Kamloops Naturalist Club

08/20/2026

Got some great nature photos? Show them off in the third annual Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) Canada Photo Contest. Rich Doucette, a fantastic photographer and volunteer co-caretaker of the Douglas Lake KBA (with KNC member Gary Hunt) has shared news of this contest and we are passing it along.

This contest not only offers a massive spotlight for those capturing wildlife and landscapes right in our backyard, but also is a great way to highlight the endearing grasslands and forests south of Kamloops. The Douglas Lake Plateau KBA is an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot, being recognized as a significant stopover area for migrating sandhill cranes, with over 10,000 migrating above us every spring and fall.

This is the perfect excuse to grab your camera gear, head along Highway 5A or Douglas Lake Road, and showcase why our rolling bunchgrass grasslands, Ponderosa pine forests and unique wildlife are globally significant. And if you haven't seen it yet, Rich highly recommends a visit to the new roadside sign highlighting this KBA's unique importance put up at two places along Douglas Lake Road this spring, which features text and photographs from longtime member, the late Rick Howie.

https://kbacanada.org/2026/08/19/capturing-canadas-key-biodiversity-areas-a-2026-photo-contest/

(Photo by Barbara Klie to get you all inspired)

08/13/2026

Wolves have long had a bad rap; they're big, they're bad, they blow pigs' houses down and eat grandmothers.
Well, turns out the bad boys of the forest are actually not always so evil. While they are definitely a concern for ranchers, they rarely bother people — in fact, they usually try to avoid them.

08/13/2026

New Accessible Trail Update by Jesse Ritcey.

If you've passed by the Tranquille Pond Viewing Area lately, you may have noticed some construction happening.

Thanks to a grant from Coeur New Afton and with the hard work of our Canada Summer Jobs program employees - Jedd, Mattias, and Lia - a new accessible trail loop is being constructed.

It'll still be a couple months before the project is completed, with new interpretive signage. Keep an eye out for an opportunity next month to contribute to replanting the trail edges with native plants and adding habitat elements.

08/12/2026

September's just around the corner (sorry).
If you're a KNC member, mark Sept. 17 on your calendar and plan to come out to our regular monthly meetings.
If you're NOT a KNC member, mark Sept. 17 on your calendar and come by to check out what we're all about. Then plan to come to our regular monthly meetings — and join up!
(Chipmunk photo by Pam Willis)

07/28/2026

We are so fortunate to live where we do. In spite of the smoke and the heat, the B.C. Interior is an amazing place and we can help keep it that way. Find out more about World Nature Conservation Day and what you can do: https://dayspedia.com/ca/calendar/holiday/4825/

07/28/2026

Today myself (Jesse Ritcey) and KNC's 3 Canada Summer Jobs employees, took 16 youth from Kamloops Immigrant Services summer camp for a bus trip to Margaret Falls, Tappen co-op for ice cream, and then the Llama Sanctuary.

We've been doing these trips for several years now and its always amazing to hear feedback that these become happy, positive memories to carry forward. We try to foster inquiry, a sense of wonder, appreciation and respect for nature and each other, as well as collaboration and community.

07/24/2026

Get up close and personal in your back yard and you might be surprised at what you find.

KNC member Heather Toles recently spotted this mantis hunting for insects by her pond. She has only seen one once before in the grass and she is wondering if others in Kamloops see them often?

She has made a few other observations this year:
"Though I had breeding frogs this spring, tadpole numbers have decreased this year. With the low water level of Campbell Creek, my wetland is in drought which will effect the frogs, toads and garter snakes. I have seen a great blue heron a few times along the creek. They hunt for frogs in my wetland, but I'm sad to say their food source is minimal. :(

Heather also found a nest hanging in a dogwood near her pond where she saw the preying mantis, and believes it could be the insect's nest.

07/23/2026

KNC member Nancy Elliot was out a couple of days ago and noticed some soapberry plants (shepherdia canadensis).
Here's what she observed, and an interesting explanation: Some were heavy with berries and some had none. Turns out they are female/male plants, and females will have berries (or none if not pollinated). Males will have pollinated flowers. Female flowers catch pollen on pistil. Fancy word is dioecious.

07/18/2026

Looking for a way to get involved in nature? Here's a summer project.

Need another reason to sign up for this year’s Big Backyard Bioblitz? Prizes!

For every photo you tag on social media using from July 27 to August 3, you’ll automatically be entered into a daily draw for a special NCC gift. 🎁

Get all the info here: https://brnw.ch/21x4d1k

07/13/2026

Please be sure to fill out this important survey if you recall a snake sighting!

🐍 Have you had a snake in your yard? We want to hear from you!
Please take a few minutes to complete our Snake Survey to help us better understand where snakes are being encountered in Kamloops

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=f3jS4ukMYECrXYVcg3SQVssRKM9nIKBLhaSJalel--BUNE1XUkZIR1hLMUFSOEtIWVlHOU5GT0NPUS4u&route=shorturl

You may have already seen WildSafeBC Kamloops staff and volunteers going door-to-door in neighbourhoods with snake fencing. We’ll continue visiting residents to share snake awareness information, discuss the importance of maintaining snake fences, and provide tips on keeping fence lines free of debris, vegetation, and holes.

This outreach, in partnership with BC Conservation Foundation to help protect both people and wildlife while promoting coexistence with Kamloops’ native snake species.
🐍 Stop by and say hello if you see us in your neighbourhood!