2023 Annual Report

April 2023 marked the start of the eleventh operational season of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS). Thanks to dedicated staff, diligent directors, knowledgeable partners and inspired volunteers, the CSISS expanded its programming and made significant progress on each goal identified in the 2019-2024 CSISS Strategic Plan:

Goal 1: Implement a collaborative and coordinated program

• Strengthened and expanded its network of partners;
• Collaborated with all levels of government, stakeholders, residents and NGO’s;
• Worked with over 300 organizations, 26 of whom were new in 2023.

Goal 2: Educate, engage and inspire participation

• Completed targeted outreach to stakeholders and land managers;
• Hosted training workshops for government staff, contractors and the public;
• Engaged with over 3,650 people in the region and attended 74 events;
• Directly targeted outreach to various stakeholders through in-person and online.

Goal 3: Prevent the introduction of new invasive species

• Delivered the ‘Plant Wise’ message to 23 garden centers;
• Visited boat launches, marinas, and campgrounds with ‘Clean Drain Dry’;
• Completed six press releases and was featured in 50 news pieces;
• Regularly created engaging posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Goal 4: Maximize the probability of detection and eradication

• Completed 685 targeted invasive plant surveys across the region;
• Collected 137 water samples at 25 locations across 15 waterbodies for invasive mussels;
• Deployed substrate samplers at 11 sites across 9 waterbodies to monitor for adult invasive mussels.

Goal 5: Slow or reverse the spread of existing invasive species

• Completed mechanical treatment at 39 priority locations;
• Administered 4 herbicide spray contracts, treating 51 priority sites;
• Installed ‘Do Now Mow’ signage across the region;
• Supported 7 weed pulls with six partner organizations.

Goal 6: Ensure program sustainability

• Seven staff members in 2023 and 11 volunteer Board Directors;
• Maintained a similar operating budget;
• Employed new funding sources and support from existing funding sources allow CSISS to continue and expand work in the Columbia Shuswap region;
• Followed along term funding strategy, a detailed annual workplan and Strategic Plan;
• Helped lead annual updates to the regional 2020-2025 CSISS Operational Plan.

Visit our website to download our detailed annual report and infographic summary: https://columbiashuswapinvasives.org/csiss-resources/

Contact CSISS to book a training presentation for your organization at: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org

Thank You to our Funders in 2023-2024

We acknowledge the financial support of: the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Forests  (Coordination and Awareness Grants through CSISS and CSRD), BC Parks (Capital funds and Park Enhancement Funds in Columbia and Shuswap regions) and the Community Gaming Grant; the Columbia Shuswap Regional District; the Columbia Basin Trust; The Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail (Splatsin te Secwépemc, Columbia Shuswap Regional District (2019-2024 agreement and Operational Funding for Landfills/Transfer Stations), Regional District of North Okanagan); The Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation  (Invasive Mussel Lake Monitoring and Restoration grants); The Nature Trust of BC; Living Lakes Canada; The City of Salmon Arm; The City of Revelstoke; Parks Canada; BC Hydro; the Shuswap Watershed Council (Aquatic outreach and Mussel monitoring); Environment and Climate Change Canada; Employment and Social Development Canada (Canada Summer Jobs wage subsidies for 4 projects); Eco Canada (Environmental Pathways and Science Horizons Wage Subssidies). We acknowledge the small contributions, in kind support and partnership with several other organizations across the region.