Showing posts with label Advocacy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Advocacy. Show all posts

Wednesday 6 February 2019

Letter to the Premier and Response

Alexander Johnson
XXX XXX Street
New Westminster, BC
XXX XXX
(XXX) XXX-XXXX

Dear Premier Horgan,

RE: Great First Steps on Habitat and Wildlife in BC

In the last year the provincial government has made some fantastic steps in the right direction when it comes to habitat and wildlife.  I want to say thank you and say that I hope your government will keep up the momentum on issues related to habitat and wildlife issues in BC.  We still lag behind many of our neighbours in funding and concrete plans for the recovery of the habitat, rivers, and streams that our wildlife and fish need to thrive. 

Specifically, I would like to thank you for the $14 million in increased funding for conservation, the $27 million allocated for caribou recovery, and the provincial round table which is looking at the declines in moose populations. 

Now is time to build on those steps and make even more significant improvements which will protect habitat and restore wildlife populations.  Specifically, I would like to advocate for the following:
1)     Ending the professional reliance model where resource companies can hire their own experts to evaluate the impact of their own projects.  This is an obvious conflict of interest.  Provincial registered profession biologists should be given the power to oversee and minimize the impact of the resource sector on habitat.
2)     Dedicated funding for habitat conservation from a slight increase in price of fishing and hunting licences as well as resource extraction royalties to offset impacts and enhance habitat.  Please give the scientists and wildlife managers the funding needed to ensure habitat and wildlife populations recover and thrive.
3)     Enhanced investigative and enforcement powers for conservation officers and registered professional biologists to investigate instances when property owners or resource industry activities violate laws or practice standards.  There are numerous cases of property owners violating protective covenants in the Fraser valley, damaging critical chinook salmon bearing creeks, while municipalities have looked the other way.

As a hunter, angler, conservationist, and British Columbian these issues are of critical importance to me as well as my friends and family. 

Sincerely,
Alex Johnson 

=============================================================
to ENV, me
Dear Mr. Johnson:

Thank you for writing about conversation in British Columbia. We appreciate your taking the time to write and have noted your recommendations.

On your behalf, we have shared a copy of your message with the Honourable George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. His staff will ensure that your comments are included in any upcoming, related discussions.

Thank you, again, for writing. We wish you all the best.

pc:       Honourable George Heyman

OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX

 
 
 
10:40 (1 hour ago)

Sunday 4 November 2018

The Guardian: Five countries hold 70% of world's last wildernesses, map reveals

Tuesday 31 July 2018

Resource Roads and Grizzly Bears in British Columbia and Alberta, Canada

I recently found another publication which discusses the issue of road density on grizzly bears.  As discussed previously, once road density exceeds around 500-600m of road per square kilometre, grizzlies and other animals tend to permanently retreat from those areas.  It seems that road density increases many factors which cause animals to abandon habitat.  From what I have read, non-hunting traffic such as outdoor recreation activities on ATVs or snowmobiles as well as people transiting the area by car or truck, along with the increased ease of which predators are able to travel the roads, and increased hunting pressure all contribute to animals retreating from an area. 

It sounds like these all contribute to a general state of alarm that make animals retreat to safer areas.  Now, with the ban on hunting grizzlies, we'll be able to put to bed the impact that hunters played on this issue.  I suspect that hunters only have a minimal direct role in animals departing from areas, both because of the minimal number of grizzlies hunted each year prior to the ban, but also because generally hunters tend to be slower moving and quieter than summer ATV riding or winter snowmobiling.  Also, as any hunter would know, the amount of predator sign, specifically wolf sign, that can be found on roads indicates that they use roads to improve their ability to travel. 

Anyways, the publication can be found here:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326446743_Resource_Roads_and_Grizzly_Bears_in_British_Columbia_and_Alberta_Canada

Here are the best graphics from the publication


I don't really like this graphic.  It appears as though the bear was killed by a hunter, but in reality it is probably meant to show a conservation office (CO) shooting a problem bear in a campsite where people were irresponsible about leaving out attractants.  Nevertheless, I can't help but feel like this graphic is intentionally alluding to hunters.   I think the top left side is is the most important.  Traffic and habitat loss are serious issues.








There are so many forestry service roads (FSRs) in BC.  We need to do a better job or revegetating them to improve habitat for all animals, including grizzlies and ungulates.




Friday 27 July 2018

Organizing for Conservation: Region 2 BHA Pint Night

A quick snapshot of the discussion after the screening "Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest"

BHA Region 2 Pint Night


Last night, over 40 people packed into the Burnaby Rugby Club and braved the summer heat to watch "Last Stand: The Vanishing Caribou Rainforest".  Rob Chipman of NSF&G and Jenny Ly of the Chasing Food club organized the screening in partnership with the Jesse Zeman of the BCWF, Mark Robichaud and Jeff Chan of the BC-BHA, Dylan Eyers of EatWild, Nick from Reliable Gun. They and others worked really hard and contibuted door prizes to make sure the event would be a huge success. 


After the event, we also managed to sign up 16 more people to the list of conservationists who are willing to contact and then meet with their MLAs to advocate for habitat, fish and wildlife. Over the next week, Jenny and I will be putting together and draft info-pack and guide for contacting MLAs and sending it out to the people who have signed up.

Meeting with Judy Darcy, MLA New Westminster


I heard yesterday that I would be scheduled for a meeting with my MLA, Judy Darcy, in mid to late August.  I sent an agenda, but it seemed like it might be too much to cover in the 30 minute meeting I was alotted.  I'll trim it down and send out an updated agenda for the meeting.


Dialogue with Registered Profession Biologist from the Ministry of FLNRORD


I also heard back again from the biologist in the ministry who had previously contacted me in response to a letter I had sent.  I intend to keep this dialogue open and productive to try to ensure we have the tools and information to advocate for their incredibly valuable work.  We need to show that we are on their side to ensure that they are setting policy so that science based management continues to be the only politically acceptable way to manage habitat, wildlife, and fish in BC.  It is critical that we are all committed to professionals without political agendas being given the tools and resources required to protect and restore the habitat and population numbers of fish and wildlife that we are advocating for.


Saturday 30 June 2018

Politics and Jurisdictions

I grew up in a family where both my parents ran in provincial and federal elections.  Politics was a regular topic of dinner table conversation and my folks are still heavily involved with politics to this day.  As a child, during every election campaign I would help my parents deliver leaflets, or go with them to the campaign offices while they phoned constituents.  I grew up in such a political household that when I was in kindergarten and asked by my teacher to come up with a rhyme I proudly replied "Brian Mulroney rolls the dice and Canada pays the price!" *Facepalm*.  Anyways, all this is to say that I take it for granted that I have an innate understanding of how the political system works.  At the last BHA pint night that I attended on the 28th of June, I realized that for those who didn't grow up in politics, it is a confusing system and I should take the opportunity to break it down.

In Canada, we have 3 branches of government; Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. We also have 3 layers of government, Federal, Provincial/Territorial, and Municipal.

Without going into too much detail about how it all works, what is important to know is that they are all responsible for different things.  If you are interested in getting involved with advocacy it is important to be contacting the correct ministries and politicians for it to be effective.

Most hunting and angling issues are provincial, so most of what I am working on is by contacting my local MLA Judy Darcy where I live now in New Westminster (Her office is a 10 minute walk from my house), Minister Doug Donaldson (Responsible for hunting and non-tidal fishing), and Premier John Horgan.  I have had success with emails, letters, and phone calls.

 For hunting, angling, and conservation issues, here is how it breaks down.

Federal (Canada)


Federal Ridings in Greater Vancouver
Canada is divide into 338 ridings each represented by a Member of Parliament (PM) in the House of Commons and 105 seats for the Senate held by Senators.  BC has 42 ridings and MPs in the House of Commons and 6 Senators. 23 of BCs ridings are in the the Lower Mainland (Region 2)

To find your riding any of the following links will take you to maps where you can find out who represents you.  They will have an office in your neighbourhood and split their time between your riding and being in Ottawa.  You can send them mail, email, or call their local constituency office in our neighborhood to arrange a time to discuss issues with them.  You can also go there in person during the hours they are open.

http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=cir/maps2&document=index&lang=e
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electoral_district_(Canada)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Canada

Federal Government

Executive: The Queen (rep. Governor General), the Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau), Cabinet (Ministers)

Legislative: Parliament which is made up of the House of Commons and the Senate

Judicial: Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Tax Court of Canada, Supreme Court of Canada

Who to Contact About Federal Issues:

The Prime Minister (Justin Trudeau <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>)

The Minister Responsible for the Issue: One of
Dominic LeBlanc dominic.leblanc@parl.gc.ca
Catherine McKenna <ec.ministre-minister.ec@canada.ca> or <Catherine.McKenna@parl.gc.ca>
Ralph Goodale <ralph.goodale@parl.gc.ca> or <Hon.ralph.goodale@canada.ca>

Your Local Member of Parliament (MP) (You'll have to look it up)

A Senator from BC

Federal Jurisdiction

1) Species At Risk Act (SARA):  This is legislation to allow the federal government to take control of the management of a species which is at risk of going extinct if the provinces aren't doing a good enough job. Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada can use SARA to protect fish, wildlife, and habitat.

2) Tidal Angling: Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages all tidal angling, fish stocks, and license.  The minister responsible is The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc.

3) Migratory Birds: Environment and Climate Change Canada manages migratory bird hunting and licensing.  The minister responsible is The Honourable Catherine McKenna.

4) Firearms Licensing and Regulation: RCMP which is under Public Safety Canada. The Minister responsible is The Honourable Ralph Goodale.


Provincial (British Columbia)


The Provincial Riding Boundaries in Greater Vancouver

BC is divided into 87 ridings.  Each riding is represented by an Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) who is your local representative in the government.  Their job is to represent the issues that matter to the people who live in their riding.  48 of those ridings are in the Lower Mainland (Region 2).  Since most hunting issues are provincial and since most of the ridings are in Region 2, those of us in the Lower Mainland have the power to change and shape how wildlife management and habitat conservation happens more than the entire rest of the province combined.  We have a responsibility to advocate since our region holds the most sway.

To find your riding any of the following links will take you to maps where you can find out who represents you.  They will have an office in your neighbourhood and split their time between your riding and being in Victoria.  You can send them mail, email, or call their local constituency office in your neighborhood to arrange a time to discuss issues with them. You can also go there in person during the hours they are open.
 
http://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/bcede/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legislative_Assembly_of_British_Columbia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_British_Columbia_provincial_electoral_districts

Provincial Government

Executive: The Queen (rep. Lieutenant Governor), the Premier (John Horgan), Cabinet (Ministers)

Legislative: the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia

Judicial: Provincial Court, Provincial Court of Appeal

Who to Contact About Provincial Issues:

The Premier (John Horgan <premier@gov.bc.ca>)

The Minister Responsible for the Issue: Either
Doug Donaldson <FLNR.Minister@gov.bc.ca>
George Heyman <ENV.Minister@gov.bc.ca>

Your Local Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) (You'll have to look it up)

Provincial Jurisdiction:

1) Hunting, Fresh Water Angling, Forests, Lands, Natural Resources, Rural Development: Conveniently, that is the ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development.  The minister in charge is Honourable Doug Donaldson.

2) Environment & Climate Change: Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.  The minister responsible is Honourable George Heyman.

Municipal (Your City or Town)


Municipal Jurisdiction:
1) Noise bylaws and No Discharge bylaws: Mayor and Council.

Who to Contact About Municipal Issues:
The Mayor and Council



Response from the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development



Yesterday I received the following response from a registered professional Biologist from the Ministry responsible for hunting issues, the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development.  I am not going to post the contact information or the name of the biologist so that I can start to develop a rapport with them on issues, but it just goes to show that if you are persistent, you will be heard.

Dear Alex,

Thank you for your e-mail regarding wildlife and habitat engagement. I’m currently working on the initiative to improve wildlife management and habitat conservation, and have been asked to respond.

Our government is committed to improving wildlife management and habitat conservation in BC, and will be developing policy options starting this fall to deliver on this mandate. This initiative is one of the top priorities for our Minister for this year.

As you know, our government committed to increasing funding for the Provincial Wildlife Management Strategy. Although the allocation is modest this year ($1M), there is a commitment to increase funds over the next two years ($3M for 2019/20 and $10M for 2020/21). However we recognize that even this commitment will likely not be sufficient to meet the expectations of British Columbians for substantial on the ground change. Hence we are exploring many of the opportunities you recommend for generating additional funding. I will send your excellent list of suggestions to the team that is currently exploring funding models.

Please continue to visit our website to share your thoughtful comments and ideas. Your input will contribute to the success of a new strategy moving forward.

Sincerely,

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXX, MSc, RPBio
Wildlife and Habitat Branch
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development
Phone: XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXX@gov.bc.ca

From: Alex Johnson [mailto:XXXXXXXXXX@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 6, 2018 7:31 AM
To: OfficeofthePremier, Office PREM:EX; Executive Division Office, FLNR:EX; Minister, FLNR FLNR:EX; Minister, ENV ENV:EX
Subject: 239966 Wildlife and Habitat Engagement

Alex Johnson
XXXXXXXX
New Westminster, BC
XXXXXX
(XXX) XXX-XXXX
June 6, 2018

Dear Premier Horgan, Minister Donaldson, and Minister Heyman

Re: Wildlife and Habitat Engagement

I am writing this letter to ask you to continue to ensure habitat and wildlife issues are a priority for this government and to support addressing all 8 of the challenges, and the associated objectives, discussed in the “Wildlife and Habitat Engagement” which is being undertaken by the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. As a hunter, I fully support the efforts to address all 8 challenges and I support the direction that the provincial government and the ministry are taking regarding these issues. 

Similarly, I appreciate, and I fully support, the Provincial Caribou Recovery program. The action taken so far to engage the public and raise awareness is a critical first step. I have attached some infographics from the BCWF as well as some photos of the caribou that are blinking out of existence in BC. Caribou in BC are in crisis and urgent action is needed. 

Both initiatives as well as the modest funding increase in the last budget show that this government is willing to take action on critical matters of habitat protection and restoration in order to save species which are in crisis in BC. Thank you.

Now is the time to redouble the effort on these issues to achieve real lasting success. BC’s plants and animals depend on it. I fear these issues will run out of steam after the consultation is finished, like so many initiatives did with the previous government. I hope desperately that this government will be the first in in my lifetime to make real progress in restoring habitat and wildlife population numbers. 

This can only happen with the necessary funding. There are numerous methods other jurisdictions use to secure stable and sufficient funding to implement meaningful action on habitat and wildlife issues. 

These include, fees or funds from resource extraction, fees on tourism activities such as whale and bear viewing, ski passes, park and trail access fees, hunting and angling license fees, excise taxes on the sale of outdoor and sporting equipment including skis, snowboards, mountain and dirt bikes, ATVs, boats, and snowmobiles. Please fulfill both the NDP campaign promise to earmark 100% of license fees for conservation as well as implement some or all additional funding sources available. Neighbouring jurisdictions are able to reach hundreds of millions of dollars in funding from these sources.

Please continue to keep habitat and wildlife a priority for this government.

Sincerely,

Alex Johnson

Wednesday 6 June 2018

BCWF: Sign the Petition

If you haven't already signed the BCWF petition to protect BC habitat and wildlife, please consider doing so.

http://bcwf.net/…/2017-political-election…/sign-the-petition


British Columbia (BC) is home to more than half of all fish and wildlife…

Monday 4 June 2018

BCWF: Caribou Recovery - Help Us Advocate Now

 

http://bcwf.net/index.php/committees/wildlife/fish-wildlife-restoration-program/caribou-recovery  

 

Intro


Caribou is a symbol of wilderness in British Columbia and across Canada; Caribou is on our quarter, and are far more sensitive to the effects of people than other species such as burrowing owls, grizzly bears, and orcas.  We likely know more about Caribou than any other wildlife species in Canada.  British Columbia has been investing in caribou research and recovery for decades, yet most populations continue their downward slide to extinction.  Caribou is a symptom of a more significant problem: an intentional long-term defunding and dismantling of natural resource management in British Columbia and across Canada principally due to a lack of political will to adequately conserve and manage our natural resources.

 

Status

While the most recent government report indicates three extinct populations, it is likely that the Columbia South, South Selkirks, George Mountain, Central Purcells, Kinbasket, and Central Monashees are extinct or functionally extinct as well.  There are glimmers of hope in the Columbia North and Klinze-za populations where management levers are exercised. In most of Central and Southern B.C., we are in a crisis.

 

Funding

Caribou recovery, wildlife management, and natural resource management have been chronically under-funded for decades.  Without funding, the science which managers and elected officials need to make sound decisions often is not available.  Wildlife does not exist on four-year election cycles and should not be a passing thought in the budgeting process.

Recommendation: All who use and benefit from our natural resources to give back to conservation, including but not limited to; hydro-electrical development, heli-skiing, ski hills, logging, mining, oil & gas, ecotourism, hunters, anglers, naturalists.  Natural resource conservation funding should be based on a pay to play approach which increases legitimacy and provides stable, predictable, long-term funding.

Funding should be placed at arm’s length from government to increase transparency, public confidence, and the ability to leverage funding.

 

Science


Photograph by: Handout , Mike Jones for Canadian Boreal Initiative
Academics and some government researchers, most of which have retired or will retire shortly, are at the leading edge of caribou ecology and recovery.  Due to under-investment, cutbacks, retirement and attrition government is losing capacity and expertise to carry-out long-term research required to conserve caribou effectively.

The BCWF is extremely concerned since last year’s funding announcement that the province has excluded the top caribou ecologists from meetings, and failed to engage researchers on study designs for management, monitoring, and recovery.  Significant expertise is available, and research is being conducted at the University of Alberta as well as University of Northern British Columbia, and University of Montana which should be a focal component of caribou recovery.

Recommendation: Caribou research should be funded and housed in an academic institution, or cooperative wildlife unit, which would minimize big"P" politics and provide focus and the rigour required to inform and guide science-based decisions.

 

Inventory

The status quo approach is "fly when you have money," which is not meaningful for caribou or other wildlife species.  It will not restore caribou populations by confirming that there is fewer caribou than the last inventory flight restore caribou populations.

Recommendation: Monitoring should occur via stratified random block surveys every five years.  Between collaring, camera trapping, citizen science, and aerial inventory work there may be more efficient and cost-effective means to monitor caribou populations.  The results of inventory need to inform an adaptive approach to landscape-level management.

 

Objectives

There are currently no meaningful objectives for mountain caribou.  Aggregated or long-term objectives, without short-term objectives, will fail the test of time.  While the government has indicated recovering all caribou herds may not be feasible, the critical habitat provision in SARA exists even after caribou populations have become extirpated.

Recommendation: There should be legislated objectives for all Mountain Caribou populations, as well as legislated objectives for habitat, and all other species to ensure caribou recovery is successful and those involved are accountable to the process each other, and caribou.

 

Tools

The BCWF recognizes habitat restoration, access management, predator management, maternal penning, supplemental feeding, and management of over-abundant prey species, as legitimate management tools.  The BCWF does not support using these tools in isolation, or when they are politically, or socially convenient.

 

Penning


Photo courtesy of CBC
The BCWF recognizes neonate mortality is high and that maternal penning has proven somewhat effective in combination with other management tools.  The BCWF acknowledges this as an interim step but is not highly supportive of using this over the long run because of cost, a lack of scalability, animal health-related concerns and de-wilding of wildlife.  Given those concerns, the BCWF is not supportive of captive breeding and this time.

 

Feeding

The BCWF recognizes that supplemental feeding is part of maternal penning and supports it as an interim measure for small populations.

 

Prey management

With legislated objectives for habitat and wildlife populations comes management of all species.  The BCWF supports managing habitat and wildlife by setting objectives and following them, using hunting as a legitimate wildlife management tool.

 

Predator Management

The BCWF notes that caribou population declines and extinctions have occurred both inside and outside Provincial and Federal Parks and protected areas for a myriad of reasons which are often correlated to people and industrial development as ultimate causes, with proximate causes related to predation.  While controversial, predator management is a legitimate tool to ensure the perpetuation and support recovery of prey species.

Recommendation: The Federal government's guideline wolf density target is 3/1000 km2 for Southern caribou populations.  Site-specific wolf management has proven to be ineffective; it must be meaningful for caribou and applied at the landscape level.


 

Land Use

Recommendation: B.C. needs to set a vision for what its landscapes should look like in five decades, including caribou recovery zones.  Land use should include private lands, and private land acquisition and management.

Recommendation: The environmental assessment process needs:

1) A commitment to scientific integrity
2) Mitigation measures which are ground-truthed, and monitored
3) Cumulative effects must be applied spatially and across all industries and uses
4) Information must be transparent, public and permanent

 

Access



British Columbia’s wilderness is crisscrossed with resource extraction roads and other linear features such as seismic lines.  The most commonly cited threshold for wildlife is 0.6 km/km2; nearly all of southern B.C. exceeds this threshold.  Caribou is more susceptible to roads and linear features than most other wildlife populations.
A threshold for landscape-level management and caribou recovery should be legislated.  Linear features (logging roads, seismic lines) should be decommissioned as part of licensees’ obligations to ensure these targets are met.

The BCWF recognizes changes to commercial and recreational use will likely need to be adjusted over time.  The BCWF supports limiting and modifying commercial and non-resident use before that of British Columbians.

 

Enforcement and Oversight

Currently, there are numerous ‘voluntary' guidelines, which may not be sufficient to manage the impacts of resource extraction and recreational use properly.  There must be research on the effects of eco-tourism, heli-skiing, and cat skiing.  Enforcement of snowmobile closures and the associated penalties have not been sufficient.

Recommendation: The BCWF would like to see increased oversight, enforcement and monitoring of all industries provincially, including those in caribou recovery zones.  Oversight would be conducted through a Natural Resources Practices Board to evaluate practices and serve as an independent watchdog for natural resource management in B.C.

Recommendation: The BCWF recommends legislated commitments around staffing and budgeting through the Conservation Officer Service.  All fines resulting from infractions in Caribou recovery zones should go back to landscape-level management in the area where the violation occurred.

 

Communication

The BCWF supports increased communication and the incorporation of modern web-based tools to report.  The BCWF is disappointed in the current consultative process which provides no substance or legitimacy to respondents’ comments.  Public consultation should be qualified, and transparent.  The current process delegitimizes public consultation, integrity, legitimacy, and accountability of the process.

 

Social Support

Government’s historic top-down, divisive and authoritative approach creates and leaves caribou recovery subject to the elected regulatory framework.

Recommendation: The BCWF would like to see a roundtable approach, similar to the current Mountain Caribou Recovery Implementation Plan where legitimate interests are represented.   A roundtable would include First Nations, NGOs, experts, scientists, the public sector, and industry.  Represented interests should be B.C.-based, be provincial in nature and non-governmental organizations should be involved in on-the-ground conservation and stewardship projects.  The roundtable would add to the legitimacy of the process, and minimize free-riding, mistrust, and instability.  The BCWF would also like to see a non-partisan MLA committee formed included in this process.

 

Conclusion

The BC Wildlife Federation is excited that this review is occurring and that there has been a short-term commitment to funding.  For caribou to continue to exist in B.C., we will have to do things differently.  In the short-term, we need to stop the bleeding by reducing mortality of caribou by wolves and cougars, access, and the loss of large intact blocks of habitat until the habitat becomes caribou friendly.  In the long-term, we need to decommission roads, seismic lines, trails, cut blocks, other activities (heli-skiing, cat-skiing, snowmobiling), and high-density ungulates.

If we are to recover caribou, and wildlife broadly, B.C. has to change its approach: we need a new model which is adequately funded, has legislated objectives and which puts wildlife first.

 

Help Advocate for BC's Caribou Now

 

Share this page with your Network

 
ACT NOW! encourage others to give their feedback to the BC Government on Caribou recovery before June 15th at 4 pm!

 

Send your MLA a Letter and Book a Meeting:

1) CLICK HERE TO Download a template letter for you to easily format, email or mail off to your MLA
2) Find your MLA
3) Email and Snail Mail your Letters to your MLA
4) Find your MP and Book a Meeting 




Example of Letter:
Your Name 
Your Address Here
Your Address Here

June xx, 2018
Your MLA's Name and
Address Here

Dear ____________,
 
Re:  BC Caribou Recovery

I am writing to you today to request that you put more funding and effort into the recovery of BC’s Caribou.

Caribouare a symbol of wilderness in British Columbia and across Canada. Yet, caribou recovery, along with wildlife management, and natural resource management, have been under-funded for decades.

I believe more funding should be allocated to wildlife management, so more effort can be put into collecting data and setting legislated objectives for all mountain caribou populations, as well as a legislated objective for habitat, and all other species.

To provide more funding, I suggest all who use and benefit from our natural resources should give back to conservation, including but not limited to; hydro-electrical development, heli-skiing, logging, mining, oil & gas, ecotourism, hunters, and anglers.

If we are to recover caribou, and wildlife broadly, B.C. must change its approach. We can no longer manage our wildlife to zero. We need a new model which is adequately funded, has legislated objectives and which puts wildlife first.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter.

Respectfully,

Sign

Insert your name here

CC: Right Hon. Justin Trudeau
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A2

Insert name of your MP
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON, K1A 0A6

Saturday 26 May 2018

BCWF: CONSERVATION COLLABORATORS LAUNCH THE SOUTHERN INTERIOR MULE DEER PROJECT

http://bcwf.net/index.php/southern-bc-mule-deer-project

http://bcwf.net/index.php/new-items-sp-25573/news-updates#

A new, large-scale research project, involving multiple agencies and universities, has started to tackle one of the most pressing needs in wildlife management in British Columbia – how to understand and reverse declines of mule deer in the Southern Interior. With contributions from Indigenous people, the public, stakeholders, and industry, this project brings together cutting-edge research on deer ecology with multiple partnerships to advance both evidence and cooperative-based approaches to wildlife conservation.

“Mule deer declines have been a concern in portions of the southern interior since the 1960s, and decades of hunting regulation change have not reversed the declines," said Jesse Zeman, Director of Fish and Wildlife Restoration, BC Wildlife Federation.


A combination of fire suppression, timber extraction, highways, urban sprawl and other factors affect the movement and size of mule deer populations in the Southern Interior of B.C. Sophie Gilbert, an Assistant Professor at the University of Idaho and co-investigator on the project, said, "in addition to landscape change, things like increases in competitor or predator species may also be affecting mule deer, as we've seen in other parts of western North America, and we want to identify which drivers are most important in the Southern Interior.

"Mule deer are essential for food security, Syilx (Okanagan) cultural practice and knowledge transfer, hunter opportunity, and are a ‘canary in the coal mine' for B.C.'s ecosystems.
“What we have heard from Indigenous communities, ecologists, and resident hunters is that the decline of mule deer matters to them and the status quo is no longer sufficient," said Dr. Adam T. Ford, Assistant Professor and Canada Research Chair in Wildlife Restoration Ecology at the University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus and co-investigator on the project. "It is time we bring more science to bear on issues affecting wildlife in B.C."

The B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch, in collaboration with the BC Wildlife Federation, Okanagan Nation Alliance, volunteers and researchers at the University of British Columbia, and the University of Idaho, placed GPS tracking collars on 64 adult female mule deer (does) in the following areas: Kettle-Granby, Peachland/Garnet Valley, and Cache Creek/Elephant Hill fire.

There are an additional 33 adult female mule deer collared in the Kootenay study area.
Of the 64 deer captured in 2018, ultrasounds were used to assess pregnancy rates and general health on 56 does greater than one year of age. The project team found a 98 percent pregnancy rate, at least 80 percent of those does were carrying twins. Does and their offspring (fawns) are what drive deer population change, which is why the project is focusing on them.

The GPS collars in the Kettle-Granby, Peachland/Garnet Valley, and Cache Creek study areas track the deer movements every 4.25 hours and provide information on the deers’ habitat use, how they move across the landscape, which areas they avoid, when and how they die. When a collar is no longer moving, a message gets sent to the project team which allows them to investigate factors contributing to the animal’s death.

In addition to the collars, at least 200 remote cameras will be deployed in the project areas to provide an understanding of how other animals (predators, prey, and people) interact with mule deer. The cameras will also provide recruitment data (fawn survival) and sex ratios (buck: doe), and potentially help count mule deer and other large mammals.

This fall the group expects to place GPS collars on a minimum of 60 mule deer fawns and will also incorporate vegetation monitoring (food availability).


To date, nearly $300,000 in direct funding has been contributed to the project through multiple sources including, BC Wildlife Federation Clubs and partners, corporate donors, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch, Ministry of Transportation, and B.C. Timber Sales. The project has also confirmed over $500,000 of in-kind support from collaborators, particularly project volunteers and the University of B.C. Okanagan and University of Idaho.

"While there has been tremendous community support, the project still requires additional financial and in-kind support to fund the remaining four years of the project," said Jesse Zeman. “Please go to the BC Wildlife Federation website [bcwf.bc.ca] to make a donation and receive a tax credit receipt, get updates, or learn about volunteer opportunities for the project.” People can also donate directly to the Okanagan Nation Alliance [www.syilx.org].

BC Government News: Have your say on wildlife management, habitat conservation

 https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018FLNR0128-000969

The Government of British Columbia is starting a discussion on improving wildlife management and habitat conservation, Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, has announced.

“The diversity of wildlife in British Columbia is one of our province’s greatest treasures,” said Donaldson. “Working with Indigenous peoples, wildlife stakeholders and the public, we want to build a strategy that more effectively manages our wildlife for future generations. We’ve dedicated $14 million over three years to do so.”

The province's unique landscapes and climate is home to one of the richest wildlife resources in North America. Three-quarters of Canada's mammal species are found in B.C., with 24 of those species exclusive to B.C. In recent decades, alteration of habitat due to expanded human populations, expanded natural resource development and impacts from climate change have placed increasing pressure on certain wildlife populations, some of which are now in decline.

As part of the government’s commitment to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, collaboration with Indigenous peoples is an integral part of developing a new provincial wildlife strategy.

The discussion paper, Improving Wildlife Management and Habitat Conservation in British Columbia, poses eight questions for discussion. Engagement is the first step in a four-step process to develop the strategy:
  1. Hold online engagement and face-to-face sessions with Indigenous communities and key stakeholders.
  2. Develop policy options to address priority concerns emerging from the engagement.
  3. Release a policy intentions paper for public engagement.
  4. Implement a new wildlife management and conservation strategy in 2020.
The comment period will end on July 31, 2018. The public is invited to provide input by visiting: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/wildlifeandhabitat

Wednesday 23 May 2018

BC Habitat and Wildlife Reports



I just found this useful link where many of the reports which have been prepared for the government over the last number of years can be found.

http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/fw/wildlife/management-issues/index.html#wildlife-allocations

Saturday 5 May 2018

BCWF RESPONDS: Government Deliberately Fails to Protect BC`s Native Fish


BCWF RESPONDS: Government Deliberately Fails to Protect BC`s Native Fish
 

On behalf of its client, the BC Wildlife Federation, the University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre has submitted a request for examination of Canada’s failure to protect endangered Pacific salmon and anadromous trout species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development and the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

The University of Victoria Environmental Law Centre’s Legal Director, Calvin Sandborn, put together the 57-page submission on BCWF’s behalf, detailing the federal government's, and its designated management agency the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, systematic refusal to protect and restore at-risk West Coast marine fish species.

To read the full submission, click the link here https://buff.ly/2HMSash

#SaveBCFish #SaveBCSteelhead #SARA

Wednesday 2 May 2018

Form Letter For Advocacy

I decided it might be a good idea to write a form letter for advocacy.  I sent this to the BC Chapter of the BHA in case it might serve as a good starting point to make a form letter for people to use as a starting point to contact their MLA.  Feel free to use any or all of it.  Again, I have paraphrased a lot of great sources in conservation including my favourite Theodore Roosevelt quote, so...


<Your Name Here>
<Your Email Address Here>
<Your Phone Number Here>
<Your Home Address Here>



<Today’s Date Here>

Dear <The Name of your MLA Here>,

RE: Please Make Protecting Habitat a Priority

I am writing this letter because, as a hunter and angler who lives in your constituency, protecting habitat is extremely important to me.  I am concerned about the loss of high quality habitat and the resulting declines in fish and wildlife populations which I have observed, and which have been confirmed in numerous studies and reports prepared for the government.  The actions taken by the current government are a good first step, but there is a lot more which needs to be done to protect habitat for future generations. 

[Optional] I would also like to request a meeting at your earliest convenience to discuss with you in person the important issues facing habitat, fish and wildlife in BC.    

Recently, it was extremely distressing to learn of the extinction of the Selkirk Mountain caribou herd due to habitat loss.  A failure to protect the old growth lichen bearing trees which the caribou rely on is a mistake we cannot afford to repeat.  High logging road density and loss of old growth forest habitat is detrimental to numerous other species as well, including grizzly bears, elk, and moose.  This type of habitat loss crisis is occurring across BC and it is deeply upsetting to witness first hand.  I ask that you work with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural Development and the Ministry of the Environment & Climate Change Strategy to act on the following points to make protecting and restoring habitat in BC a priority. 

1)    Clear Management and Recovery Objectives
Habitat, fish and wildlife recovery plans need to include specific area or population numbers, rather than ratios or flexible goals.  Habitat continues to be lost while fish and wildlife population numbers are declining even when current ratios are being met.  

2)    Science Based Management 
Science should set policy and management objectives for habitat, fish, and wildlife rather than politics or public opinion.  Biologists and staff already employed by the province know how to collect the necessary data and recover habitat, fish and wildlife populations.  They need the funding, authority, and support to do so.

 3)    Increased Funding
BC has the least funding compared to all our neighbours while we have the most animal species and biodiversity which need protection (see info-graphic attached). 100% of license fees as well a higher portion of taxes and fees collected from the tourism and resource industries should go directly to habitat, fish, and wildlife management.

4)    Accountability
Habitat, fish, and wildlife managers as well as the resource industry need to be accountable for meeting population recovery and habitat restoration goals. Provincial agencies, biologists, and conservation officers need the legislation, regulation, and other tools to be able to set policies, ensure their involvement in resource industry extraction planning, increase monitoring, and have the necessary enforcement authority to hold industry accountable.

Spending time in nature and being able to source healthy and organic meat and fish is of the highest importance to me and my family.  I am worried that if action is not taken that we are destroying the natural heritage of future generations.  Please take action and make protecting habitat a priority.

Sincerely,

<Your Signature Here>



<Your Name Here>