Nicola Valley gears up for bluebird conservation efforts
Bluebird season begins in May. As May draws near, volunteers for the Vancouver Avian Research...
Category: Wildlife
First deer with ‘zombie deer disease’ found in B.C.
—- By Nicholas Johansen/Castanet The first known cases of Chronic Wasting Disease in...
Supersized Plants! – giant hogweed versus cow parsnip
You’ve likely found yourself scratching your head, looking at an enormous plant wondering, “is this the giant hogweed I’ve heard so much about?”
Friends of the Library hosting new community talk
Continuing their series of library based events after the success of the recent Newcomers’ Tea, Merritt’s Friends of the Library will soon host a community conversation with speakers on wildflowers, invasive plants, and composting, as well as an opportunity for open discussion.
Merritt Rotary planting seeds of community connection with new pollinator garden
The Merritt Rotary Club is revamping the former rose garden in its namesake park, looking to attract collaborators, donors, and, most importantly, pollinators.
Upper Nicola Band begins eighth year of burrowing owl program
Two young burrowing owls were released at Upper Nicola Band’s (UNB) Douglas Lake reserve this past weekend, with the conservation project marking both Earth Day, and the beginning of the initiative’s eighth year in operation.
Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club promotes family events
Members of the Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club (NVFGC) are excited to share their upcoming events with the community as they gear up for a number of initiatives for people of all ages.
Earth Rangers visit Merritt
Classrooms were completely empty at the Nicola Canford Elementary on Tuesday, February 14, as students, teachers, and staff all assembled at the school’s gymnasium to participate in Earth Rangers’ outreach presentation.
Birds of a feather
On Saturday January 14, members of NatureKids BC Merritt Chapter met up for their second annual Kids Winter Bird Count.
Upper Nicola does burrowing owl presentation for naturalist society
The Upper Nicola Band’s Cultural Heritage Department is on its eighth year of releasing burrowing owls into the wild.
Merritt Conservation Officers warn of bobcats within city limits
Conservation officers in Merritt are reminding residents to keep their small pets inside after a slew of bobcat sightings in the Nicola Valley, including one run-in that was fatal for a family’s house cat.
Earth Rangers to visit local elementary schools in the valley
Following the announcement of Teck’s $500,000 support for Earth Rangers initiatives, the conservation group has already confirmed its visit in early 2023.
Award winning naturalists to visit NVIT
Dr. Sonya Richmond and Sean Morton will make a stop in the Nicola Valley on their way walking across Canada, presenting their findings and experiences on the trail for two nights at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) lecture theatre.
Merritt records low human-wildlife conflicts over summer
The Nicola Valley has seen little bear activity or human conflict with wildlife in general this season, and
Merritt Conservation Officer Service is encouraging locals to keep playing their important role.
NatureKidsBC Merritt pulls over 260 pounds of knapweed
The local chapter of NatureKidsBC hosted its annual ‘Weed Pull’ event in an effort to preserve a rapidly disappearing ecosystem in the province.
Upper Nicola Band assists in the update of foreshore program
Councillor Brian Holmes of the Upper Nicola Band (UNB), sustainability scholars from the University of British Columbia, and representatives of Living Lakes Canada recently gathered at Nicola Lake to discuss culturally and archaeologically significant areas of the lake’s foreshore, and perform a mock survey of the lake.
BC pollinators receive new funding from the Province
The Province of BC looks to support local honey producers, bees and keepers alike, by announcing a new round of funding through their Bee BC program, supporting BC’s hard working pollinators.
Organizations remind people of four-legged traffic
With the draw of warmer weather and brighter days beckoning people to spend more time outdoors, drivers in the Nicola Valley are reminded to be alert and aware of their fellow four-legged road users.
Bears wake up from winter sleep
With temperatures increasing and the winter thaw well underway throughout the Nicola Valley, Merrittonians are reminded to do their part in being “bear aware.”
