COLUMBIA SHUSWAP INVASIVE SPECIES SOCIETY
Annual Report 2020
The environment, economy and society of the Columbia Shuswap region are protected from the adverse impacts of invasive species.
A message from our Executive Director:
The Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society is a network of partners who facilitate the prevention, reduction and management of invasive species through collaboration, engagement, and education.
Executive Summary
c) To do all other things as are incidental and ancillary to the attainment of the above purposes.
Mission Statement:
a) To educate and engage public, private landowners, land and aquatic managers, First Nations and others about invasive species and their impacts.
Salmon Arm, Revelstoke, and Golden Invasive Plant Management Areas (IPMAs) and entire Columbia Shuswap Region.
- Robyn Hooper
The objectives of the Society are:
Project Area:
I am grateful to share that our organization and our staff found resiliency, adaptability and creativity while managing the challenges of the past year during the global pandemic. As you'll read about in the coming pages, we accomplished quite a lot and we found some new and interesting ways to reach our target audiences, while staying safe. Invasive species don't know borders and they don't follow pandemic lockdowns! We had the unfortunate new discovery of invasive freshwater clams (Corbicula fluminea) in Shuswap Lake. However, we also celebrated successes, such as many invasive plants treated and no invasive zebra and quagga mussels found across the region! We are extremely grateful to generous funders and partners. A huge thank you as well to Board members, volunteers and members who continue to support CSISS and our goals of protecting this region's biodiversity from the impacts of invasive species. Finally, a huge thank you to the staff of CSISS - we have a fantastic team!
b) To establish and operate invasive species management programs.
Vision Statement:
Shearing Environmental Consultants Ltd. provided expertise to help plan restoration and choose indigenous vegetation to support the natural ecosystem.
Maximizing the Probability of Detection and Eradication of New Invasives 2020 Terrestrial Program Highlights
Blanket Creek Provincial Park is located within the traditional territories of the Okanagan and Secwepemc First Nations and holds important conservation values such as kokanee spawning habitat and winter ungulate range. The park also contains mature second growth stands of western hemlock and western redcedar.
Completed 1,162 targeted invasive plant surveys
Supported 7 weed pulls with 5 partner organizations
Reached over 900 landowners regarding invasive plant management
Installed 'DO Not Mow' and 'Do Not Compost' signage across the region
Blanket Creek Provincial Park Restoration Project
Responded to 110 requests for information and 64 invasive plant reports
Administered 5 herbicide spray contracts, treating 68 priority sites
We are thrilled with the incredible efforts of volunteers and can't wait to continue this initiative next spring!
In fall of 2020, restoration efforts included the planting of 65 shrubs and trees and 100 cottonwood stakes. Top soil was added to an area where native seeds were planted.
In 2020, CSISS and BC Parks began a multi-year project to restore an area of Blanket Creek Provincial Park that has been impacted by invasive plants, with the funding support of BC Parks, Environment and Climate Change Canada and others.
Terrestrial Field Program
Completed mechanical treatment at 43 priority locations
Through the removal and/or displacement of invasive plants and the re-establishment of native species, the project aims to encourage natural regeneration of local habitats and promote a resilient native plant assemblage for the future.
Invasive Zebra & Quagga Mussels (Dreissena polymorpha & bugensis)
142 samples
New YouTube channel!
Himalayan Balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)
Facilitated 27 marina staff briefings
Visited 5 pet stores with 'Don't Let it Loose' messaging
Revelstoke BC Wildfire crews removed invasive Himalayan Balsam from the Revelstoke Greenbelt trails.
CSISS-hosted workshops included: Invasive species plant identification workshops- Carrot Family Focus (x 2) (Online- May/June 2020) Impacts of invasive plants and edible invasives workshop through Okanagan College (Online- June 2020) Invasive plant identification walk- Revelstoke Wildflower Festival activity (in-person August 2020) Targeted Industry Outreach Provided resources and training to 11 landscaping companies and held in-person training sessions with 10 individuals. Provided resources and phone outreach to 7 private gravel pit operators/ aggregate movers Provided resources and phone outreach to 10 home inspectors Facilitated in-person training sessions for 12 recreation site operators
Twelve water-bodies were monitored monthly or bi-weekly at 22 sites, for both larval and adult stages of invasive mussels, and for aquatic invasive plants. 142 samples were collected and analyzed. No invasive mussels were detected within the region. No new aquatic invasive plants were detected.
Communications & Social Media
560 followers on facebook with a reach of 32, 643
Outreach at 25 boat launches
22 locations
Aquatic Outreach
NO invasive mussels detected!
Hosted 26 boater outreach events
A live population of invasive clams was discovered in the Salmon Arm of the Shuswap Lake. Extent surveys found clams at Sunnybrae and Canoe, but not at any other location in the Shuswap Lake The highest densities of clams, around 20 per m2, were found at Sunnybrae. Work was completed with direction from Provincial staff and funding support from Shuswap Watershed Council.
Outreach activities in 2020 were adapted to suit the COVID-19 situation and changed accordingly throughout the year. Many aspects of the program were moved online and small group training sessions replaced large group events.
Education and Outreach Program Aquatic Field Program
760 Followers on instagram
Invasive Freshwater Clams (Corbicula fluminea)
12 water bodies
Administration 10%
CSISS Programs 90%
Finances and Funding
Acknowledgment of Contributions in 2020
In Kind Contributions: over $15,000
# Funders in 2020
In Kind Contributors: BC Wildfire Service Revelstoke- Himalayan balsam weed pull Keith Cox- volunteer weed pull Protect our Winters Revelstoke Chapter- Blanket Creek Provincial Park Restoration ISCBC Job Creation Partnership Salmon Arm Crew- Invasive freshwater clam sampling and boater outreach Carmen Massey- Canoe usage for Yellow Flag Iris Surveys BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy- Power boat usage for ZQM sampling Rec Sites and Trails BC- Sign installation BC Hydro- ZQM sampling Nature Trust BC- Weed pull SABNES foreshore trail Sicamous Houseboats- Substrate Sampler monitoring
Expenses in 2020
# Funders 24
Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRORD) Employment and Social Development Canada (Canada Summer Jobs Program) Environment and Climate Change Canada Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation Columbia Shuswap Regional District BC Community Gaming Grant Shuswap Watershed Council City of Salmon Arm Parks Canada BC Hydro BC Parks Nature Trust of BC Columbia Basin Trust Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (MoECCS) Other Contributions received from: Wildsight Golden Jake-Jay Construction Revelstoke Monashee Spirits Revelstoke (donation through Wildflower Festival) Plus other small donations and honorariums
Funding in 2020: nearly $300,000 in new revenue confirmed
CSISS Board of Directors 2020 Hamish Kassa- Chair Chris Chochran- Vice Chair Laurel Corrigan- Director Joe McCulloch- Director Darren Komonoski- Director Adam Croxall- Director Diane Millar- Director Chris Gill- Director John Braisher- Director Bruce Husband- Director (term ended October 2020) Natalie Stafl- Director (term ended October 2020) New in October 2020: Warren Fortier-Director Peter Tarleton-Director CSISS Staff 2020 Robyn Hooper- Executive Director Laura Gaster- Field Operations Program Coordinator Sue Davies- Aquatic Invasive Species Program Coordinator Kim Kaiser- Education and Outreach Program Coordinator Kathleen Meszaros- Invasive Species Program Assistant
“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” ―Albert Einstein
Team and Board of Directors
@columbiashuswapinvasives
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@ColumbiaShuswapInvasives
@CSISS_Invasives
info@columbiashuswapinvasives.org
1-855-PUL-WEED (785-9333)