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.

Provincial Park Safety

Excellent signage at the Lac Le Jeune park! Thanks for keeping everyone safe.