Nicola Naturalist Society

Jared Hobbs is a well-known wildlife biologist working for the BC Ministry of Environment. He is widely respected as one of BC’s leading wildlife photographers. His recent book on the Spotted Owl co-authored with Dick Cannings has been widely acclaimed. Jared frequently works on wildlife and conservation issues in the Merritt area and BC interior and we are pleased to have him present a talk on local wildlife illustrated with his own amazing photos.
Tuesday October 19 at 7 PM at NVIT

To see some of Jared’s amazing photos go to his website: http://hobbsphotos.com/

Dr. Susan Senger is a professional biologist working for Conservation Northwest who does research on grizzly bears and their habitat in southwest British Columbia.

Grizzly bear populations in southwest British Columbia are critically threatened and human-caused mortality is a leading factor affecting bear populations. This illustrated talk by bear researcher Sue Senger will describe the efforts being made by Conservation Northwest, First Nations, and other partners to improve bear management, develop habitat conservation strategies, and reduce human-bear conflicts. In the face of ever-changing issues like climate change, development, and human population growth, the sustainability of our environment includes keeping grizzly bears in healthy, functioning ecosystems.

Thursday 7 April 2011 at 7 PM in Room U001 at NVIT, Belshaw Road, Merritt.

Grizzly Bear in habitat typical of SW British Columbia (Photo: Dave Molenaar)

Murphy Shewchuk is a well-known author and nature photographer based in Merritt. He has published numerous hiking and travel guides for many parts of BC, illustrated with his own excellent photos of birds, mammals, other wildlife and landscape scenery. Murphy will share tips on equipment, techniques and trials of nature photography. Learn how to use your creativity to produce interesting and attractive photos. Come to improve your own picture-taking – or just to enjoy Murphy’s fabulous photos!

Yellow-bellied Marmot (photo: Murphy Shewchuk)

You can see some of Murphy’s bird photos on the Nicola Valley Museum website.

Black bears have become frequent but unwelcome visitors to interior towns and communities, including Merritt. Join local Conservation Officer Andy McKay to hear more about the biology of bears, the problem of bears in human communities and what you can do to help avoid these situations.

Black Bear in a Merritt neighbourhood (photo: Gloria & Mike Brenner)

Dawn Brodie of the Burrowing Owl Society will give us a presentation on the work being done to restore breeding populations of this endangered little owl. Burrowing Owls, an emblem of the interior grassland ecosystems, disappeared from BC as a breeding species, but through a lot of hard work by the Burrowing Owl Society and local ranchers they are moving towards sustainable breeding populations. Join us to hear about this fascinating work – and get to meet a real live Burrowing Owl!

Burrowing Owl raised by the Burrowing Owl Society (photo: Jack Madryga)