Tag Archive for: vernon

Disease threatens BC’s Bats – Need your help

Sleeping bat – a healthy Myotis bat found hibernating in a woodpile – reporting sleeping bats helps researchers learn what is normal. Photo: C Buick

OKANAGAN AREA, BC – B.C.’s bats, including the well-known Little Brown Bat, are threatened by a fungal disease headed towards the province from Alberta and Washington State. The Okanagan Community Bat Program, in collaboration with the Province of BC, is asking the public for help in the effort to detect and prevent the spread of White-Nose Syndrome (WNS). Residents are urged to report any bat activity observed in winter and any sick or dead bats found before May 31st.

What is White Nose Syndrome?

White-Nose Syndrome is a fungal disease that is harmless to humans and pets, but has devastated North American bat populations. The fungus attacks bats while they are hibernating, growing on their faces to give an appearance of a white nose. Bats often wake to clean the fungus from their skin. This uses valuable energy, and finally the bats die from starvation. Across North America, millions of bats have been killed, and two BC species are now listed as Endangered due to the disease.

First detected in New York State in 2006, the disease continues to spread, with detections on the west coast close to Seattle and in south-central Alberta. Biologists say the arrival of WNS in BC is imminent. Increasing the number of reports from the public is the best chance to understand how WNS might spread and affect local bat populations. Though there is not yet a proven cure for WNS, several promising treatment options are being developed, and it may be possible to mitigate the effects of this wildlife health crisis.

White-nose syndrome occurrence map – by year (2023). Downloaded 2023-02-07. Available at https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/where-is-wns

What you can do

If you find a dead bat or have sightings of winter bat activity, please report to the B.C. Community Bat Program online at www.bcbats.ca , via email at [email protected] or by calling 1-855-922-2287 ext.13.  All live bats should be left alone — keep your distance, snap a photo and report it to the B.C. Community Bat Program. If you must move a bat, visit www.bcbats.ca for advice and never touch a bat with your bare hands. Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet.  Please contact the BC Community Bat Program for more information.

Bats – OUR Buddies

The bats of BC are key predators of many night-flying insects.  They are essential parts of BC’s ecosystems and provide billions of dollars of economic benefit by helping control agricultural, forest, and urban pests.   In partnership with the BC Ministry of Environment, the BC Community Bat Program provides information and promotes local stewardship and citizen science.  

Okanagan Resources

The BC Community Bat Program Okanagan Region extends its gratitude to partners involved in bat conservation including the Bat Education and Environmental Protection Society (Peachland), Environmental Education Centre Okanagan (Kelowna), Allan Brooks Nature Centre (Vernon), Osoyoos Desert Society (Osoyoos), BC Parks (Penticton), Grist Mill (Keremeos), The Nature Trust (Twin Lakes), Granby Wilderness Society (Grand Forks) and several Okanagan naturalist and outdoor clubs The program runs thanks to funding from  the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, Forest Enhancement Society of BC, and the Habitat Stewardship Program. You can find out more about the BC Community Bat Program and options for helping local bat populations at www.bcbats.ca[email protected], or 1-855-922-2287 ext.13.

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

BATS: Out of the Darkness

Do you love bats or have a bat nerd in your life? Join us at Allan Brooks Nature Centre for a month-long travelling exhibit! BATS: Out of the Darkness is an exhibit all about BC bat species, with an aim to “bring the bats of British Columbia out of the darkness and into our consciousness.” The exhibition serves as a reminder of how essential bats are to the environment. It also provides a chance to celebrate these amazing creatures and foster stewardship within BC.

Though they face some stigma for seeming spooky or scary, bats are integral to keeping our ecosystems healthy! Many bat species have seen a rapid decline in recent decades, and need our help and awareness to grow their populations again. If you want to learn more about what these wonderful mammals do for us, and what we can do to support them, visit the centre during our open hours from October 1st – 29th.

The exhibit is open to the public Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00-3:30. Admission is by a suggested donation of $5 per person. 

Cats and Birds in Your Community

Join us at ABNC for a fascinating talk about the connection between cats and birds in your community!

Tonight’s presenter,  Anna, will discuss the current state of birds in Canada and the top 3 threats to bird populations. She will also provide science-based resources and advice on what people can do to support birds in their community. The presentation will address climate change, bird-window collisions and bird predation by roaming cats. This topic will be of interest to cat owners and non-cat owners alike!

Anna Skurikhina is a biologist and a nature enthusiast currently residing in Kelowna, BC. Anna works as a Cats and Birds Project Coordinator with the non-profit Stewardship Centre for BC. The Stewardship Centre leads the Cats and Birds project to improve cat welfare and protect birds from the impact of roaming cats. As part of the project’s advisory committee, Anna works with animal welfare groups, conservation organizations, academia and governments to help address the issue of roaming cats and bird decline in BC.
This event will be held in the classroom at ABNC.
Admission is by donation and pre-registration is required!

Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra

Come to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre for our Evening Arts pop-up performance by the Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra. Take in the beauty of the natural world while listening to the sounds of music. Gates open at 6:30 pm, the performance will begin at 7:00 pm and will be comprised of two 45-minute-long sets with a 15-minute intermission. The concert will end at approximately 8:45 pm. Guests will be seated on the Grasslands Theatre benches or may bring their own lawn chair or blankets/cushions to sit on. Please check-in when you arrive. Admission is by CASH donation with a suggested amount of $10 per person.

The Kitchen Sink Pocket Orchestra is a mixed string and wind ensemble designed to introduce orchestral instruments in accessible and non-traditional settings. Their diverse repertoire appeals to audiences of all ages and includes arrangements of much-loved orchestral works, mashups of traditional folk and fiddle favourites alongside recognizable tunes from more contemporary artists including Lady Gaga, Simon and Garfunkel and Metallica. There is something for everyone on this program – that includes everything and the Kitchen Sink!

Pre-registration is required.

***Reminder: This is an OUTDOOR event, please dress according to the weather.***

 

 

Garage Sale @Private Residence

ABNC Volunteers are graciously hosting a Garage Sale Fundraiser at 2206 23rd Ave. East Hill Vernon (near the corner of 23rd St. & 23rd Ave). They will have a collection of quality items that have been well sorted and organized. Expect to find furniture, books, tools, seasonal items and so much more! All proceeds will be donated to Allan Brooks Nature Centre. We appreciate your support!

 

Where: 2206-23rd Ave Vernon, BC

When: Friday and Saturday, June 10th & 11th 8am-4pm daily

Garage Sale @Private Residence

ABNC Volunteers are graciously hosting a Garage Sale Fundraiser at 2206 23rd Ave. East Hill Vernon (near the corner of 23rd St. & 23rd Ave). They will have a collection of quality items that have been well sorted and organized. Expect to find furniture, books, tools, seasonal items and so much more! All proceeds will be donated to Allan Brooks Nature Centre. We appreciate your support!

 

Where: 2206-23rd Ave Vernon, BC

When: Friday and Saturday, June 10th & 11th 8am-4pm daily

Tag Archive for: vernon

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