BCLSS Loonie News - December 2020

 *Reposted with permission*

BCLSS Holiday Office Closure The BCLSS office will be operating with limited hours over the holidays starting on December 19th. Regular office hours will resume on Monday, January 4th, 2021.    The BCLSS Board of Directors and staff wish you a happy and healthy holiday season! Help Keep the Ice Clean this Winter When recreating on lakes this winter, please keep in mind these helpful tips:   Garbage On Ice To reduce garbage and other debris left behind by visitors from freezing into ice on rivers and lakes, join forces with a few neighbours to create a “Citizen’s Patrol” to monitor ice and speak to visitors about garbage. You can also plan a shoreline clean-up early in the spring to help protect nesting shorebirds. Winter Recreation Take care when accessing a frozen lake for skating, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, or tobogganing. Use summer access trails, rather than direct paths over snow. Even through the covering of ice and snow, vegetation and bank structure can be damaged by winter traffic. Cleaning Up After Your Dog There are a number of great reasons to pick up after your dog not the least of which is that you, or your closest friends, may be the ones who "discover" the treasure while going for a nice ski/skate. In addition to the aesthetic reasons to clean up behind your pooch, there are very sound health and ecological reasons: Feces contain pathogenic (disease causing) organisms that make people sick. Many of us rely on lakes as our drinking water source and children often ingest water while playing at the lake. Excess nutrient loading, including phosphorous, from more dog traffic causes significant imbalances in a lakes natural ecosystem. This leads to degradation of lake water quality. Nutrients from fecal matter may lead to increased algae growth and can effect oxygen levels and other physical characteristics that fish and other animals need to survive.  As more of us use the lake, and take our dogs with us, the fragile ecological balance and public health are further jeopardized. We need to reduce the risks to ensure the health of our lakes.  We need to be careful and responsible to ensure that the lakes that we love remain lovely! Originally printed in BCLSS Newsletter Volume15:3, November 2012.  Sources: Brian Nickurak and On the Living Edge by Kipp and Callaway Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society ~ Columbia Shuswap Region is Invasive-Mussel-Free for Another Year!   Invasive species can be extremely damaging to the health of both the ecosystem and our economy. At the top of the ‘Most Unwanted’ list are two aquatic invasive species: zebra and quagga mussels.  The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS) partners with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV), the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation (HCTF) and the Shuswap Watershed Council (SWC) to monitor high risk lakes in the upper Columbia and Shuswap watersheds for invasive mussels.  In a recent statement, ENV reported that 89 waterbodies in BC were monitored throughout the season by 12 grant recipients (including CSISS) and Ministry staff, collecting 954 plankton samples, all of which showed no evidence of invasive mussels.  Currently there are no known infestations of invasive mussels anywhere in BC, including the Columbia Shuswap. If invasive mussels were to become established in a BC waterbody, it would be extremely difficult to eradicate them and very costly to manage the negative impacts, so preventing establishment is key. Transportation of infested watercraft is a known way in which these species travel between waterbodies, even over large distances.  To prevent the spread of invasive mussels into our lakes and rivers, all watercraft entering BC. should be inspected by Provincial staff.  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. 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. Read the full press release from the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society here. 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.

Announcements and Reminders   Ice On/Off Data Ice events - the freeze and thaw dates of waterbodies - are easily recorded changes that, with the help of volunteer observers, can help us monitor the effects of climate change on our lakes. The BCLSS submits ice on and ice off data to IceWatch, part of the NatureWatch suite of national volunteer monitoring programs designed to help identify ecological changes that may be affecting our environment. Please submit the ice on and ice off dates of your lake to the BCLSS. A data form can be found here. Native Trout Stewardship Initiative: 2020 Call for Proposals The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC is pleased to announce Year Three of its pilot funding initiative that provides resources to organizations and groups seeking to get involved in native trout conservation activities at the local level. These activities are expected to be collaborative and involve partnerships with community, stewardship and angling groups. The deadline of December 31, 2020 is quickly approaching! Further information can be found here. Women and Water Lecture Series Hosted by the Global Institute for Water Security, Global Water Futures - Young Professionals and Global Water Futures. Lectures occur monthly from January to April. The schedule can be found here.  BC Water Funders Collaborative The BC Water Funders Collaborative is a group of funding organizations working together to facilitate the strategic use of collective resources to advance freshwater protection in BC. For more information and a reference guide to water funders, please check out their website. Okanagan Water Board Opens Grant Program The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) is now accepting applications for its Water Conservation and Quality Improvement (WCQI) grant program which will focus on water security. This application deadline is 4:00 p.m. on February 26, 2021. The complete Program Guide, detailed information, and application forms can be found here. Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation PCAF Grants The Public Conservation Assistance Fund provides small grants to organizations and individuals who need financial help to implement a conservation project. Approximately $150,000 is provided each year to help implement on-the-ground conservation work, with a particular focus on hands-on, community-based, and public awareness initiatives. Grants will be due in Spring 2021 - now is a good time to start thinking about projects. More information can be found on the HCTF website. The BCLSS is available to help our members with applying for grants of all types. Please contact the office for assistance. INVASIVES 2021 - ISCBC's Annual Forum & AGM February 9-11, 2021. The Invasive Council of BC will be holding their forum virtually. You'll hear from two great keynote presenters, enjoy a variety of plenary session, lighting talks, and have the opportunity to network with others in the invasive species community. The agenda and registration details can be found here.   News and Information Holiday glitter in our lakes? Watershed Security Agenda for British Columbia 'Dramatic changes': Study suggests more lakes fail to freeze over, could harm ice fishing, skating

Halloween 2020

This is a summary of activities and tips I've heard from residents. I'm also including tips to decrease the risk of getting or spreading COVID-19, along with other general safety information.

• The Halloween Goblin Wagon will once again be touring the neighbourhoods!
• Plan for approximately 30 trick-or-treaters.
• Provide well-lit self-serve outdoor treat stations. 
• This is an excellent safety list from BC Centre for Disease Control
• There will be a fireworks display on Water Street at 7:30 and residents are encouraged to watch from a distance. If you're planning your own fireworks display, please keep to the 7:30 schedule that's already been established.
• Keep your pets indoors and ensure all escape routes are closed off. When terrified by noise from fireworks, animals may bolt and NEVER find their way back home. 
• If your pets are stressed, stay with them.
• Nix the fake spider web decorations; birds and small animals can get wrapped up in it.
• Pumpkins attract bears so bring them indoors at the end of the evening.

Sylvia

Job Posting: Onsite Maintenance at Wilderness Resort

The Wilderness Resort strata (30 units plus lodge with indoor pool, kitchen, dining and games area) is looking for a person to assist with onsite maintenance duties, preferably someone who lives at Lac Le Jeune. 

If you are interested please contact Chris Murray (250) 320-0476 or email chris.murray51@outlook.com. A job description and salary details will be sent out to anyone who is interested.

New Bridge Being Installed This Week

The following notice was delivered to some Lac Le Jeune residents. Perhaps the rest of the residents on the streets listed will receive a notice this weekend. In addition, there is a sign at the bridge.

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Lac Le Jeune, Lookout, Marmot, Osprey East, Ridgemont, Heron and Pineridge Roads

Yellowhead Road & Bridge (Nicola) Ltd. on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure will be replacing the bridge on Lac Le Jeune Road commencing on October 19, 2020 with a completion date of October 22, 2020. Expect minor delays between 7am and 7pm for the duration of this project. 

October 20th starting at 9am there will be no vehicular traffic allowed across the bridge while the old structure is removed and the new one is being constructed. YRB expects to have the bridge open to traffic by 4pm on the same day.

If you have concerns please contact

Ted Smart

Superintendent Merritt North and Structures

(250) 315-5027

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Please pick up after your dog

"Daisy Flowers and Bees" by Scott 97006 is licensed under CC BY 2.0

We have a lot of dogs living in Lac Le Jeune, and many enjoying the provincial park. That brings lots of joy, but also more poop! This is a reminder from Pat Burton.

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In the last few weeks there has been an increasing amount of dog poop left along the sides of Rainbow Drive. Please pick up after your dog and don’t leave unsightly messes behind to spoil the beauty of our neighbourhood.

Improving Rural Internet Connectivity

Wilgengebroed on Flickr / CC BY

Residents will have received a letter in the mail from TNRD with a link to a survey regarding experiences with internet for personal or business use. Many of us work and study from home and are struggling to get the connectivity we need. Meanwhile, we continue to pay for services we're not receiving. 

Please complete the survey before October 5, 2020.

https://www.tnrd.ca/stay-connected/surveys/

Time to buy your ski pass!

Registration is now open for the 2020-2021 ski season! 

Here's a direct link to purchase a pass. Visit the Overlander Ski Club website for special registration instructions for Juniors / Jackrabbits / Bunnies.  

So long, tree

Last week many residents noticed something was very different as they wandered up Lac Le Jeune Road. Our very familiar and loved tree had come down. The nest at the top was home to ospreys (and the occasional goose with goslings!). We will all miss seeing this landmark and the bird activity surrounding it.

Toad migration has begun!

The western toad migration has begun! These little guys cross Lac Le Jeune Road every summer around this time in a stretch of road near the Michell Ranch.

You can help out these little toads by taking the Coquihalla on your trips to Kamloops during migration. They are so small many people don’t even notice them on the road.

sydney Rae

Lake Monitoring Program: Call for Volunteers!

The Lac Le Jeune Lake Monitoring Program has been quietly humming along thanks coordinator Hugh Burton and the many volunteers over the years. Going forward Hugh will still be involved but residents Colleen and Ron Lister have stepped up to take care of the scheduling and servicing equipment. 

Several individuals have indicated interest in assisting with lake monitoring. However, we could use more volunteers. Ideally we will be have enough pairs to do one profile per month from ice off to ice on -- so approximately 7 months. 

This is fun work and you will learn from the experts. You will be trained in the procedures and who knows, there might even be a t-shirt ;) 

Hope to hear from you! (Leave a comment).

Breaking Day at Lac Le Jeune

 

Photo by Neil Burton - September 10, 2020

Mice in your house?

This year mice seem to be seeking indoor living spaces earlier than usual! It may be related to the cool start to the season. This information about controlling mice was submitted by biologist Roberta Roberta Olenick.

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Please do not use poison to get rid of mice. I know they can be a problem if they come inside your house, but poison is not an appropriate way to address the problem. A poisoned mouse, even if still alive, can pass the poison on to innocent victims including pets and wildlife.

Poisons used to control mice not only cause a slow and inhumanely cruel death to mice and other rodents, they also kill non-target species including owls and other raptors as well as mammals including cats and other pets. Rodents that have ingested the poison and are thus weakened but not yet dead are easy prey for predators who then die from ingesting the poisoned rodents as secondary victims. Dead rodents are eaten by scavengers who again are secondarily poisoned. Secondary doses of poison that do not kill outright still have serious impacts on the health and long term survival of birds and other wildlife as well as pets.

Even if you put the poison only inside your house, that does not solve the problem of non-target species getting poisoned. A poisoned mouse can easily leave your house before it dies and get eaten by your neighbour’s cat, an owl...

Glue traps are inhumane, causing slow and agonizing death, and may catch non-target species.

The good news is there are far safer and more effective ways to control rodents besides poisons and sticky glue traps. Snap-traps usually kill mice quickly without harming non-target species. Even more humane is a live trap to catch the mice and then relocating them away from your home. Here is a link to how to make your own live trap using common household items.

You could also try cayenne pepper to keep mice away. Also, steel wool to block gaps where they are entering your house works extremely well.

Here are a couple of links about the serious negative impacts of rodent poisons on owls. 

1. "Super-Toxic" Rat Poison Kills Owls 

2. Poisons Used to Kill Rodents Have Safer Alternatives

Anglers - Clean Dry Drain

Do you practice clean angling? Be sure to clean all equipment including waders, reels, nets and lines to stop the spread of aquatic invasive species. Clean, Drain, Dry to protect BC waters from invasive species.

 

Reminder about lake speed limits!

The speed limit for motorized boats is 20 km/hour. It can be tempting to travel at a higher speed if you have a large motor, but please reserve that temptation for visits to larger lakes! 

This speed limit is set to protect our shoreline habitat, but it also ensures our shared recreational swimming, paddling, and fishing activities are more enjoyable and safe for all. 

Clean Drain Dry - Why and How to Protect BC's Waters

Protect BC's lakes from an aquatic invasive species invasion! It's as easy as Clean, Drain, Dry! Here's what you need to know and why you should care.

BCLSS Loonie News - August 2020

 Reposted with permission: https://www.bclss.org

BCLSS Loonie News August 2020

BCLSS AGM 2020 Mark your calendars! This year’s Annual General Meeting will be held via conference call onMonday, September 21 at 12:00 (PDT). In order for us to reach quorum at the AGM, we require a minimum of 17 members in good standing (including BCLSS Directors). Please consider participating so that we can easily meet or possibly exceed this number! Please note that nominations for the BCLSS Board of Directors are not taken from the floor at the AGM. Letters of intent and nominations can be submitted to the BCLSS at info@bclss.org by September 1, 2020. More information can be found here. Please contact us to let us know if you are able to participate in the AGM or if you would like more information. Secchi Dip-In Data Sheets Did you participate in Secchi Dip-In this year? If so, please send us your data sheets as soon as possible. If you took Secchi readings as part of the BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring Program during the month of July, please send us your clarity and temperature readings and we will include them in our final report. The Secchi Dip-In provides a snapshot of lake water quality throughout the province as well as the rest of the world. Scientists and volunteers can get a sense of how transparency varies according to water type, regional geology, and land use. BCLSS Lake Stewardship Guidebook In British Columbia and across Canada, people are becoming increasingly concerned about the health of lakes and watersheds. These concerns may inspire individuals and groups to take on community projects, water quality monitoring, advocacy, and education. This guidebook is based on our LakeKeepers Manual and provides general information on lake stewardship. It also provides extensive information on stewardship group formation as well as tips and resources to help keep your lake healthy. Download the Stewardship Guidebook here.   Announcements and Reminders Alberta Lake Management Society Webinar Series This year ALMS is hosting a September webinar series with the support of Alberta Environment and Parks in lieu of their annual in-person conference. Join ALMS online every Friday morning in September to hear from speakers from across North America on a range of exciting topics! Information and registration here. BCWF Wetlandkeepers workshops have gone virtual! Due to COVID-19, all in-person workshops have been updated for an online setting. Participants have the opportunity to explore wetlands through games, interactive activities, and expert guest speakers. More information can be found on the BCWF website. Community Gaming Grants - Environment Applications Community Gaming Grant Program Guidelines have been updated for 2020. Apply between July 1 and August 31 for programs that revitalize, protect, or provide education about BC's ecosystems and environment. Information on eligibility and applications can be found here. Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Stewardship Grants Any individual, group, or agency that has a good idea to help fish, wildlife, or habitat in BC is eligible to apply. Activities funded include projects that focus on creating stewards and engaging people to increase their knowledge, awareness, and understanding of fish, wildlife, and their habitats. Please see their website for more information. BCLSS Annual Conference Postponed Due to COVID-19, the BCLSS Annual Conference has been postponed until 2021. We will be offering a virtual mini-symposium this fall (date TBD). More information to follow.   News and Information The Fine Print: How to remove water weeds properly Metro Vancouver to invest over $1 billion to secure region's water supply for next century

Not a member of the BCLSS yet? Please consider joining our network of lake stewards! For more information on the benefits of membership, please visit our website. Thank you to LUSH for funding the BC Lake Stewardship Engagement Initiative.  The BCLSS gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of British Columbia through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Hot Summer of 1960 at Lac Le Jeune!

Murray Foubister / CC BY-SA 

1960 was a HOT summer in the B.C. interior.

 

It was 60 years ago that the B.C. Forest Service , on July 26, 1960, was rushing an extra 100 men and 8 bulldozers to a forest fire that originated over the ridge about 5 miles from Lace Le Jeune Lodge.

 

On July 27th, it was said the fire was now 1,000 acres and being fought by 200 men and 18 bulldozers.

 

This fire had jumped a fire guard and 33 firefighters were evacuated by helicopter on July 29th.  Fires’ edge was now only 2 1/2 miles from  the Lac Le Jeune lodge  and away from the Frogmore Lake lodge.  People, summer residents of the “Old Townsite”, north side of Lac Le Jeune, were removing the smaller items from their cabins.

 

Cattle of the Frolek Cattle Co. were also being removed from the area.

 

As at August 9th, trees remained on the south shoreline of Lac Le Jeune, but John and Muriel Whitaker’s ski hill operation was destroyed, but would see greater skiing over the coming winters.

 

The beaver aircraft of Pacific Western Airlines, in November 1960, had seeded the areas of Squam Bay and the “Dean” fire, between Merritt and Boston Bar.  Arrangements were being made to seed the Lac Le Jeune area burnt by the  summer fire.

 

Top stories of the year, of the Kamloops Daily Sentinel were the articles on forest fires.

 

To the residents of the upper and lower subdivision, it might mean the green forested area, surrounding you, have being growing for approximately 59 years.

 

Researched using Kamloops Daily Sentinel.

 

Neil Burton/ Aug. 4, 2020.

BCLSS Loonie News - June 2020

Reposted with permission: https://www.bclss.org

Postponed - BCLSS Annual Conference The BCLSS Annual Conference scheduled for October 2 – 4, 2020 has been postponed until 2021. The conference committee is exploring if aspects can be presented virtually. More information to come. Secchi Dip-In It's that time of year again! The Secchi Dip-In is an international event where volunteer monitors take a transparency measurement at least one day during the month of July (Lakes Appreciation Month). These values are used to assess the transparency of volunteer-monitored lakes in North America. Dip-In information can be found here and the data sheet can be found here. They are also available on our website. Participation in the Dip-In has been steadily decreasing over the years. Please consider participating and pass the information on this opportunity along to anyone that may be interested. The data collected is very valuable! Practice your dipping using this online simulator! Student Limnology Video Check out the awesome video from a BCLSS member and teacher at the Academy of Inquiry and Adventure in Vernon! This Introduction to Limnology course offered a unique learning opportunity for students to get outside and connect to their watershed through real-world science. BCLSS was happy to have a number of these students attend our annual conference in Winfield, with Okanagan Fisheries Foundation sponsoring their registration costs. The video can be viewed here. BCLSS Volunteer Insurance  BCLSS is updating our Safety Program and related insurance policy. We are now required to provide the ages of volunteers to our new insurer in order to receive comprehensive coverage. If you are currently a BCLSS member and volunteer for our BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring program, and did not receive our email on May 5 regarding updating your information, please contact the BCLSS office so that we can ensure you are added to the policy.

Announcements and Reminders BCWF Wetlandkeepers workshops have gone virtual! Due to COVID-19, all in-person workshops have been updated for an online setting. Participants have the opportunity to explore wetlands through games, interactive activities, and expert guest speakers. More information can be found on the BCWF website.   Ducks Unlimited Canada National Boreal Program - Wetlands 101 In support of social distancing efforts, Ducks Unlimited is offering FREE access to Wetlands 101: And Introduction to Boreal Wetlands online course for a limited time. This offer ends June 30, 2020. More information can be found here. Community Gaming Grants - Environment Applications Community Gaming Grant Program Guidelines have been updated for 2020. Apply between July 1 and August 31 for programs that revitalize, protect, or provide education about BC's ecosystems and environment. Information on eligibility and applications can be found here.   News and Information Used COVID-19 gloves, masks and wipes clogging up metro Vancouver sewage systems Gloves, face masks and disposable wipes can all be used to defend against COVID-19, but they're wreaking havoc on Metro Vancouver's sewage system. Shock Therapy Prescribed for Two Popular Fishing Lakes in the Interior Electroshocking is a novel approach to reduce numbers of competing or invasive fish species that may be impacting rainbow trout and their habitats.

What should we do with yard waste?

It is that time of year when we begin to see yard waste dumped illegally around our community. Thank you, Jacquie, for the photos and reminder! 

Photo by Jacquie Brugger May 25, 2020

Photo by Jacquie Brugger May 25, 2020

Photo by Jacquie Brugger May 16, 2020

The Logan Lake Eco Depot is located just 5.1 km south west of Logan Lake on Highway 97C, on route to Ashcroft. Note that it is FREE to take your yard waste there. They also accept many other items at no cost. 

Click the image for larger view / to download

BCLSS Loonie News

Reposted with permisson

BCLSS Loonie News May 2020 View this email in your browser

BCLSS Volunteer Insurance  BCLSS is updating our Safety Program and related insurance policy. We are now required to provide the ages of volunteers to our new insurer in order to receive comprehensive coverage. If you are currently a BCLSS member and volunteer for our BC Lake Stewardship and Monitoring program and did not receive our email on May 5 regarding updating your information, please contact the BCLSS office so that we can ensure you are added to the policy.   Safe Boating Awareness Week May 16-22 Since 1995, Safe Boating Awareness Week has been the mainstay of boating safety to over 16 million people who recreate on Canadian waters. Due to Covid-19, this campaign will be a little different in many ways. Please see the Canadian Safe Boating Council website for the Safe Boating Awareness Week messages. Please also refer to the Government of Canada's Physical Distancing for Canadian Boaters. Lifejackets and Boating Safety Did you know that May 14 was National Lifejacket Day? The Canadian Red Cross urges lifejacket use for all boaters as every year, 161 Canadians drown while boating. Of these, 87% are not wearing a lifejacket or do not have it properly secured. Before heading out on a boat, ensure that all persons on board - even strong swimmers - are outfitted with a correctly sized lifejacket appropriate to the activity. Be aware of and monitor the weather and water conditions, be prepared to head to the nearest point of safety if the conditions change, never consume alcohol before or during a boating outing, and ensure boaters know how to safely operate and load the vessel. More information on boating safety and how to choose a lifejacket or PFD can be found here. Announcements and Reminders The BCLSS is pleased to announce that our annual conference will be held in partnership with Lake Windermere Ambassadors (LWA) and Living Lakes Canada (LLC) in Invermere. This year, the theme is All Hands on Deck - Lake Stewardship in Climate Challenged Times. The event will be held at Windermere Community Hall from October 2-4, 2020. Keynote speaker will be Bob Sandford, Chair in Water and Climate Security at the United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment, and Health. Please note that the Conference Committee is monitoring public health information during this pandemic as it may affect the conference. If the conference is postponed, we will provide an update on our website and in future newsletters. More information to follow.   News and Information Salmon Respond to Earth's Magnetic Field, And We Might Finally Know How The ability to detect our planet's magnetic filed and use it as a map while migrating, homing, or hunting could well be one of the most remarkable feats of evolution, and it's also one of the most mysterious. New Canada Water Agency to provide solutions for emerging water crisis - expert panel The new Canada Water Agency - a mandated commitment of the federal government - will provide much-needed solutions to the emerging water crisis, according to Tom Axworthy, chair of a national water policy panel organized by Global Water Futures (GWF) at the University of Saskatchewan (USask).

Not a member of the BCLSS yet? Please consider joining our network of lake stewards! For more information on the benefits of membership, please visit our website. Thank you to LUSH for funding the BC Lake Stewardship Engagement Initiative.  The BCLSS gratefully acknowledges the financial support of the Government of British Columbia through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.