National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Floundering Pacific salmon stocks are finding little refuge in the lower Fraser River — the lifeblood for the iconic species, and historically, the most significant spawning and rearing grounds on the West Coast of North America.
Researchers have found 85 per cent of the historical floodplain habitat for salmon in the lower Fraser has been lost.
Continue reading BC’s vital salmon route is seriously cloggedBy Kelsie Kilawna, The Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
As devastating wildfires spread through B.C.’s interior, skawilx (Sarah Alexis) says there’s a parallel crisis that demands attention and action — droughts.
Continue reading Drastic droughts on the horizon, if syilx laws not upheldNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The ecological devastation of B.C.’s recent heat wave is just starting to be understood after record temperatures paired with low tides wreaked havoc along the West Coast.
More than one billion marine intertidal animals may have perished along the shores of the Salish Sea during the record temperatures at the end of June, said University of British Columbia researcher Chris Harley.
Continue reading A billion tidal creatures likely baked to death“Our findings show that salmon farms are, indeed, a source of infection for wild fish. Viruses leave a genetic fingerprint. The genetic fingerprint shows that the same viruses that are on the farms are in the wild fish. All the evidence suggests that the virus is being transmitted from the farm to wild fish. I haven’t seen any evidence that says that’s not happening,” said Dr Gideon Mordecai, a viral ecologist at the University of British Columbia and the lead author of a paper published in Science Advances last month.
Continue reading PRV spreads from salmon farms to wild Chinook, study saysNational Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Pressure on B.C. Premier John Horgan is climbing as national and global celebrities begin to throw their weight behind public campaigns to save the province’s ancient forests.
But Forest Minister Katrine Conroy is adamant star power won’t play a role in shaping B.C.’s old-growth policy.
More than a hundred luminaries from across the political and cultural spectrum signed an open letter to Horgan on Friday calling on him to save at-risk big-tree ecosystems, which make up only 2.7 per cent of unprotected forest in the province, said Nicole Rycroft, executive director of Canopy.
Continue reading celebrities leverage star power to save BC’s old-growth forests
