By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
‘Na̱mg̱is Chief Ho’miskanis, Don Svanvik, is on the phone when I walk off the little ferry in Alert Bay, B.C.
“Standing water and wood is never good,” he says to the person on the other end. “I can come by after I drop my truck off, maybe tomorrow.”
Continue reading Life on ‘Na̱mg̱is territory, at the edge of the ocean
By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Clayoquot Sound, BC – Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation has partnered with Redd Fish Restoration Society (Redd Fish) and West Coast Kelp Ltd. to undertake a large-scale kelp restoration project on the Pacific Coast.
The total project budget is roughly $240,000 with a large portion of the funds coming from the provincial government, plus a patchwork of grants from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, World Wildlife Fund Canada, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, and Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, according to Redd Fish.
Continue reading $240,000 kelp restoration project aims to rebuild salmon abundance in Clayoquot SoundFrom the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney
Hello,
This report includes news of the SRD investigating land for housing in Heriot Bay and other decisions of interest made at the January meeting of the SRD Board. Let’s jump in.
By David Flawse, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
In late autumn 1988, Richard Hebda — then head of botany at the Royal BC Museum — stepped into the living room of a man named Mike Trask following a report of an interesting fossil find on the Puntledge River.
According to Hebda, when he shook hands with the amateur fossil hunter, he was not expecting much. Before this, the paleobotanist had a call about dinosaur ribs in a dry creek bed near Chemainus that turned out to be dirtbike tracks.
But this stop at the Courtenay resident’s home would be different.
Continue reading How a Comox Valley fossil discovery forever changed paleontology in BC
By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe recently criticized B.C.’s drug policies, saying the province’s approach to the ongoing toxic drug crisis is not evidence based.
Lapointe, who was B.C.’s longest-standing chief coroner and held the position for 13 years before retiring in 2024, was speaking as part of a new, ongoing webinar series, “Perspectives on 10 Years in Crisis,” hosted by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition.
Continue reading BC’s Drug Response Isn’t Following the Evidence, Former Chief Coroner says
