January 29, 2026 LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND COMMITTEE MEETING скачать в хорошем качестве

January 29, 2026 LOCAL CONSERVATION FUND COMMITTEE MEETING

Local Conservation Fund Committee – Summary Chair: Tom Newell (later Interim Chair: Director Jackman) Delegation: Kendall Benesch & Juliette Craig (Kootenay Conservation Program – KCP) Projects: Kendall Benesch presented 9 proposed 2026 projects (~$169k requested; ~$140k available). All 9 were recommended, with 4 reduced. Discussion focused on duplication, long-term sustainability, and coordination. Director Popoff: Raised concerns about duplication (grizzly bears, watershed work) and coordination with existing efforts. Director Watson: Questioned overlap, long-term effectiveness, bat projects duplication, forestry studies repeating known science, and survey validity. Director Jackman: Raised concerns about volunteerism vs paid work, cost vs scale (pollinator project), bat habitat strategy, and large accumulated surplus. Sangita (RDCK): Clarified funding mechanics, watershed initiatives, surplus origins, and committed to budget revisions. Juliette Craig: Explained ecological distinctions (bat species/habitat), fiscal sponsorship change, and offered to refine survey data. Decision: Committee recommended all TRC project recommendations to the Board (carried). Budget: No approval. Committee directed staff to clarify ~$87k surplus, separate true surplus vs obligations, and bring allocation options (grants, reserve, land acquisition) to February Board. Survey: ~374 responses; validity questioned due to non-service-area input and low response rates. Accepted for themes only, not decision-making. Public (Deb Randall): Criticized pollinator project cost vs visible results; urged site visits. Adjourned: ~11:55 AM.