Fish and Wildlife TWS Student Chapter 2016-2017 Events

AGM / Quizbowl (Friday March 24th)

Thank you to everyone who attended 2017 AGM and annual Quizbowl! Your support in welcoming the new TWS Student Chapter Board Members is appreciated! This year we had five teams and 20 participants compete in our annual Quizbowl. Thank you for all those who joined to watch and to the judges, particular are guest judge Dr. Evie Merrill. Congratulations to the winning team of Kai Breithaup, Kristin Denryter, Brittney Walroth, and Cameron Welch!

Annual NRESi-sponsored talk: Dr. Evie Merrill (Friday March 24th)

For the tenth year in a row, the Student Chapter has sponsored at least one speaker in the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute Colloquium series.  This year the speaker will be Dr. Evelyn Merrill from the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Alberta, and her semiar was entitled “Chronic wasting deisease: where is it leading us?”  Dr. Merrill gave a great seminar that started with an overview of chronic wasting disease, then went into several of the monitoring effort and research aimed at the spread of CWD in Alberta.  Evie’s talk ended wit some thoughts on what British Columbia might expect once CWD reached the BC border.

Annual Ice Fishing Derby at West Lake (Saturday February 25th)

Several hardy ice fishers put up with strong cold winds on Westlake to partake in the Student Chapter’s Annual Ice Fishing Derby.  Winds had calmed and termperatures had risen by midday and a great time was had by all participants.  Prizes were awarded for: the first catch of the hour; the smallest fish by weight; the largest gamefish by length, the most diversity of catch, the total number of gamefish, the biggest peamouth, and for a doorprize.  Thanks for this year’s sponsors: Atmosphere, Canadian Tire, Nancy O’s, Overhang, Surplus Herby’s, and Wholesale Sports.

SkeenaWild Film-Viewing Event (Friday February 24th)

For the 3rd time, the UNBC Student Chapter of TWS hosted a showing of the best of the best videos from the SkeenaWild Film Fest that took place in the fall. Ninety one people attended, which was the largest turnout for this event to date.  All profits went back to the SkeenaWild Conservation Trust.

Winter Break Trip to John Prince Research Forest (February 14th -17th)

Five Student Chapter members went to the John Prince Research Forest from February 14th-17th over UNBC’s Winter Break. Research Forest staff, Dexter Hodder and Shannon Crawley, had a chance to learn about the ongoing activites on the Research Forest, and learned first hand about the use of trail cameras. Participants also had the opportunity to assist in data collection, and participate in some radio telemetry of moose.  Of course there was also plenty of time for ice fishing and general relaxation.

TWS table at UNBC Green Day (February 7th)

Each year UNBC hosts a Green Day and again this year the Student Chapter hosted at table at the event.  The TWS Green Day contribution was a smashing, or should we say “Splashing” success this year! Thanks to the creative talents of Lauren Runge TWS was able to host a “Fishing for Answers” trivia table. Participants were called over to answer a wildlife trivia question by a TWS member and then asked to “go fishing” to see if their answer was right or not. If the participant guessed the correct answer they would reel up a paper fish with a bumper sticker and a small candy attached. If it was wrong, they would receive a sock. All around the game was very well received by participants and quite a lot of fun for the hosts at the table as well.

Wildfoods Potluck (February 4th)

This year’s wildfood potluck brought out about 20 students and professors eager to exchange food and swap stories. The potluck kicked off at 5:30pm, though people trickled in as their schedules allowed. The event was a diverse banquet of dishes ranging from fish, hare, moose and bear to quinoa salad, garden salads and a healthy mix of desserts. The last of the diners did not depart until near 9:00pm as good food and great company made it difficult to leave.

Brownbag Lunch on Summer Jobs (January 26th)

In January, we hosted two local environmental consulting companies to come and discuss with us what it takes to apply with them, what they are looking for, and what to expect if you were to get hired. There was a much larger turn out than last year, with 20 students attending and asking great questions.

Winter Student Chapter Meet and Greet (January 2017)

Twenty-five Student Chapter members came out to our Winter Semester Meet and Greet to learn about upcoming activities, learn about how they can get involved, learn about the Alberta TWS Chapter conference in March, meet other student chapter members, and listen to some fantastic presentations from 3 UNBC Graduate Students who talked about their current Master’s research. Big thanks to Adam O’Dell, Matt Scheideman, and Ilsa Griebel for presenting!!!

Northern Lights Wildlife Society Trip (November 2016)

It was another successful and wonderful trip to the Northern Lights Wildlife Society this year. As always our host Angelika Langen and her family were excellent ambassadors happily answering questions, showing us the ropes, telling us their history and leading us to jump right in on various tasks. This year students helped to build numerous fences, secure gates, clean out the barn, repair a grizzly enclosure and prepare the property for winter. In thanks for our work we were fortunate enough to be surprised with a BBQ feast this year! Another big thanks to all of our participants, and our lovely hosts. Please check out their website and don’t forget to visit their open house in the summer.
http://northernlightswildlifesociety2.blogspot.ca/

Kennedy Siding Caribou Viewing (Oct 29)

This year’s caribou viewing trip to Kennedy Siding drew one of our largest groups yet and fully met our expectations. Dale Seip, a caribou biologist for BC, lead the trip and provided us with an overview of the herds present in the area, their habits, and management practices surrounding them. He also gave the group an update on the the Kennedy Siding herd’s health following the recent wolf cull. Around twenty caribou, about half of the herd, were present including several calves. They showed little concern at our presence and provided many photographic opportunities. Even in our presence, the calves and young bulls continued to joust and play while cows and bulls looked on in majestic fashion. It was a rare and thrilling opportunity to both watch and photograph the increasingly uncommon woodland caribou.

9th Annual Student Chapter Photo Contest (Oct 20-21)

Our 9th Annual Photo Contest was held on October 20th and 21st.  Here are the winning photographs!

Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Center Tour (Oct 22)

On October 22nd, 8 Student Chapter members went to Vanderhoof to tour the the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Center and to learn about the conservation efforts being undertaken by the facility. Members got to see some of the approximately 12,000 juvenile white sturgeon that will be released into the Nechako River in the spring, and got to see the 6 adult female broodstock being held at the facility until they are ready to spawn (The biggest one being 3 meters long and 340 pounds!!!). On top of this, members also got to see and learn about some of the hatchery processes that occur at the conservation center. Thanks to everyone who came out!!

(Photos courtesay of Camille Martens)

Mugaha bird banding station near Mackenzie to band migratory songbirds (Sept 17-18)

Thirteen Student Chapter members left UNBC for Mugaha Marsh Bird Banding Station on September 17th to start the 2016 Fall Semester. We arrived in the afternoon to a beautiful double rainbow and set up camp. We explored the property, started a bonfire, and once it was dark enough, we checked the forest mist nets for owls. We got up early the next morning, Sunday the 18th, to look for songbirds. After retrieving each bird, we observed the bird banders measure, identify, and label each new bird. Between searching for birds and recording them, we talked with the banders about their roles, findings, and life out at the banding station. Very successful trip, thanks to everyone who came out!

Amphibian Walk (September 23rd)

Mark Thompson (DWB Consulting) accompanied 8 Student Chapter members on this field trip.  The group first met in the Winter Garden where marked talked about the status of amphibians in northern British Columbia. The group then headed out to Forests of the World to look for amphibians. On the way we managed to capture a western toad. They then went on the hunt for salamanders. Unfortunately, none were found but they managed to find a western toad toadlet. Mark then took the group around Shane Lake further explaining the amphibian situation in northern BC and indicating some spots where to find snakes and salamanders in the future. Overall a successful trip!

Fall 2016 Meet and Greet

On September 27th, ~35 old and new student chapter members came out to our annual Meet and Greet to hear about who we are, and to learn about the exciting trips and events we have planned for the year. On top of this, members learned about a volunteer opportunity at Eskers Provincial Park. This was followed by a fun ice-breaker game that allowed members to talk to and get to know each other. Following this, members participated in further meeting and greeting with the comfort of pizza in their hands. Thanks to everyone who came out!!