College Hosting Information Session in Vancouver on November 26, 2026

The free session will explore the complaints and investigations process and what registrants need to know.

Join the College's new CEO, Board members, and staff for an update by the CEO on current College initiatives and developments affecting the profession, followed by a practical and interactive discussion led by the Registrar on the complaints and discipline process and your role as a professional. Attendees will gain a practical understanding of what happens when concerns are raised about professional practice, what to expect if they become involved in a complaint matter, and the rights and responsibilities of those participating in the process.

Whether you are an experienced registrant, a new professional, a student, or an employer, this session will provide practical insights into an important aspect of professional regulation that most people know little about until they encounter it firsthand.

The evening will also provide opportunities to connect with colleagues, Board members, and College staff before and after the presentation. The session will be held at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel in downtown Vancouver on November 26, 2026. The agenda includes:

• 5pm: Networking reception, with complimentary appetizers and beverages
• 5:30pm: A 45-minute open information session (free and open to registrants and non-registrants) with the new CEO and College staff on the complaints and discipline process
• 6:15 - 6:45pm: Networking reception

Registration is required. Please register using the College portal: log in, then click the Events tab at the top of your registrant portal homepage.

Submission of CPD Statement for 2026

Registrants must submit their 2026 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) statement in order to pay registrant dues for 2027. 

The CPD Program is described in Part 7, Division 2 of the College Bylaws and in Policy 7-100.

Requirements for registrants are set out in the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Standard.

Participation in the CPD Program is mandatory for all practicing and in-training registrants, including those registered as on leave.

Registrants are reminded to review the CPD Standard to ensure they have met annual reporting requirements and three-year point requirements, including Indigenous Awareness and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion learning requirements.

CPD statements for 2026 may be entered up to and including December 31, 2026.

Complete your CPD statement in the Registrant Portal.

If you have any questions about CPD, please refer to the CPD Standard or contact Sue Owen, Senior Manager of Practice, at sue.owen@cab-bc.org.

2027 Registration Dues Payable

Payment for 2027 registration dues is now open 

All registrants have received a dues notification at the email address listed in their Registrant Portal profile. Please ensure your email address is up to date. For more information about paying your dues, watch for updates in College Connections, College Notices, and on the College website.

Before You Pay Your Dues

Please review the following reminders before completing your renewal:

• Submit your 2026 CPD statement.
• Check your primary email address.
  The College recommends using a personal email address for College communications. This helps ensure you continue to receive important regulatory information and maintain access to the Registrant Portal if you change employers.
• Consider adding an alternate email address.
• Make sure your email address can receive messages.
• Submit any proof of name change if you have changed your name in the past year. You can do so by submitting an updated ID verification through the Registrant Portal and sending your proof of name change to registrar_office@cab-bc.org.

It is the registrant’s responsibility to keep their personal information updated on their Registrant Portal profile.

Are You Considering a Change of Registration Status?

If you plan to go on leave, retire or resign before the end of the year, please visit the Change Status webpage or contact registrar_office@cab-bc.org. Please note that the portal does not include the options to apply in advance or retroactively, so please plan accordingly.

Regulatory Updates and Other Resource Information

Riparian Areas Protection Regulation (RAPR) - Province of British Columbia

RAPR Local Government Resource Guidebook
Amendments to the RAPR (2027 RAPR) were approved by Order in Council in February 2026 and will come into force on January 1, 2027. These amendments include:

1. New and clearer definitions
2. A new development assessment process (Rapid Assessment) for certain low-risk developments
3. New low-risk developments
4. Increased exemptions
5. Improved clarity and expectations around naturally restricted areas
6. A new Condition and Impact Assessment process for unauthorized works
7. Improved clarity and expectations around undue hardship

(Thanks to Cayla Naumann, RPBio for sharing this notice.)

Government of Canada proposes listing several aquatic species under the Species at Risk Act

From the Government of Canada - On October 9, the Minister of Fisheries, the Honourable Joanne Thompson, announced that the Government of Canada is proposing to add or reclassify 15 aquatic species populations under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Canada to advance global nature conservation and climate action at upcoming United Nations conferences
From the Government of Canada - The Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature, will lead Canada’s efforts as Head of Delegation at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) and the 31st meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP31).

Two recreational fishers fined $8,750 for retaining rockfish during a closed period and exceeding catch limits
From the Government of Canada - A tip from the public helped lead to convictions and fines totalling $8,750 for illegal fishing near Port Hardy, B.C. On July 29, 2026, in Port Hardy Provincial Court, Xiao Dong Liu was convicted of exceeding the daily fish quota and fishing during a closed period and was fined $4,500. His co-accused, Yongjie Li, was convicted of the same offences, as well as failing to produce a licence, and was fined $4,250. The charges followed a complaint to the Observe, Record and Report (ORR) line on March 12, 2025, about suspected illegal fishing near the shoreline and at a marina in Hardy Bay.

Government of Canada releases the national strategy to address environmental racism and advance environmental justice
From the Government of Canada - On October 23, Environment and Climate Change Canada published Canada’s National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice 2026–2031. It is the first national strategy of its kind in Canada and aims to guide the federal government and partners in advancing environmental justice and addressing environmental racism across the country.

Prince Rupert man fined $7,500 for possessing endangered Northern Abalone
From the Government of Canada - On August 5, 2026, in Prince Rupert Provincial Court, Caylin James Holland was convicted and fined $7,500 for illegally possessing Northern Abalone, an endangered species protected under Canada’s Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Amendment to Species at Risk Act
From the Government of Canada - On Wednesday, October 7, 2026, an order to amend Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) was published in Part II of the Canada Gazette for the Canada Warbler and six other wildlife species.

Species reclassified on Schedule 1 of SARA:

• Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) (threatened). Range: YK, NWT, NU, BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, QC, NB, PEI, NS, NL
• Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) (special concern). Range: AB, SK, MB
• Canada Warbler (Cardellina canadensis) (special concern). Range: AB, BC, MB, NB, NWT, NS, ON, PEI, QC, SK, YK
• Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) (special concern). Range: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NWT, NS, NU, ON, PEI, QC, SK, YK
• Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) (special concern). Range: AB, BC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PEI, QC, SK
• Eastern Whip-poor-will (Antrostomus vociferus) (special concern). Range: MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI, QC, SK

Species removed from Schedule 1 of SARA:

• Great Blue Heron fannini subspecies (Ardea Herodias fannini). Range: BC

If you are aware of a regulatory update or resource, please let us know. All contributors will be acknowledged.

Resources for registrants: 

• Regulations Amending the Authorizations Concerning Fish and Fish Habitat Protection Regulations: SOR/2026-144
• Progress Towards the Implementation of the Recovery Strategy for the Slender Popcornflower (Plagiobothrys tenellus) for the Period 2021 to 2025
• Second Amending Agreement to the Canada British Columbia Conservation Agreement for Southern Mountain Caribou in British Columbia
• Coho Salmon (interior Fraser designatable unit): Consultations on listing under the Species at Risk Act
• Multi-species Action Plan for Kootenay National Park of Canada [Proposed]
• BC Cumulative Effects Framework (BC CEF) website
• Canada's Strategy to Protect Nature
• Pacific Freshwater Temperature Monitoring Map for British Columbia and the Yukon
• The Canadian Peatland Data Portal
• 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
• Lewis’s Woodpecker Melanerpes lewis: COSEWIC assessment and status report 2024
• State of Salmon 2025 Report
• State of Canada's Birds 2024 Report
• Exploring Conservation Finance: Insights and Opportunities for BC Watersheds
• Natural Solutions Initiative Regulatory Mechanisms Toolkit
• Field Guide for Estimating Carbon Stocks in Wetlands
• Natural Solutions Initiative Multi-Benefit Indicators Tool, V.1
• For Our Future: Indigenous Resilience Report
• Consideration of Climate Change in Mine Reclamation Planning (Ministry of Mining and Critical Methods)
• Fish-Stream Identification Handbook: Guidance to Support Forestry Stream Classification
• Invasive Species Strategy for British Columbia 2024-2028 (Invasive Species Council of BC)
• Professional Practice Notice: Professional Practice Guidelines Related to Riparian Area Assessment
• Management Plan for the Mountain Crab-eye (Acroscyphus sphaerophoroides) in Canada (CWS)
• Species at Risk Act (SARA) Section 11 Conservation Agreements for the Conservation of the Southern Mountain Caribou
• Minister Response: COSEWIC species at risk assessments - January 2025
• Management Plan for the Cassin’s Auklet (Ptychoramphus aleuticus) in Canada
• Recovery Strategy for the Gypsy Cuckoo Bumble Bee (Bombus bohemicus) in Canada (Final)
• Amended Recovery Strategy for the Spotted Owl caurina subspecies (Strix occidentalis caurina) in Canada (Final)
• Progress Report on Steps Taken for Protecton of Critical Habitat for Species at Risk in Canada (October 2024 - March 2025)
• COSEWIC List of wildlife species assessed (including October 2024)
• Report on the Progress of Recovery Strategy Implementation for the Western Brook Lamprey – Morrison Creek Population (Lampetra richardsoni) in Canada (Aug. 5, 2025)
• Wetland Plants of British Columbia, v.3 (free download)

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.

RX-310 INTRODUCTION TO FIRE EFFECTS
Self-paced, Online

GEOENVIROPRO TALKS: BEYOND GUIDELINES: USING MULTIPLE LINES OF EVIDENCE TO SCREEN ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS IN SALMON HABITAT
November 18, Online

GEOENVIROPRO TALKS: WHERE TO DRAW THE LINE: HOW TOXICITY TESTS ARE USED TO DERIVE GENERIC AND SITE-SPECIFIC NUMERICAL LIMITS FOR CONTAMINANTS
November 25, Online

REPORTING BEST PRACTICES FOR RIPARIAN ASSESSMENTS IN BC
January 13-15, Online

COLLEGE OF APPLIED BIOLOGISTS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2027
April 7-9, Penticton and Online

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. 

CONTRACT INSTRUCTOR
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $70,000.00–$70,000.00
Hiring Organization: Vancouver Island University-Natural Resources Extension Program
Location: Various-British Columbia

SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL COORDINATOR
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $109,700.00–$138,700.00
Hiring Organization: BC Hydro
Location: Burnaby

ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGER 1
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $109,700.00–$138,700.00
Hiring Organization: BC Hydro
Location: Prince George

JUNIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SPECIALIST-REMEDIATION & RECLAMATION
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $32.00–$44.00
Hiring Organization: KINTERA (formerly DWB/Chartwell)
Location: Fort St. John, British Columbia

PROFESSIONAL BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $100,000.00–$150,000.00
Hiring Organization: Ecocan Environmental
Location: Remote

MANAGER, ENVIRONMENT PERMITTING & REGULATION
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $131,100.00–$165,800.00
Hiring Organization: BC Hydro
Location: Burnaby, BC

INTERMEDIATE BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $80,000.00–$100,000.00
Hiring Organization: Consus Management Ltd
Location: Williams Lake or Vernon, BC

INTERMEDIATE MARINE SCIENTIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $75,000.00–$95,000.00
Hiring Organization: Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd.
Location: Port Moody, BC

SENIOR MARINE SCIENTIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $40.00–$65.00
Hiring Organization: Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd.
Location: Port Moody, BC

FIXED TERM LEAD MARINE MAMMAL & HYDROACOUSTIC MONITORING LEAD
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $40.00–$65.00
Hiring Organization: Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd.
Location: Port Moody, BC

HYDRO ACOUSTICS & FISH DETECTION BIOLOGIST
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $30.00–$40.00
Hiring Organization: Dynamic Ocean Consulting Ltd.
Location: Port Moody, BC

NATURAL RESOURCE SPECIALIST 4
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $104,800.00–$112,800.00
Hiring Organization: BC Hydro
Location: Burnaby, BC

ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAM LEAD
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $97,100.00–$114,200.00
Hiring Organization: FortisBC
Location: Surrey or Kelowna, BC

OPERATIONS MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
Closing date for resume submission: Open until filled
Salary: $100,000.00–$100,000.00
Hiring Organization: Archipelago Marine Research
Location: Victoria BC

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

Featured Photo

A pair of pileated woodpeckers (Dryocopus pileatus) on a rotting Western Hemlock stump (Gambier Island, BC). Photo by R. Scott Hanna, RPBio.

College registrants are invited to submit high resolution photos with captions for use in College publications (College Matters, College Connections, Annual Report) to admin@cab-bc.org. Photos will be credited.

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