It's the last week of August and closing in on the final weeks of summer..... where did it go?
The wildfires in our area gave us a bit of a break compared to the last couple of years. Many of those that were started were very promptly extinguished, thanks to quick reporting and fast action by firefighters. We've had quite a bit of rain also, often enough to help keep lightning strikes at bay. The valley still has a visible green tinge which can be unusual this late in the summer!
This eNewsletter provides an introduction to two of our staff here at CVWMA. Julia Shewan took on the position as Conservation Programs Assistant in November of 2018. Madeline Weafer began here in May of this year as our seasonal Wildlife Technician. Stop and say 'Hi!' if you meet them out on the wetlands!
Also, we have some very exciting news from local bird expert, Linda Van Damme!
Smiles!,
Pamela Sabo
Administrative Assistant to the Head of Conservation Programs
Julia Shewan: Conservation Programs Assistant
Hi! I’m Julia Shewan and I’ve been working at the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area as Conservation Programs Assistant since October 2018. I’m a newcomer to Creston but have Kootenay roots as I grew up in the St. Mary valley outside of Kimberley. My background is in wildlife ecology though I must admit I am a bird nerd! Our feathered friends, large and small, are my biggest passion! Before coming to Creston I worked in environmental consulting for many years and was very fortunate to travel to some amazing and remote places in Western Canada to conduct surveys for various wildlife species. Here at CVWMA I’ve been managing our wildlife survey programs. It’s been quite a busy year, just the way I like it, with lots of different bird surveys being completed! I’ve also been learning about how the habitat is managed for various wildlife species so that I can take on a more active role in this regard - the Wildlife Area is an incredible and diverse ecosystem and it’s a real pleasure to work for wildlife each and every day! I hope to see you out there enjoying this wetland gem!
Madeline Weafer: Seasonal Wildlife Technician
Madeline Weafer came on board CVWMA’s staff in May as our new Wildlife Technician for the 2019 field season. She grew up on the prairies, in Regina, SK and moved out west to pursue education and a career in conservation. Madeline recently obtained a B.Sc. in Ecological Restoration and a diploma in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation management from BCIT in Burnaby, BC. Her work in the Creston Valley is centred around wildlife monitoring with a big focus on species-at-risk and she has been working on projects related to marsh birds, waterfowl, amphibians and bats. Madeline has really enjoyed monitoring nesting Barn Swallows underneath the old Interpretive Centre and in the new "Swallow Hotel" this summer. As their breeding season winds down she is looking forward to the arrival of all the fall migrants!
Local Bird Expert Has New Book Being Published!
Exciting news from Linda Van Damme!
Many years of bird watching, researching and recording by Linda are coming to fruition in Linda's new book called "Birds of the Creston Valley", being published this fall! Follow this link to find out more about the progress of the book:
The Winter edition of the Wetlander newsletter is available for viewing. Check out the articles on Turtles, Grebes,Bullfrogs, Tree Swallows, the new Kootenay-Columbia Society Discovery Centre, Photos and more!
The 2017 Annual Report is also included in this issue.
Technician for the 2019 field season. She grew up on the prairies, in Regina, SK and moved out west to pursue education and a career in conservation. Madeline recently obtained a B.Sc. in Ecological Restoration and a diploma in Fish, Wildlife, and Recreation management from BCIT in Burnaby, BC. Her work in the Creston Valley is centred around wildlife monitoring with a big focus on species-at-risk and she has been working on projects related to marsh birds, waterfowl, amphibians and bats. Madeline has really enjoyed monitoring nesting Barn Swallows underneath the old Interpretive Centre and in the new "Swallow Hotel" this summer. As their breeding season winds down she is looking forward to the arrival of all the fall migrants!
