Community Stories
An Open Letter from Elder Bill Jones
As the NDP government and the forest industry continue to clear cut on unceded Pacheedaht lands and wildfires rage throughout BC and Canada, Elder Bill Jones calls again for the protection of the old-growth forests he calls his cathedral.
Towards a Drought-Ready British Columbia
Drought Ready analyzes the last decade of droughts and drought management in B.C. and offers practical guidance to move away from reactive crisis response and toward proactive drought planning. The authors focus on the provincial government’s foundational role in…
Petition Launched: That the CRD be Fully Transparent in Regard to Its Felling of Trees by Elk/Beaver Lake:
Readers of CRD Watch or the Creatively United for the Planet blog, will likely be familiar with recent articles about the felling of trees by the CRD in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park. Like Wooden Tombstones: The Latest Tree Decimation in Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park…
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New Mapping Reveals Critical “Cooling Centres” for Salmon in the Warming Coldwater River
As rivers across Western North America face climate change-driven record-breaking temperatures, Raincoast Conservation Foundation, in partnership with the Scw’exmx Tribal Council and nłeʔképmx Guardians from Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly, have released a groundbreaking…
Café Books: Rx for Hope
I have begun to think of Café Books as more of an apothecary than a bookstore. You can send them a prescription for almost any kind of moral dilemma, philosophical contradiction, scientific ambiguity, urgent mental uplifting or any other ailment of spirit that you…
Canadian First: Nuchatlaht First Nation Wins Legal Victory in Nootka Island Claim
For the first time in Canadian history, a nation has won full Aboriginal title over its claim. In 2024, the BC Supreme Court granted the Nuchatlaht First Nation rights over an 11-kilometre sliver of land on the island north of Tofino. But in a landmark decision, a…
Getting to “Yes” on Renewable Energy Takes Fairness, Trust and Tangible Benefits
Canadians largely buy into the fact that we need to get our energy from clean sources. At the same time, support can drop when specific projects are proposed near where people live. It’s easy to assume that this is just a classic “Not in My Backyard” reaction. Yet a…
A Measured Response to Fort Rodd Hill Urban Park Status
The Federal Government is exploring National Urban Park status for Fort Rodd Hill and area. What seemingly appears like a great news story on the surface may result in the destruction of the surrounding natural habitat of Fort Rodd Hill and area:…
Guide to Public Comments on Proposed Regulations to Protect Southern Resident Killer Whales
The Government of Canada is seeking public feedback on proposed amendments to the Marine Mammal Regulations that would strengthen protections for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. To address the underwater noise and disturbance from boats, the federal…
Take Action: Stop Canada Post’s Sweeping Service Cuts
Canada Post has been given the green light by the Federal Government to move forward with sweeping service cuts to the public post office. Proposed cuts include: Ending door-to-door delivery in favour of community mailboxes; Closing rural post offices; Changing…
What Does It Mean That ‘Environmentalists Have Lost, Big Time’?
In a recent interview marking his approaching 90th birthday, David Suzuki said: “We’ve lost, environmentalists have lost, big time.” But what does it mean that environmentalists have lost? Who is we? What have we lost? And if we have lost, who has won, and what does winning mean?
Threat to East Sooke Park
If you love East Sooke Park, please take a look at this application for a commercial venture and submit a comment expressing your opposition to the proposed plan. The proposed plan indicates intention to build a multi-use site revolving around outdoor education,…
Seeking Input on Saanich’s Draft Zero Waste Strategy
The District of Saanich is inviting residents to read the newly drafted Zero Waste Strategy and share feedback before the final plan goes to Council. Find the draft Strategy and survey: Saanich Draft Zero Waste Strategy Survey Developed through research, data…
Destruction of Esquimalt’s Natural Assets
It appears that due to approved development, the Township of Esquimalt and the Department of National Defence continue to add to the senseless destruction of natural habitat for birds, pollinators, urban wildlife and humans to enjoy. Numerous healthy, mature trees…
Petition: Demand More Garry Oaks and Their Ecosystem are Saved on this Admirals Road Development
Support preserving as much of a rare patch of Garry oak and Douglas-fir ecosystem on an Esquimalt private property earmarked for development as possible, whilst still allowing appropriate development of the site.
