“This is black bear country. It has always been black bear country. Northern Cortes Island is likely where most of the bears live. Black bears can travel very far in one day and they are good swimmers. They do travel from island to island and there are likely year-round bears here. In the fall of 2019, there was a bear sighted at Blue Jay Lake. Then in April 2020, there was a black bear around Green Mountain. Since then, we’ve had conflicts with two bears: one in Whaletown and one in Squirrel Cove,” said Autumn Barrett-Morgan, a volunteer co-ordinator with the Friends of Cortes Island’s wildlife COEXistence program.
Continue reading Coexisting in Black Bear countryAll posts by Roy Hales
The Canadian Government has until December 18th to decide: 18 salmon farms
Two months have passed since Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) announced that “nine peer-reviewed, scientific risk assessments” find that salmon farms pose a ‘minimal risk’ to salmon migrating through the Discovery Islands. This finding is important because the Canadian Government has until December 18th to decide whether to renew the licenses of the 18 salmon farms operating in that region.
Continue reading The Canadian Government has until December 18th to decide: 18 salmon farms
BC’s First COVID 19 vaccine and other news , good and bad
Michele Babchuk: Becoming our MLA
On October 24th, more than 50% of North Island’s electorate chose Michele Babchuk to represent them in the Provincial Legislature. Though more than a month has passed, she has only just stepped down from her previous roles as a Campbell River councillor and Chair of the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board. Though yet to sit in parliament, she has been made the Deputy Government Whip and a member of the Appointment Orders Committee. I recently asked Michele about becoming our MLA .
Continue reading Michele Babchuk: Becoming our MLA
North Vancouver Island’s 26 active COVID cases
Another one of North Vancouver Island’s 26 Active COVID cases identified himself over Facebook last week. Lawrence O’Connor is a stock car driver who contracted the disease while participating in a benefit race for Amnesty International in the Arizona Desert.
Continue reading North Vancouver Island’s 26 active COVID cases