Shuswap Watershed Project
\nPress Release
\nApril 2, 2010<\/p>\n
Shuswap Watershed Conference to Explore Solutions<\/p>\n
The Shuswap Watershed Project has lined up an impressive list of speakers for its upcoming Watershed Conference to be held on April 23rd from 1 to 11 pm. at the Sullivan Campus of Salmon Arm Secondary School. Conference participants will have an opportunity to listen to and question speakers representing conservation organizations and all levels of government. The objective for this event will be to examine how best to conserve, protect and restore the Shuswap watershed.<\/p>\n
The conference begins with a poster session, where participants have an opportunity to view the posters and displays set up by government agencies, conservation groups, and students, as well as meet with representatives from these groups. After the opening welcoming addresses by a local First Nation leader and Salmon Arm Mayor Marty Bootsma, students will read their winning essays about what they can do to help protect the watershed. Mayor Bootsma will also be speaking about the work of the Fraser Basin Council, which works to promote environmental and economic sustainability throughout the region.<\/p>\n
The conference keynote speaker is Watershed Watch Salmon Society executive director, Dr. Craig Orr, who will speak about water, salmon and resilience: maintaining healthy watersheds in the face of climate change. \u2018Interior watersheds like the Shuswap are the bedrooms for wild salmon,\u2019 explained Craig Orr, \u2018and at the conference I will be explaining the need for maintaining watershed resilience to better prepare for the impacts of climate change.\u2019 Joining him will be Michelle Walsh, with the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission, who will talk about their work regarding the connections between groundwater and salmon.<\/p>\n
Shuswap Trail Alliance Executive Director Phil McIntyre-Paul will also be speaking on the importance of experiencing the watershed first hand, either by hiking, biking, canoeing or kayaking.<\/p>\n
Conference participants will then have an opportunity to pose questions to a panel comprised of staff from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Ministries of Environment and Forests, the CSRD and King Campbell with Ducks Unlimited Canada, who will provide their perspectives on what actions are needed to protect the watershed. The conference will end with a summary talk by Dr. Warren Bell about what was learned from the presentations and what needs to be done in the future.<\/p>\n
A low cost dinner comprised mostly of food sourced locally from Shuswap farmers and prepared by Cookshack Creations will be served to conference participants after the talks. The event will finish with a concert that begins with the Song for the Shuswap songwriting contest winners followed by an all-ages dance to Old Man\u2019s Beard sponsored by Askews.<\/p>\n
The conference will be free thanks to the sponsorship of the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union, but early pre-registration is recommended as seating will be limited. Registration forms are available at Wickett Business Services and Bookingham Palace and participants can also register online atwww.shuswapwatershed.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more information, contact: Shuswap Watershed Conference This conference is free thanks to the sponsorship of the Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union and Shuswap-North Okanagan School District #83<\/p>\n AGENDA<\/p>\n 1:00-2:30 pm \u2013 Poster Session<\/p>\n 2:30 pm \u2013 Welcoming address by a Chief Judy Wilson, followed by a welcome from Salmon Arm Mayor Marty Bootsma<\/p>\n 2:40 \u2013 2:45 \u2013 Brief talk by Jim Cooperman about the Shuswap Watershed Project<\/p>\n 2:45 \u2013 3:15 \u2013 Essay contest winners read their essays, hosted by Kim Fulton, Shuswap Watershed Project Education Coordinator<\/p>\n 3:15 \u2013 3:20 \u2013 Mayor Marty Bootsma will talk about the work of the Fraser Basin Council<\/p>\n 3:20 \u2013 3:50 \u2013 Keynote speech by Craig Orr, Exec Director of the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, titled \u2018Water, salmon and resilience: maintaining healthy watersheds in the face of climate change\u2019 followed by Michelle Walsh, with the Secwepemc Fisheries Commission, who will talk about their work on the connection between groundwater and salmon.<\/p>\n 3:50 \u2013 4:00 \u2013 A song by Old Man\u2019s Beard guitarist Jesse Cooke and short break<\/p>\n 4:00 \u2013 4:05 \u2013 Hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking the Shuswap to experience the watershed first hand by Shuswap Trail Alliance Executive Director Phil McIntyre-Paul<\/p>\n 4:05 \u2013 5:30 \u2013 Panel discussion “What needs to be done to best protect, preserve and restore the watershed?” Five minute talk by each panelist, followed by a question period (using written questions submitted by conference participants and allowing for discussion between panelists)<\/p>\n Panelists:<\/p>\n Carol Danyluk, Environmental Protection Officer, Ministry of Environment 5:30 \u2013 5:40 Warren Bell, Conference summary by Dr. Warren Bell and “Where do we go from here?”<\/p>\n 5:40 \u2013 6:15 Networking time (tables set up for dinner)<\/p>\n 6:15 \u2013 7:15 Shuswap Foods dinner by Cookshack Creations<\/p>\n 7:15 \u2013 7:30 Networking time (tables down and chairs set up)<\/p>\n 7:30 \u2013 8:30 Concert beginning with \u2018A Song for the Shuswap\u2019 winners<\/p>\n 8:30 \u2013 8:45 Break (chairs moved to make room for dancing)<\/p>\n 9 \u2013 11 Dance to Old Man\u2019s Beard<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" April 23 conference details and agenda\u2026 Shuswap Watershed Project Press Release April 2, 2010 Shuswap Watershed Conference to Explore Solutions The Shuswap Watershed Project has lined up an impressive list of speakers for its upcoming Watershed Conference to be held … Continue reading
\nJim Cooperman, Project Leader, 679-3693
\nKim Fulton, Project Educational Coordinator, 546-3644
\nMonica Gail Kriese, \u2018Celebrate the Shuswap\u2019 Event Coordinator, 833-6100<\/p>\n
\nApril 23, 2010, 1pm to 11pm
\nSalmon Arm Secondary \u2018 Sullivan Campus<\/p>\n
\nBruce Runciman, Habitat Management Biologist, Department of Fisheries and Oceans
\nJan Thingsted, Planner, Columbia-Shuswap Regional District
\nKimm Magill-Hofmann, Tenures Forester, Ministry of Forests and Range
\nKing Campbell, Agricultural Program Head, Ducks Unlimited Canada<\/p>\n