In Our BackyardNEWSRead the latest conservation news, stories and reports from across the Thompson-Nicola Watershed and beyond.EDUCATIONEMPLOYMENTFUNDINGIN OUR BACKYARDNEWSSearchSubmitClear
In Our Backyard: Great Basin GophersnakeApril 3, 2023In spring, the largest snake found in BC stirs from its hibernation to mate and forage. The Great Basin gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer deserticola) is found in dry, grassland or forested...Read More
In Our Backyard: Peregrine FalconMarch 7, 2023The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) holds the title of fastest bird on the planet, and some argue it’s even the fastest animal on the planet using...Read More
In Our Backyard: Little Brown BatFebruary 1, 2023At this time of year, you typically won’t spot this bat species unless you are exploring abandoned mines and dark caves where they hibernate during the cool months. The little...Read More
In Our Backyard: Western RattlesnakeDecember 30, 2022Did you know that the western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) is the only venomous snake native to British Columbia? The western rattlesnake, also known as Northern Pacific rattlesnake, lives in in...Read More
In Our Backyard: Sharp-tailed GrouseOctober 31, 2022As the Thompson Watershed transitions through fall, you may be able to spot the flocks of the sharp-tailed grouse (Tympanuchus phasianellus columbianus) on the roadside and underneath...Read More
In Our Backyard: Great Basin Spadefoot ToadOctober 7, 2022If you are out at night in the Thompson Watershed you may be able to hear the call of the Great Basin spadefoot toad (Spea intermontana), which...Read More
In Our Backyard: Southern Mountain CaribouSeptember 14, 2022If you go hiking through the Thompson Watershed, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the southern mountain caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). This population...Read More
In Our Backyard: Olive Clubtail DragonflyJuly 27, 2022If you’ve been on the South Thompson River in Kamloops you may have been fortunate enough to have seen the striking blue eyes of the olive clubtail dragonfly (Stylurus olivaceus)....Read More
In Our Backyard: A Coastal Shore Bird in the Grasslands?July 1, 2022Long-billed curlews are North America’s largest shorebird. In Canada, they breed in southern Alberta, Saskatchewan, and the interior of BC. Approximately 16% of the long-billed curlew’s global breeding range is...Read More