The Nicola Naturalists had their annual Christmas Bird Count on the weekend . Wayne Weber a participant here since 1994 in the count ( before the NNS took it on) met with 7 other counters at the AW Sunday at first light ( solstice coming soon). The group left for the count with an expectation and in weather well above freezing. The count is divided into areas and addressed by over 30 members covering different parts.

The context of this years count included Slash burning in the local hills, a protest in favor of oil and pipelines on the Nicola river bridge, A service vehicle form the local gas pipeline operation is spiiffed up, Slash fires on the local sidehills, and little river ice and little snow at city levels.

Nicola Naturalists formed in 2010

The Nicola Naturalist Society, formed in 2010, is based in Merritt, BC. Membership is open to anyone interested in nature, wildlife and the health of the local ecosystems. Along with more than 50 other naturalist clubs in British Columbia we are a member of BC Nature (Federation of BC Naturalists). NNS members receive automatic membership to BC Nature, receive the BC Nature quarterly magazine and can participate in all BC Nature camps, meetings and other events.

Source Nicola Naturalists

On this Day: December 18th 2006

The United Arab Emirates has its first  election.