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BCnature Winter 202226the members and staff at BC Nature has been an eye-opening experience. In addition to gaining skills in marketing and fundraising, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the natural world around me.BC Nature is a unique workplace, one that has given me valuable experience in marketing, fundraising, and learning about nature. I’m hopeful that I can bring these skills and awareness with me to further the reach of business-related environmental sustainability in my classes, future career, and with the people around me. I’m very pleased to continue my involvement with BC Nature, working part-time in the office and as a new BC Nature member myself!Thank you to Canada Summer Jobs and BC Nature for this opportunity! Ω BC Naturalists’ Foundation Update Author – Stephen Partington, President BC Naturalists' FoundationClub Support Grant application deadline 31 Janu-ary 2023 is fast approaching. Get your thinking caps on now so that you don’t miss this opportunity. Thanks in advance for your applications. Stephen Part-ington, President.Below is the Smithers-based Bulkley Valley Naturalists 2022 Club Support Grant final report, submitted by Mel Coulson.The grant for a Bird Interpretive sign for Willowvale Marsh, together with three other funders and a large volunteer component, was used to pay for the design, printing, construction and erection of a large ,nature interpretive sign about the birds that inhabit Willowvale Wetland, a popular birding spot on the outskirts of Smithers.The Bulkley Valley Naturalists were founded in 1979 with a mission to: Provide opportunities for community involvement in natural history discovery; Promote environmental awareness; Share our knowledge with others. This bird interpretive sign project nicely ties in with those objectives as the information provided on the sign will help beginning birders identify some of the more common birds that can be seen at Willowvale Marsh and encourage other visitors to be more aware of the rich bird life found there. We consider it important that Bulkley Valley residents are aware of the incredible natural history resources that are right on our doorstep; when residents are aware of our natural heritage, they are more likely to protect it. Willowvale Wetland is a veritable oasis of wildlife on the outskirts of Smithers and is an integral part of the Town of Smithers Perimeter Trail. It is enjoyed by many people, particularly dog walkers, people with mobility challenges and bird watchers. Remarkably, 117 different bird species have been identified at the marsh since 2010. This has resulted in it being designated an ebird “Hotspot” which, in turn, attracts passing birders from far and wide. The 1.5 x .91 metre sign displays 22 of the more common birds that can be seen at the marsh all set against a natural background, together with some additional educational information. Future plans are that Smithers Climate Action Group will mount another information sign on the back of ours to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands, trees, and biodiversity as it relates to climate change. Thus the sign kiosk which we erected will serve a ,dual purpose. Bulkley Valley Naturalists gratefully acknowledges additional financial support from: Bulkley Valley Credit Union, Bulkley Valley Community Foundation PIR/West Fraser. On behalf of the BV ,Naturalists, I would like to express our gratitude to the BC Naturalists’ Foundation for its generosity in providing a BC Nature Club Grant to help make this worthwhile project happen. ΩCompleted new Willowvale Wetland signContinued from page 25