Annual report 2016

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

2016 Annual Report

Preservation Through Education Since 1987

Š Photograph by Christopher Michel

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Jim Pigott PRESIDENT

Michele Kvarnstrom VICE PRESIDENT

James McBeath SECRETARY/TREASURER

Woody Hayes DIRECTOR

Rob Wickson DIRECTOR

Rory Carr DIRECTOR

Sherry Pettigrew

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Message from the Board

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NWPS History

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Education Program Overview

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Collaborations

Darren Colello

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Special Events

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Donors

FOUNDER AND HONOURARY DIRECTOR

STAFF Kristine Krynitzki

WILDLIFE EDUCATION DIRECTOR

Connel Bradwell WILDLIFE EDUCATION MANAGER

Ann Peters BOOKKEEPER & CONSULTANT

David Craig CONSULTANT

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) is a registered charity (Reg. 079317454 BN # 13302 9140) incorporated in 1987 as a non-profit society.

Annual Outreach Green Ribbon Campaign

10 Volunteers 11 Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary 12 Financial Statements 19 What’s to Come in 2017

Our mission is to develop and provide educational, research and advisory services that advance the public’s awareness and knowledge about wildlife and wildlife systems in northwest North America.

Our vision is healthy wildlife and wildlife systems throughout northwest North America preserved for their own intrinsic worth and for the appreciation of all.

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Message from the board As we close 2016, NWPS is delighted to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Society’s operations in 2017, coinciding with Canada’s 150th. So much has been achieved. We have you to thank for the continued existence and growth of the Society. Since its founding by a group headed

by Ms. Sherry Pettigrew in 1987, NWPS has consistently delivered messages of preservation for wildlife and wildlife habitat through its education programs and stewardship activities, including the protection of our Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary on Vancouver Island.

The 3 decades of the Society’s existence have truly been remarkable. We have grown from a small grassroots initiative to stop the wolf cull in North America into a household name within the British Columbia Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island education systems and beyond as leaders in the wildlife preservation movement. We’ve developed detailed content for delivery of our programs, which we’ve taught to every age range from preschoolers to seniors. We participate in events stretching from Canada and the US to Africa and beyond.

NWPS is the epitome of a small organization with a gigantic reach. Some of our recent accomplishments include: 

We have cleaned up over 20 kilometers of BC shoreline, clearing several tonnes of garbage.



We planted large areas of parkland in southwestern BC.



We have completed a multi-phase wetland restoration project for birds and other species, including plants, on our Manley Farm property.



We have delivered thousands of programs to over 200,000 participants.



We have conducted and published research on a number of subjects concerning wildlife preservation, which are available on our website.

We extend our sincere thanks to our sponsors and donors for your support, enabling us to carry on increasing our delivery of education programs to those less fortunate throughout our region, and fulfill our stewardship obligations on our sanctuary.

We are also very thankful of our many volunteers. They give us countless hours of their time to help us with a wide range of activities from cleanups to planting to education programs.

Thanks too to our dedicated, thoughtful Board of Directors for your steadfast support, exercising your individual passion for preservation and the environment.

Thank you to our devoted and enthusiastic staff. We on the Board are comforted by the assurance that comes from having long-term, experienced staff members who have served so well, for which we are truly grateful. This year saw the promotion of Kristine Krynitzki to become the Society’s Executive Director. As a result, Ann Peters has stepped down as ED but remains as our Bookkeeper and often-consulted Wise Advisor. The Board is thoroughly thankful to Ann for her decades of service to the success of NWPS.

Among her many achievements, Kristine managed our international internship program for the 6th consecutive year.

Crucially, Kristine has been vital to the Society’s efforts to achieve a balanced budget.

The Board held a strategic planning session on Vancouver Island to set direction for the Society and its staff. The plan has been finalized and is focused on growth and building financial security for the long-term. The Board and staff toured the sanctuary for a first-hand look at the successful projects achieved such as the wetlands restoration. Hundreds of birds took to flight when we approached the pond, an awe-inspiring sight. We also visited the barn owls who take refuge on our property.

They too graced us with a beautiful take-off and flight.

Please visit our exciting website www.northwestwildlife.com. It is a continuously evolving and full of resources and information of which we are justifiably proud to share with you all.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts and we look forward to another great year ahead.

Sincerely, Jim Pigott, President

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MILESTONES 2016 - completed a major wetland restoration on our Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary.

Our History

2015 - surpassed 250 education programs in a single year. 100,000 students educated since program inception.

2013 - expanded reach opening satellite office in Victoria to provide programs year -round to Vancouver Island residents.

2013 - planted 2500 trees to celebrate our 25th anniversary.

2011 - removed over 40,000 lbs of industrial woody debris and invasive species since beginning stewardship programs in 1998.

2010 - became stewards of the Granfield Estate to protect Manley Farm as a bird and wildlife sanctuary and ensure sustainable farming practices are implemented.

2009 - benchmark year delivering 125 wildlife education programs. 45,000 students educated to date since program inception.

2006 - partnered with Wildsight to create the endangered mountain caribou educational resource manual.

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society (NWPS) was founded in 1987 as a nonprofit society, dedicated to preserving healthy wildlife and wildlife systems in northwest North America. Since that time, NWPS continues to earn its reputation in the environmental movement as a powerful advocate for wildlife and wildlife habitats. NWPS was a founding member of the Wolf Working Group and fulfilled an advisory role on numerous committees for wildlife preservation. Additionally, NWPS organized conferences, forums, and symposiums that brought together diverse interests in the areas of wildlife management policy, protection and conservation.

Today NWPS focuses on 'Preservation through Education'. We achieve our mandate through the development and delivery of a broad series of educational programs and services, which reach an average of 7,500 individuals annually. Our primary audience has become school-age children. We introduce them to the wonders of the natural world through in-class presentations, nature walks & workshops and stewardship projects and work to inspire them to become environmental stewards.

1998 - began delivery of outdoor education programs throughout BC. 1995 - began delivery of wildlife education programs in schools in BC. 1993 - completed a major grassland restoration in the Okanagan in partnership with Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society.

1990 - instrumental in drawing attention to and decreasing the North American wolf cull.

1987 - NWPS was founded in Vancouver, British Columbia.

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WILDLIFE EDUCATION & STEWARDSHIP PROGRAMS Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society introduces British Columbians to the wonders of the natural world to encourage understanding of and an enduring respect for wildlife in the Pacific Northwest. Our three main programs are Indoor Wildlife Workshops, Nature Walks & Workshops, and Youth Environmental Leadership programs. All programs are offered year-round, mainly taking place during the school year. Thanks to our generous corporate and foundation grantors and individual donors, programs are free of charge to inner-city school children and at-risk youth in low income areas to ensure marginalized kids are given an equal opportunity to understand their interconnected relationship with wildlife and the importance of protecting it.

Our programs are inclusive for all types of learning abilities. Programs are customizable or facilitators can choose from twelve pre-formatted topics including Bats, Bears, Wolves, Owls, Wildcats of BC, Marine Wildlife, Temperate Rainforest, Wildlife of BC, Endangered Species, Climate Change, Reptiles & Amphibians, and Salmon of the Pacific.

For school groups, the content is created in line with the curriculum to enhance the topics currently being studied in class.

All programs are designed around principles of interactive education and include ample opportunity for group discussion and engaging hands-on learning. This teaching style is facilitated by the use of biofacts like animal skulls, antlers, and animal mounts (ie bats and owls), helping students connect better with the topic and seeing for themselves physical characteristics and clues to things like animal diets and behaviour. Unlike exposure to similar artifacts in a museum or with live animals, by using biofacts we can encourage participants to learn by touching and examining the biofacts closely without stressing out a live animal.

Indoor Wildlife Workshops Indoor Wildlife Workshops are highly sought-after among schools, community centres, and retirement homes, often being booked many months in advance as they are the only program of their kind offered free of charge to inner-city schools to at-risk children in low income areas. The programs are highly effective through educational and interactive tools implemented. Bringing the wonder of the natural world into the classroom, participants are given the rare opportunity to see specimens up close. The total number of programs we deliver each year is dependent on the total amount of funding for the program we receive.

We typically work with 200-400 classes comprised of approximately 6000-12,000 students each year. See the 2016 stats on the next page.

Nature Walks & Workshops We have a continuous waitlist for our Nature Walks & Workshops. During these outdoor classes and field workshops outside in a regional park, participants are engaged in |discussions about natural history, wildlife behavior, animal adaptations, biodiversity, threats to the environment, solutions to these issues and more. Learning about wildlife in this setting allows kids to use all of their senses to understand the environment and to become connected with the natural world that surround them. This program is unique because all costs including transportation, which is very often the biggest challenge for schools, are taken care of. Each program includes a stewardship activity at a local, regional or provincial park. Through our guided nature walks students are able to reconnect with the natural world and become active environmental stewards within their communities and beyond. Programs also promote healthy, active living as students are walking outdoors and completing physical activities for a good cause.

Youth Environmental Leadership The Youth Environmental Leadership program involves youth aged 9 to 14 to participate in real conservation work, typically at an estuarine or fresh water habitat. Students learn about potential careers in conservation and motivation to pursue them by understanding how important healthy habitats are to the health of many threatened plant and animal species as well as to the entire ecosystem. They learn how conserving and restoring wild habitats can help mitigate the effects of climate change, as well as provide sanctuary to various wildlife species that have previously been extirpated from the area. Students acquire and enhance many skills related to biology, environmental science and chemistry.

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317 PROGRAMS

8,544 STUDENTS

130 SCHOOLS

62 COMMUNITIES 6

Collaborations “United we stand, divided we fall.”

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society is so thankful for the opportunity to have collaborated with many groups both locally and abroad in 2016.

International Fund for Animal Welfare’s (IFAW) Youth Forum for People and Wildlife Coinciding with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) - the largest wildlife conference ever, which regulates wildlife trade.

Our Wildlife Education Manager Connel Bradwell was selected as Canada’s sole representative to learn, connect and tackle some the biggest issues facing wildlife today with 34 other youth environmental leaders from 25 countries.

Stepping Into Nature A collaboration between NWPS, Burns Bog Conservation Society and South Delta Secondary.

Working together throughout this 4-day workshop, our successes were twofold. We were able to re-ignite children’s natural curiosity with the outdoors, as well as develop leadership skills amongst the student leaders designed to manage the events.

Some other partnerships from 2016 include:

        

Owl surveying with the Habitat Acquisition Trust Bird surveying with the Victoria Natural History Society Bird banding with the Rocky Point Bird Observatory Avian identification with Burnaby Lake Parks Association Bird count with Langley Field Naturalists Tree and shrub plantings, invasive species and garbage removal from our regional parks throughout GVRD with Metro Vancouver Parks.

Monitoring and education with Watershed Watch Salmon Society Monitoring healthy release sites as well as public education about endangered reptiles with the Western Painted Turtle Recovery Project Special events in partnership with Stanley Park Ecology Society

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Special Events Reaching out to members of the community to spread the word about wildlife preservation.

Stewardship Events Partnering with Metro Vancouver Parks Department, NWPS organized many groups to get involved with active environmental stewardship in communities throughout BC. Activities included tree plantings, clean-ups and invasive plant species pulls.

20 events 9,907 people

Festivals We attended many events to engage with communities across Greater Vancouver and Vancouver Island about the ecology of the Pacific Northwest. Events in the Lower Mainland included RiverFest in New Westminster, EarthFest and the Shadbolt Wildlife Arts Festival in Burnaby, Richmond Raptor Festival, Coho Festival in West Vancouver, Fingerling Salmon Festival in Port Moody, and Critter Care’s Walk for Wildlife in Langley. On Vancouver Island, events included Creatively United for the Planet, Cadboro Bay Festival, Gorge Canada Day Festival, One Wave Festival, Saanich Fair and BC Day in the Capital.

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Donors Donors are the backbone of all our work. Without them, none of what we do would be possible. A very heartfelt Thank You goes out to our corporate sponsors and business donors for providing us the opportunity to continue our work in the community: Acme Janitor Service BC Hydro Chevron Environment Canada Greygates Foundation G R Brown Law Corp Hamber Foundation Island Savings

J. Heady Popeye Supplements Langley RBC Foundation TD Friends of the Environment Foundation TELUS Vancouver Community Foundation The Edith Lando Charitable Foundation The Hamber Foundation The Province of BC—BC Gaming Victoria Foundation

Annual Outreach As with our corporate sponsors and business donors, we are so lucky to have such a steadfast group of individual donors. Without this loyal dedication on the part of each and every individual donor, NWPS would not have the privilege of continuing to deliver our environmental education programs, instilling responsible environmental stewardship in children of all ages throughout our great province.

Fundraising Events On June 2, 2016 Yaletown Brewing Company was a generous host for a martini pouring contest in support of our charity. All funds raised from drink purchases were donated to NWPS. 0n August 20 and 21, DansArt et al put on a ballet performance called “The Changing Seasons” in support of NWPS. All proceeds from ticket sales were donated to NWPS. Many thanks also to our generous donors of silent auction items for the two events: 3M, Arts Club Theatre Company, BalletBC, BC Lions, Bearcat Real Estate, Choices Market, Creative Memories, Darren Colello Nature Photography, David’s Tea, Earls Restaurant, EA Sports, Goh Academy, Grouse Mountain, Long and McQuade Langley, Michaud’s Salon & Spa, Mount Seymour, Offleash Photography, PNE, Purdy’s Chocolatier, Strictly Tango, Sudden Impact, The Cultch, The Keg, Tom Lee Music Langley, Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Vancouver Theatresports, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Vista D’oro Farms & Winery.

Green Ribbon Campaign 2016 saw the 15th year of our Green Ribbon Campaign.

Thanks to the invaluable support of BC Liquor Distribution Board and Chevron, NWPS raised close to $5,000 in donations throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

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Volunteers

NWPS is very fortunate to have support from such a wonderful, dedicated group of individuals. With their help, our society is able to accomplish so much more in the office, in schools and in the community. Thank you, volunteers!

Aisha Uduman

Glen Browning

Michele Kvarnstrom

Amanda Peters

Heather Kendell

Nicholas Holt

Andrew Wong

Nicole Lee

Richard Carroll

Angelina Henshaw

Jack Lin

Rob Wickson

Anitra Paris

James McBeath

Rory Carr

Ann Peters

Jen Kostenchuk

Rowena Shi

Antonietta Furlan

Jesse Langelier

Sabrina Gutierrez

Barbara Lee Chmil

Jill Neale

Sandra Lindahl

Brittny Turner

Jim Pigott

Sarah Weiss

Carlo Acuna

Kaori Maruyama

Sarah Slater

Courtney Tova

Kathleen Belton

Shabnam V

David Craig

Kathryn MacDonald

Simone Williamson

Dianne Smillie

Katie McCreesh

Sophie Church

Eleanor Wilson

Kris Mohoruk

Veronica Pagowski

Elnaz Barati

Leanne Brinston

Tessa Vanderkop

Elysia Furlan

Linda Young

Thais Freitas

Emmanuelle Riveslange

Mantas Serpytis

TK Wexler

Fennie van der Graaf

Maureen Vo

Tony Fong

Glen Bagshaw

Melissa DeJong

Woody Hayes 910

Manley Farm Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary NWPS has been entrusted with stewardship of Manley Farm, located in the Cowichan Valley area. The property comprises 240 acres of wild habitat and farmland. The property is situated next to Boatswain Bank , which is an ecologically sensitive area.

To the greatest extent possible, NWPS is creating a bird and wildlife sanctuary on Manley Farm to provide a safe habitat for wildlife in the area. Thanks to the generous funding from Environment Canada’s National Wetland Conservation Fund, Chevron and many individual donors, we recently saw the final phase of a wetland rehabilitation project, returning some overgrown marshland into an open water habitat.

Our sanctuary currently supports many animals like deer, ducks, geese, quail, heron, owls, osprey, eagles, tree frogs, and many small bird species. While the property won't become a public park, it may be used in the future for activities to support the wildlife sanctuary and the society’s educational and preservation goals.

NWPS continues to work with partners to ensure environmentally sound and sustainable farming practices.

To learn more or to get involved please visit our website at www.northwestwildlife.com

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Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Financial Statements Year Ended December 31, 2016 (See Notice to Readers)

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Financial Snapshot

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STATEMENT OF REVENUE AND EXPENSES AND SURPLUS - AUDITED YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2016 Operations

2015 Capital

Operations

Capital

CONTRIBUTIONS Support Contributions (Note 2) Rental & Miscellaneous (Note 3)

$ $ $

135,692 5,312 141,003

$ $ $

29,878 29,878

$ $ $

100,521 $ 11,317 $ 111,837 $

8,862 28,806 37,667

Campaign Donations (Note 4) Cost of Campaigns (Note 5) Net Contribution from Campaigns

$ $ $

161,850 (56,305) 105,545

$ $ $

-

$ $ $

152,234 $ (51,499) $ 100,735 $

-

Total Net Contributions

$

246,548

$

29,878

$

212,572 $

37,667

$ $ $ $

1,550 22,294 23,844

$ $ $ $

EXPENSES Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary Capital Property Maintenance Loan Interest & Property Taxes General Administration Environmental Education & Stewardship Salaries & Benefits Support Expenses Product Expenses Office Expenses Space Expenses

$ $ $ $

-

-

$ $ $ $

12,735 19,194 3,198 35,127

$ $ $ $ $ $

143,791 43,313 20,585 19,267 17,250 244,205

$ $ $ $ $ $

-

$ $ $ $ $ $

125,425 47,173 27,512 17,992 16,800 234,902

$ $ $ $ $ $

-

Total Expenses

$

244,205

$

23,844

$

234,902 $

35,127

EXCESS OF REVENUE OVER EXPENSES FOR THE

$

2,343

$

6,035

$

(22,330) $

2,541

FUND BALANCES AT BEGINNING OF YEAR

$

52,453

$ 1,583,340

Transfer (from) to Operations Fund and Capital

$ $

503 55,299

$ (503) $ 1,588,871

FUND BALANCES AT END OF YEAR

68530 $ $

1587052

6,253 $ (6,253) 52,453 $ 1,583,340

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - AUDITED 1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES a) Amortization No amortization is recorded on the Society's assets because the management and Board of the Society believe such amortization would represent an unreasonable valuation of the Society's principle assets relative to their Bird and Wildlife Sanctuary purpose. b) Deferred revenue Grants and donations received in the year with restrictions on their use are deferred until the applicable conditions have been fulfilled.

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2016 Operations

2015 Capital

Operations

Capital

2. SUPPORT CONTRIBUTIONS Corporations Foundations Donations & Bequests BC Gaming Grants (Note 6) Government Grants Wildlife Education Membership Fees

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

7,150 61,850 7,426 40,000 11,221 7,564 480

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

-

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

5,406 30,175 2,083 40,000 15,000 7,582 275

$ $ $ $ $ $ $

8,864 -

$ 135,692

$

-

$ 100,521

$

8,864

$ $ $

5 5,307

$ $ $

29,878 -

$ $

13 11,304

$ $ $

28,806 -

$

5,312

$

29,878

$

11,317

$

28,806

$ 152,208 $ 4,496 $ 1,130 $ 4,016

$ $ $ $

-

$ 146,700 $ 5,533

$ $

-

$

-

$

-

$ 161,850

$

-

$ 152,234

$

-

3. MISCELLANEOUS Manley Farm Rental Interest Income Sundry Income

4. CAMPAIGN SALES Community Outreach Green Ribbon Adopt an Animal Event Income

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NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - AUDITED

YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31

2016 Operations

2015 Capital

Operations

Capital

5. COST OF CAMPAIGNS

Community Outreach Events Adopt an Animal Green Ribbon

$ 54,738 $ 935 $ 632 $ -

$ $ $ $

-

$ $ $ $

51,499 -

$ $ $ $

-

$ 56,305

$

-

$

51,499 $

-

$ 37,838 $ 40,000 $ (44,992) $ 32,846

$ $ $ $

-

$ 38,072 $ $ 40,000 $ $ (40,234) $ $ 37,838 $

-

$ 32,822 $ $ $ 32,822

$ $ $ $

-

$ $ $ $

-

6. BC GAMING GRANTS Account Balance as at the Beginning of Year BC Gaming Grant Revenue Expenses - Salaries Account Balance as at the End of Year The BC Gaming Grants are required to be maintained in separate bank accounts with accountability for expenditures from that account being demonstrably applied to the project for which the grant was provided.

7. RESTRICTED FUNDS Gaming Grants Corporate and Other Funds Bequest

37,838 37,838

$ $ $ $

The gaming grants received by NWPS are generally received from the province toward the end of the year and are restricted to particular expenditure types, which the NWPS generally reserves for the following year. In 2014 NWPS received approximately $35,000 in corporate & donor funds, which funds have been restricted for the purpose of supporting NWPS education programs in 2015.

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What’s to Come in 2017 2017 marks 30 years since Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society began. One woman’s dream to stop the wolf cull in North America back in 1987 turned into a lasting legacy of an organization inspiring tens of thousands of people every year in BC and around the globe to understand and protect this important keystone species and many others.

To celebrate this incredible milestone, we will be hosting a public event featuring Robert Bateman as our guest speaker. “A Brush with Nature” - an evening of art and philanthropy—will be taking place on November 9, 2017 at the Robert Bateman Centre in downtown Victoria. Visit our website at www.northwestwildlife.com for more information.

Our special anniversary coinciding with the 150th birthday of our great nation is so wonderful. We are excited to celebrate this milestone partnering with Canadian Wildlife Federation during National Wildlife Week and Earth Week teaching the public about the wonderful biodiversity we are blessed with here in Canada.

We are thankful for our continued partnership with groups like Internex, helping us reach a global audience with our international internship program. In 2017 we look forward to welcoming a volunteer intern from Germany who will be joining us to gain valuable work experience in environmental conservation while providing the society with much-needed additional support.

In 2017, as every year, we are so thankful to all our supporters who donate their resources (be it time or money).

It is because of our amazing base of steadfast and new supporters that we are able to accomplish such great things. Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts.

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Thank You to our Donors:

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Report produced by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Designed and Written by Kristine Krynitzki Photography by Darren Colello www.wildlifephotos.zenfolio.com

Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

720-1190 Melville Street Vancouver, BC V6E 3W1 t 604-568-9160 f 604-568-6152

www.northwestwildlife.com