Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Volume 10 Issue 2
2009
The
Tree
Nursery
Vancouver
Island
Marmot
Geothermal
Energy
Turkey
Vulture
Photo by Crystal Reid
www.ync.ca
“Young Naturalists Observe and Conserve”
Inside... Cetacean-Cryptogram
Dear YNC members:
3
You will be surprised to receive this issue of NatureWILD digitally
Cetacean instead of through the mail as usual. Why have we done this? Because
Cryptogram non-profit organizations are also having a tough time during this difficult
A cetacean (pronounced sit-TAY-shun) is
economic period. We have to cut back our expenses and with an electronic
version of NatureWILD we save on printing and mailing costs. sea creature such as a whale or dolphin, Decoder
4
GeoThermal
Energy
We are working hard so that we will be in a position to go back to printing
which belongs to a family of fish-shaped
mammals and breathes through a blowhole.
abcdefg
A B C D E F G
NatureWILD as soon as possible. If you would like to help YNC with
a donation you can do so via the website www.ync.ca which now has a Discover a few cetaceans found in BC
hijklmnopqr
6
Vancouver
Island
‘DONATE’ button on it or you can mail a cheque to the YNC office, 1620
Mt. Seymour Road, North Vancouver, BC V7G 2R9. Please email us with
waters by using the decoder to write in the
letters (on the lines provided) that match
the symbols below:
H I J K L M N O P Q R
stuvwxyz
your thoughts about the way you would like to receive NatureWILD.
Marmot
S T
sei
Daphne Solecki U V W X Y Z
8 The Chipmunk
President, Young Naturalists’ Club of British Columbia.
_ _ _ whale
blue
YNC Vancouver Jennifer Swanston
10 Tree
YNC Home Learners (Lower Mainland)
YNC Nature Clubs in Schools Coordinator
YNC Burke Mountain
YNC Nicomekl
Kristine Webber-Lampa
_ _ _ _
Nursery YNC Central Valley
YNC Chilliwack
YNC Sunshine Coast
YNC President and
NatureWILD Content Editor
Daphne Solecki
whale
12
YNC North Shore
minke
NatureWILD Production Editor
Turkey YNC Stanley Park Monica Belko
Vulture Vancouver Island
YNC Victoria
YNC Homelearners (Victoria)
YNC Board of Directors
George Bangham, Rob Butler, Peter Davidson, _ _ _ _ _ whale
14 Ask Al
Ruth Foster, Anne Murray, Eva Nagy,
YNC Cowichan Valley
Daphne Solecki
YNC Nanaimo
Contributors - Al Grass
humpback
YNC Oceanside (Parksville/Qualicum)
YNC Comox Valley
16 wEATHER-wORD
Imperial Oil Foundation
harbour
Kootenays
Promoscience (Natural Sciences &
YNC Nelson
Engineering Research Council of Canada)
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
YNC Kimberley
ISSN: 1492-7241 We acknowledge the financial support
YNC Rocky Mountain (Cranbrook) porpoise
of the Province of BC through the
NatureWILD is printed by Benwell YNC Elk Valley (Fernie)
BC Gaming Commission
Atkins an RR Donnelley Company, Thompson/Okanagan Answers on
Vancouver, on recycled paper. YNC Lillooet page 15
YNC Kamloops
pacific
_ _ _ _ _ _ _
YNC North Okanagan
YNC Kelowna
YNC South Okanagan
white-sided
YNC Salmon Arm
North
_ _ _ _ _ - _ _ _ _ _
YNC Williams Lake NATURE VANCOUVER
(VANCOUVER NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY)
YNC Prince George dolphin
Geothermal pollution – no greenhouse gases like carbon, no water
contamination, and no air contamination – and it uses
Energy
very little land since all that is needed to reach it is
small drill holes and some turbines and generators.
Geothermal energy is everywhere on earth, but only
some places have big pools of hot water close to the
surface, where it is easier to reach. It requires very
Geo (from the Greek word gaia meaning Earth) expensive and difficult exploration to find these more
+ accessible areas where it can be produced at a cost
Thermal (from the Greek word therme meaning heat) that people can afford.
By Ross Beaty = Earth heat A steaming Castle geyser at Yellowstone National Park.
Photo by Monica Belko. For example, active volcanoes obviously have really hot
Hot Stuff! Geothermal
rocks, since they are made from once-liquid rock. Hot springs are also an
obviously good indicator of hot water! Luckily, all around the earth there is
Have you ever seen an active volcano spewing out hot lava, energy comes something called the Ring of Fire where active volcanoes result from earth
or a geyser like Old Faithful in Yellowstone Park? Can you from deep in plates colliding or spreading apart. Up and down the western regions of
guess what causes the heat? Can you imagine such heat the earth where North and South America are great places to look for geothermal energy
producing the super-hot rocks and, in those areas, millions of homes are today powered by geothermal
electricity you use exist, sometimes energy! So far, Canada has no geothermal-produced electricity but British
in your home or so hot that Columbia has lots of potential and some day we will see Canada become a
school? Well, the they melt to geothermal energy-producing country.
heat is produced form liquid rock
from what’s called magma.
called geothermal If water in the Geothermal energy is called “Earth’s Most Sustainable Energy” for good
energy and it is a ground comes reason: it lasts forever, it produces constantly and it’s as ‘green-clean’ as
fast-growing new into contact it gets. It is a wonderful form of energy and will become more and more
form of electricity with that super- important in the future as our existing ‘dirty’ forms of energy like coal, oil
generation. It’s hot rock, the and gas become burned up. It is one permanent (though not complete)
not exactly new water itself gets solution to our existing energy crisis. Its only drawback is that it is not
either – in fact, heated super- available everywhere at an affordable price. But, as time goes and other, non-
hot, sometimes The geothermal water cycle.
geothermal heat renewable, forms of energy disappear, geothermal energy will be a larger
has been used to to temperatures source of power for electricity
generate electricity over 300 degrees centigrade. The Soda needs all over the world.
in northern Italy Lake So remember, next time you
for more than Geothermal see an active volcano, or
100 years! Today, If we drill deep into the earth, to depths of one Power Plant lie soaking in a hot spring
Old Faithful geyser spews out thousands of litres of
to three kilometres, sometimes the drill holes in Nevada,
it powers homes, boiling water over 30 metres high for 1.5-5 minutes! somewhere, you might be right
USA. Photo
businesses and Photo by Monica Belko. run into that super-hot water and the water on top of a future source of
by Ross
schools in more rises through the drill holes to the surface. As Beaty. electricity for your home or
than 28 countries soon as the water hits the surface, it expands school! Hot stuff!!
including the USA, rapidly and turns to steam, just like in a kettle
Mexico, Philippines, that boils water.
Indonesia and
Kenya, and even in Ross Beaty is a Vancouver geologist who has worked extensively in the mineral exploration and mining industry. Currently he is
small Iceland where The steam can be used to turn a propeller President and CEO of Magma Energy Corp., a geothermal energy company with an operating plant in Nevada and a large portfolio of
geothermal heat is called a turbine and – presto – electricity geothermal development projects in the USA, Nicaragua, Chile, Peru and Argentina. www.magmaenergycorp.com
used to generate is generated! The electricity can then be
sent anywhere we need it. The best thing For many years Ross was Geology Section leader for Nature Vancouver (Vancouver Natural History Society). Recently, he initiated the
more than 25
new Beaty Biodiversity Centre and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at UBC, due to open in late 2009. On display will be the skeleton of a
percent of the A volcanic fissure and lava channel. about geothermal energy is that it is the Blue Whale. More than 2 million specimens of plants, insects, fish, vertebrates, fungi, and fossils will showcase BC’s stunning natural history.
country’s electricity needs. cleanest form of energy! It creates almost no You can find more at www.beatymuseum.ubc.ca and a video on Youtube. Definitely something to put on your family’s ‘to-do’ list!
The Olympics are
coming! VaNCOUVER
Let’s hear it for Island How did Vancouver
Island Marmots make a
the wild. Just like the year, WWF-Canada and
Olympians, the marmots Environment Canada
Marmot
comeback? For one thing, love the ski hills! paid for tracking devices
Mukmuk, the
they fly! Well, they don’t for the marmots.
Vancouver Island fly like Sumi but like real This acclimatization is
Marmot. Olympians, in airplanes. all part of the Vancouver It is so important that
By Crystal Reid, Vancouver Island Island Marmot National this support continues.
True Olympian makes Marmot Shepherd Marmots are raised in Recovery Plan, started in The marmots really
amazing come-back! the Toronto Zoo, Calgary 1994. Happily, the Plan is need us. With help from
Zoo and the Mountain on target - reproduction, everyone, we can build
View Conservation and hibernation survival, on current numbers and
Excitement abounds as the 2010 are looking up - from
Breeding Centre in BC. appropriate habitat use, reach the goal of 400-
Winter Olympics approach. Young fewer than 30 in 2003,
These breeding centres weight gain over the 600 marmots in the wild
British Columbians and children around there are now between
help Vancouver Island summer, social behaviour which should be a self-
the world wonder if a Vancouver 140 and 160 Vancouver
Marmots raise healthy and recognizing predators sustaining population.
Island Marmot, named Mukmuk, will Island marmots in the
families and when the - all are developing well.
attend the festivities. Right now, the wild.
young marmots are big Quatchi, Sumi and Miga
only Olympic mascots are Quatchi
enough they are flown Many years and many are based on animals
(representing Sasquatch), Sumi (who I came to know the
home toVancouver Island. resources have gone of fantasy. Let’s hope
flies with Thunderbird wings) and Miga Vancouver Island
towards this project. that the Vancouver
(part sea-bear, part whale). Mukmuk, Marmot when I was
While athletes train for The main supporters Island marmot remains,
the only character based on a live hired as a ‘marmot
the Olympics at Mount have been the BC by contrast, a reality.
British Columbia animal, is designated shepherd’ for Vancouver
Crystal with telemetry equipment - which can be used Washington Alpine Government (including If Mukmuk was a true
as a sidekick, not an official mascot. Island marmots in 2004. to find the marmots. Photo by David Reid. resort, Vancouver Island the BC Conservation mascot, every Olympics
It’s a hard job, but so
Marmots coming from Corps), Timberwest, visitor would know
As Canada’s most endangered mammal, much fun! Marmot bodies are amazing. From mid-
breeding centres also train Island Timberlands, BC about Vancouver Island
the Vancouver Island Marmot deserves September to mid-April, they do not
at Mount Washington. To Hydro Bridge Coastal Marmots and they would
celebration. It is endemic to Vancouver It might surprise you to know that eat. Imagine not eating at all during the
prepare for independent Fish and Wildlife say “The world cannot let
Island and does not occur anywhere marmots can engage in a variety of coldest months of the year! Though
living, marmots must Restoration Program, such a beautiful creature
else in the world. There are only five Olympic sports. They can swim; they they sleep for most of the winter in
acclimatize to local Mount Washington disappear!”
land mammal species endemic to can stand on their hind legs and box their burrows under the snow, they
weather and elevation Alpine and Ski Resort,
Canada, making the Vancouver Island each other; they can quickly climb near- sometimes get up to urinate and may
for at least a year before BC Wildlife Federation
marmot very special indeed. vertical rocks; and with their noses, disturb family and friends sleeping A marmot whistling - a sound that can be used to warn
being released into and people like you. Last
they can push boulders the size of with them. During hibernation their other marmots of danger. Photo by Crystal Reid..
This marmot was first discovered in their own bodies. They can also travel heart rate is as low as 3 to 4 beats
1910. Its numbers have declined greatly fast over long distances. Swimming, per minute but it goes up to 110 when
due to landscape changes and altered climbing, boxing, long distance hikers they awake and then to over 200 in
predator-prey relationships. But things – these marmots are true Olympians! the summer!
Crystal Reid, B.Sc. has been captivated by animals from a child. She started volunteering at an early age to help animals. Since then she has
worked with animals in the United States and Canada, including cougars, wolves, caribou, various fish species and two species of marmots
- Olympic Marmots (Marmota olympus) and Vancouver Island Marmots (Marmota vancouverensis). She has an Honours status in her
The beautiful marmot reserve. Photo by David Reid.
Post-Baccalaureate/Diploma Certificate in Fish and Wildlife Technology.
HAVE YOU WONDERED WHAT
HAPPENS TO THE THINGS YOU
PUT OUT FOR RECYCLING?
Chances are, you’ve worn
PLASTIC them, sat on them, eaten from
As you know, all recyclable plastic them, or walked on them
items have a number on them. without even realizing it!
Depending on that number, plastic MAGAZINES
can be recycled into: AND PAPER
• Auto parts, paintbrushes, • All kinds of writing paper and
industrial paints. envelopes, paper for computers
• Garbage cans, recycling bins, and copiers, loose-leaf filler
garden furniture, patio deck; paper, padded mailers and even
detergent and engine oil handbags!
bottles;. • A special board used for door
• Fleece for clothing – this panels and furniture - it has a
is pretty amazing. Plastic core of paper covered with a
is chopped up into flakes, veneer of wood. This material is
cleaned, dried and melted. The why some furniture is so light.
melted plastic is squeezed out
into long strands of fibre to be
spun into yarn and woven to
make fleece material. Twenty-
five two-litre drink bottles
make one jacket.
• This fibre can also be used
to make felt, carpets,
mattresses, blankets,
hammocks and
insulation for NEWSPAPER
sleeping bags. • Newsprint, wrapping paper, sheet
rock facing.
GLASS • Moulded packaging (egg cartons,
Glass is 100% recyclable – some uses are: take-out food containers).
• Fibreglass for insulation in attics
• Outdoors: tiles, paving stones, planters.
• Indoors: dinnerware, pull knobs for
drawers, kitchen counter tops.
N NEWS
L
Now he is a well-known nature tour
ASK AL
leader and photographer. Al especially
likes birds, insects and spiders.
Great
Why do woodpeckers peck on street
lamps? Recently we’ve seen many
Books say that fireflies live all over
the world.They were common in Brian Fisher was a member of the Bear
Young Naturalists’ Club of Northern
working very hard on top of the
lamps of Point Grey (in Vancouver).
Julie’s urban childhood in Montreal.
We have never seen any in Vancouver.
Vancouver Island and, although he moved
to Penticton, he has very much kept the
Rainforest
ocean near to his heart.
Why do they waste their effort on Why? -Julie and Malka (age 7) He is sharing what he
metal? -Julie and Malka (age 7) learned about chemicals
Pond
Entomologists tell us that
ending up in the ocean
It does seem strange that a woodpecker like the flicker the Firefly Family is very
as far and wide as he can,
would peck at metal rather than wood - after all it’s not a large with more than 2,000
always with the message of
‘metalpecker’! And many people know that the hammering known in species world-wide.
“what you can do to make
Poke
sound travels very long distances indeed, and can be very Fireflies, or ‘lightening bugs’
a difference”.
loud. This is especially true if the woodpecker is doing are neither flies nor bugs, but
it on the roof top above your bedroom at four in the are in the Beetle Order. They
For two years he has
morning! are famous for their ability
entered local science fairs
to produce light by a process
to share what he knows
But why do they do it? Think about the time of year when called bioluminescence.
about bioaccumulation
this happens. It’s spring (the breeding season). This is an in British Columbia’s
excellent way of declaring your territory and of attracting The good news is that you
Fireflies from the Genus killer whales. This year his
a mate. Of course woodpeckers use other surfaces to can find fireflies in southern
Ellychnia don’t produce light purpose was:
drum as well, including trees that make good sounding BC. Around Vancouver, the and are are active during the
boards, metal mail boxes and the flashing around chimney commonly seen firefly is day. Photos by Anthea Farr.
“To create awareness
and roof tops. black with red or orange
about how the use
‘C-shaped’ marks behind the head (pronotum). It has pacific white-sided
of daily household harbour
been called the Pacific Northwest Firefly (Ellychnia sp.) or
products are
humpback
Black Lampyrid. The sad news is that neither the minke
directly affecting our blue
ature adult nor larvae glows - (Peter Haggard and Judy
If you have a n oceans and all of its
sei
Haggard Insects of the Pacific Northwest, Cryptogram
or
question, email page 71).
inhabitants, specifically Cetacean-
write to Al at: the population of the
ail.com
yncnaturewild@hotm On a recent
Southern Resident
r Road Have any comments
1620 Mount Seymou Orca.”
V7G 2R9 Nicomekl YNC field
North Vancouver, BC trip in May to Derby Photo by Robyn Fisher. or questions?
He won the Silver Medal Email the YNC at
Reach Regional Park
for the Grade 7/8 level info@ync.ca
(near Fort Langley in
Woodpeckers in the Central Okanagan
the Fraser Valley), a number
like this Regional Science Fair as
Northern of these fireflies were
well as cash prizes from
Flicker love to discovered in the forest leaf
the local BC Nature
peck at metal litter.
poles If you see Club and Chevron
one, listen for Canada.
the drumming
From my search of the
sound. internet and insect field
Congratulations Brian!
Photo by Jude there is much to be learned
Grass. about our local fireflies.
14 15
Weather-word
Weather in summer isn’t all just sunny days! Find out more
about summer weather by completing this wordsearch:
BREEZE
CLOUDS
DEW
DRIZZLE
DROUGHT
FROST
HAIL
HAZE
HEAT
HUMIDITY
LIGHTNING
MICROBURST
RAIN
RAINBOW
SMOG
SUNSHINE
THUNDER
WIND
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