College Connections

February 2026

Welcome to the February issue of College Connections.

This month is an important time to consider the strength and diversity in our workplaces and in our province. Consider attending events or doing some learning on the following topics:


Please take note of the ongoing reminders.

Reminders:

For news and updates, follow us on social media:

https://www.facebook.com/CollegeofAppliedBiologists https://www.linkedin.com/company/college-of-applied-biologists/

We respect and acknowledge that the College’s office and its registrants operate within the Traditional Territories of the Indigenous Peoples of BC.

 

In this Issue


Nominations for 2026 College Board Elections Close on February 16

The 2026 nominations process for 2026 Board elections closes at 4pm on February 16.

Download the Prospective Nominee Form here

The College is seeking good communicators and team players that are interested in running for the Board. Board members contribute to the applied biology profession by upholding the public interest while further developing their skills in areas such as governance, financial literacy and strategy.

Positions to be elected this election year include:

  • Vice Chair*
  • One Board Member (three-year term)

*The registrant who is elected to the Vice Chair position on a three-year term shall act as the Vice Chair in the first year of their term, as Chair in their second year, and as Past Chair in their third year.

Nominations will close at 4pm PST on February 16, 2026. Nomination forms must be submitted using the upload tool found here before the deadline to be eligible.

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2026 Conference Registration is Open

The College’s 2026 Conference will be held on April 9-10, 2026 at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC on the traditional lands of the of the Songhees Nation and the Xwsepsum Nation. 

Here's what's available now:

  • A preliminary schedule for the two-day conference, including event receptions
  • Information and the group booking rate for the event hotel, the Hotel Grand Pacific
  • Pricing and registration information for the 2026 Conference
  • A preview of confirmed conference speakers

Read more and register!

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Annual Dues and Late Fees are due

Late fees are now in effect for registrants who have not paid dues for 2026. Please log into the Registrant Portal to pay dues and late fees in order to avoid suspension.

 

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Regulatory Updates and Other Resource Information

Increasing protection of important wildlife habitat: Land is being added to two protected areas
From the Government of BC - Nearly 1,060 hectares is being added to West Twin Protected Area to increase protection of important wildlife habitat across the Robson Valley.

B.C. seeking public input on proposed hunting regulation updates
From the Government of BC - All people in B.C. are invited to give input on proposed updates to hunting and trapping regulations for 2026-28.

New chonic wasting disease case confirmed near Jaffray
From the Government of BC - Chronic wasting disease (CWD) has been confirmed in a white-tailed deer harvested near Jaffray, B.C., marking the ninth confirmed case of the disease in the province.

Canada invests around $7.1 million in climate resilience across the country
From the Government of Canada - On January 15, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities announced about $7.1 million through the Green Municipal Fund’s Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative to fund 80 projects that will support climate adaptation plans, climate-focused asset management strategies, community-wide climate risk assessments, and more in several municipalities across Canada.

Canada forecasts 2026 to be among the hottest years on record
From the Government of Canada - The Government of Canada has released its annual global mean temperature forecast, providing early insight into expected global temperature conditions for 2026. Following record-breaking global heat in 2023 and 2024 and a comparably warm 2025, global temperatures are expected to remain at historically high levels.

If you are aware of a regulatory update or resource, please let us know. All contributors will be acknowledged.
Resources for registrants: COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Short-billed Dowitcher Limnodromus griseus caurinus subspecies – Limnodromus griseus caurinus hendersoni/griseus – Limnodromus griseus hendersoni/griseus in Canada
Resources for registrants: COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis in Canada
Resources for registrants: Engagement and consultation regarding the potential listings of three Southern BC Chinook salmon designatable units under the Species at Risk Act - Individuals can provide feedback until February 13, 2026.
Resources for registrants: State of Salmon 2025 Report
Resources for registrants: State of Canada's Birds 2024 Report
Resources for registrants: Natural Solutions Initiative Regulatory Mechanisms Toolkit
Resources for registrants: Field Guide for Estimating Carbon Stocks in Wetlands
Resources for registrants: Natural Solutions Initiative Multi-Benefit Indicators Tool, V.1
Resources for registrants: Arctic Grayling: Synthesis Report and Monitoring Framework
Resources for registrants: For Our Future: Indigenous Resilience Report
Resources for registrants: B.C. Flood Strategy
Resources for registrants: Consideration of Climate Change in Mine Reclamation Planning (Ministry of Mining and Critical Methods)
Resources for registrants: Fish-Stream Identification Handbook: Guidance to Support Forestry Stream Classification
Resources for registrants: Invasive Species Strategy for British Columbia (Invasive Species Council of BC)
Resources for registrants:  Professional Practice Notice: Professional Practice Guidelines Related to Riparian Area Assessment
Resources for registrants: Management Plan for the Mountain Crab-eye (Acroscyphus sphaerophoroides) in Canada (CWS)
Resources for registrants: Consultation on Amending the List of Species under the Species at Risk Act: Aquatic Species January 2025
Resources for registrants: Species at Risk Act (SARA) Section 11 Conservation Agreements for the Conservation of the Southern Mountain Caribou
Resources for Registrants: Minister Response: COSEWIC species at risk assessments - January 2025
Resources for Registrants: Management Plan for the Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) in Canada
Resources for Registrants: 2025 BC Environment Industry Guide
Resources for Registrants: Recovery Strategy for the Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee (Bombus bohemicus) in Canada (Final)
Resources for Registrants: Amended Recovery Strategy for the Spotted Owl caurina subspecies (Strix occidentalis caurina) in Canada (Final)
Resources for Registrants: Progress Report on Steps Taken for Protecton of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada (October 2024 - March 2025)
Resources for Registrants: COSEWIC List of wildlife species assessed (including October 2024)
Resources for Registrants: Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey – Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada (Aug. 5, 2025)
Resources for Registrants: Wetland Plants of British Columbia, v.3 (free download)

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Events and Notices

This feature highlights notices from the Events Calendar on the College website. Event, course and professional development listings on the College website are now a paid service. Submit an event listing here.

Courses listed below do not imply endorsement by the College. Refer to the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standard for information. It is a registrant's responsibility to ensure CPD activities align with the CPD Standard when claiming points.

COLLEGE OF APPLIED BIOLOGISTS 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE
April 9-10, Victoria and online

INDIGENOUS RESOURCE OPPORTUNITIES CONFERENCE
June 3 - 6, Nanaimo

BAT ACOUSTICS TRAINING
June 15-19, Kamloops

FIRE EFFECTS MONITORING WORKSHOP
June 22-24, Kelowna

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Job Postings

Postings from the College website with imminent closing dates are featured below. Additional postings are regularly added to the College's employment postings page. If you or your company are interested in posting a job, you can do so here.

WILDLIFE DISCIPLINE LEAD
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $44.50–$67.00
Hiring Organization: AJM Environmental Inc.
Location: Calgary, Alberta

PROGRAM ASSISTANT WILDLIFE - WATERSHED PLANNING & MONITORING
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $31.39–$33.57
Hiring Organization: Capital Regional District
Location: Langford, BC

ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $58,240.00–$66,560.00
Hiring Organization: Roe Environmental Inc.
Location: Squamish, BC

MANAGER, AQUATICS
Closing date for resume submission: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Salary: $115,000.00–$143,000.00
Hiring Organization: Hatfield
Location: Vancouver

INTERMEDIATE ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST - FISHERIES & AQUATICS
Closing date for resume submission: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Salary: $75,000.00–$95,000.00
Hiring Organization: Hatfield
Location: Vancouver

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST - FISHERIES & AQUATICS
Closing date for resume submission: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Salary: $95,000.00–$110,000.00
Hiring Organization: Hatfield
Location: Vancouver

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $89,606.00–$133,395.00
Hiring Organization: Ecofor Consulting Ltd.
Location: Prince George, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, BC, Whitehorse, YT, or Remote

SENIOR BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $98,570.00–$121,268.00
Hiring Organization: Ecofor Consulting Ltd.
Location: Prince George, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, BC, Whitehorse, YT, or Remote

INTERMEDIATE BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $39.16–$48.18
Hiring Organization: Ecofor Consulting Ltd.
Location: Prince George, Fort St. James, Fort St. John, BC, Whitehorse, YT, or Remote

PROJECT MANAGER AND RESEARCHER (ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES)
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $90,000.00–$115,000.00
Hiring Organization: TallSky Consulting
Location: Vancouver or Victoria

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $42.00–$65.00
Hiring Organization: DWB Consulting Services Ltd.
Location: Williams Lake, BC

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $85,000.00–$110,000.00
Hiring Organization: Peninsula Streams Society
Location: Victoria, BC

The College website contains 12 postings at this time, view all here.

 

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Sunset on the Elk River. Photo by Lindsay Watson, RPBio.

Sunset on the Elk River. Photo by Lindsay Watson, RPBio.

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