News Archive 2008

October 2, 2008 - New Recognition for Mountain View

On October 2, 2008 Mountain View Conservation Society was very pleased to accept not one, but two highly-coveted CAZA awards for the work we have undertaken.

CAZA’s Conservation Award recognizes outstanding work in the field of species conservation.

“The Association presented its 2008 award to Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Center in Langley, B.C. for its work with the Northern Spotted Owl. Given the endangered status of the owl, the success of the Mountain View breeding program holds great promise for the future survival of the species. Mountain View is the only facility in Canada, at this time, to participate in the British Columbia Northern Spotted Owl Captive Breeding Program. The Centre is in the final stages of construction of a large breeding facility which includes breeding aviaries all interconnecting to each other and to a central flyway.

Their program began in July 2007, and in its first breeding season, have had two owl pairs nest, produce an egg each and one pair successfully reared an owlet to dispersal age.”

The second award we received was for Outstanding Achievement.

“Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre received an award for its very successful work with the Oregon Spotted Frog. This critically endangered species and the work carried out by Mountain View is an important contribution to its future. A member of the Frog Recovery Team since 2000, Mountain View has had great success in breeding the animal, has carried out essential habitat restoration work and has a very good survival rate in reintroducing frogs to their natural habitat.”

We are very proud to be recognized by our peers and accept the awards with gratitude.

March 2008 - Dr. Dolittle Tail to the Chief

Last summer, Mountain View was the filming site and temporary home for the cast and crew of the latest Dr. Dolittle installment, “Tail to the Chief”. This family fun-filled adventure directed by Craig Shapiro and starting Kyla Pratt and Peter Coyote, tells the tale of Maya Dolittle and her faithful dog Lucky, as they divert a national disaster.

In addition to seeing some of our animals and facilities in the movie, video viewers can enjoy a Special Features clip entitled “Goin’ Wild” which highlights the conservation work being done here at Mountain View. This small glimpse into our world has been garnering attention through-out North America and our Visitor Centre has been receiving phone calls from numerous well-wishers, thanking us for the work we are doing.

During the filming, we had our own special event when our latest baby Grevy’s Zebra made his grand entrance. Although officially named “Zero”, in light of the occasion, some of our staff and volunteers have nick-named him “Dolittle”.

We are grateful to the Twentieth Century Fox for highlighting our work and spreading the message about the need to protect our planet’s endangered species.

February 25, 2008 - Mountain View Honoured With Top Award

On February 25, 2008 Mountain View Conservation Society was honoured to be awarded the coveted Gold Premier’s Award for Excellence and Innovation in the Partnership category, for our work on the Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Program.

The award, presented by Premier Gordon Campbell to senior representatives of the Marmot Recovery Program, is the highest level of recognition the Premier’s office bestowed for the Vancouver Island Region.

A News Release, issued after the event stated: “The Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery program has delivered a strong message of community involvement with an innovative national education and information program about the endangered animal. This outreach program was so successful that public involvement now surpasses government and industry support.”

In addition, “The annual awards represent the BC Public Service’s pinnacle recognition event to highlight and acknowledge Cross-Government Integration, Innovation, Leadership, Legacy, Organizational Excellence, Partnership, and Service Excellence across the province.”

The Vancouver Island Marmot Recovery Program, was chosen out of 67 regional nominations.

We couldn’t have done it without your donations! Please continue to give to this extremely important program.

To support any or all of our Breeding and Re-introduction Projects, click on this logo to donate online.