Chilcotin Experience Camp There are 2 spots left! For more information please contact
Harrison Salmon Stronghold Camp November 26 – November 29, 2015 Registration opens 9:00 am June 15,2015 – BC Nature office 604 985 3057
Manning Park Bird Blitz – June 19-21/15 – See BCnature Summer magazine for details.
June 22 – 26, 2015 Biological Survey of Canada’s Peace Bioblitz – Information Link
Update from World Rivers Day Chair, Mark Angelo, in the lead up to World Rivers Day, slated for September 27th, 2015.
World Rivers Day is set for September 27th this year (as always, falling on the last Sunday in September) and, while the event is still a few months away, it will be here before we know it. Consequently, we’re hoping that river advocates from around the globe will start planning events as part of this year’s World Rivers Day celebration. Visit our Web site at this link to find out more about World Rivers Day — and please let us know about your event plans by email. We can help your promotions via our web site, and through e-mails like this one. Last year, river enthusiasts from around the world came together for the ninth annual event. It was a great success, with millions of people involved from more than 60 countries.
Issue 43
Date June 2015
Summer Magazine out Now
Summer Magazine Available on line
For those that don’t receive wish to receive their magazine via Canada Post, the Summer Magazine is available on line. An email notifying you when the latest issue is uploaded. Current magazines are behind members only access. If you require your access and password, please email the Office
Conservation Items in the News
What B.C. Can Learn from California’s Drought Read Link Here
Trouble Could Be Brewing for B.C.’s Endangered Killer Whales – Read about it here
Trail Funding
If your organization is planning to or has already applied for, infrastructure funding for your trails through the Canada 150 Program which was announced in mid-May and for which applications have to be submitted by June 17, could you please inform this office. Recreation Sites and Trails BC would like to know the extent of the demand for this funding.
SFU BLUE: Community-Engaged Water Research Dialogue June 24, 2015. For more information – please visit Link Native Plant Society Workshop – On Saturday, June 13 from 10 am to 12 noon, the NPSBC is partnering with Metro Vancouver Regional Parks to offer a basic fern workshop at Capilano River Regional Park in North Vancouver. There will be an introduction to ferns and fern anatomy, an overview of ferns of southwestern BC and then a walk to see ferns in the park and learn how to identify at least seven species (possibly more depending on what we find). NPSBC director Dawn Hanna will be leading the workshop in conjunction with a Metro Vancouver park interpreter. For the general public, the workshop costs $8. But NPSBC members get a discounted rate of $5 per person. To register, call 604-432-6359 and ask to register for the Native Fern ID workshop, barcode 6204. You must tell them that you are an NPSBC member to get the discount. There is limited space in the workshop, so best to register soon
courses the Monashee Institute is running in Rossland, BC over the next few months June 19-21: Mushroom Identification and EcoSystems of the Monashees July 3-5: Permaculture: The Theory and Practice of Abundance Oct 9-12: Smaller, Greener House Design. For further information – Link Here
B.C. tankers and pipelines news summary – June 11, 2015
Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain Opinion Pipeline politics plays out at city hall Mike Howell/Vancouver Courier. I’m going to make an assumption that most of you have come to the conclusion that Vancouver city council is opposed to Kinder Morgan’s plans to construct another pipeline from Alberta to Burrard Inlet. If documented proof of council’s opposition is what you want, I went back and found the minutes of a Dec. 18, 2013 meeting where council unanimously approved a motion to have city staff apply for intervenor status and participate in the National Energy Board hearings. So that little bit of history brings me to Tuesday’s council meeting, where politicians again had a motion before them on the pipeline proposal. Here’s how it read: “That having heard the expert evidence compiled by staff, and noting the overwhelming public opposition evidenced through public consultation, council reaffirm its position of December 18, 2013 that the City of Vancouver oppose the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain proposal as it poses an extreme risk to the people, businesses and environment of Vancouver! , with very little benefit.” This time, council wasn’t unanimous in moving the motion ahead. All three NPA councillors — George Affleck, Melissa De Genova and Elizabeth Ball — voted against it. The rationale, as I understood from a “strike and replace” motion from Ball and a later interview with the councillor, was that Vancouver wasn’t doing enough to sit down with Kinder Morgan “to have a meaningful say and influence on the safe transport and exportation of oil products through the waters adjacent to the city and its environs.” Ball’s motion, which was defeated, also requested the city convene a “tri-level round table” with the provincial and federal governments to agree upon “an appropriate and coordinated spill response strategy” for Vancouver’s harbour and surrounding waters. Ball wasn’t done there. She wanted the city to demand “the best science be brought to bear on all aspects of oil and oil products being shipped through Vancouver waters.” She also wanted meetings ! to discuss what insurance is in place to deal with recovery ef! forts, i n the event of a spill. Not anywhere in her motion was mention of the Kinder Morgan proposal, or an indication of whether she and her NPA counterparts support or oppose the pipeline expansion project — an answer the NPA also avoided giving during the fall civic election campaign. So as Ball left the council chambers, I asked her several times whether she supported the project. Here’s a taste of how that went: Me: Does the NPA support Kinder Morgan’s Trans Mountain proposal, or not? Ball: “The Trans Mountain proposal doesn’t exist, at this point. Oil is being shipped now. We want a response to that now. So regardless of what happens at the National Energy Board and then to the Parliament of Canada, we’re prepared. Right now, we’re not prepared for anything.” Me: But does the NPA support the Kinder Morgan project, or not? Ball: “We support a safe harbour and a clean harbor.” Me (laughing): We can keep talking in circles… Ball: “No, I’m not talking in circles…” Me: It’s a simpl! e question. Do you support the proposal, or not? Ball: “No, it’s not a simple question. That’s what I want to make really clear. People try to make it a simple question, but it’s not.” Sorry, my mistake. General (related pipelines, tankers and energy/oil sands topics) News Alberta’s oil sands take a hit as scientists, academics call for halt to development Shawn McCarthy/Globe and Mail. In a statement signed by 110 researchers from across North America, the group says the planned growth in oil sands production is inconsistent with efforts to cut greenhouse-gas emissions and avert the worst impacts of climate change, and also threatens the ecosystem of a vast stretch of the boreal forest. “No new oil sands or related infrastructure projects should proceed unless consistent with an implemented plan to rapidly reduce carbon pollution, safeguard biodiversity, protect human health and respect [aboriginal] treaty rights,” their statement said. The scientists’ call is just the latest salvo in an ongoing battle over the scale and pace of development – the same fight that embroiled Tim Hortons in a damaging controversy last week over its decision to run, then pull, ads by pipeline company Enbridge Inc. The increased awareness has forced companies to dr! amatically boost spending on mitigation, and strengthened the hands of those who would block new pipelines that producers need to reach new markets. The oil sands’ expansion and construction of the proposed pipelines – whether TransCanada Inc.’s Keystone XL in the United States or its Energy East project in Canada – are “inconsistent with efforts to avoid potentially dangerous climate change,” said SFU energy economist Mark Jaccard, one of the statement’s authors. He said U.S. and Canadian governments should reject pipeline proposals; restrict the expansion of crude by rail; impose a significant carbon price on oil and gas extraction, and strengthen regulations to reduce local impacts. Taken together, those policies would add up to a de facto moratorium because companies would scale back investment. While scientists’ statement is unlikely to move the Harper government, it provides fuel for opponents of Keystone XL in the U.S., as well as other pipelines. It also comes as Al! berta’s new NDP government is reviewing its fiscal and regulat! ory regi me for the oil sands, and promising to unveil new greenhouse gas (GHG) regulations for the sector. B.C. wants feds to stay out of environmental assessment for Fraser River LNG project Carlos Tello/Vancouver Observer. The provincial government has asked the federal Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency to stay out of the environmental review process of a controversial LNG jetty that could bring in more than 120 LNG tankers up the Fraser River. In a letter, provincial environmental assessment associate minister Kevin Jardine asks CEAA president Ron Hallman to allow B.C.’s environmental assessment of the project substitute the federal one, in case the CEAA determines a federal evaluation is needed. If the substitution is approved, the B.C. environmental assessment office would conduct a single process that meets both federal and provincial requirements. The B.C. and federal governments would then make separate decisions on whether to approve the project. According to experts, environmental activists and Indigenous groups, the project can have serious impacts on the Fraser River, its salmon population and the people who rely on the fish. In an emailed statement, B.C’s Ministry of Environm! ent defended the request for substitution by saying that it “reduces duplication and increases efficiencies for everyone involved … while maintaining a rigorous and thorough review process.” The B.C. and federal governments signed the agreement that allows the substitutions in 2013. Since then, the federal government has agreed to substituted assessment for 13 projects. For Kevin Washbrook, the director of Voters Taking Action of Climate Change, the substitution shouldn’t be allowed because of the provincial government’s deep investment in LNG. “I think any reasonable person who knows about B.C. politics would acknowledge that this government is completely invested in LNG exports and entirely biased in favour of them,” he said. “I don’t think anybody should have confidence that the provincial government will do an objective review of the risks of this project.”
From Outdoor Recreational Council
For Trail Funding If your organization is planning to or has already applied for, infrastructure funding for your trails through the Canada 150 Program which was announced in mid-May and for which applications have to be submitted by June 17, could you please inform this office. Recreation Sites and Trails BC would like to know the extent of the demand for this funding.
WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project — Public Comments Invited
As part of the strengthened and modernized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) put in place to support the government’s Responsible Resource Development Initiative, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) must decide whether a federal environmental assessment is required for the proposed WesPac Tilbury Marine Jetty Project, located in British Columbia (B.C.). To assist it in making its decision, the Agency is seeking comments from the public on the project and its potential effects on the environment. Substitution Request The Government of B.C. has requested to substitute the B.C. environmental assessment process for the CEAA 2012 process if it is determined that an environmental assessment is required. The Agency is also seeking comments on this request. In considering the Government of B.C.’s request, the federal Minister of the Environment must be satisfied, under CEAA 2012, that: – the process to be substituted will include a consideration of the factors set out in subsection 19(1) of CEAA 2012; – the public will be given an opportunity to participate in the environmental assessment; – the public will have access to records in relation to the environmental assessment to enable their meaningful participation; – at the end of the environmental assessment, a report will be submitted to the Agency; the report will be made available to the public; and any other conditions the Minister establishes are or will be met. The Minister would also establish the following additional conditions for this project: – the involvement of expert federal departments in the B.C. process; – the Government of B.C. meeting the CEAA 2012 365-day timeframe for completing the environmental assessment; – the Government of B.C. conducting procedural aspects of Aboriginal consultation; and – the Government of B.C. making available to Aboriginal groups funding provided by the Agency to support consultation during the substituted environmental assessment. The Government of B.C.’s substitution request is made in accordance with a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the Agency and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office to enable efficient and timely use of the CEAA 2012 substitution provisions. The MOU addresses the processes leading to substitution, the conduct of the substituted environmental assessment and associated Aboriginal consultation, and the coordination of decision making, monitoring and follow-up after the environmental assessment. The MOU and a backgrounder on substitution under CEAA 2012 are available on the Agency’s website.
Ticks can transmit a new Lyme-like disease
Going out to the back country this year – here is something worth reading about ticks link
The Jumbo Official Community Plan
The town with no people wants to adopt an Official Community Plan (OCP). The Jumbo Glacier Mountain Resort Municipality’s (JGMRM) OCP is “intended to reflect the long term vision of the community.” Whose vision? What community? The JGMRM has no residents, an appointed mayor and council and is funded by $200,000 of BC taxpayer dollars every year. Please join us in Radium on June 16 to speak out against this OCP without a community or send an email by 4PM, Friday, June 12. Since Jumbo has no citizens, it falls to all of us to oppose this plan and this affront to local democracy and land-use. OCPs are intended to guide a community, not a corporate development. Read the draft OCP here. Send your comment through our form by Friday, June 12th, 4PM or send an email or fax. Personalized comments will carry more weight. Fax: (250) 347-9068,
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.REGISTRATION required on our events page cvnature.ca/events An easy 1 km walk on a wheelchair accessible paved path. Dress for the weather and bring a water bottle Sorry, no dogs. This event is free, but donations are welcome.For more information, add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation email: . ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary Comox Valley Nature is offering this opportunity to get together with knowledgeable birders to share skills and learn more about birding in the Comox Valley.This outing is designed for beginners, but birders of all levels are welcome. Experienced birders will help with identifying species, equipment, useful apps, and field guides. Both CVN members and the public are welcome on this walk at the Courtenay Airpark which will be on a wide smooth pathway for about 2km round trip. Bring binoculars if you have them. Dress for the weather. Warm clothing necessary – it’s often windy there! Please leave pets at home.Register through our events page at This event is free. Donations welcome.#birding#comoxvalley#iba#courtenay airpark ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we offer this opportunity to learn more about Garry oaks in the Comox Valley.Vanier Nature Park is home to a small grove of Garry oak trees which is being stewarded by Comox Valley Nature. These oaks are at the northern extent of their range, and are a remnant of a culturally modified ecosystem that once covered 160 square kilometres in the Comox ValleyThis walk will be lead by Geologist Bob Hauser and Forester Terry Lewis. They have spent many hours in the park removing invasive holly. Terry and Bob will look at the work in progress in the grove and share their unique perspective on this forest, with a focus on soil science and tree species.The Vanier Nature Park project is being co-managed by Comox Valley Nature and the City of Courtenay with funding from the City of Courtenay, BC Nature and the Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation. Registration required through The walk is partially on level ground with some gentle to moderate uphill walking on a forest trail that has some uneven footing. No dogs please.For more information, to add your name to a wait list or to cancel your reservation, email: Details of the meeting place will be sent to registrants. Please be at the meeting spot at least 10 minutes before the walk starts to sign in. ... See MoreSee Less
To celebrate our 60th anniversary we invite you to come for a guided stroll on the Courtenay Riverway Heritage Walk with a member of Comox Valley Nature on April 24, 10 am -noon. Learn about the history of this area, including how the former sewage lagoon has become one of the most popular walking spots in the Comox Valley. Check out the restoration work that has replaced invasive plant species and added more native plants, shrubs and trees that is being done by Comox Valley Nature in partnership with the City of Courtenay. Hear why invasive plant species are so damaging to the ecosystems. Enjoy the view from the "lookout" over the estuary and be reminded how important the estuary is to the web of life.