Tag Archives: Quadra Island

Food Security

Quadra Ican: The Nut Tree Project

On Saturday, 14 volunteers turned out to plant the first batch of hazel-nut trees for the Quadra ICAN Nut Tree Project. 

The organizer, Jennifer Banks-Doll, explained, “For a few years now on Quadra, we’ve been working towards increasing food security. There’s been lots of different ideas about how to do that. From  perhaps the more obvious, perhaps not more obvious ideas about gardening workshops and learning how to preserve food —  different types of gardening, things like that.”

“Then we thought, one of the gaps here is really plant protein and oils. How do we address that gap? You can’t really produce a lot of oils in this climate or on a small island because they require expensive equipment. Actually it was my husband, Marc Doll, who came up with the idea of planting nut trees.”

Continue reading Quadra Ican: The Nut Tree Project →
Rivers & Oceans

SRD to look at ‘ALL helpful information’ about fish farms

Editor’s note: While there are no fish farms on Cortes Island, there was one on Raza Island directly north of us. The Discovery Island fish farms were in Electoral Area C.  The following article comes very close to being a transcript of my radio broadcast.  

The Strathcona Regional District passed a motion for staff to prepare a report that ‘consolidates the information on open net pen transition provided to the SRD Board prior to October 2022, and updates.’ 

Continue reading SRD to look at ‘ALL helpful information’ about fish farms →
Indigenous Nations, Politics

SRD territorial acknowledgements; Should Tla’amin be included? 

The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) officially recognizes 10 First Nations within their boundaries, but the Tla’amin are not among them. 

While Mansons Landing and Marina Island are both within their traditional area, the Tla’amin First Nation ceded their claim to most of this area when they signed a treaty in 2014. They retain a small parcel on Cortes Island, and thus still possess land within the SRD.

This question was part of a larger discussion at the inaugural meeting of the SRD’s First Nations committee, on Wednesday Jan 25. 

Continue reading SRD territorial acknowledgements; Should Tla’amin be included?  →
Communications

Coming this Spring: Cortesians choose their Internet provider

Sometime this spring, possibly as early as March, Cortes Island residents will get to choose their internet provider.

After building Twincomm up to the company islanders recognize today, on June 28, 2021, former General Manager Dino Tsakonas left to join CityWest. 

In an interview at that time, he told Cortes Currents that this came about as a result of the Connected Coast project, which will bring reliable high speed internet to Cortes Island. CityWest partnered with the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) to become the local provider.

Continue reading Coming this Spring: Cortesians choose their Internet provider →
Transportation

B.C. islanders bid adieu to their Queen who reigned for nearly 60 years

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National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Editor’s note: the 40% increase of capacity on the Campbell River-Quadra run will undoubtedly translate into more traffic using the adjoining the Quadra-Cortes Island ferry.

Quadra Islanders braved lashing wind and rain to bid farewell to the queen that for decades dictated many aspects of their lives and reigned over their West Coast community. 

After operating 32 years as the sole vessel serving the small ferry-dependent island — and a full 58 years with the BC Ferries fleet — the ‘Powell River Queen’ was retired from service on Jan. 17. 

Continue reading B.C. islanders bid adieu to their Queen who reigned for nearly 60 years →