biodiversity

Photo of Mama Inlet. Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

October 20 2023

Five Things To Know About the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

Max Winkelman Blog biodiversity, canadian parks and wilderness society, conservation, cpaws-bc, ipca, marine protected area

Five Things To Know About the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network

Earlier this year, we celebrated that 15 Indigenous Nations, BC, and Canada endorsed the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network Action Plan. What did this mean exactly?

Here are 5 things you should know about the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network:

1) Many years, many voices

The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network was created collaboratively by Indigenous and coastal communities from North Vancouver Island, along the Central Coast to the North Coast and across to Haida Gwaii.

For over 10 years, there have been many meetings and conversations with people who live and work on the coast, including the fishing, tourism, and environmental sectors.

Together, governance partners—First Nations, federal and provincial governments—and stakeholders have developed a plan that will protect the vibrant network of life in the Great Bear Sea for generations to come.

Right: Photo of Coastal Guardian Watchmen collecting data on marine species
Photo Credit: Georgia Lloyd-Smith

2) More fish in the ocean

Right now, we see fish populations in Pacific Canada at a fraction of their historical levels [1]. The Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network is a tool to help rebuild fisheries and recover ecosystems, limiting catches of certain species should be coupled with protecting habitats where marine life feed, breed, and grow up.

We can look at long-term studies from other areas to see the real and powerful benefits of marine protected areas for helping fisheries and improving food security. One example is the marine protected area network established in California a decade ago which has already shown encouraging results, including more and larger fish beyond the boundaries of the protected areas, including species targeted by fisheries [2][3]. Over the first 10 years, local fisheries either improved or stayed the same in terms of catch, effort and dollar value [4].

Left: Photo of a China Rockfish
Photo Credits: Ed Bierman (CC by 2.0); CDFW by Christy Juhasz (CC by 2.0)

3) Defence from many different threats

Marine protected areas limit activities that threaten marine life. Whether it’s the loss of critical ecosystems like cold water corals and sponges, seagrass and kelp or impacts on marine animals from ship dumping, we can reduce threats to ocean health by managing destructive human activities. Canada has committed to ban the most harmful activities in all marine protected areas, these include oil and gas, mining, bottom-trawling, and dumping. When the damage and destruction from these industrial activities is removed, these areas are refuges that better support marine life and whole ecosystems to adapt to other threats, such as warming waters and ocean acidification [5][6].

Right: Photo of ferry and dolphins swimming nearby.
Photo credit: Markus Thompson

4) Benefits far beyond the boundaries

Marine protected areas provide both direct and indirect benefits to local economies and beyond. Marine protected areas help rebuild and sustain fisheries. They’re a proven tool to help enhance community involvement and support marine tourism. Local economies also benefit from creating conservation-related jobs such as monitoring, management, and research [7][8].

Marine protected areas also protect the ecosystem services these areas provide, such as protecting key coastal habitats that reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate change threats such as storm damage, flooding and coastal erosion [9], and protecting and restoring kelp forest and seagrass meadows that help the sequestration of carbon [10]. Moreover, a healthy, safe, and thriving ocean uplifts cultural and spiritual values across generations.

Left: Photo of humpback whale and kayakers
Photo credit: Markus Thompson

5) Supercharge conservation effectiveness!

Establishing a connected network of marine protected areas in the Great Bear Sea will defend and support a diversity of habitats. By establishing a network of marine protected areas rather than creating individual protected areas without considering the connections across the ocean, will supercharge their effectiveness. This is the opportunity to work together across communities and sectors to amplify the benefits of individual protected areas and ensure the large-scale processes that keep ecosystems and wildlife populations healthy will remain.

Right: Photo of Mama Inlet.
Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

What's next?

A healthy ocean full of fish, kelp, and whales, and is part of the legacy we want to leave for our children and grandchildren.

After years of work to develop the draft action plan for the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network, the announcement in February 2023 meant that everyone can continue working on the details to make the plan a reality. Equipped with the long-standing process between Indigenous Nations and governments, input advisory tables with stakeholders, and feedback during the public consultations, we can build on these collaborations.

Debra Sinarta, Marine Research Coordinator
Kate MacMillan, Ocean Conservation Manager

Left: Photo of Mama Inlet.
Photo Credits: Markus Thompson

References
References
- Ban, Natalie C., et al. “Well-being outcomes of marine protected areas.” Nature sustainability 2.6 (2019): 524-532.
- Duarte, Carlos M., et al. “Rebuilding marine life.” Nature 580.7801 (2020): 39-51.
- Jankowska, Emilia, et al. “Climate benefits from establishing marine protected areas targeted at blue carbon solutions.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119.23 (2022): e2121705119.
- Marcos, Concepción, et al. “Reviewing the ecosystem services, societal goods, and benefits of marine protected areas.” Frontiers in Marine Science 8 (2021): 613819.
- Micheli, Fiorenza, et al. “Evidence that marine reserves enhance resilience to climatic impacts.” PloS one 7.7 (2012): e40832.
- Murray, S., & Hee, T. T. (2019). A rising tide: California’s ongoing commitment to monitoring, managing and enforcing its marine protected areas. Ocean & Coastal Management, 182, 104920.
- Reid, Mike, et al. “Protecting our coast for everyone’s future: Indigenous and scientific knowledge support marine spatial protections proposed by Central Coast First Nations in Pacific Canada.” People and Nature 4.5 (2022): 1052-1070.
- Roberts, Callum M., et al. “Marine reserves can mitigate and promote adaptation to climate change.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114.24 (2017): 6167-6175.
- Thompson, Andrew R., et al. “Larval abundances of rockfishes that were historically targeted by fishing increased over 16 years in association with a large marine protected area.” Royal Society open science 4.9 (2017): 170639.
- https://www.americanprogress.org/article/marine-protected-areas-help-fisheries-ocean-ecosystems/#:~:text=By%20providing%20a%20refuge%20for,and%20help%20to%20stock%20fisheries.

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CPAWS BC has been working with decision makers and stakeholders, including local communities and fishers, to support the Great Bear Sea Marine Protected Area Network for over 10 years , and we want to ensure that you know all about it. Over the next few months, we will be posting blogs about different topics related to this part of the ocean and what’s happening on and in the water.

Learn more about the Great Bear Sea at www.greatbearsea.org

October 13 2023

PRECIPICE: Artists are vital in climate and habitat loss discussions

Max Winkelman Blog biodiversity, canadian parks and wilderness society, conservation, cpaws-bc

PRECIPICE: Artists are vital in climate and habitat loss discussions

A year ago we hatched a plan to create a real-world art exhibit and community space where we could mourn biodiversity loss in BC, honour animals and plants trying to survive in an extinction crisis and recognize the possibility for hope at a moment where we can glimpse positive shifts ahead.

At Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC we looked forward to what can be in BC – more Indigenous-led conservation; 30% of the province protected by 2030 and a resilient future. At Precipice we celebrated these opportunities, embraced hope and were filled with inspiration for the next leg of the journey to ensure decision-makers turn those promises into action.

We’ve shared some of the artists’ experiences here and we hope you’ll find hope and inspiration from them and their exquisite artwork as well as in some of the joyful moments of Precipice.

Sarah Ronald

As an artist I was really happy to be invited to participate in Precipice because it aligned perfectly with my interest in connecting with the world beyond the gallery. It was an opportunity to present my work where it had the potential to have a positive impact in the broader community. Precipice was also a great opportunity to connect with fellow wildlife concerned artists and art collectors, as well as a variety of individuals working in the fields of conservation, science and private sectors.

Along with talking about my piece (and our problematic concept of wildlife relocation to address habitat loss and poor human behaviour around coexistence with wildlife), I spoke about the importance of art and storytelling in this current time on the planet. Artists are really important to include in the climate and habitat loss discussions because they can present data in inspiring and unique ways, and those pieces can further engage and create massive ripple effects in generating solutions.

Through this exhibition I was also able to listen and learn. For instance after hearing CPAWS staff in media interviews, I was inspired to take a closer look at the UN report about biodiversity loss and excellerating extinction rates – which will no doubt become influence for future artwork, which will bring further awareness and acknowledgment to the broader community.

For my particular piece in this exhibition, The Transference of Landsharks, the message is for each of us to personally and continually check how our behaviours impact the natural world in daily life. Even where our current culture sets us up for complacency, we need to choose not to be complacent – we need to choose to stay engaged and to make positive changes for the rest of our lives.

If one loses sight of things, just consider that we are all living on clear cuts that were once massive healthy ecosystems: for this reason alone we have a responsibility to provide meaningful compassionate action towards all that is more-than-human.

You can check out Sarah’s work at sarahronald.com or on Instagram @sarahronaldartist.

Grace Lee

Being part of this group exhibit at Precipice was such a meaningful experience as it showed the passion and dedication to environmental preservation that many of us are fiercely protective of.

Many conversations revolved around setting an intention with the Daruma dolls to make change and taking that first step and promise to further the work needed to protect our environment & wildlife.

I hope that the Darumas set a daily reminder that every day matters.

It’s not only about setting a goal to take action but committing to it and following through for the sake of our land, waters and wildlife.

You can Check out Grace’s work at eikcamceramics.com

Cherry Archer

Participating in Precipice was thoroughly rewarding. The curator had a clear vision. She assembled an engaging and informative group of speakers and workshops. I had the opportunity to present alongside talented artists. Each body of work complimented the next. I felt supported and had an excellent time presenting my workshop.-

The best way to keep informed on her work is to follow ger Instagram @cherry.archer

My work can also be found at:

public art until Jan 31, 2024 at Landsdowne SkyTrain station transit columns
https://www.richmond.ca/culture/publicart/whatsnew/no3rdartcolumns.htm
public art until 2025 at the corner of George Junction and Fraser Highway in Surrey
https://www.instagram.com/p/CrTfVaeJYC3/-gallery
exhibit until Nov 11
https://theactmapleridge.org/lessons-from-a-living-world

Clare Wilkening

It was great to meet and make a connection with the other artists and the team that put together the show. During the opening, watching people interact with the Orca Tiles, take the time to absorb the piece, read all the text tiles and look closely at the individual orcas in their family groups, was really moving. I could tell from watching and speaking to people that they came away from the work with an emotional resonance and deeper knowledge of the way the Southern Residents live and what can be done to help prevent their extinction. With the Fraser River Sturgeon, people had a big reaction to how striking the work is, and that draws them in to learn more about this mysterious species who is our neighbour. Sturgeon in the Fraser have fairly robust population numbers, but most of the population is old; there are not enough juveniles to sustain the future numbers of this long-lived species. It’s unknown why there are so few juveniles, but part of the reason may be the stress of the catch-and-release fishery- stress can disrupt spawning biological processes and behaviours. Fishers have already voluntarily stopped fishing in certain areas during spawning season, but maybe more needs to be done. I had a sturgeon facts card next to the sculpture, and I equally enjoyed watching people read that as I did watching people absorb the Orca Tiles.

Some great conversations I had included talking with MP Jenny Kwan about ceramics and about these species, as well as being interviewed by Sheryl McKay for CBC: North by Northwest.

A major issue that the Southern Resident Orca currently face is the proposed expansion of the Deltaport/Roberts Bank terminal. This construction would greatly increase freighter traffic through the Salish Sea, which brings with it noise pollution (making it harder for the orca to locate prey), risk of ship strikes, and additional pollution from the vessels themselves and risk of oil spills. Construction would also destroy large areas of eelgrass in the underwater shore along the bank and the estuary- this is crucial habitat for migrating juvenile salmon, the orca’s primary food source. You can write to your MP, to Ministers Guilbeault (Environment), Alghabra (Transport), Lebouthillier (Fisheries & Oceans), Freeland (Deputy Prime Minister), and Trudeau (PM), and let them you do not support this port expansion and why. You can also visit https://georgiastrait.org/work/species-at-risk/proposed-terminal-2-deltaport-expansion-2/ and https://www.againstportexpansion.org to learn more.

You can find Clare’s work at her open studio Oct. 19-21 in Roberts Creek for the Sunshine Coast Art Crawl. She will be vending her ocean-themed pottery at Make It Vancouver at the PNE December 7-10th, and on clarewilkening.com or on Instagram @clarewilkening.ceramics.

Adea Chung

It was an honour to be part of Precipice and among such inspiring and passionate artists. I generally make small jewellery and home wares, having the opportunity to do something on a larger scale for the show was such a treat.

Adea’s work can be found at: The Billy Would store 2168 E. Hastings St. Vancouver, BC or visit billywould.com.

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September 18 2023

Media Advisory: Marine Pollution speaker night highlights First Nations leadership for a healthy coast

Skye CPAWS-BC News 30x30, biodiversity, conservation, marine coastal strategy bc, precipice, vancouver events

September 17, 2023

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.

Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis

When: September 19, 2023 from 6-8PM
Where: Alternatives Gallery, 1659 Venables Street, Vancouver, BC.
Tickets: Tickets are available by donation. Please save your spot on Eventbrite.

Guest Speakers:

Chief Rebecca David of Pauquachin Nation
Octavio Cruz, Marine Scientific Manager, Pauquachin Nation
Calvin Sandborn KC, Retiring Senior Counsel, UVic Environmental Law Centre
Lucero González Ruiz, Biodiversity Campaigner, Georgia Strait Alliance
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

September 14 2023

Media Advisory – Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis in BC | Opening Night Sept 15

Skye CPAWS-BC News 30x30, biodiversity, conservation, precipice, vancouver events

September 14, 2023

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.

When: September 15, 2023 from 6-9PM
Where: Alternatives Gallery, 1659 Venables Street, Vancouver, BC.
Tickets: Free to attend. Please RSVP to save your spot.

*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

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.

Programming highlights:

Opening Night: Friday, September 15 from 6-9 PM
Opening Day (Natural Wonders): Saturday, September 16 from 10 AM -2 PM
Family Fun day: Sunday, September 17 from 10 AM -2 PM
Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis speaker panel: Tuesday, September 19 from 6-7:30 PM
Paths Forward: Empowering Conservation Beyond 30×30 speaker panel: Thursday, September 21 from 6-8 PM
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

Media information:

Tori Ball
media@cpawsbc.org

August 29 2023

Works by seven BC artists renew hope amidst an extinction crisis

Anabelle News 30x30, art, biodiversity, extinction, precipice

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.

Precipice: Changing the Course of the Extinction Crisis 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

Special events include:

Opening Night: Friday, September 15 from 6-9 PM
Opening Day (Natural Wonders): Saturday, September 16 from 10 AM -2 PM
Family Fun day: Sunday, September 17 from 10 AM-2 PM
Turning the Tide on BC’s Marine Pollution Crisis speaker panel: Tuesday, September 19 from 6-7:30 PM
Paths Forward: Empowering Conservation Beyond 30×30 speaker panel: Thursday, September 21 from 6-8 PM
Mediating on Nature art workshop with Cherry Archer: Sunday September 17, 2023
Beginner-friendly ceramics workshop with Clare Wilkening: September 23, 2023

–30–

📁Download Press release and press kit.

For interview, please contact
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Conservation Manager, CPAWS-BC
tori@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 x24

Resources:

Website: www.ontheprecipice.ca

For photos and press kit: www.ontheprecipice.ca/toolkit

About CPAWS-BC

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.

Visit cpaws.org to learn more.

August 4 2023

Precipice Art Exhibition

Skye CPAWS-BC Blog, Events art, biodiversity, events, extinction crisis, fundraiser, species at risk, vancouver

Precipice: Changing the course of the extinction crisis in BC

September 15-23, 2023
Alternatives Gallery, 1659 Venables Street Vancouver, BC.

Precipice is an 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.

Learn more

Precipice is an exhibit and gathering place where artists, biologists and activists will teach, play and host conversations about biodiversity with the community.

The gallery is always free to visit during public hours. Tuesday to Thursday from 3-6 PM.

Precipice features work by Cherry Archer, Nell Burns, Adea Chung, Grace Lee, Jesse Recalma, Sarah Ronald, and Clare Wilkening and is curated by Rachael Ashe.

To learn more, visit: ontheprecipice.ca

Precipice is presented by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia.

December 7 2022

CPAWS at COP15 to call for more government action on nature protection

Skye CPAWS-BC News biodiversity, cop15

For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:

Tracy Walden
National Director, Communications and Development, CPAWS
twalden@cpaws.org
613-915-4857

Jennifer Scott
National Manager, Communications, CPAWS
jscott@cpaws.org
613-569-7226, ext. 234

Kate Toogood
We Can’t Wait Media Relations
kate.toogood@gmail.com
780-914-5449

Charlène Daubenfeld
Communications Director, CPAWS Québec
communications@snapquebec.org
514-378-3880

Lauren Terbasket,
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
250-499-1940

Gwen Bridge
Lower Similkameen Indian Band
gwen@gwenbridge.com
250-826-2265

August 5 2020

Conservation group applauds new youth conservation jobs

cpawsadmin News, Uncategorized bc parks, biodiversity, build bc back better, canadian parks and wilderness society, covid nature, covid-19 bc, cpaws, cpaws-bc, disease wildlife human, economic recovery bc, health wildlife, indigenous conservation, ipca, mental health nature, nature health, parks report, provincial parks, tori ball

For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2020

Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples/Vancouver, BC — The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) is applauding a new initiative to hire young people into conservation jobs in BC. These new jobs, announced today by Environment Minister George Heyman, will help to safeguard nature across the province.

“We’re happy to see more conservation jobs being created for young people at a time when our park system needs more support,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner with CPAWS-BC.

“In the short term, these new jobs will help manage the impacts of increasing visitation on the outdoor places we love so much, by addressing long standing capacity issues within BC Parks,” she adds.

BC’s provincial parks were forced to shut down this spring due to concerns with understaffing and overcrowding, following a recent budget cut to operations earlier this year. Decades of underfunding to BC Parks has created a concerning shortage of staff as well as a significant backlog of maintenance issues and major delays in management planning for parks.

“These new temporary positions will help provide much-needed capacity to support overworked park rangers, which will better safeguard nature and improve people’s experiences in the outdoors,” says Ball.

“We hope to see continued investment in nature-based jobs and a commitment to a longer-term capacity increase for BC Parks, as part of the overall strategy to recover the province’s economy,” she adds.

–30–

For interviews, contact:

Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24

Resources

BC Government Media Release: Program offers young people work experience with BC Parks, COS (August 5, 2020)

About CPAWS-BC:

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC) protects wilderness in every corner of BC and deep into the ocean. CPAWS-BC supports the creation of large, well-managed, connected protected areas where native plants and animals thrive, now and forever; and where people and communities can live off the land and ocean without impacting the ability of future generations to do the same.

In the past 50+ years, CPAWS has played a lead role in protecting over half a million square kilometres – an area bigger than New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador put together.

July 15 2020

New report highlights opportunity to put nature protection at the heart of economic recovery in Canada

cpawsadmin News bc parks, biodiversity, build bc back better, canadian parks and wilderness society, covid nature, covid-19 bc, cpaws, cpaws-bc, disease wildlife human, economic recovery bc, health wildlife, indigenous conservation, ipca, mental health nature, nature health, parks report, provincial parks, tori ball

For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24

New report highlights opportunity to put nature protection at the heart of economic recovery in Canada

For Immediate Release

July 15, 2020

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC — A new report from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) recommends that nature protection is put at the heart of Canada’s COVID-19 recovery strategies. The report highlights the enormous potential of BC’s provincial parks to provide accessible and affordable outdoor activities, and outlines urgent challenges posed by decades of underfunding.

“It’s become very clear that BC’s parks are essential to our health and well-being. Safe, accessible outdoor recreation in parks is a proven way to boost mental health and reduce stress,” says Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner with CPAWS-BC.

“Unfortunately, decades of funding for BC’s parks has left communities with inequitable access to nature, and continues to put wildlife at risk,” she says.

The BC Parks budget was cut by 4% this year, exacerbating issues such as understaffing across the province. This has restricted or cut core functions such as monitoring and enforcement, research, and education.

The provincial and federal governments are making decisions on spending to restart the economy and recover from the economic downturn caused by COVID-19. CPAWS-BC is advocating for an investment of economic recovery funding into BC’s parks to better support the needs of communities across the province.

“This is our chance to get it right. We know that nature conservation is a driver of economic growth and provides essential community benefits that help build a resilient global economy,” says Ball.

”Now more than ever, we need to invest in these places so that our communities will be more resilient and better supported in the long run,” adds Ball.

CPAWS-BC’s recommendations to the Government of British Columbia:

Invest immediately in BC Parks, increasing staff capacity for visitor management, ecological monitoring, and management planning to better recognize the critical role that parks play in supporting our health, our communities, and our environment.
Support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives that enable reconciliation with Indigenous nations, protection and recovery of species at risk, and build sustainable long-term jobs in rural and remote communities

–30–

For interviews, contact:
Tori Ball, Terrestrial Campaigner
tori@cpawsbc.org
(604) 685-7445 x24

Download Media Release PDF

Additional Resource:

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society. (July 15 2020). Healthy Nature Healthy People. https://cpawsbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CPAWS-Parks-Report-2020-ENG.pdf

Photo by: Kirill Belotserkovsky via Pexels.com

TELL YOUR MLA: INVEST IN BC PARKS TO HELP BUILD BACK A BETTER BC

October 10 2019

VIFF: The Great Green Wall Celebrates Nature-based Solutions for Thriving Communities

cpawsadmin Blog biodiversity, viff

The 2019 Greater Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF) season sparks action and changes the way we see the world. CPAWS-BC is thrilled to be supporting VIFF this year as a community partner of Oscar-nominated director Fernando Meirelles’ “The Great Green Wall”.

“The Great Green Wall” highlights one of the world’s most ambitious initiatives to tackle climate change. 11 African nations began The Great Green Wall project in 2007 to plant 8,000 kilometers of trees and vegetation across the Sahel, a semi-arid area that stretches the entire width of Africa, south of the Sahara desert.

The film is guided by Malian musician and activist Inna Modja. Inna travels to Senegal, Mali, Nigeria, Niger and Ethiopia meeting people most affected by climate change and land degradation. Human activity and mismanagement of land and ocean resources is at the root of climate change and loss of biodiversity, in the Sahel region and all around the globe. The Green Wall offers a nature-based solution to natural resource scarcity, desertification and drought, conflict, migration and community revitalization issues. The project is designed to restore land depleted by agricultural overuse and grazing. Once complete, it will restore food and livelihood for communities. The wall could absorb some 250 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Great Green Wall, 2019

Human activity and mismanagement of land and ocean resources is at the root of climate change and loss of biodiversity. The project is designed to restore land depleted by agricultural overuse and grazing. Once complete, it will restore food and livelihood for communities. The wall could absorb some 250 million tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

I am at a loss for words. It’s the social, the economic, political…it is everything .
– VIFF film screening attendee

The wall itself is not linear or uniform. It is more like a patchwork of forest clusters sheltering life. It is an interconnected network of life that young people can depend on for generations to come. And the stories shared by those living along the Great Green Wall are about more than revitalizing desert landscape. They are about desperation, courage, and the hope for a brighter future.

Stories like this play out across the globe as the fight against climate change continues. Here at home, BC will experience a squeeze as our landscape and ocean morph with the climate. Flooding, storm surges, and rampant fires will displace people and wildlife from their homes. BC is along an escape route and will become a safe haven for new troves of species and communities seeking refuge from the impacts of climate change. — which will have unforeseeable impacts of its own.

The clusters of trees and plants along the Sahel breathe life back into the local communities. Things are, arguable, not quite so dire in BC, but we need to protect remaining large intact areas of wilderness for nature — including humans — to have a fighting chance.

Climate change is not coming, it is here. During an evening screening of “The Great Green Wall,” the whole audience held their breath watching a time-lapse of Lake Chad shrink by an estimated 90 per cent in a mere 50 years. It was a stark reminder of how much has already been lost. Science shows that we have only 12 years to curb our carbon emissions and keep irreparable global temperature rise at bay. We need bold, immediate action to protect habitats and ecological hotspots.

Nature needs us now. We are on the front lines of a nature emergency. The Amazon rainforest is burning. Declines in salmon populations risk cut food supply to endangered southern resident killer whales and grizzly bear populations. Indigenous leaders and scientists call for support to protect BC forests and critical caribou habitat.

Without biodiversity, life simply could not exist. BC has the greatest biodiversity in Canada, yet we have the most species at risk and our ecosystems are collapsing.
– VIFF film screening attendee

There is still hope for nature in BC. The Serengeti of the north in Kaska Dena territory and promise for protection of grasslands – one of the world’s most endangered ecosystems right here in BC’s South Okanagan-Similkameen offer large-scale nature protection. Interconnected networks of marine protected areas through the Great Bear Sea and rich depths of the Deepsea Oasis offshore of Vancouver Island reveal newly discovered and integral species along the pacific coast.

CPAWS-BC is dedicated to the protection of our public land and water, and ensuring our parks are managed to protect the nature within them. With help from people like you, we advocate for the creation of a patchwork of life support systems across the province. The next step will be to connect the dots with wildlife corridors and connected pathways of protected areas.

BC is a special place for animals and people.

We need your help to ensure protection for these places. We depend on nature for food, shelter, healing, and recreation. Our vision is to establish large, intact areas of wilderness on land and in the ocean that supports all life to not only survive, but thrive.

Animals caught on trail camera along BC provincial park boundaries

“BC needs a healthy environment for everyone – wildlife, nature, humans and biodiversity is vital for a stable and sustainable environment
-VIFF fan

The 2019 federal election will play a pivotal role in Canada’s response to the climate emergency and decline in nature here.

We each have a role to play in ensuring protection of biodiversity and the vitality of future communities. Environmental issues do not stand alone. Ecosystems must be resilient and adaptable to nurture nature amidst a rapidly evolving world.

Your vote for nature on October 21st helps leverage nature-based solutions and partnership between provincial, federal and Indigenous governments in response to climate change.

VIFF film screening and events September 26-October 11, 2019. Tickets and more information at WWW.VIFF.ORG