Fish and Wildlife TWS Student Chapter 2012-2013 Events
2013 UNBC Student Chapter AGM/Quizbowl
On Thursday, April 4th, the Student Chapter held our AGM and quizbowl in the Bentley Centre. We welcomed our new/returning executive and conducted our annual busniess. The AGM was followed by quizbowl, in which we had eight teams and 32 individuals participate. It was a huge success, with everyone enjoying the friendly competition. Congratulation to the winning team and all others for the help and participation in making this event happen. Hope to see you all next year!
Tracking Outing with the Prince George Young Naturalists
This March we were able to join with the Prince George Young Naturalist to teach them about snow tracking. We had 15 kids come out and enjoy the weather and learn about the wildlife in the area and the processes involved in identifying their tracks.
Career Series: Employment within Consulting – Brown Bag Lunch
On Friday, March 22nd the Student Chapter hosted a brown bag lunch where Eric OBryan and Cathy Mackay of Environmental Dynamics Inc. shared their experiences and the role of private consulting in the wildlife and fisheries field. Thank you Eric and Cathy for taking the time to speak with us!
Career Series: Employment within Government – Brown Bag Lunch
On Friday, March 15th the Student Chapter hosted a brown bag lunch where Doug Heard – Senior Wildlife Biologist and Cory Williamson – Fisheries Biologist, both with the Government of BC discussed their backgrounds and how it was a benefit to their current role in government. Twenty students attended and learned how they could pursue seasonal and permanent work in government. Thank you to Cory and Doug for sharing your experiences and knowledge with us!
Canadian Section of TWS Conference and AGM in Canmore, AB.
The UNBC Student Chapter participated in the Canadian Section of TWS Conference/AGM in Canmore, AB on March 7-10 with 13 members attending. On Friday, March 8th we were involved in a tracking workshop, learned about the use of camera traps, went on a nature/bird walk and learned about the wildlife highway crossings in Banff National Park. On Friday evening eight members, forming two teams, competed against Canadian schools in quizbowl, finishing 2nd and 4th! Saturday was a day full of research presentations and posters covering a variety of projects/studies from professionals and students from across Canada and the USA, followed by a banquet and auctions. Sunday morning was the Canadian Section’s AGM then we hit the road for PG.
The UNBC Student Chapter was fortunate enough to be able to contribute money to the Canadian Section Conference/AGM this year which went towards the organization and establishment of the Conference/AGM. Thank you to DWB Consulting Services Ltd. in Prince George, BC for their donation to our Student Chapter which helped UNBC Student Chapter members participate in this tremendous opportunity!
2013 – Fourth Annual Ice-Fishing Derby
The UNBC Student Chapter hosted its fourth annual ice-fishing derby on Saturday, March 2nd at West Lake. Approximately 17 individuals bared through this year’s slushy mess to get out and enjoy one of the last few weekends of ice fishing. Thank you to all our sponsors and to everyone who participated!
John Prince Research Forest Trip
From February 19-22 2013, three Student Chapter members headed to the John Prince Research Forest (North of Fort St James). All three members had the chance to join Shannon Crowley on three days of fieldwork. We helped install remote cameras and hair traps for Mink (Noevison vison), American Marten (Martes americana), and Canada Lynx (Lynx canadensis). We also went snowshoeing and skiing on a few occasions. Everyone had a great time! We thank Shannon Crowley for sharing his knowledge with us so enthusiastically.
Pub Night at Westwood Pub
The UNBC TWS Student Chapter pub night on Thursday, February 28th went great with approximately 75 UNBC Student Chapter and Forestry Club members in attendence. Thank you to those who showed up, the UNBC Forestry Club for the collaboration and to Westwood Pub for providing an excellent venue. We hope everyone had a great time, and that we can repeat this event in coming years!
Kathreen Ruckstuhl guest speaker
The UNBC Student Chapter was pleased to bring Kathreen Ruckstuhl to UNBC for an opportunity to hear about her research with big horn sheep and elk through a brown bag lunch and colloquium series presentation. Dr. Ruckstuhl is a University of Calgary associate professor and president of the Canadian Section of TWS. She shared her academic/professional experiences with 11 students during the brown bag lunch, followed by a presentation on her current research surrounding sociality of big horn sheep which was attended by UNBC faculty and students as well as individuals from the community.
2013 CORE Course
On January 26th and 27th, 2013, the UNBC Student Chapter sponsored a CORE Course. This two day course included the full CORE course and enough additional information for you to be able to take the PAL Challenge Exam at the end of the course. Thanks to the Spruce City Wildlife Association for allow us to use their facilities and Ron Manning for leading the course!
2013 Wildfoods Potluck
The fourth annual Wild Foods Potluck was held on Saturday Jan 19th at the Spruce City Wildlife Resource Centre/Hatchery, 1384 River Road. Over Twenty five people showed up for this dinner and it was a great hit once again. Thanks to Spruce City Wildlife for their hospitality.
The Fall General Meeting
The Student Chapter’s Fall Semester General Meeting was held on Thursday November 22nd starting at 6:30 in the NUSC Event Space. The meeting will included a presentation by Dr. Phillippe Henry, and this was be followed by a quick overview of the Annual Conference in Portland (i.e., what we learned!).
2012 Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter Trip
Members of The UNBC Student Chapter of TWS visited the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter in Smithers, BC again in 2012. The visit was a little colder this year as it wasn’t until November. Students had the opportunity to volunteer around the shelter and learn more about the rehabilitation activities that NLWS undertakes. For more information on the NLWS visit their webpage http://www.wildlifeshelter.com/.
Kennedy Siding Caribou Trip
We had a very successful trip to Kennedy Siding on Saturday November 3rd with Dr. Dale Seip of the BC Ministry of Environment. Besides learning about caribou biology and the challenges they face on a management landscape, we were able to observe approximately 15 caribou.
5th Annual TWS Photo Contest
The 5th Annual UNBC Fish and Wildlife TWS Student Chapter Photo contest took place on Thursday October 25th and Friday October 26th and likely contained the best overall submissions that we have ever had. The results of the contest will be posted shortly! We hope to have the calendar available for sale early in November.
Fall TWS Meet and Greet
The Fall TWS Meet and Greet was held on Monday Sept 24th in the NUSC Event Space (By the Thirsty Moose) from 15:30-17:00. About 30 members (mostly new!) turned out for pizza and to learn about the Student Chapter and its upcoming activities.
Fall 2012 Mugaha Bird-banding Trip
The bird banding trip to Mackenzie on September 8th and 9th was a great trip. Thirteen members attended, spending the day collecting birds from the mist nets around Mugaha Marsh.
Pinkut Creek Spawning Facility Trip
This year 11 Student Chapter participated in the weekend-long Pinkut Creek Spawning facility trip (also on September 8th and 9th). The Spawning Facility is located at the south end of Babine Lake, northeast of Burns Lake. Thanks to George Chandler for the tour of the facility!
