Why is Nature Important to You?

Canadians aged 9-35 are invited to participate in the Nature Matters! essay and video contest as part of the International Year of Biodiversity through Environment Canada.

Environment Canada is celebrating 2010 International Year of Biodiversity (IYB) with a national contest on why nature matters to Canadians. IYB 2010 is a celebration of life on earth and of the value of biodiversity for our lives. To help raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity, we would love to hear from Canadians between the ages of 9 and 35.

We encourage you to take part in these exciting celebrations by telling us why nature is important to you! Entries can be EITHER video essay OR written essay.

Submissions must be made through this webpage between January 28, 2010 and February 28, 2010 at 11:59PM EST. Winners will be notified the week of April 19, 2010 and announced on International Biodiversity Day, May 22, 2010.

Environment Canada for more

Canada's Emissions are an Issue

Of 163 countries measured, Canada's greenhouse gas emissions per capita ranked 151st on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI).

The index, which factors in an assortment of environmental indicators, placed Canada 46th overall in its 2010 report. A poor showing for such a wealthy nation that does in fact consider itself somewhat of an environmental steward. Worse is that Canada, in years past, has done quite well in this study. In 2008, Canada ranked 12th on this index. So what happened?

Emissions are a serous issue in our nation, as are fisheries, where Canada ranks near the bottom in both.

Although the EPI is not perfect it is often referred to when altering environmental policies and practices on a global scale. At this point Canada can't expect to be well received on the world stage in Mexico this year.

Globe and Mail for more

Energy Doldrums

As one local wind turbine project is rejected another power project is delayed.

A City of Campbell River and Science World partnership project to install a wind turbine large enough to supply 9 homes with electricity has been denied funding by the Federal government. As part of a multi community initiative to produce enough power to satisfy an energy credit for the Vancouver based science centre, Campbell River merely had to supply a site to host the turbine in order to participate. Although neither side are giving up on the idea as other funding opportunities are being considered, the project is indefinitely on hold and requires further development prior to proceeding.

Mirror for more

Plutonic Power's plans for Bute Inlet's 17 run-of-the-river energy plants have been postponed due to a lack of environmental data to support their project. An EIS (environmental impact statement) will take longer than expected for the corporation to produce, pushing back the project until 2011. Plutonic is hoping for a nod from the government and some guidance to continue collecting data. Other project proposals by Plutonic under BC Hydro's new clean power initiative are still under consideration with results expected soon.

Courier for more

At this rate will the province be able to meet its goal of 90% clean power and complete electric self sufficiency by 2016?

Roosevelt Elk Habitat

A lack of coastal elk habitat knowledge lead to a field study in Strathcona Park that recently produced results. With approximately 94% of BC's Roosevelt Elk residing on Vancouver Island this study focused on enhancing habitat in the Elk River and Thelwood Creek watersheds.

Seeding was positive however the thinning of trees to increase sunlight to the forest bed provided mixed results as less than optimal plants flourished rather than those preferred by this specie of elk. Winter range feeding remains a concern during heavy snow fall. Read more from the Mirror.

TOMORROW - A Word for Nature

The Museum at Campbell River is pleased to offer an afternoon with the 2010 Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence, Harry Thurston. Thurston will give a talk entitled "A Word for Nature: The Evolution of a Nature Writer" on Saturday, Jan. 23, from 1-3 p.m.

Courier article

The environmental journalist will be reading from his works and speaking his evolution from a boy in Nova Scotia to Haig-Brown Writer-In-Residence. It's $6, call the Museum for further details 287-3103

Fraser Sockeye labelled sustainable by Marine Stewardship Council

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), a group that sets standards for sustainable seafood practices, has judged BC Sockeye fishing as sustainable.

If certified this would include Fraser Sockeye, a fish stock that has never seen lower returns - some even deeming the market as completely collapsed.

The fisheries assessment has yet to be certified by MSC, there is a 15 day period to file complaints with the review panel concerning the report found here.

Already the Watershed Watch Salmon Society, David Suzuki Foundation, Skeena Wild Conservation Trust and the Headwaters Initiative have opposed the certification.

For more from the Globe and Mail

Still more on the fragile nature between Sockeye fishing and capital inflow can be seen in the movie Red Gold, a documentary on Bristol Bay's mining/fishing conflict.

3rd Spill into Buttle Lake

NVI Mining has confirmed a third spill of partially treated water from the Myra Falls mine into Buttle Lake, but company officials say they're taking steps to prevent a repeat.

Courier for more.

Still no word on the extent of contamination.

Who will lead Canada in the green energy market?

Ontario and British Columbia are going toe-to-toe for green energy investments.

With the decline of the automobile industry in Ontario the province has pushed hard for reinvestment within its other sectors, specifically the green energy sector and legislation has supported this new revenue direction. Ontario's new energy policy offers [a] tailwind. While consumers grumble about higher electricity prices, investors are taking notice of Premier Dalton McGuinty's new Green Energy Act. "Ontario has the most attractive subsidy for power generation for these sectors," Mr. Willemse said. The thriving green energy market is like any other monetary sector - it needs a profitable return on investment and at the moment that is found in Ontario.

BC's Energy Minister says a new green energy policy review is ready and will be released soon by our province. In the meantime BC is working hard to streamline approval for clean energy projects.

The competing provinces are fighting the good fight and we hope to see a profitable outcome for both as long as this includes solid judgment rather than hasty financial decisions.

Globe and Mail for more

Mine Tailings Overflow into Campbell River's Drinking Water

Myra Falls mine tailings have overflown into Buttle Lake due to heavy rain fall. The extent of the damage is still unknown however it is expected to be minimal due to the shear size of the watershed.


More from the Times Colonist:

But neither mine owner Breakwater Resources nor the Environment Ministry could say what volume of effluent might have spilled into the lake which supplies drinking water to Campbell River.

An Environment Ministry spokesperson said the mine reported two spill events from the effluent treatment system into Myra Creek, which drains into Buttle Lake. The first was early Monday morning "and there was a similar event late on January 11th going into early January 12."

the Mirror:

However, there’s probably nothing to worry about from the incident that happened during a storm earlier this week , says Ron Neufeld, the city’s general manager of operations.

“One of the benefits of our watershed is that it’s very, very large,” he told council Tuesday night. “There’s a very large diluting factor, and there is time on our side.”

the Courier Islander:

"Our experiences in the past have been that these types of events have not had any impact at all on our drinking water, however, we are working with VIHA staff, with NVI mining staff as well as our own water department to ensure that we're actively monitoring the quality of our drinking water."

Updates to follow.

DFO Management Debate

DFO's management plan a conflict of interest

Courier-Islander

Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

I recently attended the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) meeting to discuss new aquaculture regulations. A five-year plan was presented that speaks of expansion, markets and profits. The DFO should be a regulatory and enforcement body. Concern with industry markets, promotion and economic growth is a conflict of interest.

The plan discusses eco-certificates to meet market demand, but open net fish farms use Slice, transfer sea lice to smolts, have disease and impact depleted wild stocks such as herring through what is termed by-catch. How are they "eco" anything?

Read the rest here.

An uncertain fisheries future

Jeremy Maynard, Courier-Islander

Published: Wednesday, January 13, 2010

With the start of the second decade of the 21st century one thing is abundantly clear when considering fisheries management along the coast of BC - the only certainty is uncertainty. Perhaps it was always so to some degree but the past two decades have seen the relative constants from the past in this field of endeavor diminish to the point where they frequently bear little resemblance to past benchmarks upon which future actions could be planned around.

During this state of flux the management of the recreational fishery continues to be a perpetual challenge, all the more so because of one of the characterizations of it in comparison with other fisheries - "The recreational fishery is always open unless otherwise closed and commercial fisheries are always closed unless otherwise opened".

Read the rest here.

Museum at Campbell River Climate Talks

Saturday, January 16, 1-3:00pm - Understanding Climate Change

UVIC Professor Jeremy Fyke will be giving an informative presentation on 'Natural Climate Change vs. Human-Induced Climate Change'. This talk is part of a month long excursion into the world of climate change reflected by the Museum's current travelling exhibit 'Earth's Climate in the Balance' and is made possible through the University of Victoria’s Speaker Bureau, and is supported through a generous donation from BC Hydro. The cost is $6.00. Please call the Museum at 287-3103 to reserve a seat.

CRMuseum

Toronto Condo LEEDing the Way

Minto Midtown, a condominium at Yonge and Ellington in Toronto, has achieved LEED gold status making it the largest development of its kind in North America.


For more see the National Post article and learn more about LEED buildings from the Canadian Green Building Council here.

What Greenways Land Trust is all About

The Courier-Islander has published a generous article on Greenways Land Trust:

It's a small organization with a big influence on the natural landscape of Campbell River; Greenways Land Trust (GLT) has had a substantial, but often uncredited, effect on much of what we enjoy about our area.

If you've explored the Beaver Lodge Forest Lands, visited Haig-Brown House or walked through Baikie Island's trails, then you've been privy to some of the numerous places where Greenways' volunteers have worked. You may have joined the Greenways Gallop or taken one of the GLT guided walks and hikes along the creek-side trails. Encouraging people to get out into their surroundings is one of the group's prime objectives.

The Greenways Land Trust - as its name implies - works to enhance the community's greenways: the trails, corridors and paths reserved for recreational use or environmental preservation. Though greenways are thought of as being for people because they make enjoying the outdoors easy for us, they are often used by wildlife as well. Birds, deer and butterflies use them for habitat and travel...

Read the rest of the article here.

Run of the River Public Meeting

A meeting with DFO Habitat Biologist Dale Desrochers has been scheduled on January 14th , 6:30 pm at the Marine Heritage Centre.

Here they will discuss the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' involvement in run of river projects in the region, especially Toba and Bute.

Send your questions to Rupert Gale prior to the meeting:
ruperta@telus.net