Thought for the Day

~ Wilderness awakens our connection to all other life and our planet Earth. It  reminds us of the fortune and fragility of being alive. ~

Celebrate World Water Day with the premiere of "Changing Course: A River’s Journey of Reconnection". This beautiful and important film highlights our precious Columbia River and the challenges it faces from human impact. The 1-hour film will be online at 8 pm this Thursday March 21st followed by a conversation with experts including Shuswap Band Councillor Mark Thomas.

To watch at home, sign up here: World Water Day - Film Screening and Conversation

Or watch with us! We’re hosting an informal ‘viewing party’ with our friends at Lake Windermere Ambassadors after their AGM. Come along for the AGM (6pm) or film (8pm) or both! Location: Our office, 625 4th St, Invermere, at the far end of the Service BC carpark.

We’re so pleased to be partnering with some great local people, businesses and organizations to bring you these opportunities to learn and connect for a more resilient community.

You especially told us that sustainable food was a big one for you — growing food, finding food, making food in sustainable, local and ethical ways. Pick and mix any or all of these upcoming events and workshops that we’re supporting and co-hosting.

Explore different composting systems and learn how to make good quality compost safely with Kalista Pruden of Avalily Permaculture. This live online workshop includes a Q&A for insight into your specific situation. Kalista has over 15 years experience in environmental science, permaculture and Indigenous knowledge and manages a regenerative urban homestead in Invermere. 

Join us along with the Columbia Valley Cycling Society and Summit Trail Makers Society for an epic summer gear swap! Clear out your storage and bring any surplus good quality biking, hiking, camping, paddling or summer outdoor gear to sell, and maybe you’ll pick up a bargain to take home too. Help keep unwanted items out of the landfill, and be inspired to get outdoors by what you find.

Worried about your garden this year? Wanting to reduce your water consumption but harvest more food? Part tour, part workshop, & part discussion… learn more about drought tolerant plants, enriching the soil without chemicals, reducing insect damage, and capturing water in new ways. Hosted with Groundswell and Old Blue Truck Farm.

• Gardenless Growing - May 2nd (online) and 4th (in-person workshop)
• Edible Adventure from Farm to Table - May 24th: We’re excited to join the family of Winderberry and Edible Acres, as they lead us behind-the-scenes of their greenhouse operation and certified organic farm. Click here for Early Bird Tickets available now!
• Foraging Walk - June 8th

Form a team with your friends, family or colleagues to see how much garbage we can clean up from our streets, parks and lakeshore in just a few hours!

We’re partnering with Kootenay Savings Credit Union and a bunch of local organizations and businesses to host a giant community clean up for Earth Day. You can look forward to eco-friendly giveaways, prizes, games and some super useful demos on how to reduce, reuse and recycle. Keep an eye out for more info in the next newsletter.

Join us on Sunday April 21st for our Wildsight Invermere branch AGM, where we’ll come together and share a potluck dinner, celebrate the achievements of the past year and the people who’ve made them possible, and plan for the future (and our 35th Birthday!). We’ll keep you posted with full details in the next newsletter.

We always appreciate your willing extra hands, minds and hearts. Please email invermere@wildsight.ca to volunteer for these or future opportunities.

Friday April 5th and 12th 1:30-3 pm: Workshops with DTSS students on how to make their own snack bars with beeswax wrap, and lip balm & body butter. Our fabulous Wildsight educator Jessie King is running these workshops and would love an extra person or two to help supervise and assist the students. You can volunteer on either or both days.

Bighorn Sheep monitoring April 6th: More information and sign up here. Every month we take a stroll through Bighorn sheep territory around Columbia Lake’s east side to conduct citizen science. This is in support of our Bighorn Sheep Conservation and Biodiversity project. 

Gear Swap April 13th: Volunteers will sort and sell the items that people bring in, and help answer questions throughout the day. 

Earth Day April 22nd: Event volunteers will crew the garbage collection stations at hotspots around the town, handing out collection bags and thank you giveaways. 

Fundraising Committee: Are you an ideas person who loves community engagement? Join Baiba and Tracy on the fundraising committee as we create a strong foundation for Wildsight Invermere's future.

Nominations are now open for Wildsight’s 2024 Ellen Zimmerman Award! This award recognizes an individual who works to protect nature or to inspire a love of the wild through environmental education.

Ellen Zimmerman was a tenacious champion for nature conservation in the Columbia Valley for more than 40 years until her passing in 2020. The Ellen Zimmerman Award was established to support conservation and environmental education champions in the Columbia Headwaters region (stretching from Canal Flats to the Mica Dam).

The Columbia River Field School is an extraordinary learning experience for youth ages 15-18. Over 15 days, students paddle key sections of the Canadian side of the Columbia River, sleep under starry skies, have fun, and engage in the stories of this river. 

From beginner paddlers to experienced canoeists, all students are taught valuable skills to safely explore BC’s waterways. Participants gain certifications from the Recreational Canoe Association of BC and learn from a diverse set of experts including: Indigenous leaders and knowledge keepers, scientists and writers, to life-long Basin residents and government officials. 

Students from across the Columbia Basin can earn four credits upon completion from School District 8!

Space is limited. Apply early to secure your seat.