IN THIS ISSUE

REMINDER: Don't Move Firewood

Weedy Word: Noxious Weed

Invasive of the Month: Myrtle Spurge

Field Notes: Elk Valley Project

Invasive Insights

Upcoming Events

Apply for Funding? Why not include invasive species management!?

Partner + Sponsorship Shoutout: Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program

The Larches are yellow, there is snow in the mountain tops and we are bundling up. Yup, its fall in the East Kootenays. It's time to say goodbye to gardening and paddle sports, and time to put on the long underwear and embrace the colder months to come. It's also time to grab last minute truck loads of firewood before the snow really flies to keep our houses and families warm. But did you know moving firewood can spread invasive species and diseases that can severely impact our environment and economy? BC forests are threatened by non-native insects that can damage large numbers of trees - the Spongy Moth and Asian Longhorned Beetle are two examples of introduced insects - and these two little devils can be introduced by transporting firewood around. Just a couple tips for the last minute firewood collecting: 1 - Don't Move Firewood, meaning try and source firewood as close to home as possible and 2 - Knock it Off, when you are out there cutting and splitting, give the firewood a knock to shake off any potential bug hitchhikers and nests.

For more information about moving firewood and insect invaders, check out these resources:

ISCBC Buy Local, Burn Local & dontmovefirewood.org

Myrtle spurge is an escaped garden perennial that likes dry, disturbed soils. It grows quickly and aggressively, releasing chemicals from its roots which stop other plants from growing near it. This helps it crowd out native species. Myrtle spurge reproduces by seeds, but roots fragmented by cultivation can also produce new plants. Myrtle spurge’s leaves and stems are a light blue-green color. Its leaves are very sharp and spiral closely around the stem. Plants grow 10 – 15 cm tall and form a low, spreading mound. Myrtle spurge’s flowers are small and yellow.

Learn more about Myrtle Spurge HERE

The Elk Valley is rich in biodiversity and provides habitat for seven ungulate species and seven large carnivore species. Of the ungulate species, bighorn sheep hold a particular significance in this area but due to habitat loss their numbers are declining. A continued threat to this population is degraded overwintering habitat due to invasion by non-native species.

In addition to providing high value habitat for wildlife, the upper Elk Valley is valued for its resource and recreation potential. Although these activities play an important role both culturally and economically in the Elk Valley, they can have negative impacts on the landscape. The growing road network has allowed invasive species to move into high elevations, impacting the overwintering habitat that bighorn sheep depend on for survival.

To address the threat of invasive species in the Elk Valley, EKISC has been conducting landscape-level invasive plant treatments in the area. An ecosystem-based approach is used to stop invasive plants moving into bighorn sheep overwintering habitat and other areas of high value forage. In addition to treatments, large areas were seeded to increase native biodiversity to outcompete invasive species. Ongoing monitoring occurs to track the impact on native and invasive vegetation.

This season we completed treatments at approximately 375 sites covering 165 km of road and trail networks. We collected data from thirteen vegetation plots, as well as from four grass seeding trial plots. Thirteen photo plots were also visited to document landscape level changes. In addition, 75 kg of a native grass mix was seeded in critical bare ground which has a higher likelihood of invasive plant infestations. Twenty-five kgs of seed was used at the Big Ranch Complex and 50 kg was used in the Chauncey-Todhunter Access Management Area. Educational signs were distributed to project partners and installed in several locations, including Elk Lakes Park.

To increase collaboration on this project, EKISC worked closely with the Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Columbia Basin Trust, Ministry of Forests and Range, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Nature Trust of BC, Wild Sheep Society of BC, BC Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Elkford Rod & Gun Club, Sparwood Fish & Wildlife Society, Ministry of Environment (BC Parks), and the Grassland Rangeland Enhancement Program. Other groups were also engaged, including Ktunaxa Nation Council, City of Elkford, Elkford Snowmobile Association, Teck Resources Ltd., and Canfor Forest Products.

WHERE WE WILL BE

Trivia Night @ Arrowhead Brewing, Invermere BC | 7pm

Join us at Arrowhead Brewing in Invermere at 7pm for trivia nights once a month, starting in October! The $10 donation at the door goes funding the education + outreach departments efforts, and gives you the chance to win some awesome local prizes! Make sure to follow us on Instagram + Facebook to see who prizes are from and to check out special guest announcements!

October 27 | November 24 | December 15 | January 26 | February 23

WHAT WE ARE INTERESTED IN

On the Horizon: Managing the Invasion of Emerald Ash Borer in the Pacific Northwest - Webinar | Nov 3

A team-up style webinar to showcase lessons learned from the emerald ash borer invasion of North America and a discussion on proactive management opportunities. Join in for a presentation and conversation featuring three scientists from across the country who are working at the forefront of emerald ash borer management and ash conservation. CHECK OUT THE ZOOM LINK HERE

Wild & Scenic Film Festival - Wildsight Invermere | Nov 19

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival is Wildsight Invermere’s annual fund raiser and a much-anticipated Columbia Valley event. They first organized the festival in 2014 as a way to bring everyone together to celebrate environmental stewardship and our connection to nature. LEARN MORE HERE

Applying for funding? Be sure to include invasive species management and prevention in your application - EKISC can help make your project and funding application more complete by offering support for invasive species prevention and management.

Some projects and ideas that we've partnered on in the past included:

• Boot brush kiosks and trail signage

• Weed pulls with recreational groups and school groups

• Restoration events

• Using invasive plants in art workshops

• Plant ID courses

• Field courses for professionals

• Operational treatments (hand pulling, herbicide, biocontrol)

If there is something you would like to include in your proposal but perhaps don't know how it will fit, please contact megan@ekisc.com or katie@ekisc.com to figure out a way for EKISC to support your invasive species management initiatives.

This month we would like to highlight and give a big thanks to our friends over at the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program. The Fish & Wildlife Compensation Program (FWCP) is a partnership between BC Hydro, the Province of B.C., Fisheries and Oceans Canada, First Nations, and Public Stakeholders to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in watersheds impacted by BC Hydro dams. The FWCP funds projects within its mandate to conserve and enhance fish and wildlife in the Columbia Region ecosystems. We are lucky enough to have two projects funded with the help of the FWCP:

1 - Elk Valley Invasive Plant Management Project as featured in the Field Notes section of the newsletter, which works to minimize and contain the presence of invasive plant species to support biodiversity and ecological function in the upper Elk Valley, with an emphasis on areas of high habitat value.

2 - Bull River/Galton Range Seed Grant, which is new this year! For exploring the invasive plant management needs in both the Bull River Area and the Galton Range Area. Also for exploring collaboration potential with land managers in those areas!

Thank you FWCP!

For more information on FWCP and all the good work they do, check them out HERE