This plan adopts primarily a habitat-based approach, using the biological needs of focal species to help define an 'ideal' landscape. No single species can act as an adequate umbrella for all other species. However, by selecting a group of 'focal species', each with the most stringent ecological requirements within a given habitat, and using those requirements as criteria to delineate a landscape, it is possible to define a landscape that combines all the ecological characteristics necessary to meet the needs of focal species, as well as those of other wildlife.
This plan identifies priority birds and habitats for conservation within each of four broad habitat classes within the Canadian portion of the
Great Basin BCR: (click for more information)
From a list of 53 priority species, 25 have been selected as the proposed focal species for conservation action.
The objectives of this plan are to:
This document will be gradually improved through experience, improved scientific knowledge, and evaluation of conservation effort.
A view of Keremeos shows the diversity of habitats represented in BC's Great Basin.
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
The Canadian Intermountain Joint Venture (CIJV)
The CIJV Biological Foundation and Prospectus (click image below) identifies the cooperative approach that partners will engage in to protect all birds and habitats in the Canadian Intermountain region, including Canada's Great Basin (BCR 9).
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| Click on image above to view PDF version.
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Click here to learn more about PIF BC/Yukon and the CIJV
South Okanagan Similkameen conservation Program (SOSCP)
The SOSCP utilizes a landscape approach to conserve and recover species, habitats and essential ecological processes.
Photos: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
The South Okanagan Similkameen area is home to some of the greatest concentrations of species at risk in Canada, and is recognized as one of the country's three most endangered natural systems. The SOSCP was founded in 2000 to deliver conservation action through coordinated partnerships involving government, non-government, and First Nations organizations.
SOSCP conservation actions include Science, Securement, Outreach, Stewardship, Land Use Planning and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
Partners in Flight BC/Yukon is proud to be a new official partner of the SOSCP (click here for more info).
Click here to learn more about the SOSCP.
Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS)
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| Yellow Warbler nest hosting 2 larger Brown-headed Cowbird eggs. |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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The MAPS program was created by The Institute for Bird Populations in 1989 to assess and monitor the vital rates and population dynamics of over 120 species of North American landbirds in order to provide critical conservation and management information on their populations. MAPS utilizes constant-effort mist netting and banding at a continent-wide network of over 500 monitoring stations.
A MAPS pilot project was initiated in 2004 at 4 sites in the South Okanagan valley to determine the population dynamics of riparian birds including Yellow Warbler, Yellow-breasted Chat, Song Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher and Gray Catbird.
Contact: Wendy Easton (CWS)
South Okanagan Riparian Restoration Projects
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| Wetland and riparian woodland restoration for Yellow-breasted Chat at Vaseus Lake NWA. |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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Easy access to water and the flat terrain that often surrounds lowland rivers, lakes and wetlands, have made riparian areas attractive places for people to settle in Canada's Great Basin. However, widespread development of riparian habitats has come at a cost to many of the species that depend on these naturally productive habitats.
Some species such as the Yellow-breasted Chat (a PIF BC/Yukon riparian focal species) may even disappear from British Columbia if the lowland riparian habitats they require are not restored.
Projects like the South Okanagan Riparian Fencing Project, the Vaseux Lake Riparian Restoration Project and the Okanagan River Restoration Initiative are examples of multi-partner efforts currently underway to restore riparian habitat for the recovery of fish and wildlife habitat and the protection of water quality.
Contact: Christine Bishop (CWS)
Vaseux Lake Migration Monitoring Station
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| Checking the nets for migrant birds at Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory. |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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Also known at the Vaseux Lake Bird Observatory or VLBO, this migration monitoring station, originally established by the Canadian Wildlife Service in 1994, is one of 23 such stations situated across Canada forming the Canadian Migration Monitoring Network. Since 2001, the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) has operated the station to monitor landbird migration through the south Okanagan valley.
Situated in lowland riparian habitat at the north end of Vaseux Lake
National Wildlife Area, the station is well placed to monitor a number of western migrant species including Orange-crowned Warbler, Gray Catbird, Song Sparrow, Willow Flycatcher, "Audubon's" Warbler, and Common Yellowthroat.
Click here to learn more about VLBO.
National Recovery Teams
A number of the priority and focal species identified for Canada's Great Basin are federally-listed Species At Risk. The following species-specific National Recovery Teams, Recovery Implementation Groups or Management Teams are working closely with Partners in Flight BC/Yukon's Great Basin Program to recover landbird Species At Risk and their habitats under the Canadian Species At Risk Act (SARA):
The BC Population of Yellow-breasted Chat is endangered.
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
Important Bird Areas Program (IBA)
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| Vaseux Lake NWA supports an impressive and nationally unique community of resident, migrant and overwintering bird species |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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The Important Bird Areas program is an international conservation initiative co-ordinated in Canada by BirdLife International, Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada. The IBA program seeks to identify and protect sites critical for birds throughout their biogeographic ranges. Sites that are critical for the long-term survival of bird populations have been identified across the globe using internationally agreed upon scientific criteria.
The IBA program works with partner organizations, communities and local stakeholders across the country to safeguard these essential sites for birds through the development and implementation of conservation plans.
Canada's Great Basin is home to 9 of Canada's 597 Important Bird Areas.
Click here to learn more about IBAs.
Sagebrush Songbird Habitat Relationships in the South Okanagan, British Columbia
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| Determining the specific habitat needs of grassland/shrubsteppe birds is a vital part of the focal species conservation approach. |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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This multi-year research project, led by Dr. Pam Krannitz of Environment Canada's Pacific Wildlife Research Centre, is part of an international research collaboration, the Sagebrush Bird Conservation Network (SBCN). The purpose of the research is to better understand sagebrush-associated focal bird species and their habitat needs, and to provide science-based recommendations and decision support tools to managers of grassland/ shrubsteppe habitats.
Landbirds being researched in the South Okanagan and lower Similkameen valleys of BC include Brewer's Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Grasshopper Sparrow, Lark Sparrow and Sage Thrasher.
Contact: Pam Krannitz (CWS)
PIF BC/Yukon Great Basin Community Leaders Program
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| By becoming a PIF Community Leader, you can help conserve species like this Grasshopper Sparrow. |
Photo: © A. Michael Bezener/OWE Photography
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Looking for a way to help our feathered friends in Canada's Great Basin? If you are a resident or visitor to British Columbia's southern interior, the PIF Great Basin Community Leaders Program may be what you've been waiting for.
If you know a lot about birds and have the knack for teaching others, excel at organizing events, are good at raising funds or awareness within your local community, or simply enjoy watching or counting birds, then sharing your time and talents as a PIF Community Leader could be the perfect way for you to help birds and have fun doing it!
Click here to learn more about the PIF Great Basin Community Leaders Program.
