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.
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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,... Read more
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 community... Read more
Trust, Justice and Well-Being Key Themes at Victoria Forum
How then should our society behave morally with respect to the inter-connected ecological, social, political, economic and ultimately ethical challenges we face? This was the underlying question behind this year’s Victoria Forum. The main themes were trust, justice and wellbeing, because “trust is eroding, injustice persists, and the world…
Read moreProtecting Our Communities in a World on Fire
Thanks for joining us (or registering) for Protecting Our Communities in a World on Fire. There were over 400 of you who tuned in, and of those who took the poll at the start of the webinar, 96% indicated you had experienced some level of impact from the wildfires... Read more
Wicked, Entangled Problems Call for Virtuous Solutions
We live in an era of polycrisis — defined as a situation in which “crises in multiple global systems become causally entangled in ways that cause major human harm,” according to the Cascade Institute at Royal Roads University. The institute identifies 14 global systemic stresses that create systemic risk, including “climate change, biodiversity loss…
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Save Canada’s Last Ancient Forests
As wildfires rage across Canada, Pacheedaht Elder is sounding the alarm to save Vancouver Island’s last ancient forests. In British Columbia, old-growth forests continue to fall to industrial logging, while authorities stand by. Let’s make Bill Jones’... Read more
Petition to Gain Legal Habitat Protection for American Goshawk at Haida Gwaii and the Skeena Natural Resource Region of Northwestern British Columbia
The Haida Gwaii goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is facing a real threat of local extinction. At the same time, the American Goshawk (Accipiter atricapillus) is vanishing from the Skeena Natural Resource Region quickly because too much mature and old-growth... Read more
How Can We End Capitalism?
In June, I shared my thoughts on how we can end capitalism, and build for ourselves in its place a kind, green, cooperative economy. This invites the obvious question: how? We need to do so because capitalism is driving our world to chaos and collapse. Its selfish... Read more
Nature Activities and Climate Solutions Resources for Busy Parents, Educators and Nature Lovers
This free downloadable e-book for parents of children age 0 – 12, is filled with creative activities, practical tips, nature activities and climate friendly solutions. It will spark environmental awareness, foster nature stewardship and make sustainable habits a... Read more
National Food Security? Not Without a Healthy Diet
The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization describes an agri-food system as encompassing everything from “field to fork.” Unfortunately, Canada’s new National Food Security Strategy fails to pay much attention to either the field or the fork end of the system.
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Send a Wake-up Call to the Forest Practices Board
The BC Forest Practices Board calls itself “BC’s independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices”. The Board is the BC public’s only avenue for holding logging companies and the government accountable when either transgress a narrow range of forest-related... Read more
Artists Invitation: Victoria At Dusk
Victoria at Dusk is inviting artists, designers, performers, community groups, and creatives to submit proposals for its winter celebration of light, art, and discovery. Taking place in downtown Victoria, the festival will feature a curated walking route of... Read moreCollaboration Results in Community Win
Working collaboratively with members of the Peninsula Biosolids Coalition, Creatively United is happy to report that our collective efforts (see our biosolids video) have finally resulted in a big win for our region. The Capital Regional District (CRD) has just... Read more
A Morning Guided by Nature at Yew Lake
“Nature Vancouver” introduces its upcoming event, “Birds and Butterflies: Yew Lake Trail Walk,” fostering enjoyment and conservation of the city’s natural environment.
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National Food Security? Not Without Natural Security
The Carney government recently released its National Food Security Strategy. Unfortunately, the strategy only serves to show that the government doesn’t really understand food security, particularly when it comes to the environment and health…
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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.
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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... Read more
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... Read more
Reclaiming Summer: Prioritizing Outdoor Play for Canada’s Youth
For generations, summertime in Canada has been defined as a season of play for children. However, what was once a formative part of childhood development is increasingly being replaced by “screen time.”
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Help Shape Canada’s National Strategy to Advance Environmental Justice and Address Environmental Racism
About the Strategy As mandated in the National Strategy Respecting Environmental Racism and Environmental Justice Act, the federal government must publish the official Strategy by the end of 2026. The Strategy must: Identify and address environmental... Read more
Why is Mark Carney Undermining Our Environment?
I have noted several times recently in these columns that Mark Carney’s mandate letter to his cabinet a year ago does not identify the environment as one of the government’s seven priorities; indeed, the word ‘environment’…
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903 Admirals Road: Bill 16, Green Infrastructure, and a Potential Shift in Esquimalt Policy
Could Bill 16 help protect trees rather than remove them? Using 903 Admirals Road as a case study, this article explores how smaller building footprints, green infrastructure, and smarter site design could preserve urban forests.
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BC Heat Collaborative Launch
The BC Heat Collaborative will officially launch at the end of this month, coinciding with the 5 year anniversary of the 2021 BC Heat Dome. The launch includes an event at Vancouver City Hall on Sunday June 28th, 1-2:30pm. More details on the Vancouver event here. How... Read more
For Good Measure: A Handbook on Advancing Water Metering in British Columbia
Released this month, this handbook offers a practical path forward for provincial decision-makers to achieve universal water metering within the next decade. Universal water metering supports conservation, enables fair and transparent cost recovery, enhances overall... Read more
Watershed Security Matters
To offer insight on how British Columbians want to move into an increasingly uncertain water future, this brief analyzes trends over 10 years of surveys and polls on public attitudes on fresh water in B.C. The authors highlight three crosscutting takeaways and the... Read more
Better Government Coordination on Wildfire Resilience Will Make B.C. Stronger
Victoria, B.C. lək̓ʷəŋən territory: New research from the POLIS Wildfire Resilience Project, based at the University of Victoria’s Centre for Global Studies, recommends a transformative shift within the provincial government to address the growing wildfire crisis in... Read more
Share Your Thoughts on Saanich Climate Plan
The 2026 Climate Plan: 100% Renewable and Resilient Saanich will be presented to Saanich, BC Council on Monday, June 22nd for approval. Share your thoughts on the 2026 Climate Plan with Council, email council@saanich.ca. Attend the meeting in person or online (learn... Read more
Indigenous Histories in Vancouver: Exploring the Places That Matter
In celebration of National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, it is essential to recognize the impact of Indigenous heritage in Vancouver. This can be achieved by exploring the Vancouver Heritage Foundation’s “Places That Matter” project.
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Stand Up for the Arts
The Province of BC’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services is seeking written input as part of their Budget 2027 consultation process. The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture encourages British Columbians to contribute toward the consultation... Read more
BC’s Budget 2027 Consultation is Closing Soon and Nature Needs Your Voice!
Right now, the BC Government is consulting with people across the province on next year’s provincial budget. This is your chance to encourage the BC Government to invest in protecting nature. Protecting nature is key to thriving communities, healthy ecosystems, and a... Read more
BC Budget Consultation – by 2 pm, June 19
The NDP Budget Committee is accepting written submissions for its 2027 Budget. What should we be asking for? You can make up to three recommendations, with an explanation for each. Participate by using the submission form HERE. We have set up a google doc to share... Read more
Flood the Consultation: Don’t Fast-Track Destruction
The Government of Canada is proposing major legislative changes that would make it easier for mega-corporations to profit while our communities and the planet suffer the consequences. Act now. See email template to send critical feedback to Prime Minister Carney and... Read more
One of the Strongest Marine Protected Areas in the World
Six First Nations, BC and Canada will preserve and steward a large chunk of the Central Coast. That means no pipelines. The area will be protected under Indigenous law, and known as Mia-yaltwa Ha’lidzogm hoon, pronounced “Me-ah-yall-twa Ha-lee-joh-gom hOH-own,”... Read more
We CAN End Capitalism, and Build Instead a Kind, Green, Cooperative Economy
Introduction If you think of capitalism as the global entanglement of everything financial and economic, then for sure, it feels like a pretty wild dream to imagine that we could disentangle it all and establish something different. It is a pretty wild dream, because... Read more
Birding 101 and 10 Fun Family Outdoor Ideas
Connect with nature by enjoying some of these simple fun things to do outdoors with children, family and friends. Bird names might be half the fun, but the real joy of birding goes far beyond. There’s something deeply rewarding about slowing down, tuning in and... Read more
What is the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region? (PNWER) and What Are its Connections to Big Oil?
I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of the South Island Prosperity Partnership’s members: The Pacific Northwest Economic Region. (PNWER) Two years ago, I wrote an Open Letter to SIPP. In the letter, I asked them the following question: “SIPP’s membership includes an... Read more
New Forest Act Roadshow Active in BC
The New Forest Act Roadshow launches this week across British Columbia to dispel the following myths about forestry in BC. MYTH #1: Mill closures are mostly about tariffs and markets Reality: Markets matter. But depleted forests matter too. Good timber is becoming... Read more
Celebrating Peace and Community
Did you know that Creatively United for the Planet non-profit society lends support to our community in a number of ways, including showcasing more than 270 non-profit organizations in our free non-profit directory and their events, including the new International... Read moreBC Wants to Extend the Wolf Cull
Is killing wolves ever justified as a conservation tool? And what does it say about humans — and our relationship with wildlife — when we choose “predator reduction” over real solutions? For over a decade, the B.C. government has been gunning down wolves and calling... Read more
Aerial Arts Meet Ocean Activism in Island Circus Space’s “Entanglements”
Integrating the art of aerial acrobatics with aquatic imagery, “Entanglements” explores the increasing effects of climate change on Canada’s oceans and marine organisms.
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Action Alert: Canada’s Species at Risk Act is at Risk
Economic development should not come at the expense of the laws that protect endangered wildlife. Canada does not need to choose between a strong economy and a living planet. The real test is whether we protect not only endangered species, but also the laws that stand... Read more
A Sequel We Don’t Want
The conflict in the Persian Gulf has caused the greatest disruption in world oil supply in history. Canadians have felt immediate consequences from this oil shock, through much higher prices for gasoline and other petroleum products. But that is just the beginning of... Read more
Summer on the Yintah
The Unist’ot’en clan continue to fight against industrial development on their sovereign Yintah. Instead of two work parties, they are doing one extra long one, August 1st until September 7th, and can use help. All skills are welcome but especially: skilled... Read more
Open letter Density Without Demolition – A Politically Viable Solution for Climate and Housing Resilience
The View Royal Climate Coalition urges Minister Boyle to adopt “Density Without Demolition.” This strategy promotes adaptive reuse and internal home conversions over demolition, offering a faster, cheaper, and climate-resilient path to housing density.
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A New Approach to Lower Housing Costs: A Cooler, Cheaper (leafy) Path to Housing
Greater Victoria needs Density Without Demolition. Adaptive reuse adds units without the high cost of full-lot rebuilds, protecting tree canopies and cutting infrastructure fees. B.C. needs conversion codes and co-op tools to keep housing affordable.
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Protecting the Great Bear Sea
CPAWS-BC is calling for the establishment of a Marine Protected Area (MPA) network, co-developed with Indigenous partners, to safeguard the vibrant network of life in the Great Bear Sea. This network will preserve marine biodiversity, enhance ecosystem resilience, and... Read more
Saanich DRAFT 2026 Climate Plan Phase 2 Engagement Survey – Have Your Say!
The District of Saanich is inviting residents to read the DRAFT 2026 Climate Plan Update and share feedback before the final plan goes to Council. The DRAFT 2026 Climate Plan is an update to our existing 2020 Climate Plan and has been informed by extensive research,... Read more
‘Fairy Creek’ – Documentary
A new feature film documenting the unprecedented campaign of civil disobedience on Vancouver Island, and some of the disturbing police tactics it unleashed. -Knowledge Network Watch here Read more