Communications, Community, Housing

Teen Takeover on Housing, the Death Care Collective & Podcasting

In the first half of this episode, Cortes Island Academy students Elsie, Lacey, and Elias discuss the housing situation on Cortes, from three different angles. This includes tiny homes, Rainbow Ridge, the Seniors Village, and interviews with five different locals, as well as their own stories and observations on the topic. Travel with them as they learn about the challenges of finding housing on Cortes, and the creative solutions that are emerging  to try and solve the issue.

In part two, Nathaniel Maki interviews Margaret Verschuur and Fawn Baron from the Deathcare Collective, and discusses the importance of having a healthy culture and communication around the topic of death and dying.

Continue reading Teen Takeover on Housing, the Death Care Collective & Podcasting →
Housing, Politics

Area C Director’s Report: exploring provincial land for housing + more Board news

From 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. 

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History

How a Comox Valley fossil discovery forever changed paleontology in BC

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.

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Rivers & Oceans

Canada’s oceans provide billions in value beyond fish

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Canada’s healthy oceans are worth billions more than what can simply be extracted from them.

Oceans and coastal ecosystems generated at minimum $7.1 billion in benefits in 2023, new figures from Statistics Canada suggest. 

Continue reading Canada’s oceans provide billions in value beyond fish →
Rivers & Oceans

Appeal court ruling backs Discovery Islands salmon farm closures

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Conservationists and many First Nations are celebrating a Federal Court of Appeal decision that upholds the closure of salmon farms in BC’s Discovery Islands. 

A battle over the ultimate fate of open-net pen salmon farms in the region’s waters, between the mainland and northeastern Vancouver Island, has spanned close to five years. 

Continue reading Appeal court ruling backs Discovery Islands salmon farm closures →

Whats Current on Cortes and Beyond