Present: Liz Ciocea, JoanneaMackenzie, Shirley Highfill, Iain Lawrence, Eileen Kaarsemaker
Case Studies Report from Pager to Jan 2015. Shirley Highfill:
- Eagle altercation – resolved.
- Two deer hit on North Rd. RCMP called. Also two deer dead on private property – Berry Pt area and Coast Rd area.
- Cougar sighting – Canso Rd.
- (August) Fawn (still some spots) dispatched by RCMP. Mother had been sick.
- Two dead raccoons: Twin Beaches + 2ndreported during this meeting – Degnen Bay beach. Mallard also dead on Degnen Bay beach. NOTE: Mallard wasn't checked for beached bird tag. We could publicize more widely again that this should be done by anyone finding a dead bird on a beach.
- Golden-crowned kinglet found
- Bear sighting in Elder Cedar (date?)
- Jan: Abandoned van on Colleen reported. Live chicken in cage seen inside the van. Van was gone when report was checked on later.
- Deer chased by dog – the dog was on leash. Deer not seriously harmed.
- Bats were reported inside a house. Occupants concerned about the bats' welfare. GROWLS referred them to VIHA. NOTE: Bats can usually be encouraged to leave by turning ON an outside light, turning OFF inside lights, closing off interior doors to the room(s) they occupy, and opening exterior doors and windows.
- Total calls for the year 2014: Trends: 1) sick robins, 2) rufous hummingbirds - including mothers abandoning nests and cat attacks
Follow-up:
Shirley: will consider writing an article for the Sounder.
The year statistics re migratory birds report needs to be sent in as soon as possible.
Liz will arrange to meet with the new RCMP officer to clarify GROWLS' calls to them re deer, etc.
Question raised re how to answer to the following situation when asked: What should people do when a deer is hit, but is still alive when RCMP are not on call to help (put down the animal humanely)? Example: One resident slit the deer's throat with the only tool they had – a Swiss army knife. This is well intentioned but probably causes more rather than less suffering. Liz noted that leaving it to die quietly and calmly is likely the most humane.
Treasurer Report – Nicki Westarp. Nicki is away, so no treasurer report this month.
Committee Reports as Provided
Pager: There will no longer be a GROWLS pager after March 2015. Nicki Westarp is looking into the details of getting a special rate on a cell phone from Telus.
Eagle Monitoring (Iain Lawrence): Iain will ask Islands Trust if they can help with the printing of the Eagle nest monitoring and mapping report, completed by Ian Moul of WITS this past year.
Library Project (Joanna Mackenzie): Joanna will follow up with the new librarian about the GROWLS book display. The GROWLS book section sign and designated space, which had been set up, seemed to be no longer visible recently.
Joanna suggested the addition of the following to the GROWLS library section:
- Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest by Andy Lamb and Barnard Hanby
- The Sea Among Us: The Amazing Strait of Georgia by Richard Beamish (Ed), Gordon McFarlane (ed)
Update Jan 23: Joanna has followed up with the new librarian and is waiting for word from the Collections Dept of Library headquarters for further information.
NOTE: A box of fishing data was discovered in the Net Loft a number of years ago (When Howie Stiff bought the Net Loft) which could provide valuable base-line data on fish species numbers in this area. Eileen will ask Howie if he knows if and where this data is located now.
Fundraising Event for GROWLS School Award – Nicki Westarp:
Nicki would like to organize a fundraiser to specifically fund the $500 student award for School District 68 for students pursuing studies in the environmental field.
Strategizing for GROWLS and wildlife for the coming year:
Shirley plans to re-structure the pager/cellphone system for GROWLS. She will research and design a pre-made pager's notebook including a calendar and map.
Liz plans to have an all-day training this year for about (max) 12 participants.
Discussion of idea re having some type of roster system for rescue and driver volunteers – eg – by a volunteer having a designated whole week on call and/or certain days of the week to help accommodate those with work or other set schedules.
Discussion re the need to get specific commitments from members and volunteers clarified.
- Liz will add a note to the email with these meeting minutes, informing members and volunteers that they will be contacted by phone in order to ask them what tasks and commitments they are interested and able to make for the coming year.
- Liz will then send out a list of 10 – 12 members to several of us who are willing to make the phone calls.
This will then provide GROWLS with a list of volunteers and the specific tasks and commitments they can be relied on to undertake.
Discussion of other possible activities and strategies such as integrating input from GROWLS into activities and events of other community organizations such as Save our Shores which share similar goals to protect local wildlife. It would also be useful to integrate GROWLS input into the events and activities of community groups that are not necessarily focused on wildlife so as to reach a wider audience and draw in those who wouldn't necessarily attend a GROWLS (or SOS) specific event. (GALTT, the school, permaculture/agriculture interest-groups, etc).
Discussion of whether GROWLS could contribute short, succinct, entertaining/interesting articles into the Sounder or other media, now that the Shingle is no longer published.
GROWLS plans to participate in the Theatre Festival again this year. Iain L's play will be featured.
There is the possibility for GROWLS members to take an eagle rescue course through the Raptor Centre in Duncan. Liz will follow up with more details and information at a later date.