For those wanting to walk on the wild side, check out the Waneta Plaza this week as the Trail Wildlife Association (TWA) gets set to host its fourth annual wildlife awareness week.
Beginning Monday and running through until Saturday, the plaza will be percolating with various outdoor organizations and interested groups including the West Kootenay Fly-fishing Club, Bear Aware, West Kootenay ATV Club, the Ft. Shepherd Land Conservancy, West Kootenay Marksmen and Cowboys, the Metis, River Days organizers, CO’s, various carvers and painters, and Trail’s 44th Engineer Squadron, who will be there at different times throughout the week.
President Terry Hanik says it’s a great opportunity for residents to see what it is the TWA and other organizations do to help with conservation and recreation in the West Kootenay.
The TWA is also on the look out for new members of the executive, and is particularly interested in signing up young people and women, as well as establishing an online presence.
“We’re really interested in younger people, everybody is getting older on the executive, so we need younger people in our club to carry on what all of us have been doing,” said Hanik. “We’re especially hoping women will come forward and join the club.”
A course in Nelson will be offered on “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” this summer, that introduces residents to a variety of outdoor pursuits such as fly fishing, shooting, canoeing, hiking, and more.
“It’s a little bit of everything,” says Hanik.
During the wildlife week, the TWA and West Kootenay Big Game Society will be offering memberships, in addition to selling tickets for its fundraiser to enhance wildlife habitat.
Membership does have its privileges, says Hanik, which includes a B.C. Wildlife Federation membership, discounts on insurance and merchandise, access to the Trail shooting range, and members can be part of exciting outdoor programs such as the Salmo Sheep feeding program, the mountain goat transplant program, and other conservation initiatives.
The TWA actively endeavours to protect B.C. forests, soils, waters, and natural habitat of fish and wildlife, to inform and educate, and encourage all forms of recreation.
Find out more by stopping by the Waneta Plaza and talk to its members and affiliate organizations.
The TWA will also have its annual general meeting on Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. at the Local 480 Hall with special guest Paul Rasmussen, Director of Resource management.
For more information contact Hanik at 364-1838.