Community Stories
The Garry Oak in Autumn: Foliage, Acorns, and Conservation
Recognized as the only oak species native to British Columbia, the Garry oak is soon to make its mark on the beauty of autumn.
It’s Beginning to Look a Lot like Nature
There’s something quite satisfying about restoring nature and making a very tiny part of the world better. I suppose I’ve always known that, but it really struck home when we purchased the place we were going to retire to 15-years ago. We were still working fulltime,…
Learn About People’s Action for US Issues
The news is heavy, and that’s intentional. The US regime is trying to inundate us with chaos so we become overwhelmed, tune out, and stop paying attention. Instead of turning away, we’re turning to each other. The People’s Tea , a biweekly, hour-long, virtual…
Share what’s meaningful to you and your community
Open Innovation Challenge
Are you ready to unleash your most innovative ideas to help solve Greater Victoria’s real-world challenges and have the chance to win $15,000 in prize money? On November 25, the South Island Prosperity Project brought together residents, local leaders, First…
Skaana Podcast: Green Party Leader, Elizabeth May, Talks On Saving Orcas, Kinder Morgan & More
Canada’s Green Party leader, Elizabeth May, talks to Mark Leiren-Young about the southern resident orcas (and the threat their facing from Kinder Morgan), the right whales (and the threat their facing from Bilcon) and the work we all need to do to look after our oceans.
Finding Hope at the Turning of the Year
I often find reason for hope — if not optimism — at the local level. Experience has shown that good things often start locally and move up, which explains why we should think globally, but act locally.
Don’t Let Timber Salvage Damage Our Forests
Forest health is best understood as the rate of recovery from ecological stresses caused by fire, logging, insects, etc. Greater stress means poorer health and longer recovery.
Stewardship is not about “cleaning up the mess.” Salvage logging will rarely contribute directly to ecological recovery.
Many ministries could be Ministry of Health
Courtesy of the Times Colonist Despite its name, the Ministry of Health is anything but focused on health. Like the “health-care system” it directs, it is largely focused on managing people with all manner of diseases, injuries or disabilities. Only a small part of…
Solutions Episode Three: Food & Farming
Local food experts share a wealth of knowledge on everything from growing citrus fruit to food security, featuring Vancouver Island non-profits and leading edge small businesses dedicated to healthy, nutritious and delicious food. “What a fantastic segment. I’m…
Solutions Episode Two: Artists As Change Makers
Our second episode covers how an internationally-renown filmmaker, photojournalist, singer/songwriter duo, and a fine art photographer are all creating change through their craft. Featuring striking imagery and insight into the power of art.
Solutions Episode One: The Future of Transportation
Our first show takes a creative approach to the future of Transportation and includes interviews with numerous people throughout the region and Salt Spring Island.
Canada C3: Honouring the past and looking towards the future
Canada C3 is an epic 150-day sailing journey from Toronto to Victoria via the Northwest Passage. Through this unprecedented journey, Canada C3 is celebrating our environment, sharing the stories of coastal communities and connecting Canadians from coast to coast to…
Protecting health in our chemical society
Courtesy of the Times Colonst Last week, The Lancet — one of the world’s leading medical journals — published another in its series of commission reports on various aspects of planetary health, this time on pollution and health. Next week, I will delve into the report…
Community Uniting for Common Good
There is an emerging community-based movement in the capital region — and elsewhere around the world — that recognizes that ecological, social and economic conditions and human well-being are not separate issues but are inextricably linked. In Victoria, some related initiatives have sprung up, mostly in just the past couple of years, that are working to address these intersecting issues holistically, but in different ways.
ECOreport: What Do You Think Site C Is Really About?
“They are going about it in completely the wrong way. To force this project through on First Nations that does not want it, on a public that does not want it: is not how you build support and trust. “
