Meeting Notes
Friends of Tod Creek Watershed meet the first Wednesday of every second month.
You are welcome to join us.
Mission: To protect and enhance the integrity and biodiversity of the Tod Creek Watershed.
To view notes from previous meetings, use the “Meeting Notes” Archive links on the right panel.
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Friends of Tod Creek Watershed
Mission: to protect and enhance the integrity and biodiversity of the Tod Creek Watershed.
In Attendance: Janet Williams, Anne Allen, Audrey Barnes, Winona Pugh, Ian Duncan, Chris Weiczorek [see 5.a below], Pat Carfra, Lori James Derry
Regrets: Joanne Delage, Sherron MacPherson, Mary Haig-Brown, Bernie Bowker, Carmel Thomson, Woody Thomson.
1. Adoption of Agenda: passed;
2. Adoption of Meeting Notes: passed;
3. Treasurers Report:
End of February account total = $505.64
Annual membership fees $40 for the BC Lake Stewardship Society are due
4. Correspondence: The Living Water Smart plan, a provincial strategy that outlines 45 commitments to improve freshwater management in B.C. While there has been notable headway on implementation, new research from the POLIS Water Sustainability Project, based at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies, reveals that nearly one-third of Living Water Smart commitments have seen minimal progress to date. The new report, Taking the Pulse: B.C. Freshwater Policy Monitor, evaluates provincial government promises over the past decade as they relate to sustaining fresh water. Link: https://poliswaterproject.org/polis-research-publication/taking-the-pulse/
5. Announcements:
- a. Update from Lana Popham – Chris Wieczorek, Executive Assistant to Lana Popham, Ministry of Agriculture. Chris plans to attend FTCW meetings when his schedule allows, is interested in Tod Flats developments, and the ‘Young Agrarians’ network for new and young ecological and organic farmers. Link: https://youngagrarians.org/about/ He will provide us with a status update re: Geothermal Loops in Saanich.
- b. Gary Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team Restoration and Research Workshop.
Link: http://www.goert.ca/our_team/recovery_team.php
- c. Saanich Inlet Roundtable
- Hosted by Cowichan Valley Regional District. Mary & Winona attending, possibly more.
- Agenda:
- Thursday, March 14 – 2:30 to 4:50 pm
Time Activity Responsibility
2:30 pm Welcome by Host Lori Iannidinardo, CVRD Director, Area D, Cowichan Bay
2:45 pm Life History of the Giant Pacific Octopus Jim Cosgrove
3:35 pm VENUS Observatory in the Saanich Inlet Richard Dewey, Associate Director
Thirteen years and Counting Ocean Networks Canada - Upcoming Roundtables
- Thursday, May 23 – 2 to 4:30 pm Central Saanich, Centre for Active Living, 1229 Clarke Road, Brentwood Bay
- Thursday, November 14 – 2 to 4:30 pm North Saanich, SHOAL Centre, 10030 Resthaven Drive , Sidney
- d. Salmonid Enhancement Program
- Community Workshop – 2019
“Life in the Salmonsphere”- Hosted by: Nanaimo River Stewardship Society & Nanaimo River Hatchery
- Location: Nanaimo, Vancouver Island University
- Dates: May 31st to June 2nd
Registration package is underway and will be coming out soon. You can book accommodation now at Vancouver Island University by calling 1-250-740-6640. Specify the group as Nanaimo River Stewardship Society, learn about room options at the PSkF website below. Info will be posted here as it becomes available: http://www.pskf.ca/workshop - Info from previous works can be viewed here: http://www.pskf.ca/workshop/
- The community workshop is a great opportunity for those passionate about salmon enhancement and stewardship to come together to share ideas, learn new skills, have fun and celebrate the accomplishments of the program and everyone who has played a role in the success of SEP over the past 42 years. See you there!
- Community Workshop – 2019
- e. Saanich Environment Awards:
Saanich grants seven environmental awards every year. Since 2000, they have recognized over 135 people and organizations that contribute to the natural environment in Saanich. The Awards are an initiative of the Saanich Environment and Natural Areas Advisory Committee (ENA). Nominations for the 2019 awards will open March 6th 2019.- Saanich Environmental Award categories: Individual, Volunteer organization, Business, Youth, Biodiversity conservation -To recognize local conservation efforts towards a species, habitat or ecosystem, Long-term environmental achievement -To recognize a lifetime of local environmental effort by an individual, Sustainability – To recognize a local contribution towards sustainability, integrating environmental, social and economic values. Link: https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/saanich-environmental-awards.html
- f. Our Backyard
Article by Carmel “Prospect Lake Aquatic Plant Survey and Water Quality Testing” was published in Our Backyard and there is interest from BCLSS to publish in “Loonie News”. Link: https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Planning/OurBackyardWinter2019Web.pdf - g. Parksville 2019: 2nd Annual Vancouver Island Symposium on Water Stewardship in a Changing Climate. April 2-4, 2019. Location Parksville Community and Conference Center. Mary and Garth have registered for the conference; the group unanimously voted to reimburse them for the registration costs.
- h. Climate Action Plan: Update for Adaption Action Workshop Tuesday March 12th from 09:00 to 12:00 at Cedar Hill Golf Course [1400 Derby Road]. Register https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/saanich-climate-plan-adaption-action-workshop-tickets-56455095711 To read more go to: https://www.saanich.ca/assets/Community/Documents/Planning/sustainability/Climate%20Plan%20Backgrounder%20Document%20November%2019%202018%20smaller.pdf
- i. Jason F. McLennan. MCPHERSON PLAYHOUSE MARCH 20, 7:00PM “Victoria 2030 is a provocative look at the state of urban planning, architecture, the environment and community design…” Link: https://www.rmts.bc.ca/events/jason-mclennan-2019-mcpherson-playhouse
6. Water Quality Recording: March sampling: Thursday March 7th @ 1:00 pm, starting from Meadowbrook.
7. Logo Items – Possible logo items include stickers, cards and tattoos.
- Jarid has provided a quote for cards and decals:
Decals – 1.5” x 1.5” Clear Vinyl (weatherproof) 100 = $150, 200 = $175, 300 = $200, + Tax
Cards Folded and Scored w/ Envelopes (10” x 7” to 5” x 7” Card) 13 pt Enviro Uncoated Stock
50 = $140, 100 = $165, 250 = $245, + Tax - Voted to hold for now.
8. Peninsula Streams Coho Release:
- PIT tagged Coho will be released in March. PIT tags are very small chips which have been inserted into the bellies of the fry. There are three electronic arrays in the stream bed that will read the tags as the fish go over them either going out to sea or coming home to spawn in 2-3 years time. Each tag has a specific number that is recorded so we will know where each of the tagged fish was hatched (Goldstream Hatchery), when and where it was put into Tod Creek and when it goes out to sea and when it returns. The arrays are in the creek above Tod Flats, below Tod Flats and at the dam in Gowlland Tod Park.
- Link to Peninsula Streams web site: http://peninsulastreams.ca
9. Meeting with Elk Beaver Restoration Coordinator: Pat and Winona met with Jill Robinson, the new coordinator for the Elk Beaver Lake Restoration Project in January to share best practices.
9.a) Invasive Species Group sent an application Winona will fill out. They will send us signage re plant transfers [ie on boats, skis, wakeboards, surf boards, etc] to post at Prospect Lake, Killarney Lake, Durrance Lake and perhaps Maltby Lake]. For more information: https://www.saanich.ca/EN/main/community/natural-environment/invasive-species-noxious-weeds-wildlife/invasive-resources/invasive-web-links.html
10. South Prospect Lake Broom Pull: We are working with the Green Team to establish a date for the annual South Prospect Lake Broom Pull. on Saturday April 6th.
11. Heritage Society AGM for 2018 was held and two new projects have been established: we are working on a book to document the accomplishments of The Friends of Tod Creek Watershed under Mary’s leadership; and are collecting early editions of the Prospector, to be donated to the Saanich Archives. The group has access to copies of the David Gray documentaries on Tod Inlet and Chris will host a viewing at Lana Popham’s office meeting room [time and date to be posted when booked]. David Gray also has published a book with photos collected from the documentary research. The book is on order and if delivered in time will be available at the dvd viewing.
12. Mary Haig Brown Award Discussion: The committee will meet on March 20.
- Purpose: To recognize an individual for outstanding service in the restoration and protection of the Tod Creek Watershed.
- Criteria: Collaborates with and educates others to identify strategies and solutions for the protection and enhancement of the watershed; Demonstrates commitment, consistency and reliability to the projects undertaken by the FTCW; Approaches opportunities and issues with curiosity, integrity and collaboration; Shows initiative through leadership, hands on effort, advocacy, administrative work and/or support of others.
13. Website Update: Lori continues to expand the site and welcomes all input.
14. Maltby Lake Update: Carmel and Woody were unable to attend tonight.
- For an update from their web site go to: https://maltbylake.com
15. Highlands update by Janet: power outages during the snow.
16. Bat houses: Anne and Ian attended a bat house building workshop at Lee Valley. He brought one of their examples and has the building plans to assist others interested in building one, as several people were interested. Date and time will be addressed at a future meeting, as too late to build for this year.
Next Meeting: Wednesday May 1, 2019 Anne and Ian’s.
