Projects

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Junction Sheep Range Provincial ParK

The Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society has been involved in the Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park Management Planning process over this past year. The focus of CCCS is on Parks and Protected Areas, and the concerns regarding grasslands in our region was something they wished to work on. Having set aside funds for signage in Parks, CCCS decided the JSRP a high priority, being the home of the California bighorn sheep and numerous other grassland species, including several rare and endangered species. Originally designated as a Wildlife Management Area in 1975, the WMA was created through an exchange of lands with Riske Creek Ranching. In 1995 the Junction Sheep Range was legislated as a Class A Provincial Park.

For many years people have come to the Junction area to enjoy the scenery, wildlife viewing, hunting, fishing, and just the pleasure of being out in the grasslands. Unfortunately, many have unknowingly been damaging the grasslands. A few have intentionally ignored requests to travel on roads, camp only at designated sites (off the Park and ranchlands) and carry out their litter. Through new signage, a brochure [PDF - 240k] designed by several groups working together on these issues, media coverage, and the dedicated work of many community members, the public is now well informed.

New signs at entrance to Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park

The Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society would like to acknowledge the supporters who helped make these conservation issues a united cause, and through whose efforts made it all possible - the Grasslands Conservation Council of BC, Upland Birds Society, BC Wildlife Federation, Wilderness Watch, BC Parks, WLAP, Williams Lake Field Naturalists, the Wild Sheep Society of BC, Williams Lake Sportsman's Association, Riske Creek Ranching, and Ducks Unlimited Canada.
LINKS TO THESE ORGANISATIONS

The efforts of the people within these groups to inform those travelling through the JSRP area continue, as it is a never-ending struggle to keep the few who refuse to cooperate from destroying more grasslands.

BC PARKS: Junction Sheep Range Provincial Park
ZONING MAP FOR THE PARK[PDF 400k]

Parks and Trails/Sites of Interest of the Cariboo Chilcotin and Coast Visitors' Guide

In the Parks Visitors' Guide the CCCS presents not only the information on the Parks and protected areas within our region, but also, articles on how to view wildlife, bear and cougar awareness, ecological reserves and integrity, protected areas, endangered species, alien species, wetlands, grasslands, backcountry and marine ethics as well as detailed information on local sites (Scout Island Nature Centre, Horsefly Spawning Channel, Barkerville), and trails (Williams Lake River Valley Trails).
- CCCS appreciates funding support for the 2005 Parks Visitors' Guide from the Shell Environmental Fund

Williams Lake Raptor Rehabilitation Centre

CCCS supported the Raptor Rehabilitation Centre in 2003. The Raptor Centre's efforts to rehabilitate injured wildlife are well known in the community. Educational lectures at schools and public events as well as special presentations within the community have contributed to a greater awareness and knowledge on the regions wildlife. The CCCS plans to continue their support of the Raptor Centre through volunteer service when needed. For more information regarding contact persons please call the CCCS office.

CCCS' Annual Art/Photography and Writing Exhibition
Our Parks Our Heritage

Entries focus on the natural beauty of our Parks and Protected Areas, from the large landscape to the very small. Works are encouraged to include wildlife species, insects, wildflowers, native grasses, forests, wetlands, and/or landscapes of the Cariboo Chilcotin.

The mediums - photography, traditional drawing and painting, sculpture (clay, wood, fibre), stained glass, tapestry, writing including poems and short stories of experiences of the writer with the natural environment. There are adult and youth categories. The Children's Exhibit is displayed in June at the Williams Lake Public Library. The adult portion appears in November at the Station House Gallery (upper Level) and throughout the summer at the Bowron Lakes Provincial Park Information Centre - the start off site for canoeists and kayakers from around the world on their adventures on the Bowron Lakes chain!

Details and entry forms may be picked up at the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society office, Williams Lake Library and Station House Gallery, or online by emailing the CCCS office.

Station House Art exhibit

Gavin Lake Education Centre

CCCS sponsors a teaching module at the Gavin Lake Education Centre. "Ecological Webs and Protecting Spaces" is where children will learn how everything is interconnected, including the species of the Cariboo Chilcotin currently on the Red and Blue Lists (endangered and at risk). In the 2004 school year 24 classes of grade 5 to 7 students (over 600 students) and their teachers from School Districts #27 & #28 spent three days learning about their natural environment first hand!

Teachers wrote: "the modules that the students experience are jumping off points for our fall curriculum in the areas of science and socials", "thanks for the great module on "Endangered Species", the kids came away pleased with themselves and their newly acquired knowledge. I also came away with a bundle of useable information.." All teachers attending received a binder with 100-plus pages of details on the specific species at risk living in the Cariboo Chilcotin region, websites to visit for more detailed information, and stories and articles on such things as alien species and the webs of life. "We are grateful for having participated in the Endangered Species module. Our class feels that we can now make better personal decisions about the environment around us."

A principal writes: "your centre (Gavin Lake) allows for a learning/teaching style which is not always possible in our classrooms. They (parents/children and staff) note how our entire community benefits from the ecologically-sound attitudes which our children learn. The lessons on the link between the natural world and the one created by man is often commented upon by teachers who have accompanied the kids."

CCCS appreciates the funding support received from the Community Futures Development Corporation of the Cariboo Chilcotin towards the 2004 Gavin module!

Interior Coho Project - Recovery Team

A CCCS representative works with a group of biologists to develop a recovery strategy that identifies the recovery goals, objectives and broad approaches to respond to known threats and recover the species. "Team members act together in a scientifically-driven process in an apolitical, non-partisan manner to outline recovery options for that species". - Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

The CCCS rep. works with the Cariboo region group. Together they compile information as to: confirmed habit, probable habitat and improbable habitat on stem creeks of the Fraser River in this area. Other team members within the Province took on tasks of compiling information, analyzing it and making recommendations for the recovery strategy for Interior Coho. The initial drafts of the Recovery Strategy were produced and revised many times. "I was really impressed with the effort and sincerity of the team members. These scientists did their best to be truthful, realistic, and to not pull any punches about the situation of the Interior COHO." - CCCS Recovery Team Rep - T. Salley.

Interior Coho Identification Project

In the spring of 2004 the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society began a project to study the Interior Coho Salmon. This project will result in identifying which specific streams emptying into the Fraser River sustain salmonids and of which type and numbers as well as which of these streams require maintenance to improve fish habitat.

The initial introduction to this project was conducted by DFO staff who instructed the group of interested volunteers during a day-long orientation. Instruction was given on the live trapping of par (young fish ranging in size between 3 -10cm) and the proper handling and identification of the various fish existing in our streams. A seine net was laid out at the mouth of Williams Creek in knee deep water to enable the volunteers to experience the identification of fish. In less than five minutes the seine net was gathered in and the resulting "catch" took over 1½ hours to identify and measure. Some of the species tallied were Chinook salmon, rainbow trout, leopard dace, whitefish, common sucker, and northern pike minnow.

The volunteer members are required to take water temperature readings, identify ideal trap locations within the stream, accurately identify fish species and, on occasion, measure water flow rates. The information is recorded on data sheets and then on computer which are then forwarded to DFO staff who then forward the data on to the Recovery Team to add to their data bank.

The complex environmental system that is our waterways pose challenges for all of us. One stream under study was found to dry up in early June leaving hundreds of Chinook salmon par stranded in small pools. By July these pools were dry.

If you would like further information on this project or to become a volunteer contact the CCCS.

Netting Coho on the Fraser River
In one pass, less than two minutes, the net yielded hundreds of fish, over a dozen varieties and a good hour and a half of identification work.

Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society
Unit 102, 197 2nd Ave North Williams Lake, B.C., V2G 1Z5
Phone/Fax: 250 398-7929 • ccentre@ccconserv.org • Coordinator: Marg Evans

Original material in this website may be reproduced in any form without permission on condition that it is accredited to the Cariboo Chilcotin Conservation Society, with a link back to this site or, in the case of printed material, a clear indication of the site URL. We would appreciate being notified of such use. Although care has been taken in preparing the information contained in this web site, the CCCS does not and cannot guarantee the accuracy thereof. Anyone using the information does so at their own risk and shall be deemed to indemnify CCCS from any and all injury or damage arising from such use.

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