On Saturday, October 23, 2021, a team of volunteers and representatives from the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS), the Kootenay Native Plant Society (KNPS), and KinSeed Ecologies joined forces to create habitat for bees and butterflies at the Kootenay Gallery of Art, History, and Science in Castlegar, BC. Through the creation and enhancement of … Read more
Your Fall 2021 edition of the CKISS’n Tell newsletter is now available by clicking here. What will you find in this issue of CKISS’n Tell? EcoGarden Photo Contest – win native plants for your garden! Seeking Volunteers for a day of native planting at the Kootenay Gallery in Castlegar CKISS program & project updates CKISS … Read more
For the past three years CKISS has conducted restoration efforts at three locations: Erie Lake in Salmo, Beaver Creek in Trail and Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary just north of New Denver. For the first two years (2019-2020) the project had enthusiastic participation from over 250 volunteers who helped us plant 878 native species and remove a … Read more
American bullfrog control work was in full swing from May 20th to September 16th, 2021. The American Bullfrog Action Team (ABAT) conducted an immense amount of surveillance effort to maintain coverage of pretty much the entire Creston Valley south of the Highway 3 bridge. Much gratitude for their hard work and perseverance through some intense … Read more
CKISS staff are once again monitoring our local lakes for invasive zebra and quagga mussels. So far, CKISS has collected 201 plankton samples from nine waterbodies. CKISS monitoring efforts are part of the provincial Invasive Mussel Defence Program, which aims to prevent the introduction of ZQM into B.C. To date, B.C. is still free of … Read more
An enthusiastic group of about 50 Nakusp Elementary School students, teachers and aides descended on the Snk’mip Marsh Sanctuary the morning of September 23rd for a massive planting bee in the warm fall sunshine. The day saw more than 300 native tree seedlings and shrubs put into the ground in recently restored areas of the … Read more
Kootenay Lake is one of the waterbodies CKISS is monitoring for zebra & quagga mussels. We want to protect the lake’s ecological, cultural and economic values from the harmful impacts of invasive mussels. Invasive mussels can negatively affect biodiversity, species at risk, water quality, and recreation opportunities. You can help prevent the introduction of invasive … Read more
The larva of zebra and quagga mussels can’t be seen with the naked eye and can easily hide on your boat & equipment! You can help prevent the introduction of invasive mussels by practicing to clean, drain and dry your watercraft and equipment. If you are transporting a watercraft in B.C. it is mandatory to … Read more
For the first time, there has been a confirmed sighting of black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) in the Kootenay region. CKISS urges the public to be on the lookout for this invasive species and report all sightings. What’s the problem with black henbane? Black henbane is listed as a provincial early detection rapid response species (EDRR). … Read more
Join our team as an Invasive Species Intern or Program Assistant. Are you passionate about environmental conservation? Do you want to join a dedicated and dynamic team to help protect the Central Kootenay region from the impact of invasive species? We are hiring two new positions, apply today to join us! 1. Program Assistant: Permanent … Read more
