Talk: Animal Signs - The Essence of Animal Communication

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Created: Friday, 08 November 2019 15:30

The Good Neighbours Wildwood Wetland Stewardship Project is about creating safe and effective wildlife corridors for all manner of wildlife from bears to bees, and everything in between. Have you ever been curious about how to identify wildlife tracks and other signs while in nature? We are thrilled to present the talk: Animal Signs, the Essence of Animal Communication.

Doors: 6:00pm | Presentation at 6:45pm | Q&A: 8:00pm
Limited to the first 50 people | Admission by donation

Charters River Salmon Interpretive Centre
2895 Sooke River Rd, Sooke

Join Gary Schroyen for a video presentation on how to read animal signs. With emphasis on the Columbia Black-Tailed Deer, Roosevelt Elk, American Black Bear, Cougar and Vancouver Island Wolf. Open your eyes to a whole new world of animal communication. Once you learn these signs, your hikes will never be quite the same.

Gary is a naturalist, educator, citizen scientist, tracker and a vocal advocate of protecting wildlife and their native habitat. It's been said that he is somewhat of a local pioneer in the unique way in which he photographs wildlife with his homemade game cameras. Notable articles and contributions have been carried by Chek News, Sierra Club of BC, Black Press Media, CRD Parks and the BC SPCA. Based on his research, Gary was instrumental in helping to protect a critical wildlife corridor within the Sooke Hills. His thought provoking video presentation was arguably a pivotal force in the CRD's Board of Directors rejection of the Malahat Highway. expansion through a portion of the Sooke Hills.

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NEW! Invasive Plant Guide by HAT

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Created: Thursday, 07 November 2019 12:33

We have finally released a new publication about Invasive Plants!

Invasive species are plants or animals are introduced (non-native) species that cause harm or negative impacts to the environment, economy and human and animal health. Invasive plants spread quickly and out-compete other species. They have few natural controls to keep their population in check. Some invasive plants modify soil chemistry to reduce success of plants nearby. The below list offers additional resources to the information found in HAT's Invasive Plants In Your Garden Guide. The links below offer a variety of resources, groups, and other supplemental materials that can help us stay up to date, or simply more informed on invasive species and methods of interacting with them.

NEW Invasive Plants In Your Garden Guide DOWNLOAD (PDF - DROPBOX)

Additional Resources:

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Bat Week? It’s for the bats!

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Created: Thursday, 24 October 2019 11:38

Bat Week? It’s for the bats!

October 24, 2019

As Halloween approaches, bat enthusiasts around BC are celebrating and supporting bats by participating in International Bat Week (October 24-31).

Bat Week is all about appreciating these amazing animals and their benefits, from eating insects to pollinating the agave plant used to make tequila.  Take a moment to learn about the many ways bats contribute to our lives, and what you can do locally for bats, at www.batweek.org or through the BC Community Bat Program at www.bcbats.ca.

“Bats in BC help control agricultural and forest pests, as well as mosquitoes in our yards - but now bats need our help” says Mandy Kellner, Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program. “The conservation of bats in BC has always been important, since over half the species in this province are considered at risk. With the continuing spread of White-nose Syndrome in Washington State, bat conservation is more important than ever.”

White-nose Syndrome (WNS) is a disease caused by an introduced fungus, first detected in North America in a cave in New York in 2006. Since it was discovered, it has spread to 33 states and 7 provinces in North America, decimating bat populations along the way. “Luckily, WNS is not yet in BC” continues Kellner, “But we are preparing for its arrival by raising awareness about bats, working with landowners who have bats in buildings, enhancing bat habitat, and monitoring populations.

Monitoring for WNS in BC will continue this winter, with Community Bat Programs requesting reports of dead bats or sightings of winter bat activity starting November 1. You can report sightings at www.bcbats.ca, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., or 1-855-922-2287.

Are you a bat hero? DONATE TO THE HAT BAT PROGRAM

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Volunteer Spotlight October 2019 - Wilson Tutube

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Created: Thursday, 03 October 2019 13:34

For the past three year HAT has been working with Nuu-chah-nulth artist and entrepreneur Wilson Tutube as our local artist “in habitat.” A full time entrepreneur, Wilson has often shared his art with HAT which we have used on the promotional materials for a number of events. We have even collaborated on two Facebook-based contests where members of our community nominated a species and winners received an original Tutube of the winning species (keep your eyes on Facebook for more opportunities like this in the future)!

Wilson often visits the HAT office and often spends time showing HAT staff what he’s working on while looking and listening for inspiration. As a volunteer who creates images to be used on event media such as poster, newsletter and forums (just to name a few) Wilson is always interested in finding new ways to represent the spirit of a more-than-human neighbours through combining modern techniques with Nuu-chah-nulth tradition.

Most recently we have used his art in bringing awareness to the local bat population.  The 2019 Bat Bash used Wilson’s image of a bat in a posters and across social media promoting the popular event. An image of Wilson’s bat has also made its way onto several of the bat boxes that are used in residential areas for the roosting colonies.

Wilson also has sold some of his art pieces to our staff for their use in private homes.

Over the past three years we have watched Wilson grow and his creativity spread across mediums. One example, (pictured above) was Wilson’s making of an owl mask for Halloween, showing that his talents are not limited to the canvas and computer screen.

We have benefited from Wilson’s support and initiative, and are very excited that he is always keen to work with a not for profit organisation like Habitat Acquisition Trust!

Kleco, Kleco Wilson!

An example of Wilson's art - The blending of the traditional and the modern for HAT's "Bat Bash" promotion