Islands Trust Chair Writes re: Trans Mountain Pipeline Project Reconsideration

https://mailstorm.caorda.com/campaigns/fn314akk05f38/web-version/bz299xot5we64

Rainfall Stats: February 2021

courtesy of Keith Rush

Community Bat Program Press Release

Date: March 1st, 2021

B.C. bats – hope to see you this spring, but not too soon! Public help is essential for monitoring for bat disease

With spring possibly around the corner, researchers in BC are waiting for bats to appear from hibernation. Just like seeing snowdrops and daffodils, seeing an occasional bat means spring is coming. However, dead bats or bats returning earlier than usual can indicate trouble. Both can be signs of white- nose syndrome (WNS), a fungal disease responsible for the death of millions of bats in eastern North America.

WNS is spreading on the west coast. Confirmed to the west and east of the Cascade Mountains in Washington State, just 150 km south of the BC-US border, the presence of the fungus is very worrisome for the health of our bat populations. The disease has near 100% mortality for some species of bats exposed to the fungus, including the familiar Little Brown Bat. Although devastating for bats, WNS does not affect humans.

Detection of WNS in BC is challenging because our bats hibernate singly or in small groups across the province. This means that identifying and tracking the spread of the disease relies on heavily public assistance. “To monitor the spread of the disease, we need more eyes on the ground. Outdoor enthusiasts and homeowners with roosts on their property may be the first to find evidence of trouble,” says Mandy Kellner, B.C. Provincial Bat Program Coordinator.

Signs of the disease include unusual bat activity in winter and the appearance of dead bats outdoors as they succumb to the effects of WNS. “We are encouraging the public to report dead bats or any sightings of winter bat activity to the BC Community Bat Program toll-free phone number, website, or email below. Bat carcasses will be submitted for testing for white-nose syndrome and would provide the earliest indication of the presence of the disease in BC” says Kellner. Reports of winter bat activity will help focus research, monitoring and protection efforts.

While bats are generally hibernating out of sight this time of year, not every winter bat sighting signals disaster. Bats often hibernate by themselves in a woodpile or basement entryway. If possible, these sleeping bats should be left alone – keep your distance, snap a photo, and contact Rob Welsh the Thetis Island Bat Program Coordinator. If you must move a bat, contact Rob for help or advice. Remember to never touch a bat with your bare hands.

Bats are also occasionally spotted flying on relatively warm winter days or evenings. Healthy bats may wake up to drink or even eat, if insects are active. Enjoy these sightings, and remember to let Rob know when and where winter bat activity was observed.

If you find a dead bat, report it to Rob Welsh at 250-246-1547 or rmwelsh@telus.net, as soon as possible for further information. Never touch a dead bat with your bare hands. Please note that if you or your pet has been in direct contact with the bat you will need further information regarding the risk of rabies to you and your pet.

Currently there are no treatments for White Nose Syndrome. However, mitigating other threats to bat populations and preserving and restoring bat habitat may provide bat populations with the resilience to

rebound. This is where the BC Community Bat Program and the general public can help. Funded by the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, the Forest Enhancement Society of BC, the Province of BC ,the Habitat Stewardship Program and with local assistance from the Thetis Island Nature Conservancy. The BCCBP works with the government and others on public outreach activities, public reports of roosting bats in buildings, our citizen-science bat monitoring program, and developing bat-friendly communities.

To contact the Thetis Island Community Bat Program call Rob Welsh 250-246-1547 or email rmwelsh@telus.net.

###

Photo:

Dead bat - Dead bats can contribute important information on disease spread. Always wear gloves when handling dead animals. Photo: C. Koot.

Map: White-nose syndrome occurrence map – by year (2021). Downloaded 2021-02-23. Available at

https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/where-is-wns

THE MILK RUN... Weekly Reminder!

Stay home, stay safe! Home Delivery every Friday night with pick up from
Superstore, Rexall Pharmacy and the 49th. Please confirm your order with
us by Thursday at 4pm (email your confirmation code from Superstore).

LOCAL MILK & YOGURT
Orders due Monday by 5pm.
Email for more details - info@jollityfarm.ca

LOCAL ORGANIC BREAD & BAKING
Weekly orders for organic bread, baking & pantry supplies from True
Grain (order by Tuesday at 3pm).
Email us for a list, or select any item from their website and write us
with your requests.

LOCAL, ORGANIC SPROUTS
Keep eating greens through the cold season with a whole range of sprouts
(order by Tuesday at 3pm).
Favourites are: Sunflower, Arugula, Wellness Blend, Salad Mix, Radish
Blend, Inspiration Mix

JOLLITY SAUSAGES & PEPPERONI
Add to your home delivery or Saturday pick up.
Our own pasture-raised pork sausages (4 pack) - Bratwurst or Chorizo Verde
Our own pasture-raised goat pepperoni (3 pack) - Moroccan or Cacciatore

Farmers Noah, Elisabeth & Finn Bond
info@jollityfarm.ca

Grass Fed beef

A small number of shares are available for local (Cobble Hill) grass fed and finished beef. We are purchasing a quarter and would like to split it with other islanders if you are interested.

$8/lb and you get a range of cuts from prime rib to stew. 

Please email if you have any questions or to reserve a share. 
Emily 
mlmcvr9@gmail.com

Boat for Sale

2014 Paul Gartside 20 Ft "Sea Angler" Design Trailerable Motor Cruiser

-Beam 7'7", Draft 2', Disp. 3500 lbs

-2014 Beta Marine 3cyl. Diesel, 20hp. 1 litre/hr, Approx 120 hrs.

-Tuff single axle galvanized trailer 2014

-Lowrance 7 Chartplotter/Sounder

-Cobra VHF radio

-Marine Stereo & speakers

-100 Watt solar panel/controller

-3 Canvas options-Full camperback cockpit enclosure-Cockpit sloper cover-Pilot house curtain drops.

Asking

$23000.00

Call-  250 246-4968

Email- jha188@telus.net

For more information please click on photos:

Anyone traveling home on the 1:50 or 3:30 ferry on Sunday (today)?

If you are traveling on either the 1:50 or 3:30 ferry today (Sunday), would you be willing to transport a small item to Thetis for me. I would have it dropped off for you at the ferry.

Please contact me if this will work for you.

Warmly,

Elite

elite01@shaw.ca

778-557-6510 WhatsApp

250-533-9347 text but I don't always receive it.

TICA Seeking IT Volunteer

The Thetis Island Community Association is seeking a volunteer with IT experience and/or interest to develop an online presence for the Forbes Hall Community Centre.

The task will involve building and maintaining a user-friendly website for the Centre which will be easily accessible to all viewers. The site will include description and schedule of programs and activities offered, the opportunity to book the hall or schedule activities, purchase merchandise as well as provide updated news items, photographs and historical information. This person will also help develop a password protected online library for TICA board members, such as Google Drive, for storage of Association business documents.

For more information please contact Marjan Jackman at marjan.jackman@gmail.com

TICA / TIRRA Membership for 2021

The TICA/TIRRA 2021 membership renewal forms have been sent out to all 2020 TICA/TIRRA members. If you paid by e-transfer could you please submit the form as we have found that there have been some changes in the information for 2021 for some members. We need the forms in order to input your information into the excel database.

If you did not receive a membership form but would like to join TICA and/or TIRRA the form is available on the TICA website or you can use this link.
http://thetisisland.net/tica-tirra/TICA-TIRRA-Membership-2021.pdf

TICA/TIRRA Board of Directors

Garbage on the Road

Someone threw a vodka-grape juice can on Pilkey Point Road across from the Moore Hill where people stop to get cell phone reception.

Please keep our island clean and remove your garbage.

Gurk Sarioglu

Thetis Island Fir Flooring

I have approx 1000 sq ft of beveled/ sanded, tongue and grove thetis island fir flooring. I’m asking $1000 for all of it or 2$ sq ft for partial quantities. It’s bundled in approx 30 sq ft packages, 15 ft long.

Call Mike S at 2503808144

Wanted: Outboard Engine

15-20hp, 4 stroke, electric start, short shaft fitted for wheel steering. 

Preferred Tohatsu, Yamaha , Honda.

Lawrence
lawrence.papillon@gmail.com

250 893 9918 text