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BCWF
11-28-2016, 10:29 AM
Citizen scientists armed with a new weapon against polluters and poachers: the BCWF Conservation App and Website.

Available to iPhone users, the new Conservation App makes it easy for users to take geo-referenced, time-stamped photos or videos and to report issues related to illegal use, or abuse, of natural resources. The app works both in and out of service areas using the phone’s GPS. Reports are sent to a secure server and then forwarded automatically to the appropriate enforcement agency.

Millions of British Columbians recreate and work in the backcountry who are passionate about conserving and protecting our natural resources.

The BCWF President Jim Glaicar said, "We created the BCWF Conservation App to give all British Columbians a tool to allow us to fulfill our individual responsibility as citizens in changing the way we see, use, conserve, protect and value our natural landscape."

The mobile app and website was created by the Spatial Information for Community Engagement (SpICE) Lab at the University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus in Kelowna.

Download the app and visit the BCWF mapping website, which is a public site that will display environmental abuses submitted by users, increasing awareness about the threats facing fish and wildlife around the province.

When a user sends a report, they will have the ability to make the report public or confidential. The goal of making these reports public is to raise awareness to these issues and help prevent further violations. If the user chooses “public”, a moderator will then review the report to determine if it should be placed on the public website. Personal information of the app user who reported the violation will not be disclosed on the public website. Registered users may also report violations via the website.

“As researchers interested in collaborative science with real-world applications, we are pleased to be part of this important conservation effort,” said SpICE director Jon Corbett. “We look forward to seeing how an app developed in our lab is able to help the efforts of the 50,000 BCWF members, interested members of the public, and the enforcement agencies they assist.”

Support for this project was provided in part through the Okanagan Basin Water Board’s Water Conservation and Quality Improvement Grant Program and its public outreach and education program, Okanagan WaterWise.

“We are very pleased to support this initiative,” said Corinne Jackson, OBWB’s Communications Director. “We have seen an increasing number of issues in our backcountry, but also in the valley bottom, from ATVs and dirt-bikes being driven on dams and through wetlands, to dumping of household garbage in and near creeks, damage to riparian and fish habitat, and more. These types of activities are hurting aquatic habitat and sensitive ecosystems. They are also happening in what are often sources of drinking water to local residents. We see this app and website as important tools in raising awareness and helping protect these areas.”

Rick Simpson, from the BCWF Region 8 Okanagan, encourages everyone to download the free app and to provide feedback to the development team. Simpson said, “By using the app to text your observations you are helping, in a big way, our thinly stretched enforcement people to avoid wasting valuable follow-up response time, by pinpointing the specific geo-location, time, date, and capturing an image of your observed infractions. This is an exciting time for conservation.”

Doug Forsdick, Chief Conservation Officer, B.C. Conservations Officer Service, said the COS appreciates the new app. "British Columbians are passionate about protecting their environment, wildlife and natural resources. We welcome more eyes and ears across the province to help guard against illegal activities that can harm our ecosystems and beautiful natural spaces. Thank you to the BC Wildlife Federation for bringing public awareness to ongoing conservation efforts."


Violation Types:

For ease of reporting and ensuring the reports go to the appropriate enforcement agency, a number of standard violation types have been identified. If a user is unsure what category to choose, they can select the “Other” option.

• Water

Examples include: suspicious or illegal pumps in creeks, illegal water withdrawal/use, or reporting a watercraft (motorized or not) travelling into B.C. which has not been inspected for invasive zebra or quagga mussels.

• Environmental Pollution

Examples include: illegal dumping of household materials, dumping a foreign substance such as waste water into a water body, or burning outside of permitted times or without a permit.

• Environmental Damage

Examples include: destruction of fish or riparian habitat, illegal road/trail construction, illegal off-road vehicle use, mud-bogging, dumping contaminated waste, or operating a motorized vehicle above elevation restrictions.

• Wildlife

Examples include: hunting out of season, hunting in a closed area, discharging a firearm in a no-shooting area, hunting at night with the aid of a light. It could also be used to report activities such as attracting bears, or interfering with a lawful hunt.

• Fish

Examples include: exceeding the daily quota of fish, angling during closure, fishing with prohibited gear.

• Salmon/Saltwater

This option is for reporting anyone engaged in salmon or saltwater poaching or infractions

• Blocking public access

Examples include: illegally fencing or gating public roads, illegally fencing Crown land, or blocking access to a public road by a vehicle.

• Grazing

Examples include: livestock on land that does not have a grazing tenure or after the take home date when livestock must be removed based on B.C. Range Use Plans.

• All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV)

Examples include: users operating in areas where snowmobiling or ATV use is closed (i.e. access management or caribou recovery areas) and ATVs without license plates or users not wearing helmets.

• Forestry

Examples include: unlawful harvest of timber, unauthorized destruction of a forest service road, log theft, illegal use/damage of a recreation site, and unauthorized construction of a permanent structure.

Please note, this app is designed to report infractions related to natural resource use/abuse. It is not designed to report problem wildlife or human-wildlife conflict. A version of the app will be created for android-based mobile operating systems at a later date.


VISIT ITUNES ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE AND SEARCH "CONSERVATION APP" TO DOWNLOAD

http://bcwf.net/index.php/bcwf-app

adriaticum
11-28-2016, 10:38 AM
Hopefully there will be an Android app coming soon.

Bonz
11-28-2016, 10:50 AM
nice, question though...

"If the user chooses “public”, a moderator will then review the report to determine if it should be placed on the public website."

this "review the report". does that mean , check if legit report?, or just that language and so on is clean for public viewing? would antihunters be able to just start making up crimes to report and we realy dont know if it was true or not. if not, that could back fire in a big way

Whonnock Boy
11-28-2016, 11:05 AM
They need to review the reports before publishing in case the issue is time sensitive. If it is published, it may tip off the violators, and discourage them from returning to the scene or disposing of evidence.

I doubt anti-hunters will fabricate violations. All they would be doing is wasting CO services valuable time. They would be shooting themselves in the foot, and it would be counterproductive to their personal agenda.


nice, question though...

"If the user chooses “public”, a moderator will then review the report to determine if it should be placed on the public website."

this "review the report". does that mean , check if legit report?, or just that language and so on is clean for public viewing? would antihunters be able to just start making up crimes to report and we realy dont know if it was true or not. if not, that could back fire in a big way

Bonz
11-28-2016, 11:13 AM
i kinda dont think the antihunters get that of wasting the resources though. some of the issues they demand action on already show that to me.
and c.o may not even attend if they feel their wouldnt be a case or chance to catch someone. they dont attend all complaints. not enough funding or people already..lol..
ive seen it with couple of my own reports. i do suport this, just hope it works the right way

Whonnock Boy
11-28-2016, 11:21 AM
The more violations that are reported, the sooner officials will realize the current model is underfunded.


i kinda dont think the antihunters get that of wasting the resources though. some of the issues they demand action on already show that to me.
and c.o may not even attend if they feel their wouldnt be a case or chance to catch someone. they dont attend all complaints. not enough funding or people already..lol..
ive seen it with couple of my own reports. i do suport this, just hope it works the right way

Bonz
11-28-2016, 11:29 AM
did i miss the offer of rewards in this write up? i notice it on the facebook info, 2 grand for rewards?

Whonnock Boy
11-28-2016, 11:32 AM
That is correct, although I'm sure rewards will only be given based on the severity of the violation.


did i miss the offer of rewards in this write up? i notice it on the facebook info, 2 grand for rewards?

boxhitch
11-28-2016, 01:22 PM
Good on BCWF for trying something new.
Maybe now we will see a pic of the ghost reefer van full of elk/moose/deer that has been rumoured for a decade or so.

The app is ripe for abuse, but hope it doesn't come to that.
Next hunters will have to wear bodycams to protect themselves from frivolous accusations.

Stone Sheep Steve
11-28-2016, 01:34 PM
Good on BCWF for trying something new.
Maybe now we will see a pic of the ghost reefer van full of elk/moose/deer that has been rumoured for a decade or so.

The app is ripe for abuse, but hope it doesn't come to that.
Next hunters will have to wear bodycams to protect themselves from frivolous accusations.

i can certainly think of one person who would probably abuse it....but he already abuses the RAPP line.....unless he calls the COs directly

GoatGuy
11-28-2016, 02:24 PM
Good on BCWF for trying something new.
Maybe now we will see a pic of the ghost reefer van full of elk/moose/deer that has been rumoured for a decade or so.

The app is ripe for abuse, but hope it doesn't come to that.
Next hunters will have to wear bodycams to protect themselves from frivolous accusations.

If you abuse it you will be 'deleted'.

Bernie O
11-29-2016, 09:26 AM
Great work by BCWF. Already some negative comments by the naysayers. For some people its never good enough.

Bonz
11-29-2016, 10:16 AM
i wouldnt call some naysayers, i like the idea. just concers about abuse or false reports

dont know how long the map has been live, i see 3 report already, one shows a partialy burnt group of trees up by FSJ. claims its arson..was that checked for arson?, or just someones assumptions.
could be a guy loading a leh doe in his truck and called a poacher. love the idea, but thats my concern with the reports. realy do hope were wrong

ajr5406
12-15-2016, 07:37 PM
What would happen if you reported something that was "questionable", if you see something suspicious but don't actually see an actual violation?

GoatGuy
12-15-2016, 07:39 PM
What would happen if you reported something that was "questionable", if you see something suspicious but don't actually see an actual violation?

Up to the enforcement agency to deal with.

If you feel like there's an issue report it.

boxhitch
03-28-2017, 03:20 AM
Great presentation Saturday Jesse, thanks
may just have to buy a smart phone to use this
Looks like a good system, failsafes in place

Steeleco
03-28-2017, 04:14 AM
Are we close to an Android version yet gents?

frankthedog
03-28-2017, 08:05 AM
Are we close to an Android version yet gents?Waiting on this as well

Beachcomber
03-28-2017, 09:26 AM
Just downloaded it. At first glance strikes me as a simple, intuitive app - essential features for a Luddite such as myself. Hope I do not have to use it, but glad to have it if I do. Thanks.

GoatGuy
03-28-2017, 09:29 AM
Are we close to an Android version yet gents?


planning may/june

boxhitch
06-27-2017, 10:52 PM
Looks like The Fed is looking for trial testers for the android version

Steeleco
06-27-2017, 11:20 PM
Sign me up, steeleco@gmail.com

boxhitch
06-28-2017, 06:09 AM
See June 21 Member Update email