British Columbia is world famous for its stunning scenery, its pristine waters, and its unique diversity of plants and animals.

This slide show is to help you learn about introduced species and help you know what you can do to help preserve our precious ecosytems for future generations.

Visitors come to B.C. from all over the world to witness the marvels of nature and take part in recreational activities that we sometimes take for granted.

Many people believe (and I agree) that B.C. is.... The Best Place on Earth

We believe that it is very important for people to get to know their wild neighbours. With knowledge and close connections with nature, children can become environmental stewards and help conserve our natural systems for future generations. “Observe and conserve “ Young Naturalists’ Motto

Salmon and trout have been historically, and still are, life sustaining parts of our diet, recreation and economy.

Some of our native salmon and trout (salmonids) that have evolved here over the past 11,000 years include : Rainbow Trout and Steelhead Chum Salmon Pink Salmon Sockeye Salmon and Kokanee Cutthroat Trout Coho Salmon Chinook Salmon

Unfortunately, some of our precious ecosystems are in danger of being changed forever because of the introduction of plants and animals from elsewhere. Often there are no natural controls for these “alien” species.

It is hoped that through education, we can learn to avoid problems and save our unique, diverse ecosystems. Once damage is done, it is tremendously difficult and expensive to fix.

A word about terminology: People have a tendency to demonize the species that are introduced in new places and take over natural systems. Invasives, non-natives, pests, aliens, and exotics are commonly used interchangeable terms. These plants and animals are not evil. They are just doing what they were designed to do... create as many of their own kind as possible.

Introduced species that become a problem and destroy our native systems become invasive because: They reproduce like crazy – they produce abundant seeds or offspring. There are very efficient feeders – they eat our native species “out of house and home.” They are “tough” They may eat the eggs, the young, or the adults of our native species They take up the space destroy the habitat of our native species

Some of these introductions are unintentional and some are intentional

Unintentional introductions happen when species ``hitch hike`` and establish themselves in new places. Zebra Mussels Eurasian milfoil

Some “hitchhikers” are diseases or parasites which attack native species and they are hard to detect Whirling Disease Infectious hematopetic necrosis virus Myxobolus cerebralis

What you can do: Empty water buckets in lake or stream where the water came from. Remove all visible mud, plants, fish/animals from your gear. Eliminate water from all equipment including boats, trailers, pontoons, waders, fishing gear before transporting anywhere. Leave all live fish in the lake where you found them If you are not releasing your fish, clean your fish, puncture the swim bladder and sink the entrails in deep water in the lake where you caught them.

Some Intentional introductions happen when uninformed, well meaning people don’t know how what to do with unwanted pets or unwanted specimens they have collected.

What you can do: Be kind to domesticated animals or plants - never release them into the wild. Be kind to non-native organisms - never release a non native organism to the wild or into a storm drain. Leave water, animals, or plants in the body of water you find them. Learn to recognize common invaders and report to The RAPP Line. Share your knowledge with others to prevent the spread of invasive species.

Historically, other intentional introductions have been made. Decisions were made to introduce alien species to new areas to create fishing or economic opportunities. Unfortunately, some of these introductions have ruined whole ecosystems.

Modern biologists use the Precautionary Principle which basically says “it is better to be safe than sorry.” It is impossible to accurately predict what will happen when new species are introduced into an area. Mother Nature Knows Best

Still other intentional introductions are illegal acts by unthinking people that only want to create a short term fishery for themselves. These illegal introductions are taken very seriously. There is a $20, reward for information leading to the conviction of persons responsible for the illegal introduction of bass, perch and pumpkinseed to the Thompson Region. Large fines and jail terms could result.

In addition, lakes that are found to have illegal introductions will be closed to fishing for everyone. Fisheries managers may feel it is necessary to kill out all the fish in the lake and start over. This is a drastic, expensive measure and no one likes doing it. Fisheries biologists would rather spend their time and money protecting and preserving trout and salmon fisheries that already exist.

Fish that have not evolved in B.C. often have no natural predators here and out compete our native trout and salmon. They literally eat them “out of house and home”, take up their living space, eat the eggs, eat the young, and in some cases eat the adult fish. Yellow Perch Black Crappie Pumpkin Seed Bass Walleye Northern Pike

None the less, introducing new species is sort of like playing ``Russian Roulette`` with the future of our ecosystems. It is much healthier and cheaper to prevent ecosystem destruction than to try to restore disturbed systems.

Would we tinker with a watch that was keeping perfect time by adding more parts or taking parts away?

Should we tinker with delicately balanced ecosystems and add more parts or take parts away?

Humans did not create the web of life but we are part of it. What we do to the web we do to ourselves. (Paraphrased from famous quote attributed to Chief Seattle 1854) Remember

Every region of B.C. faces threats to our treasured salmon and trout fisheries. The B.C. Ministry of Environment and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are very concerned. The following slides indicate some regional problems and threats. Prevention is the key. It is important to learn to recognize invasive species so quick action can be taken. So observe carefully.

Preserve B.C.’s Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Goldfish Kootenays Okanagan Thompson- Nicola Lower Mainland Vancouver Island Cariboo Skeena Ominica Peace

Preserve B.C. Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Vancouver Island Lower MainlandOkanagan Bull Frog

Preserve B.C.’s Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive exotic species like the.... Okanagan Thompson- Nichola Eurasian Milfoil Lower Mainland Vancouver Island Kootenays

Preserve B.C. Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Yellow Perch Kootenays Okanagan Thompson-Nicola Lower Mainland Vancouver Island

Preserve B.C.’s Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Bass Kootenays Okanagan Lower Mainland Vancouver Island Cariboo

Preserve B.C.’s Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Northern Pike Kootenays

Preserve B.C.’s Unique aquatic ecosystems. Stop the movement of invasive, exotic species like the.... Whirling Disease Washington State Idaho Montana

The problems of invasive species, pollution, global warming, human population growth, and habitat loss may seem overwhelming at times and too big for us to tackle.

But ``never doubt that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world, indeed it`s the only thing that ever has.`` Margaret Mead famous anthropologist``

What you can do to help protect BC’s unique aquatic ecosystems?

What you can do: Be kind to domesticated animals - never release them into the wild ( or plants either) Be kind to non-native organisms - never release a non native organism to the wild Leave water, animals or plants in the body of water you find them Learn to recognize common invaders and report to The RAPP Line Share your knowledge with others to prevent the spread of invasive species

What you can do: Empty water buckets in lake or stream where the water came from. Remove all visible mud, plants, fish/animals from your gear. Eliminate water from all equipment including boats, trailers, pontoons, waders, fishing gear before transporting anywhere. Leave all live fish in the lake where you found them If you are not releasing your fish, clean your fish, puncture the swim bladder and sink the entrails in deep water in the lake where you caught them.

Be on the look out for any of the following species. If you catch one where they are not known to normally live, kill it, put it in a plastic bag, freeze it, and notify fisheries through the RAPP line

As a grade 5 boy said, “ The spiny ray, gives them away!” Pumpkin Seed Walleye Bass Yellow Perch

Also be on the lookout for and report, Purple Loosestrife Northern Pike Big Head Carp Bullfrog Eurasian Milfoil Atlantic Salmon Black Crappie

More you can do! Take part in the Go Fish Program - Join a Naturalist Club – Think of your own ways to educate other people in your community about the dangers of moving fish and wildlife from one place to another Join a Fish and Game Club or a Fly Fishing Club

Go fishing with your family

But above all.... Enjoy Super Natural B.C. Now and into the future.

The End