cpaws-bc

March 10 2020

New store launch creates spotlight for conservation

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For interview, please contact:

Tori Ball
Tori@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 ext. 24

New store launch creates spotlight for conservation

MEC Vancouver Flagship store opening highlights partnership opportunities for community to connect to nature and improve BC’s cherished parks

March 10, 2020

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter (CPAWS-BC), is celebrating the launch of Mountain Equipment Co-op’s new store and new opportunities for connecting more people with nature.

“MEC has demonstrated their commitment to protecting nature through a long-standing partnership with CPAWS, helping members to connect outdoor recreation and conservation across the country,” said Tori Ball, CPAWS-BC Terrestrial Campaigner. “Continued support from MEC allows us to reach new communities, empowering them to advocate for a healthy and accessible parks system.”

BC’s parks and protected areas provide affordable and accessible nature experiences for residents and visitors to the province, while also safeguarding wildlife and helping us adapt to climate change. Connecting people to our parks and sharing our love of these natural spaces is more important than ever. MEC has played an important role fostering these community connections.

With the support from MEC, CPAWS-BC has been connecting communities across the province with nature, from the Lower Mainland to the Rocky Mountains, and continues to work on creating new protected areas to forever protect the wild places we know and love. These programs include:

Connecting new audiences with parks in the Lower Mainland through a hiking program to increase awareness of backcountry safety, Leave No Trace principles and the parks system’s need for community support.
Protecting/supporting the protection of BC’s endangered grasslands in the South Okanagan-Similkameen in Canada’s newest National Park Reserve.

CPAWS-BC Terrestrial Program staff will greet media onsite at the MEC Vancouver flagship store on March 10th from 10:00 – 11:00 AM to answer questions about the partnership forged to safeguard an accessible and healthy parks system.

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Resources

Press Release: MEC Vancouver Flagship Store Opens

About CPAWS-BC

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (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.

For interview, please contact:

Tori Ball
Tori@cpawsbc.org
604-685-7445 ext. 24

February 21 2020

Historic agreement signals celebrated step for caribou in BC

cpawsadmin News bruce passmore, canadian parks and wilderness society, caribou, conservation, conservation bc, cpaws, cpaws-bc, endangered species canada, jessie corey, saulteau, species at risk, tori ball, west moberly, woodland caribou

For interview, please contact:

Skye Vallance, Communications and Development Coordinator

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter

604-685-7445 x 22

skye@cpawsbc.org

Historic agreement signals celebrated step for caribou in BC

For immediate release

February 21, 2020

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, BC – Today, a historic collaboration reached a critical point with the signing of a partnership agreement regarding the recovery of southern mountain caribou.

Saulteau and West Moberly First Nations announced they have negotiated a partnership agreement with B.C. and Canada to protect and recover caribou in the Peace Region. Part of the Partnership Agreement between the four governments includes the creation of an important new protected area in critical caribou habitat on West Moberly and Saulteau territories, near Chetwynd, BC.

“We are encouraged by this significant agreement to recover one of Canada’s most iconic species,” said Bruce Passmore, Executive Director of CPAWS-BC, “we applaud West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations, who have demonstrated incredible leadership, working with the provincial and federal governments towards protection of wildlife and species at risk in their traditional territories.”

This agreement includes new protected areas, that will expand the Klinse-za Provincial Park as well as restoration measures, access management, habitat recovery and restoration, and an Indigenous Guardian Program. A full, collaborative suite of measures sets the best chance at success for recovery while furthering Indigenous-led conservation models. Such models are critical to upholding the culture, stewardship and traditional knowledge of the original caretakers of the land.

“Support for Indigenous-led land and wildlife conservation efforts is crucial if we are to stem the global biodiversity and climate crisis,” said Passmore. “This historic collaboration between four governments demonstrates a new way forward for conservation in BC to preserve important species before it is too late.”

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For interview, please contact:

Skye Vallance, Communications and Development Coordinator

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter

604-685-7445 x 22

skye@cpawsbc.org

Image: Caribou bull at lick, Mayfield Lake. Photo credit: Wayne Sawchuk — Caribou bull at lick, Mayfield Lake. Photo credit: Wayne Sawchuk

February 6 2020

Oceans Act enforces glass sponge reef marine protected area regulations

cpawsadmin News conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc, dfo, fisheries act, glass sponge reef, marine protected area, oceans act

For interview, please contact:

Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter

604-685-7445 x 29

ross@cpawsbc.org

Oceans Act enforces glass sponge reef marine protected area regulations

February 6, 2020

Unceded Coast Salish Territory/Vancouver, B.C. – The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) welcomes the conviction of illegal fishing in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound Glass Sponge Reefs Marine Protected Area (Hecate MPA).

Illegal commercial groundfish harvesting was found to have occurred in the marine protected areas. A fine of $20,000 for illegal activity prohibited under the Hecate MPA Regulations, the first conviction under the Oceans Act nationwide. An additional fine, under the Fisheries Act, of $25,000 for possessing illegally caught fish was ordered to be paid.

“We would like to thank Fisheries and Oceans Canada for enforcing MPA regulations under the Oceans Act and protecting B.C.’s glass sponge reefs,” says Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager for CPAWS-BC.

Located in the Hecate Strait and Queen Charlotte Sound off B.C.’s north and central coasts, the Hecate MPA glass sponge reefs are a world treasure. Once thought extinct for millions of years, glass sponge reefs are now known only to live in the northeast Pacific Ocean, mainly off B.C.’s coast.

CPAWS-BC has been working since the early 2000s to protect B.C.’s glass sponge reefs. After years of pushing for protection, we celebrated when the Hecate MPA was created by Fisheries and Oceans Canada in 2017. CPAWS-BC continues to work with First Nations and the Government of Canada to protect other vulnerable glass sponge reefs in B.C. Enforcement of these Oceans Act MPA regulations will help ensure these rare ecosystems are not destroyed due to human activities.

Glass sponges are filter feeders. They do this so efficiently that 95% of bacteria are filtered out, cleaning the water. In fact, a single small reef can filter enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool in less than 60 seconds! Glass sponge reefs provide shelter for bottom-dwelling creatures such as rockfish and prawns.

Fishing activity can cause severe harm to these fragile habitats. Prawn and crab traps drop down and crush glass sponge reefs. Bottom trawling of heavy nets dragged along the seafloor destroy everything in their path while kicking up clouds of disturbed sediment, that prevent the sponges from feeding.

While this conviction means that the Hecate MPA is being enforced, more work needs to be done. Jameson says, “Now we need a management plan for this MPA with effective education, outreach, and additional protections to prevent these offences from occurring in the future.”

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For interview, please contact:

Ross Jameson, Ocean Conservation Manager

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, BC Chapter

604-685-7445 x 29

ross@cpawsbc.org

Resources

Fisheries and Oceans Canada. (2020, January 20). Safeguarding our future through the Oceans Act [News Release]. Retrieved https://www.canada.ca/en/fisheries-oceans/news/2020/01/safeguarding-our-future-through-the-oceans-act.html

Quillback rockfish on glass sponge reef. Photo Credit: Diane Reid

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (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.

February 4 2020

CPAWS-BC x VIMFF: West Vancouver

cpawsadmin cpaws-bc, event, film festival, free things to do, hike north shore, things to do west vancouver, VIMFF

Looking for a night of mountain inspiration? Grab your ticket to Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival (VIMFF) and join us before the film for a guided hikes before the show. This is not your average hiking group meet-up, CPAWS-BC will be sharing the best of BC’s nature stories.

⛹‍♀ Meet like-minded mountain film enthusiasts
🐦 Snow safety tips
🌳 Learn how you can take action to protect the places you love

HIKING TICKETS: Learn more + Register (FREE): cpawsbc.org/VIMFF

Feb 21 | Opening Night by Arc’teryx | North Vancouver’s Centennial Theater. Hike to Kennedy Falls, Lynn Valley NV, from 2:00 – 6:30 PM.

Feb 22 & 23 | Protect the Arctic Refuge Show | Port Moody’s Inlet Theater. Pre-show hike to Sawblade Falls, Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park. From 2:00 – 6:30 PM.

Feb 25 | Beautiful BC Shoe | West Vancouver’s Kay Meek Centre. Pre-show hike to Bowen Lookout, Cypress Provincial Park. From 4:00 – 6:30 PM.

🚘 Free carpool spots

We respectfully acknowledge that these gatherings will take place on the unceded, traditional, ancestral and occupied homelands of x?m?θkw?y??m (Musqueam), S?wx?wú7mesh (Squamish), S?l?ílw?ta? (Tsleil-Waututh), Katize, Kwikwetlem, Soowahlie, and Tsawwassen Nations, Seabird Island Band, and the Stó:lō Xwexwilmexw Treaty Association.

February 4 2020

CPAWS-BC x VIMFF: Port Moody

cpawsadmin cpaws-bc, event, film fesitval, hike, things to do port moody, VIMFF

⛹‍♀ Meet like-minded mountain film enthusiasts
🐦 Snow safety tips
🌳 Learn how you can take action to protect the places you love

HIKING TICKETS: Learn more + Register (FREE): cpawsbc.org/VIMFF

Feb 21 | Opening Night by Arc’teryx | North Vancouver’s Centennial Theater. Hike to Kennedy Falls, Lynn Valley NV, from 2:00 – 6:30 PM.

Feb 22 & 23 | Protect the Arctic Refuge Show | Port Moody’s Inlet Theater. Pre-show hike to Sawblade Falls, Pinecone-Burke Provincial Park. From 2:00 – 6:30 PM.

Feb 25 | Beautiful BC Shoe | West Vancouver’s Kay Meek Centre. Pre-show hike to Bowen Lookout, Cypress Provincial Park. From 4:00 – 6:30 PM.

🚘 Free carpool spots

December 10 2019

Protected: Mining for Climate Solutions in BC’s Deepsea Oasis

cpawsadmin Blog bioluminescence, canadian parks and wilderness society british columbia, carlo acuna, cpaws, cpaws-bc, deepsea oasis, hydrothermal vents, mining, ocean mining, underwater mining

November 28 2019

Join us for a MicroAdventure!

cpawsadmin Blog beginner hike, burnaby hike, cpaws-bc, guided hike, happy hour hike, microadventure, sunrise hike, sunset, vancouver hike

Meet Heather, your MicroAdventure guide!

One year out of graduate school, I still define myself as an intestinal immunologist. I am fascinated by the intestinal ecosystem; specifically how bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi co-evolve and interact with each other and your body. This ecosystem influences your health in fascinatingly intricate ways.

Now out of graduate school, I have expanded this view to environmental ecosystems. I view the world through a holistic lens and believe that uncovering the woven webs in ecosystems truly makes one appreciate the need for nuanced approaches to protected areas and lifestyle.

This summer, I am inviting people like you on hikes with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (CPAWS-BC) to share stories of BC’s interconnected systems. I hope to spark a sense of awe at the cleverness and ingenuity of it all. Mostly, I want to share my appreciation for protected areas and the role they play in supporting these systems through our changing world. I think we are ultimately on track toward sustainability, but I know that the environment needs our help to adapt and thrive in the meantime. While we, humanity, figure out how to live sustainably with our planet, protecting large and biodiverse swaths of intact land is an important pro-active measure in the face of climate change.

I got involved with CPAWS in 2016 when Jessie, CPAWS-BC’s Terrestrial Manager, gave a talk at UBC. I was hooked by CPAWS-BC’s mission to create protected areas in nature while fostering a community of leadership for nature.

I am grateful to live in a time where pristine wilderness and pockets of thriving biodiversity still exist. Learning more about land stewardship and Indigenous knowledge on our human relationships with nature has impacted the ways I understand the world around me. Hearing stories and offering support for new models of Indigenous-led conservation give me hope for these natural places to continue to sustain us – our health, our livelihood and our communities in the future .

If you live around BC’s Lower Mainland, I hope you’ll join one of our community MicroAdventure hikes to make the most of the cooler season and exchange stories as we enjoy nature (and food!) together.

-Heather Filyk
Terrestrial Campaign Assistant

CPAWS-BC Wild Ambassador, Wilderness First-Aid Certified, UBC Varsity Outdoors Club Alumni

P.S. What am I most excited about? Growing collective knowledge on Leave No Trace principles for any outdoor-goer to apply. I can’t wait to share tips and tricks like these and more.

Happy Hour Hikes and MicroAdventures
CPAWS-BC’s community hikes are set at a social pace on beginner-friendly trails in Metro Vancouver area. We will share tools that each of us can use to protect the ecological integrity of BC’s parks and protected areas, identify plants and signs of wildlife, and reveal pro hiking tips.

All are welcome! We have a carpool or trail-head meet-up option available. Free to register!

Learn more and reserve your spot here.

Upcoming Hikes:

MicroAdventures

Tuesday Dec 3rd, Sunrise hike to Kamui Mintara, Burnaby Mountain

Questions about community hike trails or accessibility?
heather@cpawsbc.org | 604.685.7445 x24

Can’t make it but want to support conservation in BC? Please take one minute to tell your Provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) that you support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives in our province. Learn more at besthope.ca

October 4 2019

Debate for North Vancouver Puts Environment Front and Centre in Federal Election

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Debate for North Vancouver Puts Environment Front and Centre in Federal Election

Unprecedented call for Environmental Leadership from our elected politicians heard across the country

North Vancouver, October 4, 2019 – Last night’s debate in north Vancouver was one of the 100 Debates on the Environment taking place across Canada, with locals coming to Presentation House Theatre to hear from North Vancouver candidates about their views on the environment. Voters joined the large crowds across the country attending their local debates, demonstrating that concern about the environment is fueling a powerful force that no party and no candidate can ignore.

The environment debate for the North Vancouver riding was attended by Conservative Party of Canada, Green Party of Canada, Liberal Party of Canada, and New Democratic Party candidates all sharing their views on the environment and competing for voter support. The People\’s Party of Canada was invited and declined. Squamish elder Sut-Lut opened the evening with a prayer and acknowledgement of the Unceded Coast Salish territory where the debate took place. Hosted by Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-BC) and 100 Debates, the debate asked questions on climate change, wilderness protection, toxic pollution and water. Over 120 community members were also in attendance.

CPAWS-BC and 100 Debates were pleased with the turnout and audience enthusiasm. Candidates expressed their excitement to continue the conversations on species protection and climate change strategy. It was exciting to see this forum in action with so many local voters and youth voicing their top environmental concerns with candidates. CPAWS-BC is pleased to hear candidates speak on the urgent need to support resilient ecosystems and species on the brink of extinction in the face of climate change. Collective action and partnership at each level of governance will set the course for Canada\’s role as a leader for the environment.

Voters in North Vancouver showed their concern for the environment this election, as did other Canadians at the other environment debates held across the country on October 3.

When considering issue-themed candidates’ debates, nothing in Canada has ever approached the size and scope of the 100 Debates on the Environment initiative. Hosted by local non-profits, scientists, health professionals and businesses, the debates took place in church basements and auditoriums in nearly every province and territory, with urban, suburban and rural ridings all well represented.

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For more information or interview requests, including with local organizers, please contact: Skye Vallance, Communications and Development Coordinator, CPAWS-BC | skye@cpawsbc.org | 604.685.7445 x22.

*Live Video Recording available on the 100 Debates x CPAWS-BC Facebook event page

ABOUT CPAWS-BC

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia (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. Our vision is to establish large, intact areas of wilderness on land and in the ocean that can nurture nature through climate change and support all life, Visit www.cpawsbc.org for more information.

ABOUT 100 DEBATES:

100 Debates is a national initiative to organize inclusive, politically neutral, and environment-focused all-candidates debates in communities across Canada. Local collaborators include national non-profits, schools, individuals, citizens\’ groups and businesses. Most debates are scheduled to take place on the same day, Oct 3rd, in over 100 ridings in Canada and have been coordinated by GreenPAC – Canada’s non-partisan organization that works to build environmental leadership in politics. Visit www.100debates.ca for more information.

October 3 2019

Today in North Vancouver – an All-candidates Environment Debate no voter should miss

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Today in North Vancouver – an All-Candidates Environment Debate no voter should miss

(Vancouver,British Columbia – October 3, 2019) – An environment-themed candidates debate is being hosted by local organizers Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-BC) this evening at Presentation House Theatre, North Vancouver at 6PM.

The debate is one of nine happening across the Lower Mainland and over 100 happening across Canada as part of 100 Debates on the Environment, where voters will hear directly from candidates invited to express their views about the environment. Today is the feature date of this non-partisan debate series, which will allow the best environment policy ideas to come forward and compete for voter support.

What: 100 Debates on the Environment North Vancouver

Where: Presentation House Theatre 333 Chesterfield Ave, North Vancouver, British Columbia V7M 3G9

When: 6PM-8PM (Doors open 5:30PM; Debate begins 6PM, Closing remarks 7:30PM)

More information on 100 Debates on the Environment and the full list of participating ridings can be found at 100Debates.ca.

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For more information or interview requests, including with local organizers, please contact:

Skye Vallance, CPAWS-BC

604-685-7445 x22

skye@cpawsbc.org

ABOUT CPAWS-BC

ABOUT 100 DEBATES:

100 Debates is a national initiative to organize inclusive, politically neutral, and environment-focused all-candidates debates in communities across Canada. Local collaborators include national non-profits, schools, individuals, citizens’ groups and businesses. Most debates are scheduled to take place on the same day, Oct 3rd, in over 100 ridings in Canada and have been coordinated by GreenPAC – Canada’s non-partisan organization that works to build environmental leadership in politics. Visit www.100debates.ca for more information.

LOWER MAINLAND DEBATES:

Tri-Cities (Coquitlam–Port Coquitlam / Port Moody–Coquitlam)

Delta

North Vancouver

Pitt Meadows–Maple Ridge

Richmond Centre / Steveston–Richmond East

Vancouver Centre

Vancouver East

Vancouver Granville

Vancouver Quadra

West Vancouver–Sunshine Coast–Sea to Sky Country

July 25 2019

Happy Hour Hikes: Weeknights in August

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CPAWS-BC community-building event to bring an awesome group of people together to learn about BC’s parks, nature, and history.

About this Event

Welcome!

This event is organized and will take place on the unceded territory of the Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Musqueam, Squamish, & Tsleil-Waututh nations.

The Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – BC Chapter (CPAWS – “See-paws”) is gathering together our community by bringing you out in fresh air, telling awesome stories, and revealing pro hiking tips. Plus, we will share tools for taking action to protect our wild places and beloved protected areas!

Come witness the spectacular sunset views, sounds, smells of the Howe Sound and feel the magnificent nature that is Vancouver’s backyard. Four trails to choose from evenings in August 2019 plus special partner events.

Can’t make it? You can stay up to date with our work to protect BC’s wilderness via our instagram, facebook, and twitter @cpawsbc

Hike Description

DATE: Weekday evenings throughout August 2019

Pick-up and Drop-off available at no cost (limited seats)
Pick-up time: approx 5:30pm
Drop off time: approx 9:30pm

LOCATION: Cypress Provincial Park, Seymour Provincial Park, Stanley Park and more!

TRAILS: Beginner friendly: Mild-Moderate

DETAILS: 4-6km round trip distance | 100-400m elevation gain

ACCESSIBILITY: Restrooms are typically located at the trailhead. Trails vary in terrain – please let us know if you have an accessibility request and CPAWS-BC can find a solution!

HOW TO REGISTER

We will send out a detailed list and description 48 hours in advance. Please respond to this if you can no longer attend so that we can open the hike up to those on the waitlist.

CPAWS-BC will provide transportation for 6 people. If there is a lot of interest, we may be able to secure a second vehicle for a maximum group size of 11 participants!

Hikes vary in difficulty each week – you can pick a week that sounds best to you! They will be at a social-learning pace.

You will need to bring your own hiking footwear (hiking/trail shoes best, but running shoes will do!), appropriate gear (a headlamp and rain/cold appropriate clothing – we will provide a list), and snacks/dinner/water.

Summer Photo Contest

This summer, if you share a photo of someone following one of the Leave No Trace Principles, you could win a gift pack including an Arc’teryx Atom LT Hoodie!

Learn more about how to enter the photo contest