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Columbia Connector September 2019
CBWN News
 
Wayfinding with the Lake Windermere Ambassadors!

The Lake Windermere Ambassadors are developing new approaches to help communities connect with and care for their Lake!  This CBWN/ SGRC Summer Mapping project began with an easy to read snapshot for residents and visitors to find beach accesses on Lake Windermere. The mapping helped kick start the “Adopt a Beach” program currently under development with Provincial and local partners to clean up and revitalize public accesses along the shores of Lake Windermere. The map will support the Ambassadors to engage community groups to “Adopt a Beach.”  Congrats to the Ambassadors on this innovative program!

Many thanks to our outstanding Summer Mapping Program Student Katie Erickson from the Selkirk Geospatial Research Centre. She  expanded the program to bring an additional Columbia Basin Watershed Network group for a total of six community mapping projects - stay tuned for more stories!
In case you missed the story about Katie, check it out here and her guest Selkirk blog here!

Many thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust for their support of this program.
Rossland Streamkeepers studying tributaries

The Rossland Streamkeepers were excited to try out their new HOBO Tidbit temperature datalogger supported through the CBWN Water Monitoring Collaboration Fund. Readings of the Milkranch Creek in the Trail Creek Watershed will contribute to preliminary data, which indicates that 3 of the 9 creeks monitored are ephemeral and that two creeks are groundwater source. The Streamkeepers collaborated with school groups to study water chemistry differences between tributaries and detected a distinct temperature and conductivity signature in creek water sourced from old underground mine workings.
 
Engaging youth on water monitoring

On a beautiful August afternoon, the Slocan River Streamkeepers brought together youth and community volunteers to monitor Springer Creek, an important tributary for Slocan Lake. With Hach Test Kits granted through the CBWN Water Monitoring Collaboration Fund, the Streamkeepers measured water temperature, dissolved oxygen and pH. They found that the conditions in Springer Creek were within the optimal limits for fish and invertebrates, even during the hot summer months.

Many thanks to the Columbia Basin Trust for their support of these programs.
Network Member Spotlight

The BC Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) is hosting a LakeKeepers workshop in partnership with the Lake Windermere Ambassadors October 19 & 20. Becoming a LakeKeeper translates into an increased ability for participants to take care of their lakes through better knowledge of watershed and land-use impacts, lake ecology and the study of freshwater. The BCLSS facilitates information sharing throughout the BC water community by encouraging collaboration and connections of member groups, partner organizations, and others by sharing projects, successes of member groups, social media and newsletters.

See here to find registration information on how to join the Ambassadors!

 

LLC CABIN training with Adventure Scientists


Living Lakes Canada was excited to partner with the Adventures Scientists in the Columbia Valley for CABIN training. The course was adapted to include eDNA analysis for the STREAM project, focusing on data deficient areas including high alpine lakes and tributaries in the Columbia Basin. By training Adventure Scientists volunteers on the national protocol for data collection, Living Lakes Canada hopes that they will contribute to the STREAM project by collecting samples from remote tributaries that otherwise would not be included in the analysis.
Columbia Basin Resources

Climate change info centralized online
 

A new online source enables easy-to-understand information on climate change specific to communities throughout the Columbia Basin. The Columbia Basin Climate Source website—basinclimatesource.ca— provides one-stop to help users learn about how the climate is changing across the region, how this might impact communities, how communities are taking action and to use and interpret climate science data. It’s intended for users of all types, including residents, business owners, media, community planners, educators and local governments. Orientation is available through this recorded webinar.

 

Non-profit advisors program
 

The Columbia Basin Trust Non-profit Advisors Program provides workshops, webinars and other resources for non-profit organizations, ranging from Board development and governance to financial management and community relationships. Check out the lineup of workshops across the Basin here.
 
Watershed News
Climate impacts on wetlands

In the heart of the Robson Valley, the inland temperate rainforest ecosystems have captured the attention of scientists studying wetlands and climate change. The rivers and wetlands are supported by the melt of winter snowpack, now marked by unusual trends.

CSRD developing fresh water policy

With concerns over aquifer impacts, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District will be developing a policy for fresh water extraction for commercial bottled water sales in Electoral Area A.

Protecting BC's forests from climate change

Erik Leslie, Harrop-Proctor Community Forest Manager explores their efforts to research and manage for climate change adaptation under a Vulnerable and Resilience Project.

Building resilience in Kimberley's watersheds

Kimberley is part of a large research project to increase relience to wildfire in collaboration with the Ktunaxa Nation, Provincial and regional partners.

Understanding wildfire impacts on erosion

Researchers are investigating what effects wildfires might have on downstream reservoirs to understand how fires, debris flows, and sediment transfer are linked is,  especially when estimating risks.
Flying robots for water monitoring

Like a flying fish gliding above the water's surface, a robot can now propel itself out of water into flight. The robot weighs 160 grams and can take water samples by jumping in and out of the water.

Some good news about melting glaciers

As these ancient masses of ice shrink away, they may perform one final beneficial, if minor, act for the Earth. The rich minerals from glacial meltwaters may absorb of a lot of carbon dioxide.

Upcoming Events
ALL EVENTS ARE IN LOCAL TIME!

September 29, October 5, October 15, Columbia Wetlands 10-1
Fall Waterbird survey
Wildsight Golden

October 4-5, Invermere
2019 KCP Fall Gathering

October 4-6, Winfield
BC Lake Stewardship Society Annual Conference

October 5-6, Elkford/ Sparwood
Streamkeepers Course
Elk Valley Alliance

October 8-10, Cranbrook
Water Quality Monitoring: Freshwater Sampling and Design
Vancouver Island University

October 9-11, Missoula, MT
Western Regional Panel on AIS Annual Meeting

October 18, Golden
Annual Researchers Forum
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology

October 19-20, Invermere
Lake Keepers workshop
Lake Windermere Ambassadors/ BC Lake Stewardship Society

October 22, online 12-1pm
12 Golden Rules of Nonprofit Finance (free webinar)
Propel Nonprofits

October 30, Submission deadline
Deadline for Student-produced videos on lake management (biomanipulations)
North American Lake Managment Association

November 8, Nelson, 5:30-9:30pm
Kootenay Lake Summit
Friends of Kootenay Lake

November 10-15, Burlington, VT
39th Symposium
North American Lake Management Society

November 18, 19, Kimberley
QGIS: Intro & Level II
Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Check out Basin environmental events calendar here!
CBWN is grateful to the Columbia Basin Trust for their long-standing and ongoing support of our watershed activities and network communications.
Copyright © CBWN 2019 All rights reserved.

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