May e-Newsletter

Invasive Species Action Month | Photo Contest | Membership Announcement Upcoming Events | In the News | Welcome Back Katie! | Just for Fun

EKISC is excited to welcome back our Field Operations Manager, Katie Reid from maternity leave!

 

Come say hi to her at our AGM May 9th!

About Invasive Species Action Month (ISAM)

 

May has officially been proclaimed Invasive Species Action Month by the Province of British Columbia. During Invasive Species Action Month, special events and activities that are happening across our province will help all of us be more aware of invasive species so that we can take positive, prevention actions. 

 

Take Action: What can we do about Invasive Species?

Take positive action against invasive species—participate in an event near you and tell us what you are doing! Post your photos on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram with the hashtag #bcinvasives.

 

You Can Help:

 

1. Know the invasives. Learn all about native and invasive plants and animals, and how to tell them apart. Learn about the invasive species in your community and tell others. Check your property.

 

2. Garden wisely — BE PLANTWISE 
Landscape with non-invasive ornamentals and native plants, and do not introduce invasive species into your garden or pond. 

 

3. Join the effort. Volunteer to help remove invasive species from public lands and natural areas. EKISC provides opportunities throughout the region. You can also host your own - find out how. 

 

4. Clean your boat and fishing equipment — CLEAN DRAIN DRY 
Check your boat for invasive species carefully, clean it well, and drain all water from the boat and any equipment before leaving an area - especially when crossing to a new watershed. 

 

5. Clean your camping and recreational gear — PLAY CLEAN GO 
Invasive species love to hitch-hike, so please be responsible in the outdoors by ensuring you have clean camping equipment for each new destination. Carefully clean your camping equipment, ATV and bike tires, clothing, hiking boots, and fishing waders of seeds, and plant pieces. Burn firewood where it is cut. Even check your RV for any unwanted stowaways. 

 

6. Report invasive species:

  • Not sure who to contact? Check out our flow chart here. 
  • Phone EKISC toll-free: 1-888-55-EKISC
  • Report ALL potential sightings of invasive mussels to the B.C. Conservation Officer Service (RAPP): 1-877-952-7277

 

7. Be kind to native species. Make your yard a better place for indigenous species and less attractive to invasives such as gray squirrels, house sparrows, or rats. Put up bird boxes for native species or bee homes for the native mason bee.

 

8. Care for pets— DON'T LET IT LOOSE!
Be a responsible pet owner and never release pets into the wild—your goldfish may have a disease and rabbits released into a park can reproduce very quickly. Contact rescue organizations to take unwanted pets and find them new homes.

 

Thank you for being pro-active and taking actions that help to prevent invasive species in our communities!

 

Check out EVENTS AND FESTIVITIES near you!

Invasive Species Impacts: Research Is Being Done To Improve Future Management

 

Invasive species harm ecosystems, economies, and human health across the globe. In the East Kootenay, some invasive plant species have had devastating effects on ranch land and naturally diverse ecosystems. Other species, such as the Zebra Mussel, have not yet made an impact in our region.

 

Many of these species were introduced intentionally for use as pets, crops, livestock, garden plants, or for forestry. In many ways, these introductions have greatly improved human welfare by giving access to useful species, but the few that have become invasive are continuing to spread and have become a burden on our economic, social, and environmental systems.

 

By the time a species becomes established in an area it’s almost always too late to eradicate them. That’s where the East Kootenay Invasive Species Council (EKISC) steps in; dedicated to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species in the East Kootenay. In addition to a comprehensive outreach program and sizeable treatment plans, EKISC also monitors for the detection of species which do not yet occur in the region.

 

The impact of invasive species can be massively reduced if species are detected early and action is taken early to eradicate them before they are established. “We know which species are most likely to cause significant impacts on our livelihoods, our environment, and our economy and we have an early detection program in place to identify a possible invasion,” says Laura MacKinnon, Field Operations Coordinator for EKISC, “It’s possible to detect the presence of aquatic species early in its introduction through sampling water sources.” EKISC collects water samples from high-risk lakes throughout the East Kootenay, and those samples are tested to detect the presence of invasive Zebra and Quagga mussels. “It’s a great tool but it doesn’t beat prevention,” Laura concluded.

 

Transferring knowledge to the community and industries helps EKISC with their vision of an invasive free East Kootenay. “We enlist the help of strategic partners to help us identify solutions for future management of invasive species. We do a lot of outreach within our community and offer educational courses and workshops specific to invasive species management.” says Jessie Paloposki, Educations and Communications Manager for EKSIC, “Invasive species impact so many people. To prevent or eradicate an infestation we need community action and support from many different groups to make it happen.”

 

EKISC is hosting a speaker series at our upcoming AGM on Thursday May 9th. Features in the series include updates on research and action in invasive species management efforts in our area. 

AGM Tickets $20 - include lunch, snacks, coffee, tea and great presentations from some amazing speakers.

 
Register Now

REMINDER:

The members of EKISC have certain rights and responsibilities under the NFP Act, including the right to vote at Annual General Meetings. 

Upcoming Courses & Events

 

May 8 - Weed Pull in Radium

May 9 - EKISC AGM

May 10 - Sinclair Creekside Restoration Field Trip for Wings Over the Rockies

May 11 - Bullfrogs in the Columbia Wetland Lunch Presentation for Wings Over the Rockies

May 11 - Paddle Palooza! in Invermere

May 21 - Priority Plant ID Course in Invermere

May 25 - Weed Pull with Cranbrook Lion's Club

May 28  Invasive Plant Management Techniques Course - Cranbrook

May 30 - Invasive Plant Management Techniques - Invermere

More Details / View Calendar
Course Registration

Just For Fun!

WIMBY Photo Contest

 

Throughout May 2019, during Invasive Species Action Month, we challenge you to enter the “What's in my Back Yard?” Photo Contest. Taking part is simple and you could win up to $350 for your youth group or class.

 

As a youth group or class, spot and photograph as many invasive species in your local area and either post your photos on social media using #BCinvasivescontest or enter using the online form below. Enter as many photos as possible for the chance to win. The group with the most photos will win $350 for a group field trip and the runner-up group will win $200 towards a field trip.

1902 Theatre Road, Cranbrook, BC, Canada
1-888-55-EKISC

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