Fall Newsletter 2008 - Nature Trust of British Columbia

“I have learned thatcommunication with thepublic is very importantas well as education aboutthe lands The Nature Trustowns. I have also learnedthat it is important forthese properties to bemaintained properly inorder to ensure they areconserving what theywere meant to.”East Kootenay crewmember Eric Pegura“If I were to say whatI had learned so far,I could write a novel!I have learned torecognize and describehundreds of local floraand weeds, understandthe true reasons behindconservation effortsand why it is vital notonly to our region, buteverywhere in the world.”South Okanagan crewmember Colin MayerCARING for the LandFor four years, The Nature Trust of British Columbia hasbeen working with the Ministry of Environment’s BCConservation Corps and the BC Conservation Foundationto hire conservation crews. These crews do a widevariety of activities and learn valuable skills for futureemployment. This year 32 young people were trained,and then sent to tackle on-the-ground activities onconservation properties and parks across the province.In 2008, crews operated on Vancouver Island (Nanaimo),Lower Mainland (Boundary Bay), South Okanagan(Oliver), East Kootenay (Cranbrook), and Cariboo Chilcotin(Williams Lake). In addition, there was a special EcologicalBaseline and Inventory Crew that collected informationon 25 to 30 conservation properties this summer.The Nature Trust is pleased to have HSBC Bank Canadaas the title sponsor of the crews for the third year. Othersponsors include BC Ministry of Environment, BC Trustfor Public Lands, BC Hydro, the Habitat ConservationTrust Foundation, Fish & Wildlife CompensationProgram-Columbia Basin and Talisman Energy“I am a biology girl andlove going out into nature,getting my hands dirty andlearning new things. WhenI heard about The NatureTrust and what they do,and then heard about thisposition, I knew it wouldbe a perfect match for me.”Vancouver Island crewmember Jen Morgen“The best part aboutthis job is having theopportunity to explore BCand visit places I wouldnot get the chance to goon my own. Many of TheNature Trust propertiesare beautiful hidden gemsand it feels like a privilegeto spend time on them.”Ecological Baseline andInventory crew memberAdria Hussein6 ❉ The Nature Trust of British Columbia www.naturetrust.bc.ca ❉ 1-866-288-7878