Links to Conservation and Stewardship Sites

Over the years, the GCC has relied on a wide web of people and organizations to work towards conservation, sustainable use and good stewardship practices in the grasslands of British Columbia. This work has been made easier with the help of others - whether the contribution be research materials, ground-breaking programs or positive partnerships.

The websites have been divided into the following categories:

Conservation/Land Use
Education
Government
Invasive Plants
Ranching/Agriculture
Recreation
Restoration
Species at Risk
Wildlife

Conservation / Land Use

BC Conservation Corps www.bcconservationcorps.ca		The British Columbia Conservation Corps (BCCC) is an exciting program that provides work opportunities for students and recent graduates who may be considering a career in the environmental sector.
BC Conservation Foundation www.bccf.com		A registered not-for-profit dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of BC's ecosystems and species.
BC Nature: Federation of BC Naturalists www.bcnature.ca		BC Nature is a federation of local natural history groups and represents 50 local nature clubs throughout BC. Since 1969, they have worked towards the goals of education and conservation, reflected in their motto: “To Know Nature and To Keep It Worth Knowing”.
Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV) www.cijv.ca		The CIJV is a partnership organization working for the long-term benefit of the wildlife and people living in the Canadian Intermountain region.
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) www.cpaws.org		CPAWS's vision is to keep at least half of Canada's public land and water wild — forever. Since 1963 CPAWS has taken a lead role in establishing two-thirds of Canada's protected wild spaces.
Columbia Basin Trust www.cbt.org		CBT is a crown corporation that promotes social, economic and environmental well being in the Basin by delivering benefits to residents through a variety of programs
East Kootenay Conservation Program (EKCP) www.ekcp.ca		The East Kootenay Conservation Program (EKCP) is a collection of forty one groups and agencies in the East Kootenay that have joined together to develop and implement a strategy to promote habitat and ecosystem management for private land that complements management of Crown land in the region.
Forest Research and Extension Partnership (FOREX) www.forrex.org		FORREX Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX) is a British Columbia, Canada-based charitable non-share corporation, founded in 1998 to help people develop science and knowledge-based solutions to complex natural resource challenges.
Fraser Basin Council www.fraserbasin.bc.ca		The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) is a unique organization that is focused on advancing sustainability throughout the entire Fraser River Basin.
Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team Society www.goert.ca		The Garry Oak Ecosystems Recovery Team (GOERT) was formed in 1999 to coordinate efforts to protect and restore endangered Garry oak and associated ecosystems and the species at risk that inhabit them.
Kamloops Naturalists Club www.kamloopsnaturalist.ca		A group of individuals with an interest in natural history formed the Kamloops Naturalist Club in 1971. The club schedules field tours, provides public information and works towards conservation goals.
Kamloops South Thompson Community Atlas http://research.tru.ca/kstcmp/atlas.html		The Kamloops-South Thompson Sustainable Community Atlas supports social, economic and environmental decision making in the City of Kamloops, Kamloops Indian Reserve, and a portion of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District by agencies, businesses, and individuals
Nature Canada www.naturecanada.ca		Nature Canada is a member-based non-profit conservation organization created to protect and conserve wildlife and habitats in Canada by engaging people and advocating on behalf of nature.
Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) www.natureconservancy.ca		The Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) is a private, non-profit organization working for the direct protection of Canada's biodiversity through the purchase, donation or placing of conservation easements on ecologically significant lands.
Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP) www.occp.bc.ca		The Okanagan Collaborative Conservation Program (OCCP) is an initiative that was started in response to the rapid growth and development of the North and Central Okanagan. The OCCP began in May 2006, with many partners coming together to help shape the future of this portion of the Okanagan Valley.
Osoyoos Desert Society www.desert.org		The Osoyoos Desert Society has educational programming and restoration work both at the Centre and off site. Now that the Centre is up and running, the Society is able to put more attention towards the actual conservation of Canada’s only desert.
Rocky Mountain Trench Natural Resources Society (the Trench Society) www.trenchsociety.com		The Trench Society is a coalition of citizen groups working together to restore the grasslands and open forests of British Columbia's southern Rocky Mountain Trench.
South Okanagan–Lower Similkameen National Park Reserve Feasibility Study www.pc.gc.ca/progs/np-pn/cnpn-cnnp/os-os/index_e.asp		The Interior Dry Plateau Natural Region is currently not represented in the national parks system. Parks Canada is examining the feasibility of establishing a national park reserve in the South Okanagan grassland region.
South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program (SOSCP) www.soscp.org		The South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program is a partnership of over non-governmental, government and First Nations organizations working together to maintain the unique natural systems of the area and the great variety of plant and animal species that exists within it.
TLC - The Land Conservancy of British Columbia www.conservancy.bc.ca		Usually known as TLC, The Land Conservancy is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia.
The Nature Conservancy www.nature.org		The Nature Conservancy is the leading conservation organization working to protect the most ecologically important lands and waters around the world for nature and people.
The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca		The Nature Trust of British Columbia is the oldest and largest non-profit land conservation organization headquartered in BC. Our mandate is to protect BC’s natural diversity of wildlife and plants and their critical habitat through the acquisition and management of ecologically significant land.

Education

Allan Brooks Nature Centre www.abnc.ca		The Nature Centre provides visitors a first-hand opportunity to see and learn about the North Okanagan's unique and diverse natural heritage through views, information, programs and displays of the region's natural areas.
Royal BC Museum http://www.livinglandscapes.bc.ca		This exploration of the grasslands of BC is an educational and exciting tour of our precious grassland landscapes.

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Government

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada www.agr.gc.ca
BC Ministry of Agriculture and Lands www.gov.bc.ca/al
BC Ministry of Environment www.gov.bc.ca/env
BC Ministry of Forests and Range www.gov.bc.ca
Parks Canada www.pc.gc.ca
Union of British Columbian Municipalities (UBCM) www.civicnet.bc.ca

Invasive Plants

Invasive Plant Council www.invasiveplantcouncilbc.ca	The Fraser Basin Council led the development of the Invasive Plant Council which works to implement the Invasive Plant Strategy, a document that outlines an action plan to address the exponential increase in invasive plant population throughout the province.
Weeds BC www.weedsbc.ca	Weeds BC can help you identify your weeds, learn how to manage them and find out what can happen if you don't. This site profiles 80 weeds that are currently present in the province or pose a threat to its economy and environment.

Ranching/Agriculture

BC Agriculture Council www.bcac.bc.ca	Founded in 1997, the BCAC Agriculture Council (BCAC) provides leadership in representing, promoting, and advocating the collective interests of all agricultural producers in the Province of BC. The Fraser Basin Council led the development of the Invasive Plant Council which works to implement the Invasive Plant Strategy, a document that outlines an action plan to address the exponential increase in invasive plant population throughout the province.
Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund (BCIDF) www.cattlefund.net/bcidf.htm	The BCIDF was developed to manage the Beef Cattle Industry Development Fund in a way that will effectively enhance the profitability, viability, sustainability of the beef cattle industry in British Columbia for the short, medium and long term.
Behavioural Education for Humans, Vegetation and Ecosystem Management www.behave.net	BEHAVE is a research and outreach program aimed at understanding the principles that govern diet and habitat selection.
British Columbia Cattlemen's Association www.cattlemen.bc.ca	The BC Cattlemen's Association is a non-profit organization that represents and works on behalf of beef cattle producers in BC. It has been the official voice of cattle ranchers throughout British Columbia since 1929. The BCCA is comprised of 56 local associations, which combine to form 15 regional associations.
British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (BCIA) www.bcia.org	BCIA is the provincial organization authorized under the Agrologists Act, a British Columbia statute, to govern the professional conduct of its members, in support of the public interest.
Society for Range Management (SRM) www.rangelands.org/srm.shtml	SRM is the professional society dedicated to supporting persons who work with rangelands and have a commitment to their sustainable use.

Recreation

Off Road Vehicle Coalition (ORV) www.orvcoalitionbc.org	A broad-based coalition of stakeholders was formed in 2002 to improve the management of off-road vehicles (ORVs) in British Columbia.
Outdoor Recreation Council www.orcbc.ca	Through research and advocacy, ORC’s mission is to conserve and enhance outdoor settings and resources in British Columbia and secure public access to them for recreation.

Restoration

Ministry of Forests: Forest Encroachment www.for.gov.bc.ca/hre/ecoearth/ordroad/Dryfor.htm	Fire suppression, overgrazing, and selective logging in these forests are believed to have caused forest encroachment on grasslands and ingrowth within open forests. This section of the Ministry of Forests website explains the issues at hand.
Ministry of Forests: Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfp/mountain_pine_beetle/	The Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan is the cornerstone of the Province's coordinated response to the mountain pine beetle infestation.

Species at Risk

Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) www.cosewic.gc.ca	COSEWIC determines the national status of wild Canadian species, subspecies, varieties or other designatable units that are suspected of being at risk of extinction or extirpation.
Conservation and Data Centre (CDC) www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/	The CDC systematically collects and disseminates information on plants, animals and ecosystems (ecological communities) at risk in British Columbia.
Species at Risk Public Registry www.sararegistry.gc.ca/default_e.cfm	The Public Registry is a source for news, information, and documents related to species at risk in Canada.

Wildlife Conservation

Canadian Wildlife Service www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/index_e.cfm	The CWS is Canada's national wildlife agency and handles wildlife matters that are the responsibility of the federal government. This includes the protection and management of migratory birds and nationally important wildlife habitat, endangered species, research on nationally important wildlife issues, control of international trade in endangered species, and international treaties.
Ducks Unlimited Canada www.ducks.ca	Ducks Unlimited Canada—a national, private, non-profit organization—is Canada’s conservation company. DUC has been committed to wetland conservation for more than 65 years.
Habitat Conservation Trust Fund www.hctf.ca	The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) was created in 1996 by an amendment to the Wildlife Act; the governance of the Trust Fund was updated with a further amendment to that Act in 2005. The HCTF is a proposal-driven organization.
World Wildlife Federation Canada (WWF) www.wwf.ca	As the global conservation organization, WWF works to conserve species at risk, protect threatened habitats and address global threats.
Wild Sheep Society of BC www.wildsheepsociety.net	The mission of the Wild Sheep Society is to promote and enhance wild sheep and wild sheep habitat throughout British Columbia.