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16
September

Live Invasive Freshwater Clams Detected in Shuswap Lake

Events, Uncategorized
 

For Immediate Release — September 16, 2020

Survey finds live invasive freshwater clams in the Salmon Arm of the Shuswap Lake, prompts Clean Drain Dry warning. 

Dead invasive freshwater clam (Corbicula fluminea) shells found on the beaches of the Shuswap Lake last year prompted a survey of the near shore area now that water levels are low enough to access the potential habitat for this species.  The survey found live populations of invasive clams at two locations: Sunnybrae and Canoe Beach, and surveys are still underway. “At Sunnybrae we were finding around 20 clams per square metre of lake bed”, said Sue Davies, Aquatic Coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society. The survey was conducted by the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society with funding from the Shuswap Watershed Council, direction from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and assistance from the Invasive Species Council of BC Job Creation Program.  The Corbicula fluminea clam is not to be confused with invasive zebra and quagga mussels (ZQM), which are not currently known in BC. Ongoing prevention and monitoring for ZQM continues in the province, along with border inspection stations for watercraft entering BC .

To avoid spreading aquatic invasive species, including these clams, to other lakes and rivers in B.C., it is important to clean, drain, dry all gear and watercraft following every use. ‘The larvae of this species are microscopic’ said Davies, ‘they could hitchhike in the smallest amount of water in your watercraft and survive to populate another lake.  Please make doubly sure that you Clean, Drain, and Dry all gear and watercraft every time you leave a lake or river – even if you’re going to re-launch somewhere else in Shuswap Lake. This is an important measure for all watercraft: boats of all kinds, kayaks and canoes, paddleboards, and inflatables. Prevention is key,’

Corbicula fluminea clams have been kept as aquarium species, used as bait, and eaten by people.  Any one of these uses may have resulted in dead shells or unwanted live animals being discarded into the lake and is another potential pathway for this species to have found its way into the Shuswap Lake. Never dump live animals or plants into the wild, including waterways.  It is illegal to introduce an aquatic species into a body of water where it is not native, unless authorized under federal, provincial or territorial law (Federal Aquatic Invasive Species Regulation). It is illegal to possess, breed, ship or release species listed under the Controlled Alien Species Regulation.

This is the first confirmed presence of live invasive freshwater clams in the Shuswap. However, this is not the first confirmation of these clams in BC: they are known to exist in lakes in the Fraser Valley and on Vancouver Island, as well as in 38 US States and three of the Great Lakes (Erie, Michigan, and Superior). There are native mussels, such as the Oregon floater mussel and the Winged floater mussel, that can be confused with the Asian clam. The Corbicula fluminea clam shell is triangular shaped and usually less than 2.5 cm but up to 6.5 cm in length, and yellow-green to light brown in color with elevated growth rings.

The clams are small bivalve shellfish, originating in Asia. An individual can produce up to 70,000 eggs per year under optimal conditions and they can reach densities of up to 10,000-20,000 individuals per square metre of lake bed.  They are filter feeders that can reduce biodiversity and food available for fish. Dense populations may have the potential to clog filters on hydro systems and water pipes, imposing costly maintenance.  They are also known to harbour parasites that are harmful to humans if the clams are consumed raw.

So what can be done?  Unfortunately, once established, eradication of Corbicula fluminea clams from a complex, connected waterbody is very unlikely and management methods are limited.  Impacts to the system are difficult to predict and depend on several factors. The best thing you can do is prevent further spread to other lakes or rivers.  Clean, Drain and Dry your gear and watercraft, and never release live animals or plants into waterways.

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society has also been monitoring the Shuswap for invasive Zebra and Quagga Mussels, a different invasive aquatic shellfish, and to-date, they have not been detected anywhere in BC waters.

Members of the public are asked to please report any suspected invasive species via the Provincial “Report Invasives BC” smartphone application (available for download from www.gov.bc.ca/invasive-species) and any suspected invasive zebra or quagga mussels to the Report All Poachers and Polluters hotline 1-877-952-7277.

A fact sheet for the invasive clam is available at https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/environment/plants-animals-and-ecosystems/invasive-species/alerts/asian_clam_alert.pdf

Travellers bringing watercraft to BC are encouraged to visit the provincial website, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bringing-your-boat-to-bc

Differences between Corbicula fluminea clams and Zebra and Quagga Mussels:

  • Zebra and quagga mussels have the ability to attach to solid surfaces due to the presence of hair like structures called byssal threads this also allows them to attach to watercraft and can be easily transported over land from one body of water to another and this can result in increased impacts to infrastructure.
  • The Corbicula fluminea clam lacks byssal threads and cannot attach to solid surfaces the way that zebra and quagga mussels can. Under suitable conditions the clam can reach high densities and have the ability to cause clogging of pipes and other structures affecting power plants, irrigation and water supply facilities and water treatment systems.
  • Confirmed populations of Corbicula fluminea clam have been found in Southern Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland and recently in Shuswap Lake.
  • Zebra and quagga mussels have not been detected in B.C. and the Provincial Invasive Mussel Defense Program’s goal is to prevent their introduction into B.C. through watercraft inspection stations, lake monitoring and education. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, management and reduction of invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. CSISS is thankful for the generous support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Shuswap Watershed Council, Columbia Basin Trust, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, the Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure.

To learn more about invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap region please visit: https://www.columbiashuswapinvasives.org
24
August

You’re invited: October 5th CSISS Virtual AGM

Events, Uncategorized
 

You’re Invited: CSISS Annual General Meeting October 5th 2020

Online

Event Details:

Date: Monday October 5, 2020
Time: 10:00 am – 11:00 am Pacific Time
Format: Online Zoom Meeting

Meeting will include updates from partners, including highlights from the Yellow Flag Iris Shuswap collaboration and Blanket Creek BC Parks project. Meeting will also include CSISS summer program updates, Financial updates and Board of Directors Election! Please be in touch if you have any updates or questions you’d like to share at our AGM on invasive species work in the Columbia Shuswap region, or if you’re interested in joining our Board of Directors.
Please register for the online AGM HERE

Learn More 

See other upcoming CSISS events and news in our recent newsletter.

Stay Connected

To join our newsletter and become a member click here.

Get up to Speed

View our 2019 Annual Report Infographic!
We look forward to seeing you online October 5th!
19
August

Threat of Invasive Mussels Continues as Domestic Travel is Encouraged

Events, Uncategorized
 

Threat of Invasive Mussels Continues as Domestic Travel is Encouraged

Invasive zebra and quagga mussels have been introduced into many water bodies in eastern Canada, but as yet, are not known in parts of Canada west of Manitoba. Increased domestic travel due to the pandemic could see many more infested watercraft traveling west and increasing the risk of infesting British Columbia waters.

“The only way to prevent the spread of invasive mussels is to make sure that every watercraft entering BC is inspected at a Provincial watercraft inspection station, which are run by the Conservation Officer Service,” said Sue Davies, Aquatic Coordinator for the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS), adding “so far this season watercraft inspection stations have intercepted 10 mussel fouled watercraft”.  We encourage Columbia Shuswap residents to talk to their out-of-province friends and family about the importance of watercraft inspection.

Invasive zebra (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga (D. bugensis) mussels can travel as hitchhikers on watercraft due to their ability to attach to surfaces such as boat hulls and propellers, and to their tolerance for being out of the water for many days.  Invasive mussels can withstand up to 30 days out of the water and could easily survive the drive across country on either a trailered boat or a canoe.

The Provincial watercraft inspectors determine the risk level of the watercraft depending on where and when it was last in the water.  “If the watercraft is determined to be low risk, then the traveler is free to go; if it is high risk, travelers may be required to have their boat decontaminated, which is free to the traveler,” said Davies. “The consequence of travelers with watercraft not stopping at an inspection station is a swift fine, and the potential to destroy BC beaches, environments, and cost BC millions every year, so best to take the few minutes to stop in, and help prevent the spread of invasive species,” she added.

Provincial watercraft inspection stations are situated mostly along BC’s southern and eastern borders.  If a station is open, then it is mandatory for all travelers with watercraft, including paddleboards and canoes, to stop.

Travellers bringing watercraft to BC are encouraged to visit the provincial website, https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bringing-your-boat-to-bc, and suspected invasive mussels should be reported to the Conservation Officer Service Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) line at 1 877 952-7277.

The BC Government’s Invasive Mussel Defence Program is responsible for inspecting all watercraft entering BC and overseeing the invasive mussel lake monitoring program to sample waterbodies for invasive zebra and quagga mussels. Local invasive species societies like the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) run outreach campaigns about how to prevent the spread of invasive species, and do much of the sampling of priority waterbodies in the Columbia Shuswap region as part of the Provincial lake monitoring program.  So far this season, the Province has reported that all samples tested to date for invasive mussels within BC are negative.  CSISS thanks the Province of BC, Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, and the Shuswap Watershed Council for funding this important work.

Other aquatic invasive species such as Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum) and curly pondweed (Potamogeton crispus), are already present in some BC lakes.  Cleaning, draining and drying all watercraft when moving them between waterbodies will help prevent their spread within BC freshwaters.

The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, management and reduction of invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. CSISS is thankful for the generous support of the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Shuswap Watershed Council, Columbia Basin Trust, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District, and the Province of BC.

To learn more about invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap region please visit: https://www.columbiashuswapinvasives.org

19
August

Summer Invasive Mussel Report – no mussels so far this season!

Events
 

The Invasive Mussel Defense Program has released a summer interim report.

So far 12,800 watercraft have been inspected, 74 of them were deemed high risk, and 10 were found to be mussel fouled.  Of the 10 mussel fouled watercraft, all but three were referred by other agencies, i.e. Canada Border Services, or inspection stations in Alberta, Manitoba, Idaho, or Washington.

K9 officers Kilo and Major continue to work at BC inspection stations, seeking out potentially infested watercraft.

 

See the full report here.

10
August

Invasive Mussel Defense Program Mid-Summer Report

Aquatic Species, Events
 

Highlights:

12,800 watercraft inspected, 74 deemed to be high risk, 10 found to be mussel fouled.

Of the 10 mussel fouled boats, all but 3 were referred by other agencies (Canada Border Services, inspection stations from Alberta, Manitoba, Idaho, or Washington).

K9 officers Kilo (pictured) and Major continue to inspect boats at various stations in BC.

Monitoring BC lakes for invasive mussels began in June.   227 samples have been collected and analysed so far, no mussels have been found.

 

See the full report here: 2020-IMDP Summer Status Report

 
10
August

Summer 2020 e-Newsletter and field work video!

Events, Newsletter
 
 

Summer Activities
|  Upcoming events  |  Aquatic and terrestrial field program updates  | Summer field work video | Meet our Program Assistant! | New Videos on our YouTube channel! 
See Full Newsletter HERE
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WAYS TO TAKE ACTION!

August 15 th CSISS is hosting an educational booth at the base of Revelstoke Mountain Resort for the Revelstoke Wildflower Festival
August 11th and 13thCSISS is hosting an Invasive Plant Walk as part of the Revelstoke Wildflower Festival- See poster below and event schedule for details

CONTACT CSISS TO BOOK AN ONLINE TRAINING PRESENTATION FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION at: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
Unlike these Western Painted turtles, CSISS employees are practicing physical distancing! Our highest priority is to ensure the health and safety of our workers and community, to achieve this we are following newly implemented safety protocols so we can safely complete field and outreach activities.
🌟 New Staff 🌟

Introducing our rockstar summer program assistant Kathleen Meszaros! 

Kathleen joined CSISS June 1st and has been primarily focused on supporting the aquatic program, completing boater outreach,  assisting with social media and completing veliger sampling.

Kathleen completed her BSc in 2017 and is currently in the MSc of Ecological Restoration program jointly at Simon Fraser University and the BC Institute of Technology. She has previously studied harmful algae blooms in the Pacific Northwest and has a keen interest in protecting our beautiful lakes and rivers.

Thanks Kathleen for all of your hard work!
SUMMER 2020 FIELD WORK VIDEO
CSISS staff are hard at work this summer! This video highlights some of the locations where our staff are completing aquatic and terrestrial surveys and monitoring of invasive species.
What’s new from our social media channels?
We have started two NEW weekly series for this season!
Every Wednesday look for our “What’s Flowering This Week?” post to share on our channels and local gardening and community group pages. Learn about native and invasive plant species, how to differentiate look-a-like species and how to choose native and non-invasive flowers for gardening.
Keep an eye out for “Invasive Catch of the Day” posts to learn about aquatic invaders. We share these with aquarium hobbyist and fishing groups on social media for targeted outreach.
Since last March, CSISS Outreach Coordinator Kim Kaiser has been creating Botanical Illustration videos of invasive plants. These videos highlight characteristics of specific invasive plants to aid in identification. Stay tuned for more videos on our instagram and youtube!
Aquatic Program Updates

The CSISS invasive mussel monitoring program is again sampling lakes across the region for zebra or quagga mussels to facilitate early detection. To date we have collected 47 samples from 10 waterbodies – Thanks to Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and Shuswap Watershed Council for their ongoing support.

Watercraft Inspection stations (run by the Conservation Officer Service) are operating this summer, inspecting and potentially decontaminating watercraft coming into BC to prevent the spread of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasives. More information on their program website:   https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bc-watercraft-inspection-stations

Please report any suspected invasive mussels to the RAPP line on 1-877-952-7277. If you’re bringing your boat from out-of-province, stop at a Watercraft Inspection Station or contact the Provincial Mussel Defense Program at COS.Aquatic.Invasive.Species@gov.bc.ca to determine if your boat is HIGH-RISK and should be decontaminated for possible zebra or quagga mussel presence before accessing B.C.’s lakes and rivers. It’s free! Do not launch the boat into any B.C. waters until you have received instruction from a B.C. Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Inspector. 
See the Shuswap Watershed Council’s 2019 Water Quality Report for information about invasive mussel sampling, Asian Clam and Eurasian Water Milfoil in the Shuswap.
Summer, is that you?

Rain or shine, CSISS terrestrial field staff are happy to have their boots on the ground, completing invasive plant inventories, treatment monitoring, and responding to invasive plant reports.
Revelstoke is officially Canada’s 41st Bee City! 🐝
CSISS is excited to be working with other local organizations to help protect pollinators and enhance their habitat in Revelstoke!
⤵️
LEARN MORE about this exciting initiative!
Thanks to the Shuswap Trail Alliance for our shared project removing invasive Yellow Flag Iris from waterbodies in the Shuswap! Funding gratefully received from TD Environment grant, RBC and HCTF-PCAF grants
Partner Events
New course this fall in Revelstoke!
The Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology is hosting the following course September 23-24:Fundamentals of science-based vegetation surveying. How to include the bryophytes and lichens.

  Click here for Course Details 
CSISS is grateful for the support of many partners and funders:
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Link
Website
Copyright © 2020 Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society, All rights reserved.
We send this newsletter to all CSISS contacts, please let us know if you would not like to be on our contact list.Our mailing address is:
Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
P.O. Box 2853
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0
Canada

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15
May

Boaters – be diligent about Clean-Drain-Dry and watercraft inspection!

Events, Uncategorized
 

Boating season is here! With the arrival of warm weather and the cautious re-opening of activities, many of us are now thinking about boating, paddling, and fishing.

For the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS), boating season means it’s time to turn up the heat on invasive Zebra and Quagga mussel prevention. The increased movement of boats and other watercraft into the region means there’s an increased risk of an accidental introduction of the invasive mussels.

Zebra and Quagga mussels – two species of small, freshwater mussels that originate in Europe – have incredible destructive potential. The mussels occur in parts of eastern and central Canada, but fortunately they have not invaded British Columbia or our nearest neighbour, Alberta.

“Zebra and quagga mussels create enormous problems in lakes because they cling to and form colonies on objects under water: boats, dock pilings, water supply and irrigation systems – anything. This imposes costly, nuisance maintenance.  It’s impossible to get rid of them once they are established in a waterbody,” says Robyn Hooper, Executive Director of the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society.

That’s not all. “The mussels will litter beaches with their razor sharp shells. They produce foul odours, and they pollute water quality which puts the lake ecosystem and drinking water at risk,” adds Hooper.

“Boat and watercraft owners have an important part to play in preventing the spread of invasive mussels,” Hooper says. This is because the primary way invasive mussels invade new waterbodies is by ‘hitch hiking’ on boats, fishing gear, and other watercraft including canoes and paddleboards. Adult mussels are small, about 1 centimeter in diameter, and may be attached to watercraft inside compartments or other hard-to-spot areas. Juvenile mussels are free-swimming and microscopic – impossible to detect with the human eye.

“At this time, we don’t really know what the tourism season might look like, in terms of the number of people travelling here with a watercraft,” says Hooper. “Even so, we are treating this very seriously. Watercraft from outside of BC could potentially be infested with invasive mussels. It could take just one infested watercraft launching into a BC waterway to start a new population of invasive mussels here.”

There are two prevention measures that boat and watercraft owners need to follow, Hooper explains. “The first measure is to clean, drain, and dry your watercraft every time you move it out of a lake or waterbody. By doing this, you’re greatly eliminating the chance that you’re moving invasive species.”

“The second prevention measure is to stop at watercraft inspection stations in your travels,” Hooper adds.

There are several watercraft inspection stations set up at entry-points to BC staffed by the Conservation Officer service. “All travellers with watercraft are must stop. Watercraft will be inspected and, if necessary, decontaminated free of charge.”

Watercraft inspection isn’t required for travellers within BC. However, residents can help raise awareness for the importance of inspection. “We encourage residents to talk to their out-of-province family and friends that plan to travel to BC with their watercraft,” adds Hooper. “The more people that know about invasive mussels and watercraft inspection, the less vulnerable we are to an infestation.”

Any suspected transport or possession of zebra and quagga mussels should be reported to the Provincial RAPP line at 1-877-952-7277. For more information about bringing a boat into BC, visit the provincial website https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bringing-your-boat-to-bc. For more information on zebra and quagga mussels, visit CSISS’s website at w https://columbiashuswapinvasives.org/resources-for-boaters/.

About: The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention, management, and reduction of invasive species in the Columbia Shuswap region.

Contact: For more information, please contact Robyn Hooper/Sue Davies at the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society in Revelstoke at 1-855-785-9333.
14
May

May is the Month for Invasive Species Action!

Events, Newsletter
 
Spring Events and Updates
May is Invasive Species Action Month!  |  Save the date: CSSIS spring workshops go online  |  May and June events   |  Aquatic and terrestrial field program updates  |  New  YouTube channel! 
CSISS Program updates 
It is likely that many of our invasive species field operations will continue as planned, with necessary modifications to ensure the safety of staff and contractors is maintained. We also encourage you to do your part in helping to prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species by practicing these preventative measures outlined by the BC Centre for Disease Control. Outreach activities are adapting in new and creative ways, including new workshop online formats, as per below event calendar. CSISS also has put together a Covid-19 Exposure Control Plan (as per Worksafe BC requirements) to ensure safety for our staff – funders and partners are welcome to get in touch if they are interested in viewing this plan. We hope you’re having a wonderful spring, staying safe and healthy! Please send us any feedback or questions to: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
UPCOMING EVENTS AND WAYS TO TAKE ACTION!
May 16th– Invasive mussel outreach display booth at boat launch in Sicamous (weather dependent, with physical distancing measures in place)May 16th  – May 23rd – National Invasive Species Awareness Week : week of webinars offered by the Canadian Council on Invasive Species.

May 21st– CSISS will be a guest speaker for the Canadian Council on Invasive Species’s webinar series:  Reducing the spread of Invasive Species through Play Clean Go. Register for webinar here.

May 27th– CSISS and CKISS are hosting a webinar with the Columbia Basin Environmental Education and Network’s Wild Voices Online series: From Here and Away; Exploring the Differences Between Native and Invasive Species in BC’s Wetland’s and Beyond. Register here!

June 16th and June 30th – Join one of two CSISS online workshops on Invasive Plant ID and Management  – Carrot Family ID focus (e.g. Wild Parsnip, Wild Chervil, Giant Hogweed) – see more information below! Register HERE.

June 24th– Edible Invasives Workshop online through Okanagan College. Register HERE.

More details of the above events described below!

CONTACT CSISS TO BOOK AN ONLINE TRAINING PRESENTATION FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION at: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
Spring Invasive Plant ID and Management Training goes online!

Want to know how to identify and manage invasives? Join one of our two training sessions offered FREE online this June

CSISS will be hosting one hour online workshops that are applicable to industry, forestry, Indigenous Peoples, municipal and regional staff, landscapers, gardeners, stewardship groups and other interested individuals. Learn to identify key invasive plants in your area and implement best management practices in the field to prevent the spread of invasive species. The ID portion of the course this year will focus on the carrot family species – such as Giant Hogweed, Wild Chervil, Wild Parsnip and others. Sign up for one of the course dates below!

Dates: June 16th (10 am-11am PDT) and June 30th (2pm-3pm PDT)
Format: Zoom Meeting
These workshops are FREE however pre-registration is required.
Registration details here
Teachers and parents mark your calendars!

We will be hosting a webinar alongside Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society for elementary- intermediate primary age students. It will take place May 27th through Columbia Basin Environmental Education Network (CBEEN)‘s Wild Voices online series! Join us to learn about native and invasive species in BC’s Wetlands and Beyond🐸🐢 REGISTER HERE! More details below.
From Here & Away; Exploring the Differences Between Native & Invasive Species in BC’s Wetlands and Beyond!This webinar will focus on the differences between native and invasive species in wetlands and beyond. An introduction to the impacts and characteristics of invasive species will be followed by a lesson on why the American bullfrog and yellow flag iris are unwelcome guests in our wetlands.After the lesson and discussion, students will be given activities that will turn them into Citizen Scientists while exploring the great outdoors . Activities include a backyard biodiversity scavenger hunt, creating a nature journal and using technology to identify and report invasive species

Webinar Details

Date: Thursday May 27, 2020
Time: 10 am Pacific Time
Presenters: Laurie Frankcom from CKISS and Kim Kaiser from CSISS
Recommended Grade Level: Primary and Intermediate Elementary

Register here!
Aquatic Program Updates

Watercraft Inspection stations (run by the Conservation Officer Service) should be up and running by mid-May, inspecting and potentially decontaminating watercraft coming into BC to prevent the spread of invasive mussels and other aquatic invasives.  More information on their program website: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/invasive-mussels/bc-watercraft-inspection-stations

The CSISS invasive mussel monitoring program will again be sampling lakes across the region for zebra or quagga mussels to facilitate early detection – thanks to Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and Shuswap Watershed Council for their ongoing support.  All steps will be taken to ensure staff safety including physical distancing during activities.

Please report any suspected invasive mussels to the RAPP line on 1-877-952-7277. If you’re bringing your boat from out-of-province, contact the Provincial Program at COS.Aquatic.Invasive.Species@gov.bc.ca to determine if your boat is HIGH-RISK and should be decontaminated for possible zebra or quagga mussel presence before accessing B.C.’s lakes and rivers. It’s free! Do not launch the boat into any B.C. waters until you have received instruction from a B.C. Provincial Aquatic Invasive Species Inspector. 
CSISS will be a guest speaker for the Canadian Council on Invasive Species’s webinar series for National Invasive Species Awareness Week!Reducing the Spread of Invasive Species Through Play Clean Go
THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020   10-11  am PT

Learn how CCIS and partners are encouraging outdoor recreation and protecting valuable natural resources in parks, along trails and other spots by preventing the spread of invasive species.

Register for Play Clean Go webinar here
Updates from the Local Dyers’ Palette Project in Golden!

  • They  have finished all the actual dyeing, creating metres and metres of dyed yarn samples and shades of pink, green, yellow and brown, all delicate and soft and just lovely.
  • They collaborated on the text and have created a primer booklet for dyers of wool that we are proud of.  Each booklet is 8.5″ X 5.5″ (half of a regular size of paper) and printed on heavy weight (card stock). 

The booklet will be ready very, very soon and they are ready to take orders.  The exact price will be dependent on the number of copies we print but it is looking at less than $12 each.  
Please go to this link  and leave your name and email and they will order accordingly.
CSISS has a new YouTube channel!
We will be posting plant ID videos, training for industry groups, invasive species art and clips from the field.
Terrestrial Field Program Updates

The CSISS Terrestrial Field Program is back in action. Training for municipal, regional and federal staff are being provided through an online format. DO NOT MOW signs for knotweed are being installed along roadways throughout the region and invasive plant inventories, treatments and monitoring are beginning late May/ early June.

The program is being adjusted to ensure the safety of staff and contractors is maintained.
Invasive Plant ID and Edible Weeds Workshop June 24th

This course will delve into invasive plant identification and will also explore the edible and medicinal properties of weeds. What makes a plant “invasive”, how do we control them, how can we reduce their impacts, and what can we do to benefit from the plant? Come join the team from the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society to find out!
On Wednesday, June 24th at 1:30 pm Okanagan College will be hosting a one hour online workshop with CSISS to explore the topic of invasive plants, with a special focus on their edible properties. The goal is to prevent spreading of these species, while harvesting their beneficial properties and reducing waste.

There will also be identification guides and recipes to share!
Register HERE

See 20+ Edible Weeds in Your Garden (with recipes)
CSISS is grateful for the support of many partners and funders:
Facebook
Twitter
Link
Website
Copyright © 2020 Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society, All rights reserved.
We send this newsletter to all CSISS contacts, please let us know if you would not like to be on our contact list.Our mailing address is:
Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society
P.O. Box 2853
Revelstoke, BC V0E 2S0
Canada

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.
07
April

Five ways to take action against invasive plants while stuck at home!

Events, Uncategorized
 

Looking for ways to fill your days? Gardening is a great way to get outdoors.

Many of us are currently marooned at home and looking for ways to occupy our time. While we patiently wait for the snow to melt, it’s a great time to get a head start on your garden.

Learn to Identify plants!

While we won’t be able to offer our spring Invasive Plant ID and Management Workshops in person this May, you can find useful resources to help you learn to identify and manage invasive plants through our website columbiashuswapinvasives.org. We hope to be able to offer invasive plant ID workshops later in the year or through an online format. You can also learn about choosing native and non-invasive plants for your garden through the provincial PlantWise program and free . If you are interested in gardening using native plants, check out the Habitat Acquisition Trust’s Native Gardening page here.

Did you know?

Surprisingly, it is still not illegal to import, purchase or sell invasive plants in BC. For this reason, we work closely with garden centers and plant nurseries in the region to help ensure they are not accidentally providing invasive plants or seeds for sale. We are thrilled that most plant nurseries and garden centers are helping to protect native biodiversity by doing their best to provide only non-invasive plants for purchase. Support your local garden center by only asking for non-invasive varieties of plants.  Get the PlantWise app to learn if your choice of plant is invasive or not!

Get a head start on planting in doors

To comply with social distancing, many plant nurseries and garden centers in the region have likely closed their store fronts, but may instead be offering online and phone orders, curbside pick-up and delivery options. Check with your local nursery to see what options they might have available.  Start vegetable seeds at home to grow in your garden this year.  Vegetable plants are not invasive!

Discover what’s in your backyard

As snow melts and plants begin to spring up, be on the look out for potential invaders and get started on weeding in your yard early this season! Check our website for tips on how to manage and dispose of invasive plants from your property. Invasive plant disposal is free at CSRD landfills and transfer stations – just let the attendant know and ensure plants are bagged.

Go for a plant ID walk

No yard? No problem, go for a solo walk and take note of the plants you see in your neighborhood. As shoots emerge from hiding and flowers flourish, you can use the Report an Invasive App  on your phone to help identify and report invasive plants that you come across.

Ask an expert!

If you are having trouble identifying a species or need advice on how to best manage a pesky plant, we are here to help you manage invasive plants on your property. Contact us at info@columbiashuswapinvasives or follow us on Instagram and facebook @ColumbiaShuswapInvasives
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March

Request for Qualifications – Invasive Plant Spray Contractors Apply Now!

Events
 

Request for Qualifications – Invasive Plant Spray Contractors Apply Now!

Purpose

The purpose of the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for herbicide contracting services is to:

  1. Allow submissions (“Submissions”) from interested parties (“Respondents”) describing the expertise and capability of the Respondent to perform one or more of the types of services outlines (collectively, the “Services”); and
  2. Identify a list of qualified Respondents (“Qualified Respondents”) the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) may contact on an as and when required basis to enter into negotiations for a contract.

CSISS has no specific target number of Respondent to be pre-qualified and the total number pre-qualified will be determined at the sole discretion of CSISS. The list of Qualified Respondents is intended to be a resource for CSISS and not to restrict CSISS’s ability to contract with persons who are not listed as Qualified Respondents.

 

Overview of Work/Service Required

Work consists of Invasive Plant Inventory and Treatment in the Columbia Shuswap Regional District within British Columbia. The general nature of the Work to be carried out consists of operational services related to the survey, treatment and monitoring of designated invasive plant species that are found on a variety of jurisdictions, which may include but not limited to: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure  (MOTI), Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD), Ministry of Environment (MOE – e.g. BC Parks), Regional District properties, Municipal properties, Conservations Lands, Private and Industrial Properties, and may include road rights-of-way, community pastures, forest openings, gravel pits, and quarries. The goal of this work is to prevent new introductions, and reduce existing, invasive plant species spread.

 

Email Submissions

Respondents must submit their Submission (see submission form below) by email to Robyn Hooper at rhooper@columbiashuswapinvasives.org  before April 10, 2020 at 4:00 pm PST. The subject line must read – CSISS RFQ Submission 2020. The CSISS will confirm receipt three business days after closing of the RFQ submission deadline.

DOWNLOAD SUBMISSION FORM HERE: CSISS RFQ 2020_Final

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