Contrary to what a lot of people believe, Mark Vonesch is not yet the Regional Director for Cortes Island. That will happen on November 9, when he and the other Directors are all sworn in at the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) building in Campbell River. In today’s interview Vonesch talks about some of the preparations, the first things he hopes to accomplish as our Director and his new Alternate Director.
Continue reading Becoming Cortes Island’s Regional Director, first steps
[From the Archives: Jan 6, 2022]
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released a survey that showed the total number of marine species at risk within the Salish Sea doubled between 2002 and 2015. While the Discovery Islands are within the study area, the EPA study did not list specific locations. So Cortes Currents asked Max Thaysen, President of the Friends of Cortes Island, about the species of risk in our area.
Continue reading The accelerating pace of Species becoming ‘at Risk’
A group of 10 Cortes Island residents set out from Gorge Harbour in a Zodiac.
“I loved it that we were all together on this boat, like tourists from Cortes out there hunting for a sighting of a whale. Everybody was in that together. Our only purpose today was to get out onto the water, look around and see what creatures we’d see. And it just seemed like community,” explained Jane Newman.
Continue reading A wild water adventure: seeking orca, seals and other marine life
CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
On Cortes Island, lumber costs and building materials have increased dramatically over the past couple of years.
According to Henry Verschuur, of Blue Jay Lake Farm and Mill, the price of cedar has more than doubled since 2019. In 2021, the local rate for cedar was $2.60 per lineal foot, and today it is $3 per lineal foot.
Continue reading Creative sources for local lumberBy Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
Since last November, a dedicated group of Cortes islanders has been meeting every Friday to protest the slow progress on climate change and other issues, and to find ways to have their concerns heard. They call their gatherings “WTF Fridays.”
Continue reading Cortes Islanders meeting regularly to promote collective action on climate change
