All posts by Guest Post

Energy, Indigenous Nations

New attempt at geothermal could be coming to Fort Liard

By Caitrin Pilkington, Cabin Radio, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Fort Liard-based Acho Dene Koe First Nation is partnering with a Nanaimo-based company to explore a potential geothermal energy project. 

The company, Barkley Project Group, is also behind a geothermal project in Fort Nelson (photo at top of page), Fort Liard’s near neighbour in northern B.C., which is on track to become the first geothermal plant owned by a First Nation in Canada. 

Continue reading New attempt at geothermal could be coming to Fort Liard →
Rivers & Oceans

Ships to use AI to protect whales from underwater noise pollution

By Mina Kerr-Lazenby, North Shore News, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Marine researchers are diving into the world of artificial intelligence to help solve an invisible problem: noise pollution, and the effect it has on local marine life.

Non-profit organization Clear Seas is researching how machine learning can help reduce the noise emitted from ships, with the goal of creating an underwater vessel that will tune and adjust its noise to adapt to whatever marine mammal, especially in regards to whales, is nearby.

Continue reading Ships to use AI to protect whales from underwater noise pollution →
Cost of Climate Change, Fire, Health

Wildfire Smoke Is Making Us Sick

By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s early June and there are 80 wildfires burning in the province, according to the BC Wildfire Service dashboard. 

There are evacuation orders in place for areas of the Peace River Regional District, and localities close to significant fires are blanketed in smoke.  

Fires are also bringing hazy skies to  Vancouver and other areas of the province farther away from active  fires. Across the continent, smoke is coating Toronto and New York right now. 

While smoky days and even weeks might be a  regular feature of future Canadian summers, they’re not something we  should be complacent with, according to health experts. 

Continue reading Wildfire Smoke Is Making Us Sick →
Fire

Battling the blaze from the air

By Mark Brett, Penticton Herald, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Greg Adams is tasked with the aerial choreography of fighting wildfires with the ultimate goal of bringing his pilots home safe.
As an air attack officer for the BC Wildfire Service, he sits in the often bumpy front seat of the lead, bird dog aircraft to plot out the plan of attack on the unpredictable, fiery enemy below.

“Our primary role in the bird dog is make sure the tankers can safely deliver the retardant we’re asking them to deliver,” said Adams, 49, who formerly rappelled from helicopters as a frontline firefighter.

Continue reading Battling the blaze from the air →
Arts

BC composer has piece debut with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra after mentorship

By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

BC composer Wylie Ferguson showcased a new composition with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (VSO) this spring.

Ferguson’s nearly six minute piece is titled “Broken Earth” and the VSO played his composition on May 30. The 30-year-old composer is very pleased with how it turned out; he describes the composition as “monster music, like something out of a Godzilla movie.” He adds that most of his works lean towards the “dark side.”

Continue reading BC composer has piece debut with Vancouver Symphony Orchestra after mentorship →