Good News from the Biosphere - Summer 2024
We are pleased to share the good news stories from our partners and collaborators in our region. Here are some of the many summer news headlines. The collective efforts of individuals and small and large organizations make a difference.
Reconciliation and Sustainable Development:
This summer, people are enjoying the new Spawkus Feather Oceanside Park at the Oceanfront Squamish Development. Officially opened May 25th, the park features many amenities. Squamish Nation spokesperson Wilson Williams said “I’m particularly proud of the work of our Squamish mén̓men (children) in designing the playground based on an important Squamish oral history—this important piece of cultural recognition will remind everyone who visits that they are on Squamish land,”
The playground has QR codes that will play audio recordings of local children and youth from St’a7mes Elementary, who share Nation stories and culture from the surrounding land. Additional signage with Nation culture and language is installed throughout the park as well.
Marine Environment:
Howe Sound Marine Debris Clean up and Shoreline Clean up in Squamish: In collaboration with Marine Stewardship and our organization, Ocean Legacy Foundation will be travelling around Howe Sound to pick up marine debris and tackle some old discarded creosote logs and larger items September 13-15th. More details will be shared soon. Bookmark this page.
Rockfish Monitoring with Marine Life Sanctuaries Society: Volunteer divers continue to ID and count rockfish. So far, 40 individual divers have participated in 12 days of dive surveys, with 5 to 14 divers per dive day, each typically conducting 2 dives per day. There have been a total of 947 volunteer hours to date!
The Province of BC has its first Coastal Marine Strategy: We have been engaged in the development of this strategy and see alignment with many of the actions recommended in the Howe Sound Ocean Watch 2020 report.
Good work!
The Brigade Bay Community on Gambier Island was recognized as an official FireSmart Recognized Neighbourhood, the only one in the Howe Sound region.
The Village of Lions Bay Bird was the first Bird Friendly Certified Town in 2022. Bird Friendly Lions Bay is a powerhouse in their village. Good news: The status was renewed and upgraded! Read the press release here.
Val Morton was Citizen of the Year in Lions Bay for her work on the Indigenous Plan garden and ButterflyWay Project. Read more about the projects in the Lions Bay Watershed here.
Inspiring Conservation news!
The District of West Vancouver is rezoning the Upper Lands, a new compact, sustainable urban community in Cypress Village, and protecting a large portion of the Eagleridge lands that lie within the Biosphere in perpetuity for conservation and recreation!
Bowen Island Conservancy has underway a Caring for Nature The Nex̱wlélex̱wm/Bowen Island Biodiversity Conservation Initiative. The Caring for Nature Initiative is a long-term commitment by Bowen Island Conservancy to educate, excite, and engage the Bowen Island community in biodiversity conservation on the island.
Squamish Environment Society received a recent funding boost from the Squamish Lillooet Regional District, Real Estate Foundation and other funders toward phase three of the Wildlife Connectivity Project. This project is contributing towards a regional biodiversity strategy.
The Sunshine Coast Conservation Association has launched a campaign on Watersheds and our Water supply. With annual water supply shortages, the Sunshine Coast is implementing measures to conserve. Learn more about how to be a part of the solution.
Sheila Harrington’s book Voices for the Islands—Thirty Years of Nature Conservation on the Salish Sea is published. Sheila interviewed many of our Islands' champions for conservation and captured their stories and the history of their work in this book.
Volunteers in the News:
Squamish and Lions Bay Search and Rescue teams are featured in the second season of the Knowledge Network Series Search and Rescue North Shore. Episodes two and three show the stunning scenery of our biosphere region and the heroic efforts of the search and rescue volunteers. Find out more here.
We may have missed more good news about conservation, sustainability initiatives, reconciliation and social causes in your community. Please email us and we can include it the next time - info@howesoundbri.org