NWPS Spring Newsletter 2014

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N E W S L E T T E R

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Preservation Through Education THE NORTHWEST WILDLIFE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Spring 2014 Edition

Wildlife Ta es

A Newsletter from Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Spring has finally arrived, bringing with it longer days and warmer temperatures.

NWPS is taking advantage of the nice weather and heading outside. Partnering with Metro Vancouver, NWPS has already helped plant trees and pull invasive plants at many parks like Tynehead and Boundary Bay.

island. Find out more and ways to receive the latest NWPS Island news on page 3.

available and what it’s like to be an NWPS volunteer.

This month the creature feature looks at the grey wolf, the most common of the various wolf species, which we are lucky to have in Canada. Read on to learn about how this creature lives in groups, how they communicate, and what threatens their existence.

In This Issue

This February was the first successful herring spawn in False Creek in over 100 years. Less than a month later dolphins were seen in the area as well! This is good news for the marine ecosystem around Vancouver. Read on to find out what factors contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

NWPS has obtained some new biofacts that will be used in education programs and taken to community events throughout the Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island. On page 4 you can get more information about where we’ve been and where we’re going, and on page 7 get sneak peek of what you’ll have an opportunity to see with us at these events.

Grey Wolf Feature….…..…….5

Vancouver Island operations have taken off. Since the fall there have been over 30 programs reaching almost 900 participants on the

In this issue you can also learn about some of our fun new fundraising activities, what volunteer opportunities are

Carnivore Conference..…..…...2 Van Island Operations…….…..3 Fundraising……………...…….3 NWPS in the Community…….4 Healthy Ecosystems………......6 New Biofacts…………....…….7 Volunteer Feature……………..8 Borscht recipe……..……...…..8

A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

Order Carnivora Conference In March our Education & Communications Coordinator, Darren Colello, attended a conference on bears and other members of the order Carnivora in Washington State.

Among the many highlights of this conference was guest keynote speaker Chris Morgan, a bear conservationist, ecologist, TV host and producer. Chris has worked throughout Alaska, Canada, Russia, Peru, India, Borneo and even Pakistan to unlock many of the secrets of bear species around the world. He has also produced and hosted many nature programs on the popular PBS series, Nature.

“A healthy bear population indicates an overall healthy wilderness.”

This is the key to bear and other wildlife species conservation, protecting the habitats in which they live on a large scale. Indeed, bears such as male grizzlies, can have immense ranges, in some cases over 1,800 square kilometres (445,000 acres).

The conference highlighted the 8 incredible Ursid (bear) species of our world: black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear, spectacled bear, sloth bear, sun bear, Asiatic black bear and giant panda.

An interesting, though maybe not surprising, point Chris eluded to is that if you take a look at many of the world’s most important wilderness areas, especially in the northern hemisphere, you will find bears there. Therefore, like most iconic, keystone or umbrella species, a healthy bear population indicates an overall healthy wilderness.

Other collaboration among conference participants involved discussions relating to the conservation of other families within Carnivora such as canids (wolves, coyotes, etc.), felids (cougars, bobcats, lynx, etc.) and mustelids (fishers, otters, wolverines, martens, etc.) throughout the Pacific Northwest.

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A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

Vancouver Island Ops NWPS is working hard to increase the availability of our education programs and restoration projects, and to increase our reach to the public with our message of “preservation through education”. We now have a full-time wildlife educator on Vancouver Island!

Since last fall, Connel has provided over 30 education programs in Victoria, Sooke, Saanich, Nanaimo, and Chemainus reaching almost 900 participants! If you would like to participate in our programs, contact Connel directly at 778 967 3379 or islandeducator@northwestwildlife.com.

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Thank You, Donors!

Thank you so much to our generous top donors whose contributions have made it possible for us to continue providing important environmental education to British Columbians since 1987.

Many thanks to: BC Hydro, BC Liquor, Chevron, Hamber Foundation, Imperial Oil, Province of BC, RBC Foundation, Shell Fuelling Change, Small Change Fund, Spectra, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation—Fraser Valley and Vancouver Island, The North Face Explore Fund and Vancity.

Green Ribbon Campaign 2014 us on Twi t t er

For information on NWPS Vancouver Island news, programs, and volunteer opportunities

NWPS is excited to have worked with a few new partners for this year’s Green Ribbon Campaign: London Drugs, MEC - North Van and Victoria, West Coast Liquor Burnaby, Master Gee’s Blackbelt Academy, and Bean Around the World Lonsdale Quay.

We are also thrilled to have partnered again with our fantastic steadfast supporters: Chevron, IGA Marketplace and Lee Chiropractic.

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A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

NWPS in the Community health then releasing them back into the wild. We were one of Coho Festival several displays alongside a 5km dog walk, and natureThis event on the north shore related crafts and activities for celebrated salmon and the the whole family - pets incredible diversity of included! wildlife that depends on it; Park Royal from bears and otters, to sharks and humans!

In February and March we had

Recent Events:

OWL Open House

on May 1st with proceeds supporting our wildlife education programs.

Animal-themed martinis were on special and we had fantastic silent auction items generously donated. We hope to make this an annual event.

a booth at the Park Royal Shopping Centre teaching passersby about our magnificent regional wildlife.

EarthFest

In late April we hosted a display at O.W.L Orphaned Wildlife Rehab in Delta during their bi-annual Open House event.

Walk for Wildlife This Langley event introduced visitors to the incredible work happening by wildlife rehabilitators in the province, like nursing injured wildlife back to

We displayed at this free family festival in Burnaby on May 3rd to celebrate Earth Day.

What’s coming up?

Saturday May 31st Environment Festival Burnaby City Hall

Fingerling Festival We attended the 23rd annual festival releasing salmon into Noons Creek in Port Moody.

Charity Pub Night Yaletown Brew Pub hosted us for a Martini Fundraising Night

Sunday June 15th Family Fishing Day Rice Lake—Lower Seymour Conservation Reserve Sunday August 17th Richmond Raptor Festival Terra Nova Park 2631 Westminster Hwy

Stay Tuned!

Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NorthwestWildlifePreservationSociety to get the most current info about upcoming events in your community!

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A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

Creature Feature: Grey Wolf The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is one of three wolf species in the world, and the only wolf species found in Canada. There are approximately 60,000 wolves in Canada.

Did you know?

Once wolves are successful in a hunt they feed based on a strict hierarchy and “wolf down” food quickly to avoid potential competition with other predators. Wolves can consume more than 20 lbs of meat per adult pack member.

The wolf is the largest member of the canine family.

Although named grey wolf, the colour of fur can be white, tan, brown, grey or black. The fur is coarse and hollow, which helps to insulate the wolf’s body and protect it during the cold winter.

Within a pack, the wolves will use communication to locate each other or warn other members in the pack of danger. Howling is also used within a pack to create excitement for a hunt, or after a successful kill to celebrate. The hunt itself is silent to avoid warning prey of their movement.

Grey wolves are carnivorous, eating a diet that consists only of meat. Wolves in packs will hunt together for large species like caribou, elk, moose and even bison. Lone wolves will hunt smaller animals like rabbits, voles and even beaver.

Wolves’ Role in Ecosystem Management Wolves play in important role in their ecosystems.

They hunt weak, injured and sick animals because they are slow and easy to catch. This results in maintaining healthy populations of their prey.

The greatest threat to wolves in the wild are humans.

Wolves have been hunted for sport for their fur. Humans have also killed wolves out of fear, and feeling the need to remove predators to protect livestock. When natural prey is in abundance, wolf attacks on livestock are extremely rare. Loss of habitat from development is also a problem for wolves. In Canada, we are fortunate that the wolf populations are strong enough that they are not on any critically endangered lists; however, that is not the case for populations in most other parts of the world.

Wolves are social animals, living in groups called packs. These packs have 4-7 members on average.

Each pack has a male and female leader, usually the mother and father, called the alphas. The other wolves in the pack are offspring of the alpha or other young wolves.

Current distribution of grey wolf populations around the world.

Information obtained from http://www.defenders.org/gray-wolf/basic-facts http://www.fws.gov/redwolf/Images/graywolf.pdf 5

A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

What Makes A Healthy Ecosystem?

An ecosystem is a collection of organisms living together with their physical environment. There are many factors, both biotic (living) and abiotic (nonliving) that work together to create a healthy ecosystem.

Biodiversity is the variety of organisms. It is important to maintain a healthy ecosystem. Each organism has a specific place within the food web, and a job to maintain the function of the ecosystem.

A large amount of diversity allows the ecosystem to adapt to disturbances and natural disasters.

Image from http:// www.microbiologyonline.org.uk/

Biotic Factors Required for Biodiversity Decomposers are the bacteria and fungus that break down other organisms.

Plants are primary producers that create food from sunlight in a process called photosynthesis. They release oxygen as a waste product that can be used by other organisms.

Animals are consumers that eat plants and/or other animals. They help to control the population within the ecosystem.

Keystone Species A keystone species is a species within an ecosystem that plays an essential role in maintaining the health of the ecosystem, like wolves for example. Without a keystone species, the balance of the ecosystem will shift and the health will degrade.

The sea otter is another example of a keystone species. They eat sea urchins. This is important because sea urchins eat kelp, which provide valuable marine habitat to many species. When the sea otter is not present to control the urchin population, the kelp beds become destroyed and the health of the whole ecosystem becomes degraded.

Other Factors for Healthy Ecosystems Sun provides heat to the earth. The energy is essential in helping to drive the water cycle and many nutrient cycles. The energy is also used by plants to carry out photosynthesis to create food and oxygen used by other organisms.

Air provides the oxygen and carbon dioxide that organisms need to survive. Maintaining good air quality and limiting pollutants is essential to all life on earth, to ensure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels are sufficient.

Water cycle plays an important role as water evaporates from the land and bodies of water, then returns to the earth in the form of precipitation. This water helps to cool and regulate the temperature of earth, as well as return the vital liquid used by organisms for survival.

Water is important because most organisms are made of a large amount of water, and it is required for survival.

Water helps to carry nutrients and minerals through the soil and streams.

Soil anchors plants in place. It also holds water, and provides nutrients for the plants which are distributed up the food chain.

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A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

New Biofacts at NWPS NWPS has been fortunate to acquire some new biofacts to be used for programs and events on the mainland and Vancouver Island.

New Vancouver Biofact northern saw-whet owl—mount New Vancouver Island Biofacts steller’s jay—mount merlin—mount steller sea lion— skull Pacific white-sided dolphin— skull sea otter— skull Red-tailed hawk—skull

This steller’s jay was found after a wind storm .

The cause of the merlin’s death is unknown. It is likely that it was natural causes.

This northern saw-whet owl was found dead after a wind storm in North Vancouver and now lives on to teach people about wildlife.

To see these new biofacts and more, find us this summer at community events.

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A newsletter by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society—Spring 2014 edition

Volunteer Feature— Jennifer Kostenchuk

Recipe Feature: Borscht Shared from the Kostenchuk Family recipe box

Ingredients 4 medium sized beets 2 cups chopped green or yellow beans 4 carrots 2 cups shredded cabbage 1 small onion 1 tbsp vinegar Jennifer grew up in Manitoba, and has always loved the West Coast for the mountains, ocean and easy access to nature. With a degree in environmental science, she understands the importance of community outreach and education, and appreciates the work that NWPS does to educate and protect nature. Jennifer has been volunteering with NWPS for over a year, joining NWPS through a call out for volunteers to help sort old files before the office moved last summer. Once that project was completed, Jennifer decided to stay on and help out with other projects.

Jennifer says of her experience, “I enjoy the variety of opportunities NWPS offers to volunteers. One day I could be in the office helping with the Green Ribbon Campaign, the next doing research, and the next day be in the field pulling invasive species or attending community events talking to people about NWPS and the biofacts.”

1 litre chicken stock 3-4 cups water Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation 1. Chop all ingredients into uniform bite sized pieces. (the more similar the size the more uniform the cooking) 2. In a large pot cook the onion until translucent.

Approximately 4-5 minutes 3. Add all other vegetables, chicken stalk, vinegar, and enough water to cover all the ingredients.

4. Add salt and pepper to taste, approximately a teaspoon of each.

5. Simmer until all vegetables are cooked and tender. Approximately 45-60 minutes.

6. Serve as is, or add a tablespoon of butter or a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy!

If you would like to volunteer with our society, please call us at 604.568.9160 or email us at info@northwestwildlife.com

Newsletter produced by Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society Created by Kristine Krynitzki, Darren Colello and Jennifer Kostenchuk.

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