Can you recognize an endangered species? Do you know what rare plants are found in grasslands? What’s the latest information on grizzly bear habitat requirements? If you are involved in land- use planning, public education or want to manage lands to sustain biodiversity, you will find the Biodiversity Publications Catalogue an indispensable resource.

The catalogue, first published in 1997, describes more than 500 brochures, short summaries, books and in-depth reports that contain essential information on how to conserve biodiversity in B.C.

A comprehensive third edition, which includes new publications, will be available from Government Publication Services in April 2001 and is available on-line on the Ministry of Forests Web site at http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/biodiv/index.htm.

Publications listed include the colourful series of brochures on Ecosystems of British Columbia and Wildlife at Risk, a book on Plants of Coastal British Columbia and Backyard Biodiversity and Beyond, a resource kit for teachers. These publications are designed for the public, educators and students interested in learning more about their local environment. Books such as Rare Freshwater Fish of British Columbia and Hoofed Mammals of British Columbia provide in-depth information for people who want to identify species at risk.

Other publications like Bats and Forests Symposium proceedings are technical documents used by professionals to assess the impacts of forest, wildlife, and range management practices. A series of resource inventory committee publications on inventory methods to assess elements of biodiversity is featured.

The catalogue is a product of staff of the ministries of forests and environment, lands and parks and the Royal B.C. Museum. These people have worked together for eight years to determine the need for information about biodiversity and to produce numerous publications.

Biodiversity publications are also available through Government Publication Services, at Crown Publications, and the Royal B.C. Museum.

Funding for production of publications in the catalogue came from the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, Royal B.C. Museum, Forest Renewal B.C., the Habitat Conservation Fund and other sources.

For more information contact:

Evelyn Hamilton, Ministry of Forests, Research Branch, 712 Yates Street, Victoria, B.C.,
Evelyn.Hamilton@gems8.gov.bc.ca or 250 387 3650