecting agricultural production in the Cariboo region. Attendees will gain information on the biology of the featured weed species and the characteristics that make them difficult to control. Dave will also discuss their adverse impacts on grazing, forage and crop production. Producers will gain knowledge on strategic management options that can be taken to effectively prevent and manage these species, and two free phone apps that enable users to identify, report, and manage invasive weeds will be highlighted. Read more and register today for this free webinar.

Youth Summit 2020 brings together BC volunteers

The Invasive Species Council of BC Youth Summit 2020 will bring together over 100 young adults from across BC including current ISCBC volunteers from Williams Lake, Kamloops, and Greater Vancouver. This exciting new event offers an amazing opportunity for volunteers to share their projects, learn from experts in the field of invasive species and beyond, participate in enriching workshops and build networks in the invasive species management community. Young adults, aged from 15 to 30 years, from across BC are invited to attend the Summit! Connect with us today for more information!

Provincial Priority Invasive Species list now available online

ISCBC's NAISMA 2019 Conference Presentations

Earlier this fall, the North America Invasive Species Management Association collaborated with the New York Invasive Species Research Institute, Cornell a renowned leader in invasive species research and outreach, in hosting the 2019 The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Annual Meeting. The Invasive Species Council of BC was invited to participate in panel of people working in behaviour change programs for invasive species prevention. Read more and view the presentations delivered by Sue Staniforth, ISCBC's Education and Outreach Manager.

Meet the team!

We have a fantastic team here at ISCBC. In each e-mews meet some of the faces behind the hardworking Council.

Corbin Manson - Vancouver Facilitator

Corbin received his BSc. in Natural Resources Conservation from UBC in 2019 and joined the Council soon after. He enjoys the challenge of somehow uniting his background in performing arts, his prior career in hospitality, and his passion for outdoor recreation into his new role: facilitating youth leaders to take action against invasive species in their communities. Based in Vancouver, Corbin can often be found rock climbing in Squamish or enjoying a novel and a cup of coffee at home.

Tina Benard - Office Coordinator

Tina joined the Council in November 2015. She has a background in administration and gives support to the other members of the Council as needed. She lives in Williams Lake and enjoys baking, painting and gardening. 

Merry Christmas to you, your family and friends. Thank you for your continued support throughout 2019. We are looking forward to accomplishing even more together in 2020.

Sincerely,

Gail Wallin

Executive Director

Invasive Species Council of BC