Conservation

Black Press File photo

Child finds dead buck in yard; Okanagan man fined for not reporting shot and injured deer

The event happened in Feb. 2021, during the hunting offseason

 

The American Badger is one of many species that calls the rare grassland ecosystem of the White Lake Basin home. The protected land in the basin is expanding with another purchase by the Nature Trust of BC. (Bennett Whitnell - Nature Trust of BC)

Nature Trust of BC expands White Lake protection

The area now covers 8,287 hectares of protected land

 

Cow Moose Sign Project founder Dan Simmons is thrilled the provincial government is stopping the antlerless moose hunt in Region 7. (Angie Mindus file photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

B.C. group applauds province for protecting cow moose in Omineca region

Regulation changes will see calf and cow moose hunts left out of the Limited Entry Hunt in Region 7

 

Peter Pauwels, a retired conservation officer, says the job offers many interesting and rewarding moments, but there are many challenges. “We have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I’ve had to kill is staggering. (Contrtibuted - Peter Pauwels)

We don’t enjoy ‘killing animals,’ says former B.C. conservation officer

Peter Pauwels discusses the challenges and rewards of 30 years on the job

Peter Pauwels, a retired conservation officer, says the job offers many interesting and rewarding moments, but there are many challenges. “We have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I’ve had to kill is staggering. (Contrtibuted - Peter Pauwels)
New video from Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society educates on the dangers of invasive mussels like the Zebra mussel. (Creative Commons photo)

Okanagan invasive species video builds mussel awareness

New Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society video warns of invasive mussels

New video from Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society educates on the dangers of invasive mussels like the Zebra mussel. (Creative Commons photo)
Invasive species threaten wildlife, including the Painted Turtle. (CSISS)

The Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program funds invasive species research

The program is funding 40 fish and wildlife projects across the region

Invasive species threaten wildlife, including the Painted Turtle. (CSISS)
A baby red-tailed hawk, right, originally captured as live food for an eaglet, left, has become part of a family of eagles on Gabriola Island. The eagles are feeding and caring for it after the eaglet wouldn’t kill it when it was brought to the nest in early June. (Photo courtesy Sharron Palmer-Hunt)

From food to family member: Baby B.C. hawk goes from eagle bait to roommate

Red-tailed hawklet brought to the nest as food instead gets adopted by eagles near Nanaimo

A baby red-tailed hawk, right, originally captured as live food for an eaglet, left, has become part of a family of eagles on Gabriola Island. The eagles are feeding and caring for it after the eaglet wouldn’t kill it when it was brought to the nest in early June. (Photo courtesy Sharron Palmer-Hunt)
The Campbell River Estuary Conservation Area. (Photo/Nature Conservancy of Canada).

Federal goal to conserve 25% of land by 2025 achievable – with work: advocate

Protecting land requires time and money, says B.C. Vice President of conservation organization

The Campbell River Estuary Conservation Area. (Photo/Nature Conservancy of Canada).
When burrowing owls are born they weigh seven grams and within six weeks they can fly. (Burrowing Owl Conservation Society Facebook)

Hoot, hoot! Burrowing owl babies born at Okanagan breeding centre

Burrowing owls are endangered species in Canada

When burrowing owls are born they weigh seven grams and within six weeks they can fly. (Burrowing Owl Conservation Society Facebook)
The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)

Nature Trust aiming to expand in Keremeos and White Lake

Two purchases have been subject to recent fundraising

The Nature Trust of BC is looking to expand the protected area around the Keremeos Columns Provincial Park. (Nature Trust of B.C.)
The BC Conservation Officer Service is asking people not to disturb fawns, even if they appear alone. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

‘Don’t be a fawn-napper’: BC Conservation reminds public to leave baby deer alone

Lonely-looking fawns likely aren’t actually abandoned, conservation service says

The BC Conservation Officer Service is asking people not to disturb fawns, even if they appear alone. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)
Bear viewing guide and expert Ellie Lamb is concerned B.C. conservation officers are euthanizing too many bears, but the conservation service says it’s always a last resort. (Submitted: Tracy Duncan)

BC Conservation needs oversight on bear euthanizations, expert argues

More than 600 bears killed in B.C. in 2021

Bear viewing guide and expert Ellie Lamb is concerned B.C. conservation officers are euthanizing too many bears, but the conservation service says it’s always a last resort. (Submitted: Tracy Duncan)
Two Vernon hunters were penalized with a combined $13,000 in fines after poaching three moose in the Kelowna area in November 2019. (COS photo)

Pair of Vernon hunters fined $13K for poaching 3 moose in Kelowna area

The men did not have LEH authorization and left two of the moose behind

Two Vernon hunters were penalized with a combined $13,000 in fines after poaching three moose in the Kelowna area in November 2019. (COS photo)
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has launched its Make Water Work campaign for 2022. (Black Press file photo)

Okanagan residents encouraged to get the most out of their water use

The Okanagan Basin Water Board’s ‘Make Water Work’ campaign is back ahead of the 2022 summer season

The Okanagan Basin Water Board has launched its Make Water Work campaign for 2022. (Black Press file photo)
The BC Conservation Officer Service has recommended charges against a Lower Mainland man for feeding wildlife. (Courtesy of the National Park Service)

Lower Mainland resident allegedly fed bears and coyotes for months

B.C. conservation officers have recommended charges against them

The BC Conservation Officer Service has recommended charges against a Lower Mainland man for feeding wildlife. (Courtesy of the National Park Service)
Two orphaned grizzly bear cubs run while playing at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on July 8, 2020. Records obtained by non-profit Fur-Bearers show 77 bears cubs and juveniles were euthanized in B.C. in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

77 young bears killed in 2021, sparking complaint from animal rights group

Group argues B.C. Conservation euthanized some bears when no clear threat to public existed

Two orphaned grizzly bear cubs run while playing at the Greater Vancouver Zoo on July 8, 2020. Records obtained by non-profit Fur-Bearers show 77 bears cubs and juveniles were euthanized in B.C. in 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
An upstream view of BC Hydro’s Strathcona Dam. The company is under fire from the BC Wildlife Federation, which says BC Hydro isn’t meeting its environmental compensation requirements. (BC Hydro photo)

BC Hydro falling short on environmental obligations, conservation group claims

BC Wildlife Federation calls for auditor general to examine electric company

An upstream view of BC Hydro’s Strathcona Dam. The company is under fire from the BC Wildlife Federation, which says BC Hydro isn’t meeting its environmental compensation requirements. (BC Hydro photo)
A new 30-metre wide opening in the Fraser River’s North Arm Jetty allows juvenile Chinook salmon to reach a vital estuary for the first time in more than 100 years. (Photo by Alex Harris/Raincoast Conservation Foundation)

Juvenile salmon gain access to crucial B.C. habitat for first time in 100 years

New opening in Fraser River jetty allows for slow transition from fresh to salt water

A new 30-metre wide opening in the Fraser River’s North Arm Jetty allows juvenile Chinook salmon to reach a vital estuary for the first time in more than 100 years. (Photo by Alex Harris/Raincoast Conservation Foundation)
Dan Simmons shows off an award he received from the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. for his efforts to conserve cow moose. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Cow Moose Sign founder honoured for efforts to conserve B.C. moose population

Williams Lake’s Dan Simmons continues to push government to stop issuing all LEH tags for cow moose

Dan Simmons shows off an award he received from the Guide Outfitters Association of B.C. for his efforts to conserve cow moose. (Angie Mindus photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
(Photo - Conservation Officer Service - Facebook)

Charges possible for attempting to sell threatened turtle in Kelowna

The turtle was taken back to the B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops

(Photo - Conservation Officer Service - Facebook)