Greetings!
We hope you've enjoyed a beautiful autumn season! October's e-Bulletin is packed with news including the opening of INVASIVES 2020 registration, important invasive species alerts, updates on our programs and events including
volunteer restoration efforts in Vancouver.
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Forum registration now open!
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Join us at
INVASIVES 2020
- ISCBC's 15th Annual Forum and AGM! Held February 11- 13, 2020, this year's forum incorporates engaging workshops, keynote presentations, plenary and dynamic lightning sessions. You'll have plenty of opportunities for networking throughout the event, including the much anticipated Gala dinner.
Register now and you will also receive the Early Bird rate! Visit
events.bcinvasives.ca
for more info and registration.
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INVASIVES 2020 perks for members!
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As an ISCBC member, you receive great savings at the
INVASIVES 2020
forum! Benefit from discounted rates on your forum registration, Gala dinner and the post-forum Citizen Science workshop.
Members are also invited to the vote at the annual AGM. Your input is crucial to forming the future direction of ISCBC. We are proud to extend a members-only invitation to an exclusive breakfast event on February 12, 2020 prior to the AGM. Meet your fellow members, sip hot coffee and enjoy a delicious catered meal before joining the AGM.
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Less Than One Month to Go!
Submit your Together in Action Awards Nominations
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ISCBC's annual Together in Action (TIA) Awards recognize initiatives, groups, and individuals that demonstrate leadership, innovation and collaboration in the field of invasive species in BC.
The "Together in Action Awards" will be presented at the INVASIVES 2020 Forum & AGM, during the February 11th gala event.
As 2020 marks a Council milestone year, all five categories will be awarded.
The five categories of awards are:
- Student
- Individual
- Business
- Government
- Non-profit / Stewardship Organization / Youth groups
Do you know an individual or group who have gone “above and beyond” to protect BC from invasive species? Place your nominations for any or all of the award categories today!
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Asian giant hornets (
Vespa mandarinia
) were confirmed in Nanaimo last month. The invasive insect has distinct characteristics when compared to other invasives and native species, including the Western yellowjacket.
ISCBC is asking British Columbians who think they may have seen one to report findings via the
Report Invasives
mobile phone app or
to the Council at 1 888 933-3722
. If you've already downloaded the app, be sure to check for regular updates which are required when new species, including the Asian giant hornet, are added to the app.
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Don’t Let it Loose! A reminder after Piranha caught in Nanaimo
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ISCBC is reminding the public not to let any unwanted pets loose after a piranha was caught in a Nanaimo in late September.
An angler reported the suspect invasive fish to ISCBC. Government experts were consulted and confirmed the unusual fish to be a red bellied piranha, which is native to South America. ISCBC would like to
encourage the public to
be alert and report the invasive fish
and all other invasive spcies
to the ISCBC hotline
!
Don't Let it Loose
Fish, including piranhas and goldfish, are turning up in BC’s lakes and are likely unwanted pets that have been released in lake systems. Invasive plants and animal species should never be released into the wild.
What Should You Do Instead?
- Contact the store where you purchased the animal to see if they will take it back.
- Contact local science centers, zoos or aquariums to see if they can use the animal for educational purposes.
- Contact your local SPCA
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Volunteers learn about their local environment at McArthur Island Park
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On November 3
rd
, ISCBC volunteers will be learning about native and invasive species at McArthur Island Park. Special guest Jesse Ritcey, Director of the Kamloops Naturalist Club, will be on hand to impart native plant identification skills. The volunteers will wrap up the event with a habitat restoring weed pull, helping to promote native plant growth in the park.
Do you know someone who would be interested in making a difference in their community? Join an upcoming volunteer event!
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Did you hear? ISCBC at NAISMA
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ISCBC's Sue Staniforth participated in panel of individuals working in behaviour change programs for invasive species prevention at the
2019 The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) Annual Meeting
. The conference was held in beautiful Saratoga Springs, NY from September 30 to October 3.
The session highlighted how to incorporate behavior changes into invasive species programs.
Did you miss the conference? Catch up on past presentations
here
.
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Volunteers continue to make a positive impact on local environments!
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On October 5
th
ISCBC volunteers joined the City of Port Moody, the Tri-Cities Rotary Club, and the Port Moody Ecological Society for a weed pull at Noons Creek Hatchery. Over 25 volunteers spent the morning removing nearly 15 square meters of English ivy, as well as a minor English holly infestation, from the forests surrounding the hatchery. The hard work invested by the volunteers helps to promote healthy riparian habitat, supporting salmon populations in the greater Vancouver area.
If you know a young adult keen to build their resume, learn new skills and help their local environment, share this opportunity with them. Ongoing volunteer applications are being accepted online at
bcinvasives.ca/volunteer
.
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We have a fantastic team here at ISCBC. Meet the faces behind the hardworking Council.
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Torin Kelly - Williams Lake Facilitator
Torin has been with the council since 2018, first as a Job Creation Partnership supervisor and now in his role as a volunteer facilitator. Torin attended BCIT for forestry and natural areas management, specializing in invasive species. He is originally from Maple Ridge and made the move to Williams Lake just under a year ago, and loves the welcoming nature of his new community!
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Sue Staniforth - Education and Outreach
Sue has been with the ISCBC since 2013, and has experience in curriculum development, teacher professional development and evaluation. Sue is developing and promoting province-wide educational programs on invasive species. She lives in North Saanich with her husband and daughter, and enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening, and raising chickens.
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Thanks for your continued support!
Gail Wallin
Executive Director
Invasive Species Council of BC
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