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CSISS Updates
| Whirling Disease & NEW Prevention measures | From the Field
| Invasive Species Alerts | | Golden Visitor Centre Info Sign | Staff Updates
| Captivating Content | Upcoming Events |
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Welcome to Summer with CSISS
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Photo: CSISS staff and some board members at our recent strategic planning meeting in Revelstoke in June.
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As the warmth of summer embraces us, we look back on a productive and engaging spring season and forward to an exciting summer!
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What’s been happening?
Outreach program:
Our community engagement efforts have been vibrant and diverse. So far this spring we have built team spirit through staff training, strategic planning and had social bike rides. Already we have organized and delivered numerous weed pulls, workshops, presentations, and webinars. The outreach team has been hard at work, participating in media interviews, and we now have a monthly podcast (details below). Additionally this spring we engaged with 100’s of youth across the region with our school and youth education sessions. Not only that, we have been setting up informative booths at farmers markets, community events, boat launches and everywhere in-between! Phew, we have been busy!
Field program:
On the field front, we’ve begun aquatic sampling to monitor for invasive Zebra and Quagga mussels across the ENTIRE region. The team has also been conducting terrestrial inventory and mechanical treatment to monitor and manage invasive plant species in each Invasive Plant Management Area (IMPA), working with a number of land managers. See more information below about our aquatic program.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to our dedicated staff, board members, and volunteers. Your passion and hard work make our efforts not only possible but also a joy!
What is next?
We have some big and important updates to share in this newsletter, including new provincial preventative measures for whirling disease, including:
“Pull the Plug” and decontamination procedures for the Columbia Watershed.
We also have important invasive alerts, such as the high-priority plant Black Henbane in Golden and recent detections of Emerald Ash Borer in Vancouver, reminding us of the importance of “Buy Local, Burn Local” to prevent the spread of these pests.
We’re excited to unveil our new sign at the Golden Visitor Information Centre, near the Golden Watercraft Inspection Station. Additionally, we officially welcome our (not so) new Outreach Assistant, Shayne, to the team.
Buckle up; it’s a big edition of Invasive Insights!
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SUMMER ALERT:
Pull the Plug
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Decontamination in Columbia Watershed
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Image: New provincial sign for whirling disease. Watch for these new signs going up soon around the region!
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Whirling Disease Updates
NEW preventative measures to prevent the spread
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What is Whirling Disease?
Whirling disease is a sickness that affects young salmon and trout. It’s caused by a parasite called Myxobolus cerebralis, which gets into the fish through their skin. While it doesn’t harm humans, it can be deadly, in specific situations, to young fish like rainbow, cuthroat, and brook trout under four months old. Whirling disease was found in Alberta in 2016 and confirmed in British Columbia (B.C.) for the first time in December 2023, in Yoho National Park within the Columbia River Watershed.
How is whirling disease spread?
Whirling disease spreads through the movement of fish, mud, and water. It’s transmitted by tiny spores that stick to equipment used for activities like swimming, boating, fishing, or pumping water, as well as pets. Infected fish, whether alive or dead, and their parts can also carry the disease. Since there’s no cure for whirling disease, it’s crucial to focus on containing and preventing its spread to reduce the risk.
New Preventative Measures:
Pull the plug! It’s the law!
It is now illegal to transport your watercraft with the drain plug still in place. Before transporting a boat or any other watercraft, you must:
- Remove the drain plug from watercraft.
- Clean, Drain, Dry all water from watercraft including all internal compartments such as ballasts, bilges, and live wells.
Read more here.
Decontamination in the Columbia Watershed
The provincial government of B.C. has introduced new requirements and guidance for the Columbia Watershed specifically:
1. Handle fish carefully.
2. Clean Drain Dry all watercraft, equipment, and gear- More than just boats!
3. Decontaminate all watercraft, equipment and gear leaving waterbodies in the Columbia watershed
• Additional cleaning and decontamination procedures are recommended when moving equipment and boats within and out of high risk areas for whirling disease.
• The Columbia River Watershed is identified as high-risk area for whirling disease due to the connectivity to upstream regions where whirling disease has been detected including, Kootenay and Yoho National Parks.
• Follow the decontamination protocol after the equipment has been thoroughly cleaned using the clean, drain and dry practices.
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Photo: CSISS Field Technicians, Marlee and Nolan, with new board member Peter Baker, on a an aquatic sampling day at Adams Lake in July.
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Aquatic Sampling in the CSRD
Water Sampling continues this summer for Zebra and Quagga Mussels
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As water temperatures at our sampling locations reach around 12 degrees, the invasive mussel lake monitoring program begins across the region. Our team embarks on long days visiting stunning locations like Adams Lake, Cedar Lake, Columbia River Mabel Lake, Kinbasket Lake, Mitten Lake, Revelstoke Lake, Shuswap Lake, Upper Arrow Lake, White Lake (Blind Bay) and Trout Lake. We work in all conditions, from rain to heat, to collect water samples that get sent to the lab to be tested for invasive Zebra and Quagga (ZQM) mussel larvae, as well as watching for any signs of adult mussels. Although the mussels are not yet present in B.C., ZQM could survive in B.C. lakes and rivers if introduced and have devastating impacts to B.C.’s aquatic ecosystems, salmon populations, hydropower stations and other infrastructure facilities. You can learn more about ZQM here: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/zebra-and-quagga-mussel-facts
What We Do
We use substrate samplers (pipes connected on a string) to detect young or adult mussels that may have attached themselves to hard surfaces in the water. Our field team also uses plankton nets to collect water samples to determine the presence of zebra and quagga mussel larvae (called veligers).
What can you do?
Before moving to a new waterbody, please remember to Clean, Drain, and Dry your watercraft and gear (Not just boats) in BC, and when travelling out of Province remember to stop at inspection stations.
You can also check out our socials to see what the process looks like!
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ALERT: New Invasive Species Detection
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Black Henbane confirmed in Golden
Several confirmed sightings of NEW Black Henbane sites
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For the first time, Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) has been confirmed in Golden!
Why is this sighting of Black Henbane in Golden bad news?
– Listed as a provincial Early Detection Rapid Response (EDRR) species
– Toxic to humans and animals
– Harbors major crop pests, threatening food security
– Difficult to eradicate once established
– Prevents native plant growth by creating dense shade and leaf litter
– Thrives in agricultural and disturbed areas
What can you do?
Report sightings via the Report Invasive Species app or email invasive.plants@gov.bc.ca
Prevention is key!
– Play Clean Go: Make sure to clean off seeds that might have attached to your clothing, equipment, and vehicle after being on the trails and before heading somewhere new!
– Be Plantwise and make informed choices for your garden.
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Photo: Emerald ash borer, David Cappaert, Bugwood.org
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New detection of invasive insect in BC!
A timely reminder to Buy Local, Burn Local!
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The Emerald ash borer (EAB), native to East Asia, was first detected in eastern Canada and the United States in 2002. As of May 2024, the presence of EAB has been confirmed in the City of Vancouver.
Impact of Emerald Ash Borer
If EAB were to establish itself in BC, it could cause extensive environmental and economic damage to urban and forested areas containing ash trees. This pest has already killed millions of trees across North America, posing a significant threat to our local ecosystems and urban green spaces.
What You Can Do
We all have a role in preventing the spread of the Emerald ash borer. Be vigilant and report any signs of infestation, such as canopy dieback, bark splitting, or the presence of D-shaped exit holes on ash trees.
Most importantly, we can practice- Buy Local, Burn Local. The accidental spread of invasive insects through firewood can be prevented by sourcing your firewood locally and burning it in the same area.
Our field tech, and resident entomologist Nolan Novotny hosted and produced this great video on invasive insects.
You can watch it below:
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New Info sign at the Golden Visitor Centre
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CSISS created a fresh new sign for the Golden Visitor Centre!
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The sign promotes awareness about invasive species and their impacts, and ways people can take action. We hope the sign will inspire visitors to play their part in preventing the spread of invasive species and that people take away some of the important ways in which they can do this. Visitors can learn about the importance of Clean Drain Dry if they have a watercraft or fishing gear, how to Play Clean Go if they’re hitting the trails, Don’t Let it Loose if they have pets they cannot keep, and remember to Buy Local Burn Local when sourcing firewood for their next campfire.
Featured is the American bullfrog, common burdock, and zebra and quagga mussels, and the negative impacts they have on the environment, economy, and society. The American bullfrog will eat anything that fits in its extremely large mouth, which allows it to outcompete native species for food. Common burdock has spiky burrs that attach to humans and animals, and rapidly spread seeds. Zebra and quagga mussels are estimated to cost $64-129 million dollars annually if they were to be introduced into BC.
Thank you to the Columbia Basin Trust and Signs Ink for making this sign possible!
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CSISS’ Summer Program Assistant
This position is supported by Canada Summer Jobs
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Shayne joined the team this summer as the new Outreach Program Assistant. She has a Bachelor of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability Studies, as well as a diploma in Ecological Restoration and Rehabilitation from the University of Waterloo. She has worked as an invasive species technician, outdoor educator, and park ranger around BC and Ontario. She loves all things nature! If you see Shayne out and about at Outreach events, be sure to say hi and share a nature fact 🙂
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Captivating Content
Invasive species and nature inspired, news, stories, podcasts, and books capturing our attention.
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Foraging Ecology (EATING WILD PLANTS) Encore with @BlackForager, Alexia Nikole Nelson.
Ologies with Alie Ward
It is hard not to get sucked into a good podcast. Ologies are a CSISS staff favourite to get us thinking, curious and inspired on our drives around the region. This is a recent episode we especially loved, exploring how some invasive plants can be foraged as a food source! (you can learn more in person at our Revelstoke event)
While Alexia emphasizes best practices around knotweed, it is one we discourage harvesting at all. As it has an incredible ability to grow from tiny fragments– even the size of pea!
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Riding Mountain National Park- Zebra Quagga Mussels.
Narwhal article
We really enjoyed this article, diving deep on some questions we ask about Zebra and Quagga Mussels.
Can bans on boats — including canoes and kayaks — stop a tiny shellfish from wreaking havoc across Canada?
Riding Mountain National Park’s boat ban is part of a growing trend across the country. The goal: stop a tiny invasive creature that can produce a million eggs per year…
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CSISS’ “Invasive Insights” podcast!
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For the last few months we have been recording a monthly podcast with the Voice of the Shuswap and recently we were featured on the Food Conversations segment.
The podcast is played several times each month and you can catch the recordings at the link below.
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Upcoming Events
July
July 13, 10 am (MT) – Golden Weed Pull
July 19, 10am-1pm- Shuswap Lake Provincial Park Weed Pull
July 20, 9am-1pm – Salmon Arm Downtown Farmers Market
July 20, 1pm-6pm – Revy Paddle Fest
July 21, Kingfisher Learn to Fish Day ( ISCBC)
July 24, 10am-2pm (MT) – Golden Farmers Market
July 25th-27th – Revelstoke Wildflower Festival Events including:
25th-26th, 10am-4pm – ISCBC Invasive Species Trailer at Kovach Park
25th, 3pm-4pm – Edible Invasives Walk at Kovach Park
26th, 5:30pm-6:30pm – Speed Weed Contest at Kovach Park
27th, 10-10:30am – Grow Me Instead presentation- Grizzly Plaza
July 27, 8am-1pm – Revelstoke Farmers Market
July 31, Rail Trail Weed Pull (TBC)
August
More workshops and events to be confirmed
August 2, Sicamous Farmers Market
August 3, White Lake Provincial Park- Aquatic Outreach Day
August 3, Herald Provincial Park, Weed Pull
August 10, Golden Weed Pull
August 14, Celista Farmers Market
August 20, Salmon Arm Bay Nature Trail- Weed Pull
August 23- Shuswap Weed Pull (TBC)
August 27- Shuswap Weed Pull (TBC)
September
September 17-19 Virtual Pesticide Applicator Certification Workshop
September 26, CSISS Shuswap Wildfire Workshop, Tsútswecw Park, details TBC
September 27, Thanksgiving back – Revelstoke Volunteer Weed Pull Event
Contact CSISS to book a training presentation for your organization at: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
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Thank You to our Funders in 2024-2025
We acknowledge the financial support of: the Province of British Columbia(through the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, BC Parks and the Community Gaming Grant); the Columbia Shuswap Regional District; The Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Columbia Basin Trust, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (Invasive Mussel Lake Monitoring Grant and Community Grant); The Nature Trust of BC; The City of Salmon Arm; Parks Canada; BC Hydro (including Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program and Broad Impact Grant); the Shuswap Watershed Council; Employment and Social Development Canada (Canada Summer Jobs); Eco Canada (Environmental Pathways and Science Horizons Wage Subsidies); the City of Revelstoke; the Golden Rod and Gun Club; the Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail; and Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) Green Jobs Initiative(funded by Government of Canada through Parks Canada, as part of their commitment to the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy program). We acknowledge the in kind support and partnership with several other organizations across the region.
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