[BCFSN] FW: New Projects and Resources: Water, Pests and Wildfire

Thu Sep 29 16:38:41 EDT 2016

 BC Agriculture and Food Climate Action Initiative <http://i3.cmail20.com/ti/r/C1/2EA/9E7/024646/images/cai-email-newsletter-header.jpg> 

view this newsletter online <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-e-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-r/>  | visit our website www.BCAgClimateAction.ca <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-t/> 

 photo by Flickr user "Pictoscribe On The Road Til 9-26" <http://i1.cmail20.com/ei/r/2E/442/76A/csimport/cherries_Flickr-PictoscribeOnTheRoad.140720.jpg> 

Two New Adaptation Projects Underway in the Okanagan 

The  <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-i/> Okanagan Regional Adaptation Strategies plan was released in July and the first two projects are underway to strengthen the agriculture sector's resilience to climate change in the region.

1) Agriculture Drought Status Outreach Project
As summers become warmer and drier, agricultural water users have a growing need for timely and accurate information about the status of local water supplies. To address associated communication challenges, this pilot project will develop, test and evaluate outreach mechanisms with two water purveyors and their agricultural water users. Following the completion of the pilot, a summary of the results – along with a set of communication guidelines and sample outreach materials – will be made available to water purveyors across the region. This will help to facilitate the adoption of effective and consistent methods for communicating with agricultural water users about water supply status during drought.

2) Decision Support Tool for Local Tree Fruit Pest Management
As average annual temperatures increase, particularly minimum winter temperatures, the range and prevalence of agricultural pests (including insects and diseases) are anticipated to shift, and new pests are expected to emerge. Within this changing context, resources to support timely, efficient and effective pest management decisions will be increasingly important.

This project will adapt a successful pest management decision support tool – Washington State University's Decision Aid System (DAS) – for the Okanagan. The system has been in operation in Washington State for nearly a decade and is highly valued by Washington growers. The DAS tool has a clear, simple interface that can be accessed on a computer, tablet or phone and is programmed for conventional and organic management recommendations. The tool is anticipated to be rolled out for Okanagan tree fruit producer use in 2018

photo by Flickr user "Pictoscribe On The Road Til 9-26"

Register Now for the Fraser Valley Agricultural Water Management Symposium 

All Fraser Valley producers are invited to join this FREE event which will provide:

§ Up to date information about new water regulations and registering your well

§ Information on drainage and ditch management in the region

§ Access to industry experts in agricultural water management

§ Information on some of the local and nearby research on water and climate change adaptation in the Fraser Valley

§ Commodity-specific sessions showcasing local best practices in agricultural water management and technologies (presented by local producers)

When: Thursday, November 17th, 2016 from 9:30am to 5:30pm
Where: Quality Hotel and Conference Centre at 36035 N. Parallel Road, Abbotsford, BC
Cost: There is no cost to attend this event and lunch is provided. Space is limited so registration is required.
Register: Online at https://fraservalleyagriculturalwater.eventbrite.ca <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-d/>  
or by contacting Christina Metherall at fraservalley at bcagclimateaction.ca <mailto:fraservalley at bcagclimateaction.ca?subject=Fraser%20Valley%20Water%20Management%20Symposium%3A%20Registration>  or 
604-813-4998.

 photo by Allen Dobb <http://i2.cmail20.com/ei/r/2E/442/76A/csimport/photo-ADobb-wildfire-WilliamsLake.210448.jpg> 

New Resources to Mitigate Wildfire Risk in the Cariboo 

Wildfires have long been a part of life in the BC interior but recent severe wildfire seasons, and climate change projections for increasingly hot and dry summers, have increased concern that more frequent and intensive wildfires are likely in the future.

Addressing a priority action area identified in the Cariboo Regional Adaptation Strategies <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-h/> , a recently completed collaborative project has developed agriculture-specific resources for wildfire preparedness, mitigation and recovery.

The Opportunities and Barriers Assessment <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-k/>  identifies priorities for mitigation including collaborative fuel management near high-value areas and structural protection for ranches in the event of wildfires. A Wildfire Risk Assessment and Planning Template <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-n/>  is intended to guide ranchers through the process of identifying wildfire risk on their ranches and rangeland, prioritizing mitigation actions and developing plans that are specific to their operations. Both of the resources developed through the pilot project are informing next steps around wildfire mitigation for agricultural operations in the Cariboo, and elsewhere in BC. 

photo by Allen Dobb

  <http://i3.cmail20.com/ei/r/2E/442/76A/csimport/hay_stanze_143819_630px.131841.jpg> 

Evaluation of Irrigation Potential in the Peace Region 

Irrigating crops is not common practice in the BC Peace Region, but with climate change expected to bring more frequent and intensifying dry conditions in the summer, producers are considering irrigation to combat moisture deficiencies during the growing season.

The recently completed Evaluation of Irrigation Potential in the BC Peace Region <http://newsletters.rocketday.com/t/r-l-ydlidhuy-ihjuklljx-p/>  examines irrigation feasibility in the Peace Region using case studies, scenario analysis and cost-benefit analysis. The study assesses six irrigation scenarios based on current cropping systems (cereals, canola, forage), average revenues  and constraints related to irrigation in the region. Preliminary cost-benefit estimates for various irrigation and cropping scenarios will help producers to identify situations in which irrigation infrastructure is likely to be economically favourable, while also establishing the broader potential for irrigation in the region.

photo by Flickr user "stanze"

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 supported by Growing Forward 2, BC Agriculture Council, Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, BC Ministry of Agriculture, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada <http://i4.cmail20.com/ti/r/C1/2EA/9E7/024646/images/cai-email-newsletter-footerlogos.png> 

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