Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC— Chief Rebecca David of Pauquachin Nation will join a special panel on marine pollution alongside leading coastal environmental groups on Tuesday, September 19 in Vancouver. Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis is presented as part of an art exhibition showing in Vancouver this fall, Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC.
Lucas Harris, Executive Director, Surfrider Canada
Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis is hosted by Alicia Elgert, Ocean Conservation Campaigner, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Coulmbia (CPAWS-BC).
The coast faces many threats–from pollution to loss of salmon habitat to overharvesting. That’s why it’s so hard to believe BC is one of the only coastal regions in North America without a cohesive plan and laws to protect it.
British Columbians are drawing a new blueprint for the coast. A blueprint, co-designed with Indigenous nations, that ensures marine life and coastal communities get the future they deserve. Learn more: Blueprintforthecoast.ca
Event information:
Kate MacMillan Ocean Conservation Manager kate@cpawsbc.org
About Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC
Precipice is a new art exhibition that tells stories of biodiversity loss and hope in British Columbia. Working in mixed mediums, seven BC-based artists will compel you to mourn, understand and ultimately protect the lands and waters of Canada’s most biodiverse province.
From September 15-23, 2023 Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.
Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jessie Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.
Precipice is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia. Find more information about the Precipice art exhibition: ontheprecipice.ca
Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC — Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC welcomes the public for Opening Night on Friday, September 15 from 6-9 PM. Celebrate opening night with a very first look at this special show. Enjoy wine, beer or kombucha and music from Hussein DJ A-SLAM all night.
*The official opening is open to media. Media wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP online or email media@cpawsbc.org
About Precipice: Changing the course of the Extinction Crisis in BC
Precipice is a new art exhibition that tells stories of biodiversity loss and hope in British Columbia. Working in mixed mediums, seven BC-based artists will compel you to mourn, understand and ultimately protect the lands and waters of Canada’s most biodiverse province.
From September 15-23, 2023 Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.
Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jessie Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.
We open on Friday, September 15, 2023 from 6-9 PM and would love to have you as our guest.
Regular Gallery hours are free and open to the public Tuesday-Thursday from 3-6PM, in addition to special evening and weekend programs.
Mediating on Nature art workshop with Cherry Archer: Sunday September 17, 2023
Beginner-friendly ceramics workshop with Clare Wilkening: September 23, 2023
Precipice is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia. Find more information about the Precipice art exhibition: ontheprecipice.ca
For interviews, please contact Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation Manager, CPAWS-BC tori@cpawsbc.org 604-685-7445 x24
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Works by seven BC artists renew hope amidst an extinction crisis
Take a sensory journey from loss to hope at Precipice, an art exhibit and gathering space where conversations about solutions to biodiversity loss will thrive. Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC runs at the Alternatives Gallery in Vancouver from September 15-23, 2003.
Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC is an art exhibition that tells stories of loss and hope for lands, animals, waters and people in British Columbia, Canada’s most biodiverse province. At Alternatives Gallery in Vancouver, seven BC-based artists will express how deeply biodiversity in nature affects the human experience.
Presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia, Precipice is more than an art exhibit. It’s a gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host community conversations about biodiversity.
“Precipice is a convening space for critical conversations about what people living in BC can do to protect our children’s futures,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation Manager at CPAWS-BC. “We’re living through an extinction crisis – forest fires, floods and droughts. But we can’t lose hope.”
Right now, Indigenous Nations are working to protect their traditional territories and the province has an unparalleled opportunity to support their vision and ensure that lands and waters are healthy and protected, says Ball. “This is how we can mitigate the effects of climate change and support communities in BC. Precipice is an open, community space for people to gather, learn and take action.”
Works featured at Precipice show that when we do better for Nature, people thrive too: a textile sculpture embodies the life experience of a tree; a ceramic tile installation depicts the family history of our Southern Resident killer whales; and textural cut-outs explore wildlife relocation caused by habitat loss.
Precipice’s community programs welcome guest speakers including Chief Rebecca David of Pauquachin Nation, Councillor Archie Little, Nuchatlaht First Nation, Nuu-Chah-Nulth Tribal Council artists workshops and storytelling events. Tickets are free or by donation and the schedule of events is listed below.
Precipice is curated by Rachael Ashe and features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jessie Recalma, Sarah Ronald and Clare Wilkening. The gallery is always free to enter and is open Monday to Thursday from 4 PM to 6 PM for public viewing. All are welcome to join workshops and guest speaker nights during extended weekend and evening hours.
Precipice art exhibition is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC). A portion of the proceeds will support the non-profit’s work to advocate for the protection of lands, waters and wildlife in BC.
When: September 15-23, 2023 Time: 4 PM to 6 PM, plus special evening and weekend events. Where: Alternatives Gallery and Studio, 1659 Venables Street, Vancouver, BC. Tickets: Always free to visit the gallery Monday to Friday from 4-6 PM. Donations welcomed for special evening speakers night, weekend workshops and more online
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is part of one of Canada’s oldest non-profit conservation groups. We protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Our work to safeguard large parks, protected areas and wildlife corridors has been instrumental in protecting precious places across the province. Join our community on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Donate today. Take action.
When I joined CPAWS-BC at the start of the new year, I knew I was getting the chance to put my passion and skills for marine research into action. Little did I know, in my first month, I’d get to attend a Congress gathering with the world’s top thought leaders and marine guardians and have the opportunity to learn, connect and share solutions for marine conservation.
CPAWS-BC ocean conservation team at IMPAC5. (From left to right: Meaghen McCord, Jacob Chila, Alicia Elgert, Carlo Acuña, Debra Sinarta, and Kate MacMillan).
The 5th International Marine Protected Area Congress (IMPAC5) marked my first month working with CPAWS-BC and my first experience attending a Congress of this scale. While these firsts sparked excitement, they simultaneously cast shadows of doubt and nerves. It’s a feeling I know many of my peers experience too. It’s not always comfortable to enter spaces where youth and others haven’t always been invited into or included. I feared being trivial and inconvenient in rooms full of important decision-makers, leaders, and ocean champions who I look up to. I’m happy to say my experience at IMPAC5 proved those apprehensions wrong. In contrast to the pressures of formal meetings and tense negotiations, the congress space welcomed honest conversations and meaningful connections. Day by day, my anxieties lifted and, in turn, uncovered such an empowering and memorable week.
IMPAC5 took place February 5-9, 2023, on the lands and waters of the Coast Salish Peoples in Vancouver. CPAWS-BC’s ocean conservation team joined Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, scientists, youth, and community leaders for a week of expert presentations, workshops, family festival activities, and critical conservation commitments. The perspectives and collective voices of the global ocean community helped shape a bright path toward advancing marine conservation both here in BC and beyond.
Here are three highlights from my time at IMPAC5:
1. Celebrating Conservation Wins!
Marine conservation work fully embodies the sentiment, “it’s a marathon not a sprint”. It can take years, sometimes decades, of planning and meaningful consultation before introducing a new marine protected area (MPA) in BC. At IMPAC5, we had the special opportunity to celebrate several exciting announcements:
These milestones signal a hopeful course toward stronger ocean protection. We’re celebrating these ‘wins’ thanks to the leadership of Indigenous Nations, collaboration between governments, and community voices like you who took action to speak up for the ocean we love and depend on. I’m encouraged by the work that’s been done and feel motivated that together we can move forward on these commitments.
Photo by Markus Thompson, Thalassia Environmental
2. Reflecting on JEDI Knowledge-Sharing Sessions
Each day at IMPAC5 introduced an incredible series of keynote speakers, symposiums, poster presentations, and knowledge-sharing sessions. The presenters and panellists explored timely themes, including managing MPAs, addressing the climate crisis, and advancing the blue economy. In between jumping from session to session, I found myself especially moved by conversations of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI).
Notes, quotes, and reflection questions I captured from two knowledge-sharing sessions.
I enjoyed the “Social Equity and Marine Conservation” session with Nathan Bennett, Aulani Wilhelm, Natalie Ban, Danika Klieber, María José Barragán, Elise Huffer, and Philip Akins. The panellists shared valuable insight and guidance on how organizations can equitably pursue marine conservation. Our conversation highlighted the gaps and structural barriers to integrating equity in conservation actions while envisioning ways to spotlight the human dimensions of marine conservation.
Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager (CPAWS-BC), joined Natalie Groulx (CPAWS), Véronique Bussière (CPAWS/SNAP-QC) and Gwen Bridge to unpack how and what it means to decolonize conservation and advocacy work within the environmental non-governmental organizations(ENGOs). This session was a meaningful opportunity to reflect as an organization and exchange perspectives with other ENGOs around the world.
3. IMPAC5 Ocean Fest: Clay Herring Workshop with Clare Wilkening
Clay herring creations made by participants at the workshop.
While sessions were happening inside, IMPAC5 Ocean Fest also turned up across Downtown Vancouver. CPAWS-BC hosted a series of events, including a Speaker Series, an interactive Festival Tent, and a photo contest. Our final Ocean Fest event was a ceramic clay herring workshop at the Massy Art Gallery led by local ceramic artist, Clare Wilkening.
This workshop was a welcomed break from the buzzing conference, and a perfect excuse to get my hands dirty. Artists, scientists, families, and community members filled the space. A calming and grounding energy filled the room. Together, we spent the afternoon molding clay herring—each uniquely beautiful— and sharing chatting about artistic practices, community, and conservation. There are deep connections between art and conservation. Bridging these parallels can be a powerful tool to convey important messages of biodiversity loss, evoke feelings of empathy towards nature, and catalyze action for conservation issues.
The clay creations from this workshop will find a home in Clare’s upcoming art installation that celebrates the importance of herring.
Coming out of IMPAC5, I feel heartened and encouraged by our new and renewed commitments to implementing stronger protection standards for MPAs. I’m hopeful that by working together with Indigenous leadership and supporting Indigenous-led conservation efforts, Canada can protect 30% of the ocean by 2023 and more. Everyone has a voice of belonging in shaping the future. And while it’s important to diversify the voices in the room, the voices outside count too. I’m excited to dive deeper into my staff role and build a global network of ocean protection.
The CPAWS-BC’s ocean team will continue doing what we do best. We’re focusing on the best ways to support Indigenous partners as they chart a new path forward for land and water conservation on their territories. We’ll keep bringing our extensive expertise in science communication, map-making and GIS analysis, and community engagement to local areas where big conservation gains are possible. With your continued support, we’ll amplify the stories and voices of people protecting nature in every corner of the province and all along the coastline.
We can’t do this without you. It’s more important than ever that your voice for nature is included in decision-makers’ vision for the future. With your support, we’ll work to ensure these commitments for ocean conservation are fulfilled.
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The 2023 BC Budget was released on Tuesday, February 28. In the weeks leading up to the budget announcement, BCer’s sent messages to BC leaders urging them to increase funding for nature protection. While nature didn’t see the big boost we all hoped for, CPAWS-BC welcomes the positive moves for BC’s parks and the coast.
The budget sets out a vision for collaborative stewardship of lands, waters and marine ecosystems. We’re excited to see the budget build on BC’s recent policy commitments and IMPAC5 announcements to prioritize ecosystem health, protect 30% of lands by 2030 and advance Indigenous-led conservation.
Want to know how the new budget will invest in lands, waters and ocean conservation action in BC?
Here are our top 10 nature notes in the BC Budget:
1) More funding for parks and recreation: $101 million will be provided to BC Parks and Recreation Sites and Trails over three years for capital and operating expenses. This means your favourite parks, trails and campsites will get the funding support they need to protect nature and be more accessible.
“A significant increase to the BC Parks and recreation budget will support trails and campsites, and increase accessibility for people to connect with the lands and waters that make BC unique"- Tori Ball, CPAWS-BC Terrestrial Conservation Manager #BCBudgethttps://t.co/nU4I5qSr0d
2) Co-developing an Indigenous Guardians training program: As part of a $480M three-year skills training plan, funding will be provided to support new Guardian training programs. This will be co-developed with Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Guardians are the “eyes and ears on the ground” in traditional territories, honouring their stewardship responsibilities and strengthening the protection of land and waters across BC.
3) A commitment to implement the Together for Wildlife Strategy: This strategy aims to advance wildlife and habitat stewardship across BC in partnership with Indigenous Nations. BC has a wealth of biodiversity and this plan recognizes the need for a collaborative, adaptive approach to managing wildlife and habitat.
4) Additional regional Forest Landscape Planning tables: $21 million will be provided over three years to establish eight more regional Forest Landscape Planning tables to expand on the existing four. Forest Landscape Planning tables will be led by the province in partnership with Indigenous Nations to engage stakeholders and local community members. This builds on a suite of recently announced changes to shift forest management in BC to better prioritize ecosystem health, community resiliency and Indigenous values.
5) Jumpstarting a Watershed Security Fund: $100 million will go towards improving watershed security in BC by implementing a Watershed Security Fund. Watershed security is vital for strong communities and ecological health. Clean water is a growing concern within communities on the frontlines of climate change and extreme weather events. Healthy watersheds support climate resilience, reconciliation, local economies and all walks of life.
Photo by Lichen, Troy Moth on Nuchatlaht Traditional Territory.
6) Further investment in land-use planning: BC’s land-use planning budget received a slight boost to advance the modernizing of land-use planning and policy, in partnership with Indigenous Peoples. Additional resources will be necessary to reach the commitments to protect 30% of lands by 2030 and paradigm-shifting approaches to land and resource management are reaffirmed in the budget.
7) More funding for First Nations agreements: Nearly $75 million dedicated to supporting reconciliation initiatives with First Nations including the development of clean energy and natural resources, land purchases and emergency management. This investment bolsters efforts to support Indigenous management of their Traditional Territories and is key to the province’s commitment to protecting 30% of lands by 2030.
8) Additional financial investment in water, fisheries, and coastal policy and planning: The province has allocated $10,355,000 for water, fisheries, and coastal policy and planning, which is a slight increase from the 2022/2023 budget of $7,917,000. The exact distribution of this funding to the different programs is unknown, but CPAWS-BC supports an increase in financial investment towards marine conservation, planning, and stewardship in partnership with Indigenous Nations. The following initiatives are included in this boost:
9) Coastal Marine Strategy: The first BC Coastal Marine Strategy will be a cohesive plan co-developed with Indigenous Nations to ensure the health of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The conservation outcomes of the Coastal Marine Strategy will reflect efforts to strengthen other provincial natural resource management strategies, such as the Watershed Security Strategy and Wild Salmon Strategy.
“We’re happy with the progress to co-develop the Coastal Marine Strategy, and the announcement today signals that the province remains committed to continuing this important work, ” said Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager with CPAWS-BC. “We hope that once the strategy is completed, there will be a continued investment to ensure its delivery. We need to care for marine waters, to support thriving, healthy marine ecosystems and coastal communities for future generations.”
10) Marine Plan Partnership and the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network: BC and coastal First Nations are leading the Marine Plan Partnership and the implementation of Canada’s first Marine Protected Area Network in the Great Bear Sea. As of February 6, 2023, the implementation of the new MPA Network is within sight. Permanent protections here on the North and Central coasts will benefit marine life and communities now, and forever
Is the 2023 BC Budget everything we hoped for? Not quite, but it sets the stage for a vision we can build on.
It will take all of us together, to secure meaningful protections for nature on the path to 30×30. Thanks for adding your voice to the movement.
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Take Action! Add your comments to the BC Coastal Marine Strategy questionnaire before April 14, 2023. Your feedback is important and will help shape a healthy coast for future generations.
Blueberry River First Nations and BC Reach Historic Land Stewardship Agreement
CPAWS-BC celebrates steps towards facilitating Indigenous land stewardship and increasing land protection in BC.
18 January 2022Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Territories / Vancouver, BC— The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) celebrates a new partnership approach between Blueberry River First Nations and British Columbia to uphold Treaty 8 rights and protect lands and waters within Suunéch’ii Kéch’iige, “The Place Where Happiness Dwells”. The Blueberry River First Nations Implementation Agreement is an important step toward facilitating Indigenous land stewardship, recognizing Indigenous rights, and increasing land and biodiversity protection in BC.
Northeastern British Columbia has been significantly impacted by development activities such as oil and natural gas extraction and forestry. This agreement will help prevent and reverse biodiversity loss through improved land use planning and restoration.
“Lands managed by Indigenous Peoples are known to have the highest levels of biodiversity. We’re excited about an increase in protected areas in BC, especially with Indigenous stewardship at the forefront,” says Meaghen McCord, Executive Director with CPAWS-BC.
This agreement is a response to the BC Supreme Court (Yahey) decision made on June 29, 2021, which stated the Province is required to protect the constitutional rights of Blueberry River First Nations and better manage the cumulative effects of industrial development on Blueberry River First Nations Treaty rights.
Collaborative land use planning detailed in this agreement identifies new areas for protection from logging, implements restrictions on oil and natural gas development in Blueberry Rivers’ Claim Area, and details an ambitious timeline for implementation. New land protections that value ecosystem health over natural resource extraction will advance BC’s commitment to protecting 30 percent of lands by 2030. The increase in protected areas and an ecosystem-based management approach will help safeguard biodiversity and species at risk.
The agreement includes new funding to restore a more intact and diverse forest with native plants. Indigenous knowledge and western science will be brought together in wildlife monitoring and management, with a focus on moose and caribou population recovery. Restoration to heal the land, and co-management of wildlife will ensure healthy ecosystems for future generations.
“Indigenous Peoples have stewarded rich and healthy landscapes since time immemorial. We hope this new partnership approach in land use planning will help fast track a pathway for creating new, and recognizing already declared, Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) in BC.” says Meaghen McCord, Executive Director.
This agreement is great news for the modernization of land-use planning and shared decision-making in BC that recognizes Indigenous rights and responsibilities and considers cumulative effects. We congratulate Blueberry River First Nations and the Province on this important agreement.
The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope.
CPAWS-BC celebrates a commitment to protecting 30% by 2030 and advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in BC
CPAWS-BC applauds provincial direction to protect 30% of land by 2030
December 8, 2022,traditional unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, British Columbia — The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is celebrating the Government of BC’s move to take major action on conservation by protecting 30% of lands by 2030 and advancing Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). This crucial direction was set through the mandate letter from the Premier to the new Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, Nathan Cullen, and makes BC the second province in Canada to make this commitment.
“With this direction, BC is investing in our future, and protecting the natural world that provides our food, clean water, clean air and stable climate,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation Manager with CPAWS-BC. “Protected areas help to mitigate the worst effects of climate change, while contributing to diversified local economies and advancing BC’s reconciliation goals. This is extremely good news for all British Columbians.”
“We are very happy to see the Government of BC remains committed to protecting our coastal marine ecosystems in this mandate too,” says Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC. “This is good for marine life and also safeguards the livelihoods of those living there. A healthy ocean is good for nature, and for BC’s economy.”
Existing protected area proposals and IPCA declarations add up to nearly 100,000 square kilometres, covering two and a half times the landmass of Vancouver Island.
“BC is the most biologically diverse province in Canada,” says Ball. “The new mandate letter shows support for work that is already underway to halt and reverse biodiversity loss here in BC . Protecting 30% by 2030, supporting IPCAs, developing a biodiversity law as a key recommendation from the Old Growth Strategic Review – this is all good news for our land, waters and wildlife.”
Indigenous Nations in the province are already leading the way through conservation visions, declarations and stewardship initiatives in their traditional territories. Ball says she is hopeful the mandate letter will specifically lead to increased action on Indigenous-led conservation proposals such as the Kaska Dena’s Dene K’éh Kusān and the Lower Similkameen’s sməlqmíx Protected Areas.
Research shows that biodiversity thrives on Indigenous-managed lands and waters, and these are just two of the incredible proposals that would safeguard intact watersheds and create refuges for wildlife like caribou and many other species” she says. “Their work allows threatened species to make a comeback, bolsters Indigenous rights to land and culture, and helps the province adapt to a rapidly changing climate, so it must be supported.”
The announcement comes during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, and where Ball and MacMillan are attending on behalf of CPAWS-BC alongside Indigenous partners to encourage Canada and the international community to land an ambitious new global deal to save nature, and urge them to support Indigenous Peoples’ land and ocean protection efforts.
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For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Territorial Conservation Manager, CPAWS BC tori@cpaws.org | (604) 685-7445 x24
Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager, CPAWS BC kate@cpaws.org| ( 604) 685-7445 x 26
About CPAWS-BC:
The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) is Canada’s only nationwide charity dedicated solely to the protection of our public land, ocean, and freshwater, and ensuring our parks and protected areas are managed to protect nature. Since 1963, CPAWS has played a leading role in protecting over half a million square kilometers. Our vision is to protect at least half of Canada’s public land and water in a framework of reconciliation – for the benefit of wildlife and people.
The CPAWS British Columbia chapter (CPAWS-BC) works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. We have been defending BC since 1978, and are dedicated to keeping BC’s natural environment thriving forever. Nature is BC’s best hope.
