Sept 14 - Island marmots' baby boom

Good morning !

Details below on the music, and the smoke, in the air this weekend. But first: Good news for the Island's iconic marmot.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 19 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 19 / 12

Monday: ☀️ 16 / 12

7-day forecast

NEWS

Baby boom: Record births for Vancouver Island marmots in the wild

The species, endemic to the Island, appears to be making a comeback from near extinction, with a record 86 pups born in the wild this year. Last year, approx. 60 were born, marking a significant shift for the rodent population in the wild, given that only four were wild-born in 2022.

There are now believed to be well over 300 Vancouver Island marmots living in the wild, a milestone that seemed inconceivable in 2003 when fewer than 30 marmots remained. It’s a significant boost from even two years ago when approximately 200 were living in the wild. 

According to a release from the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Foundation (VIMRA), the pups are spread across 17 colonies and 32 litters. 

“That means about half the current Vancouver Island marmot colonies have litters, and many have multiple litters,” reads the latest VIMRA blog post.

The pups will have their survival tested though—they’ll need to put on enough weight to survive hibernation over the winter, according to VIMRA. There will be a small window for them to eat enough vegetation before it becomes blanketed in snow, usually around Oct.

Captive-born marmots give the population an extra boost

This year, 66 marmots were released into the wild after being raised in captivity through VIMRA’s breeding program. 

Another breeding program at the Calgary Zoo saw 17 pups born in captivity this year, with plans to release them on the Island next year. Last month, the zoo asked for the public’s help to name the pups before they’re released, though the winning names have not yet been announced. Other marmots released on the Island this year were bred at the Toronto Zoo.

Nine marmots were also translocated from the Mount Washington wild colony to a colony in Strathcona Park, ensuring the populations are spread out across the Island’s alpine regions.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Have your say: Take the survey for the CRD Regional Water Supply Strategic Plan.

Road closure: Dallas will be closed between Mile Zero and St. Charles for the 44th annual Terry Fox Run. 10am-12pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Rifflandia returns, with a new home and a new format

Since premiering in 2008, Victoria’s biggest fall festival has gone through various expansions and contractions. In some year's it's been on hiatus; in other years, it's expanded to two locations and two weekends. But this year, for the first time, it won't be at Royal Athletic.

The fest has shifted, this weekend and for the foreseeable future, to the Matullia lands (last year's second location) in Rock Bay: a 1.8-hectare plot controlled jointly by the Songhees and Esquimalt.

After last year's double-dose, “the experience was getting too wide” and the organizing team was getting too worn down, Rifflandia’s president and CEO Nick Blasko told Capital Daily. He also spoke to logistical challenges with the baseball stadium, where grass and stadium shape made access and movement tricky for large infrastructure.

Matullia's layout offers more music in similarly sized space

That means three simultaneously stages rather than the two alternating ones in the Park. Other amenities include a “Kidlandia” children's area, the “Rifflandia Supper Club” food festival, VIP pods, and plenty of orange and blue artificial turf.

Another advantage to the industrial-area site: time. RAP kept the festival to a strict 10pm curfew, but music will run to midnight today and to 11 tomorrow.

 So who is performing?

• TLC, the ‘90s icons who remain the top-selling US girl group ever. (No word on whether scrubs will be denied entry to the show)

• Some of the most celebrated Canadian artists of the ‘00s: Feist, K-OS, Tokyo Police Club's farewell tour, and Broken Social Scene

• Catchy contemporary acts such as Oliver Tree, The Beaches, and REZZ—the glowing-eyed DJ who closed out last night.

• 50+ other artists

• 25 comedians

[More info]

NEWS

If there’s smoke… it’s likely from a controlled burn in Metchosin

Depending on where the wind blows we’ll likely be able to sniff the burn the Defence Department and BC Wildlife Service (BCWS) are conducting near the Canadian Forces Ammunition Depot (CFAD) Rocky Point.

The depot is surrounded by dense forest and brush and can be susceptible to a fire.

“Prescribed burns are effective in achieving several land management objectives for DND including mitigating wildfire risks, maintaining open natural landscapes for military training, and protecting and restoring rare Garry Oak ecosystems which support a large number of species at risk,” the District of Metchosin said in a release.

They’ve been doing these prescribed burns since 2017. The supervised fire eats up combustible leaves, branches, and twigs, lessening the risk of a wildfire.

Up to 50 ha of land in Metchosin and Rocky Point may be burned over the next few days. Because these operations are weather-dependent, the operation could take one to five days to complete. And there will be smoke.

Environment Canada has our air quality at 2 out of 10, which is considered low-risk.

SPONSORED BY EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY OF THE ISLANDS

Intimate, Immersive, Italian!

Experience an unforgettable dinner and opera experience at the Da Vinci Centre this month, featuring some of Europe's finest rising opera stars. This 40th Anniversary celebration is not to be missed. Seating is limited and the deadline to purchase is Sept. 17.

Get your tickets for Sept. 22, 24, 26, or 28. Shows start at 6pm.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦆 Big beak: See the unique bill of a northern shoveler duck,  photographed by Gary Woodburn in Esquimalt. [Facebook photo]

📸 Throwback pic: See the E&N Dayliner, photographed in 1972. [Facebook photo]

🥒 Learn simple, tasty food preservation methods with demonstrations and tastings! Get pickling at a workshop on Sept. 22, from 1:30-3:30pm at Patio Gardens.*

⭐ Michelin approved: Four Island hotels made it into Michelin’s inaugural hotel guide. Topping the list was Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge. 

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Vic General prescribed to go all-digital this morning
At 7am, doctors and nurses were slated to start entering all instructions, medications, and lab requests digitally. More than 100 additional workers are staffing an on-site 24-7 command centre and urgent care centre as the hospital goes fully computerized, following similar upgrades at the Jube earlier this summer. The new system is expected to reduce the number of errors and increase patient safety. [Times Colonist]

Saanich and View Royal councillors back bid to ban glue traps
The BC SPCA has been calling on local governments for years to end the sale of the traps. Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps-Bondaroff and View Royal Coun. John Rogers supported the proposed resolution after hearing a presentation from a BC SPCA supporter. The resolution will be brought to UBCM next week. [Saanich News]

Horned sheep washes up dead on Royal Bay beach
Passersby were surprised by the non-native animal carcass, which conservationists have identified as a domestic mouflon ram rather than a wild sheep.

🗓️ Things to do

👟Terry Fox Run: Dallas to St. Charles and back. There are no entry fees, and while donations are encouraged, there are no minimum donations required. Tomorrow. Mile Zero/Terry Fox statue. 10am. [Info]

🏒 Victoria Royals ‘24-25 Season Kickoff: Meet the players & coaching staff and get excited for the Home Opener on Sept. 20. Ship Point. Today. 2pm. [Info]

🌽Vic West Corn Roast: Munch on delicious roasted and boiled corn, sip fresh apple juice made from Vic West apples, visit with friends and neighbours while local musicians perform. Raynor & Craigflower. Tomorrow. 12-4pm. [Info]

🍨Big Brothers Big Sisters Open House: Come for a BBQ, ice cream, activities, crafts, community spirit, and more. 230 Bay. Today. 11am-3pm. [Info]

🎭 Field Research: Two one-act plays by Nicholas Guerreiro, Annie Konstantinov, and Ryan Kniel. Intrepid Theatre Company Society. Today. 2pm. & 7pm. [Info]

🏮 Autumn Lantern Festival 2024: Come dressed up with your own battery-lit lantern creations or visit the lantern-making station ($5 for a small lantern kit - open until 7:30pm). Gordon Head Rec Centre. Today. 5-8:30pm. [Info]

🍞 Sourdough workshop: Join Megan Hennis for a comprehensive sourdough baking class where you will learn to create a loaf from start to finish. Victoria Public Market. Tomorrow. 5-8pm. [Info] 

🍷🖌️ Pinot & Paint Night: Sip on complimentary wine while painting your masterpiece at Oaklands Community Centre. Tonight. 6-9pm. [Info]

🎵 Siglo de Oro: Renaissance Reflections: The UK choir makes its Canadian debut with a concert of beautiful music from the Renaissance to today. Christ Church Cathedral. Today. 7:30-9:30pm. [Info]

💻 Strictlyroots & Clean Heart Youth present Komasava: Showcasing Dj Rexx with the best spinning dancehall, reggae, and soca. Victoria Event Centre. Tonight. 10pm-2am. [Info]

🎭 In Sight Festival: In its third year, the fest will showcase local performing and visual artists including special cultural performances. Meadow Park. Today & tomorrow. 10am-4pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Salish Sea too noisy for killer whales to hunt. [Capital Daily]

Victoria author Jane Bow nominated for UK literary award. [Capital Daily]

Friday’s headlines: Transportation group boss Wilson tries politics; Parking problems in Oaklands; Find out what friggatriskaidekaphobia means; And more. [Sept. 13]

Rare Gnome plant: No stem. No leaves. No kidding. [Photos]