CSISS Updates
| Spring! | From the Field | Communications & Engagement |
| Workshop Series | Staff Updates | Captivating Content | Upcoming Events |
Spring is Here and So Are We!
The days are getting longer, the sun is back, and so is the CSISS team! We hitting the ground running as we head into another field season across the Columbia Shuswap region.
Behind the scenes, winter was anything but quiet. The team has been deep in report writing, grant applications, and preparing for the busy months ahead. We’re excited to share that the hard work is already paying off, with funding confirmations coming in to support this year’s programs. Planning and logistics are well underway, and the momentum heading into spring is rolling.
We’ve also been busy on the hiring front. In the coming weeks we are welcoming new summer staff and are excited to introduce our new Communications and Engagement Coordinator (more below).
March Madness has lived up to its reputation. Between the flurry of season prep, our first field day of 2026 and the inbox that never quite empties, it’s safe to say spring has officially arrived in more ways than one.
Invasive species don’t wait, and neither do we. We’re so glad to have this community behind us as we step into another season of stewardship, connection, and care for the Columbia-Shuswap region!
CSISS winter team, enjoying a sunny spring ski!
Field Technician Emma Wiebe, conducting inventory in 2025.
With funding confirmations arriving and the season taking shape, the field team has been busy mapping out priorities, coordinating logistics, and getting everything in place for what’s shaping up to be a full and impactful summer across the region.
And while most of our spring has lived on spreadsheets and in planning documents, we couldn’t resist the pull of a sunny day, we’ve already headed out for our first field day of the season!
Stay tuned as the snow continues to melt and the growing season kicks into gear, our field team will have a lot more ground to cover.
We have plenty of opportunities for folks to get involved with tangible hands on action. See our upcoming events below!
The CSISS communications and engagement work has already hit the ground at full speed, with 14 events attended since the new year.
From presentations to community gatherings, the opportunities to connect, educate, and inspire have been varied and wonderful. Highlights have included presentations on whirling disease to public and industry professionals, participation in the ISCBC Forum, and attending community events like seed swaps, winter markets, the Turtle Festival, and Earth Day celebrations across the region.
Online Training
If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch the Columbia Mountains Institute’s whirling disease online training, consider this your nudge.
Whirling Disease in Southeast BC | Columbia Mountains Institute of Applied Ecology
Online Training
If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch the Columbia Mountains Institute’s whirling disease online training, consider this your nudge.
CMI brought together leading provincial experts to break it all down in a free, accessible two-day training, and the result is exactly what good environmental education should be.
As one viewer put it: “Wonderfully presented, clear and simplified, yet all the details needed!”
We couldn’t agree more. Whether you’re a land manager, a recreational angler, a realtor near a lake, or simply someone who loves BC’s rivers and fish, this training is well worth your time.
Cultural integration of invasive species new UBC tool may help stop a destructive insect in its tracks | UBC News
What if you could trace an invasive insect back to exactly where it came from? Canadian researchers have done just that.
A UBC-led team has developed SpongySeq — a genomic test that analyzes DNA markers from something as small as an egg, wing, or antenna to identify the Asian spongy moth’s geographic origin with 97% accuracy. The tool has already been used to trace intercepted egg masses at U.S. ports back to Japan, eastern Russia, northern China, and South Korea.
Thank you for all the fantastic work!
We’re sending a big thank you and best wishes from our team:
Jess Booth | Communications and Engagement Manager
The end of an era. We’re saying goodbye to Jessica Booth, our incredible Communications and Engagement Manager. Since joining CSISS in 2021 as a summer outreach assistant, Jess has grown into the vibrant, passionate leader we’ve all come to know and appreciate.
Now, she’s spreading her wings to launch her own venture — Mildly Wild Flowers. A local, invasive-free flower farm right here in Revelstoke!
Jess, your kindness, energy, and dedication will be deeply missed. We’re so proud of you for taking this exciting next step and can’t wait to see your business bloom. And don’t worry—we’re pretty sure we can still convince you to join a weed pull or two this summer!
Cheers to you, Jess!
Learn about Jess’ Farm: Mildly Wild Flowers
Welcoming:
We are welcoming back returning Field Assistant Jessie Booker and our new staff members, Madeline, Lara and Deanna! We are looking forward to having them join the team this May.
May | Invasive Species Action Month
Sicamous Spring Garden Festival- Saturday May 2nd
Shuswap Fishing Derby, Brewed in Canada– Saturday May 9th
Spring fair on Hudson– Saturday May 9th
Revelstoke Farmers Market– Saturday May 23rd
Revelstoke Garden Centre pop up – Friday May 29th
Herald Provincial Park Invasive Species Workshop and Weed pull– Saturday May 30th
June
Shuswap Trail Alliance- Spring Celebration – Saturday June 6th
Enderby Weed pull– Wednesday June 10th
Shuswap Trail Alliance Meeting– Friday June 19th
Little White Lake Weed pull– Thursday June 25th
Revelstoke Farmers Market- Saturday June 27th
Contact CSISS to book a training presentation for your organization at: info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
Thank You to our Funders in 2025
We acknowledge the financial support of: the Province of British Columbia (through the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Transportation and Transit, 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 (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.