Development activities in urban and rural areas have a significant impact on species at risk. The south coast of British Columbia is home to more than 30 federally-listed and more than 250 provincially-listed species at risk (SAR), all falling within an area that continues to be heavily under pressure for urban and rural development. Assuming that land use planners and biologists are equipped with the best available information, habitat needs for species at risk can be incorporated into planning to ensure that development is sensitive to these rare and endangered species.
This workshop series will include a one-day classroom session, to provide an overview of available tools for managing species at risk habitat on the south coast. Following this session, we will hold three training sessions geared towards three different species or guilds. The training workshops will include a mixture of classroom and field sessions, intended to provide workshop participants with the tools and skills to identify habitat for the species in question, design a trapping approach to determine if the species is present, and report findings to the appropriate agencies. Each session will also include a discussion to address problems with applying the current BMPs and tools needed to improve habitat management for species at risk on the south coast.
Who Should Attend?
The workshop series is geared towards biologists and environmental consultants working on environmental impact assessments or mitigation plans for development projects on the south coast.
Please note that attendance at workshop 1 is MANDATORY if you would like to attend any of the field sessions, as we will be building on information learned during the first workshop at each subsequent field session. Attendance is limited to 50 people for the first workshop and 35 for each of the classroom/field-based workshops, so register early to guarantee a spot!
Workshop 1: Applying Best Management Practices for Species at Risk - Tools and Approaches
Stanley Park Pavilion: March 10, 2008
UBC Carey Centre: May 13, 2008
Overview:
This workshop will explore options for applying the existing BMPs for species at risk on the south coast. During the initial session, provincial representatives will review the existing approaches for managing species at risk during development projects, including the legislative and regulatory environment. Following this session, we will move to a series of case studies which explore innovative approaches for applying BMPs in a variety of different settings, to illustrate options available to biologists and consultants working on development projects. Finally, we will hold a series of presentations on tools that can help with applying BMPs along with approaches for convincing developers to apply BMPs. A full agenda for the workshop will be available by Feb. 13 2008 and will be forwarded to all registrants at that time.
Workshop 2: Pacific Water Shrew Habitat Management
Stanley Park Pavilion: March 11, 2008
Overview:
In this combination classroom and field-based workshop, we will first review the existing BMP for Pacific water shrew. We will then explore specific components of the BMP in detail, including 1) habitat modelling; 2) recognizing habitat quality; and 3) trapping. The session will include an opportunity to review the approaches used to maintain shrew habitat during the salvage operations in Stanley Park and a panel discussion on difficulties and solutions for applying the existing Pacific water shrew BMP. A full agenda for the workshop will be available by Feb. 13 2008 and will be forwarded to all registrants at that time.
Workshop 3: Habitat management for endangered amphibians
Malcolm Knapp Research Forest: April 8, 2008
Overview:
In the second combination classroom-field workshop, we begin with a review of the current legislative environment for maintaining amphibian habitat, followed by a review of the existing BMP for amphibians. We will then discuss best approaches for dealing with amphibian habitat during development projects, including the effectiveness of mitigation and salvage vs. maintaining and restoring habitat. Through field-based sessions, we will explore examples of habitat for red-legged frogs and coastal tailed frogs, identification of these species, and trapping options. We will also discuss the importance of maintaining connectivity between uplands and riparian habitat. A full agenda for the workshop will be available by Feb. 13 2008. Please note that the location and date are tentative at this time.
Workshop is FULL.
Workshop 4: Rare plants on the south coast
UBC Carey Centre and Pacific Spirit Park/Jericho Beach: May 14, 2008
Overview:
Participants in this one-day, classroom and field-based workshop will learn about survey approaches for rare plants on the south coast. The agenda will include an information session on existing BMPs for rare plants, CDC requirements for ensuring proper identification and reporting findings, and an overview of identification tips for five of the rare vascular plants on the south coast. Participants will also be walked through a recommended approach for conducting rare plants surveys and will have the opportunity to apply this methodology in a field session. A final discussion of improvements to existing BMPs and other information needs will be used to help improve the effectiveness of rare plant surveys in the future.
To register for May 13 Session click HERE.
Workshop 4 is FULL. To be put on a waiting list please send an email to register@selkirk-management.com
