March 2019 e-Bulletin
Greetings!

This month we have a bumper newsletter to share with you. Check out a variety of employment/contractor postings and start a new career with ISCBC! If you are involved in stewardship of a BC waterbody, be sure to read about the opportunity to be a Clean Drain Dry signage partner. We have three webinars you can join in March - read more and register today!
Join our Team - ISCBC is hiring!
ISCBC currently has a variety of new employment/contractor opportunities, due, in part, to the confirmation of several new and exciting projects. If you have ever considered joining our team, now is the ideal time! Available opportunities include:
Read more about the available positions and apply by the closing date: March 24, 2019!
March 13th Webinar:
Littered with Lizards - Threats from the Pet Trade
Gavin Hanke of the Royal BC Museum will present our next webinar which will include a brief history of fishes, amphibians and reptiles known to have been released in BC from the pet trade. The most successful exotic from captivity is the Common Wall Lizard and as of 2017, a second species, the Italian Wall Lizard is known to be established in our region. Several other temperate species in the pet trade threaten our environment. Gavin will highlight characteristics of these high risk invaders and detail a few species that appear in the pet trade here in British Columbia. Read more .
March 20th Webinar:
Stopping Invasive Species in Washington State - an Introduction to the Washington Invasive Species Council
Washington Invasive Species Council (WISC) presenters Ray Willard (Council Chair) and Justin Bush (Executive Coordinator) will be co-presenting our March 20th webinar. The Washington Invasive Species Council, created by the State of Washington Legislature in 2006, is tasked with policy level direction, planning, and coordination for combatting harmful invasive species throughout the state and preventing the introduction of others that may be harmful. Join the chair and coordinator of the Washington Invasive Species Council to learn about the strategic objectives of the council in Washington State and some of its core initiatives. Ray Willard and Justin Bush will explore the priorities of the state and ways that Washington State and British Columbia could work together to address shared issues. Read more.
March 27th Webinar:
From K9s to Highway Signs: Updates on the B.C. Invasive Mussel Defence Program
Martina Beck of the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy will present our March 27th webinar at the usual time of 12 pm Pacific Time. The B.C. Invasive Mussel Defence program’s goal is to prevent the introduction of zebra and quagga mussels into B.C. The program’s prevention efforts are focused on inspecting watercraft, monitoring lakes, educating the public and coordinating actions with neighbouring jurisdictions. Hear from Martina about the highlights and results from the 2018 season of the B.C. Invasive Mussel Defence program and plans for 2019 watercraft inspection season. Read more.
Call for Clean Drain Dry Signage Partners by Mar 25
Is your community group interested in Clean Drain Dry messaging at your local lakes? ISCBC is embarking on an exciting project with the Canadian Council on Invasive Species to increase Clean Drain Dry signage across the province, and are looking for local organizations to partner with. Partners will be provided newly designed Clean Drain Dry signs and resources, and will have unique opportunities to help guide Clean Drain Dry resources in development. Read more and apply today ! If you have other questions about the program contact Camille at [email protected] .

Examples of draft Clean Drain Dry signs are shown below .
New Board Executive Presses Forward with Strong Agenda for ISCBC
ISCBC has appointed its new Board for the coming year, and is pleased to have David Bennett, Director of Communications and External Relations for FortisBC, serving as the new Chair of the Board. Outgoing Chair Brian Heise of Thompson Rivers University looks forward to working closely with the organization during Bennett’s term as Chair. “The past three years have been an exciting time for the Council, as we’ve moved forward in building lasting partnerships built on strong communication, tackled new invasions such as the Japanese Beetle, and seen renewed interest in research,” says Dr. Heise, who had served as ISCBC chair since 2016. “I am certain our incoming Chair, David Bennett, will be a strong leader for the organization and continue to enhance our work.” Read the full news article .
Photo (above) of Board at INVASIVES 2019 Forum & AGM (from back, L-R): Ralph Nevill - Community; Lesley Douglas - Vice-Chair; Community (Environment/Conservation); Fernie May Garbitt - Governments (Indigenous); Dan Tisseur - Business & Industry (Transportation & Utilities), Heike Stippler - Business & Industry (Trade & Retail); Ursula Viney - Governments (Provincial); Eric Nijboer - Business & Industry (Natural Resources); Jude Grass (departing Director); Bill Grutzmacher - Treasurer; Business & Industry (Natural Resources); Dave Holden - Governments (Federal); Dave Bennett - Chair; Business & Industry (Transportation & Utilities); Crystal Chadburn - Business & Industry; Laurie Carr - Community; Val Miller - Governments (Provincial); guest Andrew Cox, CEO of Invasive Species Council of Australia; Brian Heise - Past Chair; Community (Research & Education); Nadia Chan - Secretary; Governments (Local); Douglas Fossen - Business & Industry (Agriculture); Ken Schwaerzle - Business & Industry (Agriculture).
Join the Invasive Species Council of BC Today!
Did you know that ISCBC has one or five year membership options available? Member benefits include event discounts, reduced rates for training courses, free resources and more!
Japanese Beetle Education Opportunities in Vancouver
Japanese beetle is an invasive insect that was detected in British Columbia for the first time in 2017 in the False Creek area of Vancouver. The adult beetles attack the flowers, foliage and fruit of more than 250 plant species, while the larvae feed on the roots of turf grass and other plants. Japanese beetle poses serious environmental and economic threats within BC. In 2018, partners including Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, City of Vancouver and the Invasive Species Council of BC collaborated on management efforts to quickly treat and contain the beetle.   
 
ISCBC Is offering Japanese beetle education and outreach opportunities to interested groups. Event options range from casual discussions to more formal presentations and are available in the Vancouver area through April. If your company, team, or organization would like to know more about Japanese Beetle and its management in Vancouver contact Nicholas Wong at [email protected] or ( 604) 716-7544 today!