NEWS & UPDATES - February 2021

Happy World Wetlands Day

February 2nd is World Wetlands Day!! World Wetlands Day February 2nd each year is World Wetlands Day to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and our planet. This day also marks the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Wetlands and Water This year’s theme shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss. We are facing a growing freshwater crisis that threatens people and our planet. We use more freshwater than nature can replenish, and we are destroying the ecosystem that water and all life depend on most – Wetlands. The 2021 campaign highlights the contribution of wetlands to the quantity and quality of freshwater on our planet. Water and wetlands are connected in an inseparable co-existence that is vital to life, our wellbeing and the health of our planet. Check out the official World Wetlands Day website for some great information and stories on the value of wetlands from around the world.

Celebrate the Creston Wetlands! Celebrate our local wetland by getting out and exploring some of the many wonderful trails! From Duck Lake to Summit Creek and Corn Creek, there are many to choose! Take our Winter Scavenger Hunt with you (kid and adult friendly, cause really we are all just big kids, right?!) Happy exploring!

Winter Exploring...

Winter Craft Here are a few our favourite crafts to do this winter....for the birds! DIY Bird Feeder - Milk Jug DIY Bird Feeder - Bird Seed Ornaments Suggested Winter Walks There are many wonderful places to take a winter stroll. Here are a few of our favourites depending on how "deep" into winter you want to get... Ka-pa-pa Cedar Trail Gas Pipeline Trail (Wood Duck Wander) at the CVWMA Winter Scavenger Hunt KCDCS has created a winter scavenger hunt that is the perfect thing to bring along for a winter walk at the CVWMA or anywhere really!

Manitoba Government Invests $6 Million in Environmental Education

Wow Manitoba! The Manitoba government announced in September of 2020 that they are establishing a $6 million endowment fund for the Oak Hammock Marsh Interpretive Centre (now the Henry J. Enns Wetland Discovery Centre). “Environmental education is critical to the future of our province and planet,” said Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba. “For three decades, Oak Hammock Marsh has created a wonderful opportunity for Manitobans of all ages to learn and connect with the nature. The creation of this fund will ensure their important work will continue for decades into the future, and will support climate and green education.”    The provincial contribution to the fund will generate approximately $270,000 annually to support the interpretive centre, a 20 percent increase over the previous provincial operating grant. The new endowment funding model will provide permanent, stable funding to support the interpretive centre and builds upon $1.5 million in provincial funds committed earlier this year to support upgrades to the facility.    “This investment by the province will allow us to leverage the best in conservation science and education,” said Karla Guyn, CEO of Ducks Unlimited Canada. “It provides the financial stability needed to ensure our award-winning facility can continue providing Manitobans and visitors from around the world with hands-on opportunities to learn about wetlands and the critical role they play in building a sustainable future.”   To read more, click here. Wouldn't it be nice to see the BC government step up to the plate and support the development of a new Discovery Centre here in Creston with the creation of an endowment fund so that environmental education and awareness programs can continue into the future for residents of the Kootenay-Columbia region and beyond?! If you want to voice your support, contact our local MP, MLA or Regional Director. Here are their names and email addresses: Brittny Anderson, MLA for Nelson-Creston - [email protected] Rob Morrison, MP for Kootenay-Columbia - [email protected] Adam Casemore, Director for Regional District of the Central Kootenays, Area C - [email protected]

Fun Resources From Other Places

The Wildlife Rescue Association of BC has a Wildlife Helpline that is open from 10 AM – 4 PM, seven days a week (Including Holidays). Their highly skilled staff and volunteers are available to assist the public by providing leadership and direction in wildlife-related situations. Finding an injured animal can be stressful for both the animal and the finder, so they are there to provide support and advice. The number is: 604-526-7275 Our friends at HCTF created a Winter Animals Sign and Winter Shapes and Textures activity sheet that is another fun resource to take with you when exploring outside in the winter. Wildsight's Golden Branch is offering a Winter Speaker Series - Do It Yourself. From Building Habitat for Bats to Propagating plants from cuttings, seeds, and veggies in your fridge to Backyard Composting and Swallow Identification. Many topics to chose from!! Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a neat page that features a beautiful drawing of a forest full of birds and you can click on any of the birds and hear its song and learn its name. Many of these birds we might see in our neck of the woods (some are eastern species, but most we have here!) If you have an interesting and fun resource to share, please let us know!!

Job Posting - Seasonal Wetland Naturalists

Please check out our job posting for seasonal Wetland Naturalist positions. Deadline to submit a resume and cover letter is March 5th, 2021. To fulfill grant requirements, candidates need to be between the ages of 15 and 30.

Great Backyard Bird Count

The 24th Annual Great Backyard Bird count is from February 12-15, 2021 This is great way to do some bird watching from the comfort of your home and be able to contribute your results to a worldwide database! To find out more and how to participate, visit www.birdcount.org Great Backyard Bird Count results from 2020: 268,674 Estimated Participants 27,270,156 Total Birds Counted 6,942 Species of Birds Identified 194 Countries

Winter Programs

At the moment, we are holding off hosting any winter events/activities due to COVID. We feel that it is the safest for everyone if we can keep to our immediate social circles when gathering indoors or out. We will reevaluate this decision each month and will let you know what is happening! Thank you for your patience and be safe!

Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area

To access advisories and up to date information related to the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area, please check out their website or Facebook page.

Memberships to KCDCS are FREE! To increase support and awareness for KCDCS' mission, we are offering free Memberships! Join the 1,000 Members and show support for environmental education in our region! This helps us to obtain grants and sponsorships to move us forward!

Become a Member

If you are interested in supporting KCDCS' mission to deliver environmental education and awareness programs, please click the link above. You can earmark your donation for ongoing program delivery or the development of a new Discovery Centre. KCDCS is a registered federal charity and can issue you a tax receipt.

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