Friends of Kootenay Lake Podcast Series: Voices of the Lake

Get ready...8th Annual Kootenay Lake Summit

GET READY FOR THE 8TH ANNUAL KOOTENAY LAKE SUMMIT

Join the Friends of Kootenay Lake Stewardship Society on March 8th and 9th, 2022 for two virtual panel discussions on topics Kootenay Lake residents requested to learn more about. 

March 8th 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. PST: Envisioning Sustainable Boating on Kootenay Lake 

March 9th 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. PST: Restoring Kootenay Lake’s Fisheries 

REGISTER HERE 

The Kootenay Lake Summit is a popular annual event that brings community members, environmental professionals, government representatives, First Nations, Industry personnel and other interest groups together to learn about Kootenay Lake, network, and strengthen the community’s collective capacity to steward our watershed.

Many locals continue to voice concerns about boating and fish populations on Kootenay Lake. The Kootenay Lake Summit is your opportunity to make your voice heard, ask questions, and learn from experts and knowledge keepers about what’s happened, what’s being done, and what we can do to ensure our lake thrives for generations to come. 

If you are passionate about cultivating a sustainable boating culture on Kootenay Lake, or if you want to learn more about what is being done to restore Kootenay Lake’s imperiled fisheries, this is your opportunity to get involved. These are important topics our community cares a lot about, so don’t miss out! 

For more information and to register, head to www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca 

These discussions will be recorded and posted right here on the Voices of the Lake podcast, so be sure to share and subscribe to tune into these rich and timely discussions!

For the love of the lake.

Woman in the Wild: Conservation Adventures in the Kootenays

Guest: Kat McGlynn, Wildlife Technician and Amphibian Enthusiast

Keywords: Wildlife, Salmon, Salmonid, Restoration, Conservation, Otter, River Otter, Slocan, Scat, Survey, Wildlife Survey, Sucker, Trout, Snorkeling, Freshwater, River, Rivers, Wildlife Conservation, Wolves, Swans, Science, Monitoring, Amphibians, Wetlands, Toads, Frogs, Northern Leopard Frog, Western Toad

Topics: Stories from the field; Slocan River snorkel swimming for fish conservation; River Otter scat surveys; Northern Leopard Frog conservation; Western toad roadkill mortality mitigation; how to protect amphibians and reptiles in your own back yard!

Music: "Water Rolls" by Born on a Wednesday

Additional Resources: 

Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program website: https://fwcp.ca/ 

Lake Watchers observations page: https://www.friendsofkootenaylake.ca/initiatives/lake-observations/ 

FrogWatch website: https://www.naturewatch.ca/frogwatch/british-columbia/

Central Kootenay invasive Species Society: https://ckiss.ca/ 

FrontCounter BC: https://portal.nrs.gov.bc.ca/web/client/home 

Political Environmentalism: Pursuing Water Stewardship Through Politics

Guest: Wayne Stetski, NDP Representative for the Kootenay-Columbia Riding

Keywords: Politics, Water Stewardship, Conservation, Restoration, Nutrient Restoration, Kokanee, Bull Trout, Rainbow Trout, Columbia River Treaty, Treaty Renegotiations, Government, Governance, Policy, Enforcement, Environmental Crime, Climate Change, Water Rights, Water Scarcity, Water Needs, MLA, Funding, NGO, Kootenay Lake

Topics: The Kootenay Lake Nutrient Restoration Program; The Columbia River Treaty and ongoing renegotiations for treaty improvements; The issue of lack of action by governments to address concerns that exist within “gray areas” of jurisdictional responsibility; Policy and enforcement as it relates to environmental crime; How governments can ensure Canadian’s right to fresh water will be protected considering pressures like climate change and the sale of water to foreign investors; How governments can address growing concerns of local aquatic invasive species infestations; Prioritizing environmental protections considering economic pressures; local government's role in ensuring community water needs are met considering water scarcity; How to ensure politicians are kept up to speed on current scientific data to encourage pro-environmental political decision making, and how we can encourage core-funding streams for environmental and other NGOs.

Music: "Slip Away" by the Alan Kirk Band https://soundcloud.com/alan-kirk-band

Additional Resources: Find and contact your Provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA), Federal Member of Parliament (MP) or your Municipal or Regional government: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/seniors/financial-legal-matters/contacting-government

Disclaimer: Our conversation with Wayne in no way alludes to any implied preference for any particular political party. Our interest in speaking with Wayne solely regards his personal work experience as it relates to protecting Kootenay Lake, and other water resources, for future generations.

Smoky Skies: Building Wildfire Resilience Around Kootenay Lake

Guest: John Cathro, Independent Forester working in Community Wildfire Preparedness

Keywords: Wildfire, Wildland Urban Interface Forestry, Climate Change, Smoke, Air Quality, Wildfire Risk, Risk Mitigation, Fire Suppression, Fuel Load Reduction, Fire Smart, Community Planning, Land-use Planning, Wildfire Preparation, Wildfire Trends, Youth Engagement, Public Education, Community Leadership, Evacuations, 72-Hour Preparedness Kits, Wildfire Preparedness Plans

Topics: A synopsis of the current state of wildfires in the Kootenay Lake area; Wildfire risks in our communities and ecosystems; Wildfire trends over time; Factors that perpetuate wildfire risk; The role climate change plays; Wildfire risk mitigation and adaptation; Firesmarting and how to get started; Fuel load reduction; Community planning and public education. Empowering and involving youth; The role governments and community leaders should be taking on to adequately address these concerns; How residents can prepare for evacuation orders.

Music: "Katabatic Wind" by Wayne Saluti (not available online).

Additional Resources: Cathro Consulting Website: http://cathro.ca/ 

RDCK Fire Smarting resources: http://www.rdck.ca/EN/main/services/emergency-management/wildfires/firesmart.html

Guidelines on preparing for evacuation orders:

Provincial wildfire preparedness guide:  https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/know-your-hazards/wildfires 

https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/pre-evacuation-preparation-steps/

Provincial recommendations for what to pack in your 72-hour emergency preparedness kit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc/build-an-emergency-kit-and-grab-and-go-bag 

 

Native Plants in Wild Spaces: Restoring Kootenay Lake's Pollination Corridors

Guests: Ethnoecologist, Brenda Beckwith and Restoration Botanist, Valerie Huff with the Kootenay Native Plant Society

Hosts: Kayla Tillapaugh and Camille LeBlanc

Keywords: Native Plants, Meadow-making, Meadow-scaping, Native Pollinators, Seed Collection, Kootenay Native Plant Society, Flowers, Biodiversity, Connectivity, Pollination, Funding, Non-profit Organizations, Wildflowers, Restoration Ecology,

Topics: Kootenay Native Plant Society and programs offered; Why plants?; Promoting good, effective restoration and conservation; How to start a wildflower meadow on your property; Common plants with special attributes; How communities can support pollination systems and biodiversity; Need for diverse funding streams; Dream restoration projects in the eyes of a botanist; Honourable mentions.

Music: "Solace of the Beating Heart” by Jay Danley featuring Alexander Brown. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwldROMU6k8_yRScAD5uRtg

Additional Resources: Kootenay Native Plant Society website: http://kootenaynativeplants.ca/

Wildflowers for Pollinators: A Citizen-Science Meadowscaping Initiative Video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty8I2EFbKzM 

Learning the Ropes: A Kootenay Lake Sailing Experience

Guest: Penny Caldwell, Sailing Instructor and owner of Sail Nelson Boating School

Hosts: Kayla Tillapaugh and Camille LeBlanc

Keywords: Sailing, Boating, Sail Nelson, Boating Safety, Sailing Adventures, Sailing Races, Boat Races, Boating School, Stewardship,

Topics: The many wonders of sailing, Sail Nelson boating school and the programs offered to the community, sailing culture on Kootenay Lake and how it compares to other regions in the country, the sailing experience Kootenay Lake has to offer, what to consider in terms of boating safety and safety gear, and stewardship ethics as they relate to sailing and boating in aquatic ecosystems.

Music: "Zephyr” by First After the Fire. Website: https://www.firstafterthefire.com/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/firstafterthefire/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1LtSs8DMOmplIzsudyeeDI YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnL23zceDggqn_mcUHsiytA

Additional Resources: Sail Nelson website: https://sailnelson.com/

Yogic Stewardship: Practicing Mindfulness on the Shores of Kootenay Lake

Guest: Swami Sukhananda, Resident Yoga Teacher at the Yasodhara Ashram

Hosts: Kayla Tillapaugh and Camille LeBlanc

Keywords: Yasodhara Ashram, Yoga, Saraswati Lineage, Kootenay Lake, Meditation, Mindfulness, Union, Conservation, Stewardship, Yogic Philosophy, Stretching, Connection, Food Security, Climate Change, Yoga Retreats, Satsang

Topics: The Ashram including its programs, offerings and teachings; The Ashram’s connection to the Kootenay Lake Community; History of the Ashram including how it was founded and how the temple was built; Yoga as a practice for self improvement; How Kootenay Lake influences the meditative and yogic practices taking place at the ashram; How yogic philosophy closely relates to conservation and stewardship

Music: "Ride the Wave" by The Hillties. Website: https://www.thehillties.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehillties/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thehillties/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/33PRugneMsyk1g41puxa8w

Additional Resources: Yasodrara Ashram Website: https://www.yasodhara.org/ 

Shoreline Planning: Development Permitting and Regulations Around Kootenay Lake’s Shorelines

Guest: Corey Scott, Planner with the Regional District of Central Kootenay

Hosts: Camille LeBlanc and Kayla Tillapaugh

Keywords: Development, Development Permits, Development Permit Areas, Environmental Development Permit Areas, Riparian Areas, Shoreline Regulations, Local Government, Community Planning, Community Values, Shoreline Remediation, Shoreline Naturalization, Shoreline Conservation, Lakefront Properties

Topics: What and why of environmental development permit areas around Kootenay Lake; How to know when a development permit is required and what resources are available to residents and contractors; When, why and what of the Kootenay Lake Development Permit Area Review; How Kootenay Lake compares to other BC lakes in terms of shoreline regulations; Naturalizing shorelines; Community guided planning.

Music: "Western Wind" by Born on a Wednesday, available on Bandcamp and Spotify

Website: https://bornonawednesday.com/

Instagram: @bornonawednesdaymusic 

Additional Resources: RDCK Kootenay Lake Development Permit Area Review

https://rdck.ca/EN/main/services/community-planning/kootenay-lake-development-permit-area-review.html 

Kootenay Lake Riparian Areas Workshops April 27th or 28th, 2021. Contact Corey Scott if you are interested in attending the workshops: cscott@rdck.bc.ca. Check the link above for registration closer to the date!

 

Hydro Logic: Looking at Kootenay Lake's Ever-changing Hydrology

Guest: Dr. Martin Carver, Hydrologist, researcher and Principal of Aqua Environmental Associates.

Hosts: Camille LeBlanc and Kayla Tillapaugh

Keywords: Hydrology, Water, Dams, Climate Change, Treaties, International Governance, Ecological Impacts, Streams, Glaciers, Wetlands, Water Governance, Water Data, Disappearances, Shorelines, Lakefront, Development, Kokanee Glacier, Kokanee, Water Quality, Water Quantity, Flooding

Topics: Hydrology of Kootenay Lake; Historical and projected climate change impacts to Kootenay Lake and surrounding ecosystems including glaciers and wetlands; Shoreline development around the lake; The importance of water data and where to access historical records; Threats to our local water quality; How we can work as individuals and as communities to protect our surface water.

Music: "Waves at the Shore” by Wayne Saluti

Additional Resources: 

Water Monitoring and Climate Change in the Upper Columbia Basin Report: https://ourtrust.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/WaterMonitoringandClimateChange_FullReport_2017_FINAL_Web-5.pdf

Purchase “The Purcell Suite: Upholding the Wild” on Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/Purcell-Suite-Upholding-Wild/dp/B001CHSOVC

Kootenay Watershed Science project information: https://livinglakescanada.ca/project/kootenay-watershed-science/

Stop the Spread: Managing Aquatic Invasive Species around Kootenay Lake

Guest: Khaylish Fraser, Aquatics Program Coordinator with the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society (CKISS)

Hosts: Camille LeBlanc and Kayla Tillapaugh

Keywords: Invasive Species, Aquatic Invasive Species, Aquatic Ecosystems, Zebra Mussels, Quagga Mussels, Eurasian Milfoil, Asian Clams, Boat Inspections, Stop The Spread, Clean Drain Dry, Prevention, Invasive Prevention, Don't Let it Loose, Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society, Gardens, Water Gardens, Pet Stores, Aquariums, 

Topics: How bad the aquatic invasive problem is in Kootenay Lake; Which Aquatic Invasive Species are on CKISS's radar; Social, economic and ecological threats/impacts of aquatic invasives; What, where and why of boat inspections; Asian clams in Shuswap Lake and risk of spread; Points of introduction; invasive mussel sampling and testing; What people can do to mitigate the spread of aquatic invasives in our waterways

Music: "In My Room, Instrumental" by the Alan Kirk Band 

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/alan-kirk-band

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alankirkband/ 

Additional Resources: 

CKISS Website: https://ckiss.ca/ 

CKISS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ckisskootenay

CKISS Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9XlBVpr3wi4PZnt7yec8qQ

Grow me instead: https://bcinvasives.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ISCBC-GMI-Brochure-180425-WEB-1.pdf  

Report an invasive species: https://ckiss.ca/action/reporting/