Mountain Caribou: Good News for a Change?

In February, two First Nations from B.C.’s Peace Region–West Moberly First Nations and Saulteau First Nations–and  the federal and provincial governments signed a historic partnership agreement that aims to pull six caribou herds in the Peace region back from the brink of local extinction.

The agreement also includes the creation of a 2,000-square-kilometer provincial park—slightly larger than Garibaldi Provincial Park—that will protect critical caribou habitat in the mountainous area north-east of Prince George and west of Chetwynd. This will be the first new park to be established in the northeast region in 20 years.

While British Columbia still does not have an Endangered Species Act, despite promises from the current government to pass one, communities are working to recover globally significant species like caribou. This Agreement continues an important precedent for the recovery of endangered species through the collaborative efforts of First Nations, governments, and stakeholders. At a time when scientists have warned that 1 million animal and plant species are now threatened with global extinction, this rare good news for wildlife was celebrated by First Nations, biologists, conservationists, and stakeholders as a meaningful achievement for reconciliation, people and wildlife. 

Join Yellowstone to Yukon Program Manager Tim Burkhart on a journey from heartbreak to hope, and learn about how you can help caribou and other endangered species across British Columbia.

Instructions for online participation.

This presentation will be aired via the Zoom videoconferencing. Here is the “how-to” information. Please note that even if you do not have a camera and audio on your computer, you can still join by telephone and so can hear the presentation (see info below).

1. Download and install “Zoom Client for Meetings” from Zoom.us/download, where you will also find smartphone and tablet versions. You do not need to register a Zoom account.  If you join the meeting without first installing, you will be prompted to install on the spot, which may leave you feeling rushed. Doing a self-test is recommended — at Zoom.us/test.  You’ll get to test that the Zoom app is able to use your microphone and camera, and try out the meeting buttons.
2. In the Monday May 18th Nature Vancouver e-news, you can find the link for this week’s Zoom presentation. To join the audience on May 21st, click on this link after 7pm.  You may also need the meeting ID and password (also provided in the e-news). You can join by phone instead at 778-907-2071.
   Email Denis info@NatureVancouver.ca if you need help.
3. To socialize before 7:30 we encourage you to turn on your microphone and camera; turn them both off at 7:30.  In the  Q&A after the talk, please type in your questions using the “chat” sidebar.

See also https://naturevancouver.ca/zoom-videoconference-instructions/

We look forward to seeing you there!