ocean

ID: illustrated poster reads Finding Balance on the Coast in bold white letters

May 30 2023

Finding balance on the coast: Healthy ocean through Marine Spatial Planning

cpawsadmin #worldoceanday, bc, marine science, marine spatial planning, ocean, ocean week

The BC coast is a busy seaway, fishing ground, and ecological treasure. How do marine planners account for overlapping user demands and conflicting activities on the coast? Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a collaborative process used for ocean protection. MSP helps inform holistic plans for the coast that balance environmental, economic, social and cultural values.

This Ocean Week 2023, learn about how marine spatial planning is helping protect the coast in Canada. Join us on Monday June 5 at 12PM (PDT) for a webinar all about MSP and how this can advance marine conservation in BC!

Hear from Marine Use Planner, Shauna Johnson (W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council) about their work exploring the ways MSP supports community stewardship on the South Coast of BC.

TICKETS HERE

Tickets are free but limited. We invite attendees to make a donation of $10, or whatever amount feels right to you, to support ocean conservation in BC. Visit cpawsbc.org/donate

SPEAKERS

Shauna Johnson (she/her) is a Marine Use Planner with W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council. She is Coast Salish from the Tsawout First Nation on her mother’s side and Tsimshian from Laxkwala’ams on her father’s side. Shauna holds a Master of Science degree in Indigenous Community Planning (ICP) and has specialized expertise in providing planning support for Indigenous communities to revitalize and promote Indigenous community planning research, methods and practices grounded firmly within Indigenous Laws, legal traditions and ways of Knowing and being.

W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council’s mandate is to promote respect for W̱SÁNEĆ culture, traditional practices, language, and the interests of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nations. They are working to establish a community-based Marine and Land Use Plan for the W̱SÁNEC territory, which will help guide future decision-making for the marine environment and the W̱SÁNEĆ way of life.

Join CPAWS-BC webinar hosts Debra Sinarta (she/her), Marine Research Coordinator and Jacob Chlla (he/him) – GIS Analyst.

Questions? Reach out to: info@cpawsbc.org

October 15 2020

BC voters prioritize nature and environment in upcoming election

cpawsadmin News bc parks, bcpoli, conservation, cpaws, cpaws-bc, election 2020 bc, elxn 2020bc, fund bc parks, ocean, tori ball

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

BC voters prioritize nature and environment in upcoming election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 15, 2020

Traditional territories of the Coast Salish peoples/Vancouver, BC — In the midst of a global health crisis and the rush of a snap election, safeguarding nature remains a high priority for British Columbians. A new online survey from the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society’s BC Chapter (CPAWS-BC) found that 67% of British Columbians say conservation and environment issues are very important or extremely important to them as voters, and want the government to protect more of our lands and ocean.

“The message is clear – British Columbians want the province to focus on safeguarding nature, and to prioritize wildlife and habitat protection. Any party wishing to form the next government will need to have a strong, credible plan for conservation and be ready to back it up with real action,” says Bruce Passmore, Executive Director with CPAWS-BC.

Additional key findings of the survey include:

Widespread support for increasing protection of BC’s lands and ocean: 87% think the province should commit to protecting 25% of BC’s lands and ocean by 2025
Strong demand for increasing investment in provincial parks: 86% think the province should invest more funding into BC Parks
Healthy oceans matter: 94% say it is very important or extremely important that ocean and coastal ecosystems are healthy
Current approach to coastal management needs a renovation: 81% think the province should create a new plan and law for BC’s coast

“British Columbians recognize the urgent need to find solutions to climate change and to stem biodiversity loss. The question now isn’t whether or not we need to take action, it’s what will the next government actually do to drive conservation forward in BC,” says Passmore.

CPAWS-BC is calling on all parties to prioritize wildlife conservation and habitat protection, commit to fixing our neglected provincial parks, and work on building a cohesive plan for a healthy coast. All of this work must be undertaken with a clear and meaningful commitment to reconciliation, working with original and ongoing stewards of BC’s lands and waters.

“The voters of BC are demanding real action to protect the lands, waters and wildlife that we all depend on. BC has a reputation for being bold, and we hope to see politicians stepping up to the plate with bold commitments during the election period and beyond,” says Passmore.

This survey was conducted online between October 3 and 8. Responses were collected from 1041 British Columbians, with a 95% confidence level and a margin of error of plus or minus (±) 3%.

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

Key survey results (infograph):

June 4 2020

World Oceans Day Trivia – June 8 7pm (virtual)

cpawsadmin #protecthowesound, climate solution, coastal bc, cpaws, cpaws-bc, glass sponge, marine networking, marine protected areas, north vancouver, ocean, orca bc, pub trivia, quiz night, things to do vancouver, trivia online, virtual event

Join us Monday June 8 to celebrate World Oceans Day 2020 with a special Virtual Trivia Night!

Tune into @cpawsbc Facebook page at 7 pm PT. (*You do not require a Facebook account to the watch video.)

The ocean is the lungs of our planet, providing most of the oxygen we breathe. It’s a major source of food and medicine and a critical part of the biosphere. You and your friends/family are invited to join us to celebrate together the beauty, the wealth and the promise of the ocean.

When:Monday, June 8 at 7pm PT
Where: From the comfort of your couch, patio, bedroom, or anywhere that you have internet access
Who: Teams of 1-6 can pre-register with their team name to qualify for prizes.
How: Pre-Register at www.cpawsbc.org/trivia, and then join the livestream at www.facebook.com/cpawsbc June 8 at 7pm with your facebook video link.

2020 World Oceans Day is growing the global movement to call on world leaders to protect 30% of our blue planet by 2030. CPAWS-BC works to protect a network of ocean areas that are critical for marine life to have food, shelter and a safe place to raise young. From the rare and ancient glass sponge reefs of Howe Sound to the humpback whale migratory routes passing Johnstone Strait and Gwaii Haanas, we’re united globally by the ocean.