Grasslands Conservation Councilof British Columbia

954 A Laval CrescentKamloops, BC V2C 5P5

Ph: (250) 374-5787Fax: (250) 374-6287

gec(a)bcgrasslands.orgwww.bcgrasslands.org

Liz CornwellThompson Nicola Regional District#300 - 465 Victoria StreetKamloops, BC V2C 2A9

April 17, 2007

Dear Ms. Cornwell,

This is a letter requesting an audience with the Thompson Nicola Regional DistrictBoard on May 9th, 2007 to discuss the grasslands within their region, their importance,and how the Grasslands Conservation Council can assist the regional district inconserving this important ecosystem.

The Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia (GCC) was established as asociety in August 1999, and subsequently as a registered charity in December 2001,due to growing concerns from a wide variety of organizations and individuals about thefuture of British Columbia's grasslands.

The GCC is the only organization of its kind in BC, with a well-defined niche andtremendous support from a wide range of organizations and individuals, including theranching commlinity, environmental organizations, government agencies and FirstNations. The GCC is often referred to as a strategic alliance of organizations andindividlials with a broad spectrum of interests, experience and expertise. For moreinformation visit www.bcgrasslands.org.

Grasslands are one of the most rare and endangered ecosystems in British Columbia.Home to over 30% of BC's species at risk, grasslands play an important ecological role.As importantly, they play a vital social and economic role as part of our province'ssignificant ranching past, present and future. The TNRD is surrounded by some of themost pristine grasslands in British Columbia, and as you know, urban expansion andagricultural conversion is occurring at a rapid rate throughout the entire Thompson andNicola valleys. Grasslands in your area are being threatened, which not only means theloss of an important ecosystem and an integral part of BC's heritage, but a loss of thevery values that people come to the region to enjoy.

The GCC is preparing a one-day workshop for the planning staff from the City ofKamloops and TNRD to provide priority grassland mapping and planning tools availableto staff to help them meet growth requirement and maintain the grassland values that

http://www.bcgrasslands.orghttp://www.bcgrasslands.org.

your constituents find important. The GCC would like to invite TNRD planning staff andboard members to attend this important event.

The GCC would like 10 minutes of the Board's time to provide information on what theGCC is doing to protect the grasslands within and surrounding TNRD, and why theseareas are important to the social and economic fabric of the region, the province, andthe country. The Executive Director of the GCC, Bruno Delesalle, will be making thepresentation.

If you require more information, please contact me at tasha.sargent@bcarasslands.oraor 250-374-5787. We look forward to presenting our information and establishing arelationship with the regional district.

Sincerely,

\yluc,¥ t'vtTasha Sa(gentStewardship Planner

mailto:tasha.sargent@bcarasslands.ora

Planning lor ChangeWorl{ing Together lor BC'sGrasslands

Grasslands Conservation Councilof British Columbia

1

Table of Contents

Section I-Information

Schedule of Events

Section II-Agendas and Event Descriptions

Ministry of Forests and Range Meeting

Symposium, Field Tour and Wine and CheeseAgenda

Pre-AGM Agenda

Annual General Meeting Agenda

Special Resolution

Proxy Form

Board of Directors' Meeting Agenda

3

4

5

8

9

11

12

13

2

TIME

0700 to 0800

0800 to 0830

0830 to 0900

0900 to 0930

0930 to 1000

1000 to 1030

1030 to 1100

1100 to 1130

1130 to 1200

1200 to 1300

1300 to 1330

1330 to 1400

1400 to 1430

1430 to 1500

1500 to 1530

1530 to 1600

1600 to 16301630 to 1700

1700 to 1730

1730 to 1800

1800 to 1830

1830 to 1900

1900 to 1930

1930 to 2000

2000 to 2030

2030 to 2100

THURSDAY, JUNE 7

Field TourDND Grass-

lands-

Terry McIntoshAngela Knopp

Wine and CheeseReception

FRIDAY,JUNE 8*

Coffee

Opening Prayer-Westbank First NationWelcome-Michael

Pitt

'The symposium will be held inthe Shiraz ballroom of the CoastCapri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Ave-nue

SATURDAY,JUNE 9**

3

For directions to tbe Coast Capri Hotel go to:bttp:/ /www.coastbotels.comlhotels/canadalbc/kelowna/coast _capri/mapdirectioDS.html

http:///www.coastbotels.comlhotels/canadalbc/kelowna/coast

Ministry of Forests and Range Meeting

Time: 8: 30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Date: Thursday, June 7, 2007

Location: Shiraz Room, Coast Capri Hotel

Purpose:

To review and discuss key priorities for the GCC and Ministry ofForests and Range Branch and to identify areas for collaborative ef-fort and partnership.

We ask all Directors who are interested to attend.

4

Symposium Agenda

P]Rnning for CbJmge: Working Together for BC's GrasslandsThursday June 7, to Friday June 8, 2007

Thursday, June 7

1:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Field Tour of Grasslands

Buses will transport grassland enthusiasts from the Coast Capri Hotel (1171 HarveyAvenue) to the Department of Defense Properties. A!l participants will be bussedback to the Coast Capri hotel afrerthe tour concludes.

The field tour will consist of two speakers:1. Angela Knopp, who will be addressing restoration of grasslands afrer bio-control has been introduced, and2. Terry McIntosh who will be speaking about biological crusts in thegrasslands.

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese I Reception

The wine and cheese reception will be held at the Kelowna Museum, located at 470QJ1eensway Avenue. Guests ate invited to sample local wine and snacks while listen-ing to representatives from The Land Conservancy and local vineyatds discuss thedelicate balance between viticulture and healthy grasslands.

Friday, June 8

The symposium will be held at the Coast Capri Hotel, 1171 Harvey Avenue.

8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

8:30 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.

8:45 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.

Coffee / Juice

Opening Prayer-Roxanne Linley, Westbank First Nation

Opening Rematks-Michael Pitt, GeC Chair

Introduction to Conference! GCC-Bruno Delesalle

5

Symposium Agenda continued9:45 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Grassland Slideshow with commentary--chris Harris

Coffee Break

Keynote Speaker Michael Harcourt

Mr. Harcourt will focus on the following points in his keynote address:

•

•

•

The challenges faced by Kelowna and the rest of the Okanagan region (aswell as various parts of British Columbia) in keeping the balance of environ-mental integrity, economic sustainability, food security, community strength,land -use planning and the preservation of the integral values that created thecommunity in the first place;

Ecological goods and services (natural capital)-regional, community andpersonal values that have no dollar value: species at risk, air quality, viableranching and farming industries, protected places, healthy people;

What makes a community? How do we as individuals, land-use planners,policy-makers and other stakeholders work together to find the balance?What are the solutions? How do we implement them?

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Q),lestion Period

Lunch

Culture of Grasslands-Don Gayton

Concurrent Sessions I-ITI

Four 20 minute sessions with time for questions. Sessions will be cen-tred around the following themes:

I. Politics of Grasslands (from theory to action):

Darrell Smith, formerly EKCP: Grassroots for Grasslands-GreenPolling in the East Kootenay

6

S~posium Agendacontinued

Chee- Ying Ho, Smart Growth BC: Smart Growth: How to Senke aBalance in the Development ofBC's Communides

Tasha Sargent, GCC: Planning for Change--- What Sustainable De-velopment Looks like for the Okanagan

Kelsey Ramsden, Tallus Ridge Developments: Green Develop-ment-Cash, Consumers and Compromise

II. Science of Grasslands (the ecological reality of planning):

Bill Henwood, GCC Board: Grasslands of the WorldLisa Scott, IPC: Invasive Plant Management in Fire-Impacted

Areas.Richard Doucette, GCC: Priority GrasslandsBob Peart (TBD): Grassland Theory in Pracdce

III. Economics of Grasslands (culture of consumption andindustrialization):

Todd Cashin, RDCO: The Reality of Community Economic Devel-opment in the Okanagan Grasslands

Lisa Marak, Tower Ranch: How will Okanagan Ranchers Surv.ive?Lindsay Coulter, David Suzuki: Species at Ri$k-The True Value of

Grassland HabitatJeff Morgan, Ministry of Environment: Ecological Goods and Ser-vices. Kamloops Indian Band-Big Hom Sheep Project

3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.

4:45 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Discussion in concurrent session groups

Coffee Break (discussion points ftom sessions to power point)

Group discussion

Wrap Up--Erik Karlsen, ALR

Symposium adjourned

7

Pre-AGM Board of Directors Meeting AgendaDirectors Only

7:00 a.m. To 9:00 a.m. (Breakfast Meeting), Saturday June 9, 2007

Location: Vintners Poolside Grill, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna, BCChair: Michael Pitt

Attachments:• Policy: Seeding in Grasslands and Dry Open Forests• Draft Planned Giving Policy• Draft Minutes from Fall Directors Meeting• 2007-2008 Budget

1. Board of Directors Slate

2. Approval of Agenda

3. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting

4. Budget 2007-2008

"Review provisional budget approved by GCC Executive

Decision Item - Approval of Budget / Sigoatures Required

5. Nomination and Succession Committee Report

'Presentation of slate- David Zirnhelt, Committee Chair

6. Grassland Restoration and Mitigation Committee

Decision Item-Policy on Seeding in Grasslands and Dry Open Forests - Approve

7. Planned Giving

Information! Decision Item-Policy

8. Other Business

9. Meeting Adjourned

8

Annual General Meeting Agenda9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Saturday, June 9, 2007

Location: Sauvignon Room, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna, BC

GeC Chair: Michael Pitt

1. Introduction to Meeting

2. Approve Minutes to Previous Meeting, June 2006

3. Report from the Chair

4. Financial Report• Treasurer's Report

Approve Auditors Report & Financial Statements 2006-2007

5. Appointment of the Auditor

6. Executive Director's Report

7. Program Reports (5 minutes each)• Stewardship and Sustainable Ranching• Planning for Change• Grassland Monitoring Project• Education & Outreach• Conservation of Grassland Ecosystems, Priority Grasslands Initiative• Development and Fundraising

8.ConucrritteeReports• Grassland Stewardship and Securement Conucrrittee-Bob Brown, ConucrritteeChair• Grassland Restoration and Mitigation Committee- Jim W1rite, Committee Chair

9. Election of Board of Directors• Presentation of the Slate• Call for nominations from the floor• Ratify actions of the officers between the Directors meetings• Motion to accept slate as presented

9

Annual General Meeting Agenda continued

10. ResolutionsDe

Special Resolution

Please read the proposed resolution and plan to vote by proxy or in person atour Annual General Meeting in June.

If you cannot attend the meeting and vote in person, then you can vote byproxy. A proxy is simply a permission slip that allows an appointed representa-tive to cast your vote in your place. The representative can be anyone youchoose, regardless of his or her membership status in the GCC, as long as thesigned proxy has been received by the GCC. In order to vote by proxy, theoriginal proxy, or a facsimile, must arrive at the GCC offices no later thanforty-eight hours prior to the start of the Annual General Meeting on June 9,2007. You can send your proxy to the GCC offices by fax at 250-374-6287, orby mail or personal delivery to 954 A Laval Crescent, Kamloops, BCV2C 5P5.

If you require any further information please callJulie Lance at 250-374-5787

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Proxy

The Wldersigned, being a voting member of the Grasslands ConservationCOWlcilof British Columbia hereby appoints_____________ , or failing hirn/her,_________________ as proxyholder for the Wlder-signed to attend, act and vote for and on behalf of the Wldersigned at the An-nual General Meeting of the GCC to be held the 9th day of June, 2007 and atany adjournment thereof.

Signed this day of 20__

Name (please print): _

Signature: _

12

Board of Directors Meeting.Agenda10:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, Tune 9, 2007

Location: Sauvignon Room, Coast Capri Hotel, Kelowna, BC

Chair: Elected at AGM

10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

1. Introductions

2. Approval of Agenda

3. Appointment of GCC Executive

GCC Business

4. Budget 2007-2008Information Item-Budget Review

5. Banking'Review of signing AuthorityDecision Item / Signatures Required-Signing Officers

6. Review Ministry of Forest and Range Meeting

7. Discussion

8. Debriefing on Symposiu.m, Discussion, Action items

12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.

1:00p.m. - 1:50 p.m.

Lunch

GeC Committee Selection

1. Succession Planning and Nomination Committee (5 min.), Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

2. Fundraising Committee- Fall Fundraising Campaign 2007 (5 min.)'Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

13

3. BC Grasslands Magazine Editorial Committee (5 min.)• Future Activities• Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

4. Grassland Stewardship and Securement Committee (10 min.)• Future Activities• Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

5. Grassland Restoration and Mitigation Committee (20 min.)• Future Activities• Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

1;50p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Planned Giving

• Review of Planned Giving Package• Action Items

2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.

2:45 p.m.- 4:00 p.m.

• Conservation Programs

Coffee Break

Review of GeC Workplan 2007-2008

• Stewardship and Sustainable Ranching

• Education and Outreach

• Development and Donor Program

• Committees and Boards

4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Strategic P1:mning Process 2008-2013

• Date for Workshop• Facilitator• Target Date for Completion

4:30 to 4:45 Overview ofNCC Program

14

4:45 p.m. - 5;30 p.m. Fall Directors MeetingTheme, Location and Date - Decision

• First Nations process/consultations• Species at Risk - Working Towards a Stewardship Strategy• Fall Directors Meeting Organizing Committee

Decision Item-Select New Committee (Chair, Committee Members)

Meeting Adjourned

Tbe Directors' Dinner will be held at the Eldorado Hotel, located at 500 Cook Road, from7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The GCC will be arranging shuttle service from the Coast Capri Ho-tel to the Eldorado, but all directors are welcome to drive if they prefer to do so.

If the weather holds, we will be seated on the patio. If not, the interior of the restaurantstill has a lovely view of Okanagan Lake.

Tbe dinner is a chance for all our directors and the staff of the GCC to relax in a pleasantand social atmosphere after a long weekend of lectures, meetings. and business.Please make plans to join us if you can.

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2007 SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION FORMPlanning for Change: Working Together For BC's Grasslands

GrasslatJ.dsConservation Council ofBC

Name:

Organization:

Telephone (day):

E-mail:

Address:

City/Province:

Number of People Attending

(eve)

Fax:

Postal Code:Food Al1ergie~:

Iplan to attend the f()l1owingaftenioon/session on Friday, J'tlIie8, 2007:

o Politics of Grasslands (planning +gI'assiands)o Science of Grasslands (ecological realities)o Econonrlcs of Grasslands (finding a balance)o Iplan to attend the Field Tour and Wine and Cheese Reception on Thursday,June 7, 2007 at an additional cost of $25 per person.

'cost includes one-yea;: membership to' the GCe

Event

Symposium(including lunch)

Symposium, Field Tour,Wine and CheeseReception

GCCMembers:Early (beforeMay 18)

$75.00

$100.00

GCC MembersLate (afterMay 18)

$100.00

$125.00

Non-Members*Early (beforeMay 18)

$100.00

$125.00

Non-Members*Late (beforeMay 18)

$125.00

$150.00

Please send completed registration form andpayment to:Grasslands Conservation Council ofBC954A Laval CrescentKamloops, BC V2C 5P5

For more information, please check:www:bc2rasslands.or2 or contact:Amber Cowietel: 250.374.5787 fax: 250.374.6287gcc@bcgrasslands.org

mailto:gcc@bcgrasslands.org

The GCC has booked a block of rooms with the Coast Capri Hotel at 1171Harvey Street in Kelowna, BC. If you wish to stay at the Coast Capri,reserve your room by calling:

Coast Capri Hotel1171 Harvey Street

Kelowna, BC VI Y 6E8Tel: (250) 860-6060Fax: (250) 762-3430

Let Reservations know you ate with the Grasslands Conservation CouncilSymposium and please book before May 8, 2007.

page1titlesGrasslands Conservation Council

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page2titles\yluc,¥ t'vt

page3titlesPlanning lor Change

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page4titlesTable of Contents 3 4 5 8 12 13

page5imagesimage1image2

page6titlesMinistry of Forests and Range Meeting Time: 8: 30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Date: Thursday, June 7, 2007 Location: Shiraz Room, Coast Capri Hotel Purpose:

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page7titlesSymposium Agenda Thursday, June 7 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Field Tour of Grasslands 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wine and Cheese I Reception Friday, June 8

page8titlesSymposium Agenda continued Keynote Speaker Michael Harcourt • • • Lunch Concurrent Sessions I-ITI I. Politics of Grasslands (from theory to action):

page9titlesS~posium Agenda continued II. Science of Grasslands (the ecological reality of planning): III. Economics of Grasslands (culture of consumption and Wrap Up--Erik Karlsen, ALR Symposium adjourned

page10titlesPre-AGM Board of Directors Meeting Agenda

page11titlesAnnual General Meeting Agenda

page12imagesimage1

page13titlesSpecial Resolution

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page14titlesProxy

page15titles10:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. GCC Business 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m. - 1:50 p.m. Lunch GeC Committee Selection

page16titles1;50 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. Planned Giving 2:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m.- 4:00 p.m. Coffee Break Review of GeC Workplan 2007-2008 4:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. Strategic P1:mning Process 2008-2013

page17titles4:45 p.m. - 5;30 p.m. Fall Directors Meeting Theme, Location and Date - Decision

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page18titles2007 SYMPOSIUM REGISTRATION FORM Planning for Change: Working Together For BC's Grasslands

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