All posts by Rochelle Baker

Rochelle Baker is a staff reporter with Canada’s National Observer, thanks thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. She previously worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC’s Lower Mainland for over 7 years.
Forests

Horgan’s new forestry plan inflames old-growth fire

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environmental groups already riled by the pace of protections for ancient forests in B.C. were further provoked after the province failed to announce any new old-growth logging deferrals in its new vision for forestry Tuesday.

“If Premier John Horgan’s intention is to make the conflict raging around old-growth forests even worse, this is the perfect plan to do that,” said Torrance Coste of the Wilderness Committee.

Continue reading Horgan’s new forestry plan inflames old-growth fire →
Finances, Forests, Indigenous Nations

BC could use Federal funding to end the war in the woods

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A coalition of conservationists is urging the B.C. government to use federal funds to end the province’s new war in the woods on Vancouver Island, protect old-growth forest and establish targets for endangered ecosystems.

Continue reading BC could use Federal funding to end the war in the woods →
Rivers & Oceans

Salmon farms infecting wild Chinook salmon, study suggests

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The transmission of a virus tied to kidney and liver damage in endangered Chinook salmon is being fuelled by the exchange of the disease between open-net pen fish farms and wild stocks in B.C., a new study indicates.

Continue reading Salmon farms infecting wild Chinook salmon, study suggests →
Forests

Photo of Old Growth tree on a truck goes viral

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. government is misleading the public when it suggests the massive old-growth tree on a truck that has created a social media storm wouldn’t be logged today, says a conservationist group.

Continue reading Photo of Old Growth tree on a truck goes viral →
Forests, Indigenous Nations, Justice

Chainsaws, tree sits & arrests at Fairy Creek

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Tensions are escalating at old-growth blockades on Vancouver Island as chainsaws reportedly started up in the Caycuse region Friday and a clash between protesters and police the day before was posted to social media.

Continue reading Chainsaws, tree sits & arrests at Fairy Creek →