Environment

Rainbow trout infected with whirling disease which damages the backbone of the fish causing them to swim in a “whirling” pattern. (Photo: Sascha Hallett, fishpathogens.net)

Suspected whirling disease case threatens fish in Yoho Park

Invasive parasite deadly to fish has not previously been confirmed in B.C.

 

A person sits on a rock face overlooking the ocean in Niue in this 2018 photo. The tiny Pacific island nation of Niue has come up with a novel plan to protect its vast and pristine territorial waters — it will get sponsors to pay. Under the plan, which was being launched by Niue’s Prime Minister Dalton Tagelagi on Tuesday Sept. 19, 2023 in New York, individuals or companies can pay $148 to protect 1 square kilometer (about 250 acres) of ocean from threats such as illegal fishing and plastic waste for a period of 20 years. (Richard Sidey/Galaxiid via AP)

Tiny Pacific island looking for sponsors to protect its slice of the ocean

Niue hopes to raise more than $18 million to create a no-take marine protected area

 

The provincial government Thursday (Sept. 14) announced the immediate appointment of Mark Jaccard as chair and CEO of the commission regulating energy utilities and ICBC. His agency oversees energy utilities and ICBC. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Utilities Commission)

Sudden appointment of new BC Utilities Commission CEO sparks debate

Mark Jaccard, a proponent of tougher regulation and critic of carbon energy, is new BCUC chair, CEO

 

Old growth cedar in the Russell Creek drainage in the Slocan Valley. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

Old growth trees still falling despite B.C. promises: environmentalists

‘Any old growth inventory map is obsolete the day you make it’

Old growth cedar in the Russell Creek drainage in the Slocan Valley. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Marine heat waves haven’t had a lasting effect on fish populations along Canada’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts says a study, showing there is still a chance to act on climate change. A diver with non-profit Reef Renewal USA cleans and maintains a coral nursery, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, near Tavernier, Fla., in the Florida Keys. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Wilfredo Lee

Heat waves not frying fish stocks as one would expect, UBC study finds

Study shows heat waves and fish stocks have a complicated relationship

Marine heat waves haven’t had a lasting effect on fish populations along Canada’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts says a study, showing there is still a chance to act on climate change. A diver with non-profit Reef Renewal USA cleans and maintains a coral nursery, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, near Tavernier, Fla., in the Florida Keys. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP/Wilfredo Lee
WDFW staffer holds large European Green Crab trapped in the Salish Sea. Photo courtesy of Chase Gunnell.

Climate change feeds billion-dollar global invasive species problem

Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform report shows about 3,500 problematic invaders

WDFW staffer holds large European Green Crab trapped in the Salish Sea. Photo courtesy of Chase Gunnell.
Hundreds of winged smaller yellow ants (Lasius claviger) are ready to take off for their nuptial flight. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Fairweather)

Love is in the air: Flying ants meet to mate on Vancouver Island

For a few hours, millions of ants simultaneously swarmed the region for their yearly mating ritual

Hundreds of winged smaller yellow ants (Lasius claviger) are ready to take off for their nuptial flight. (Photo courtesy of Aaron Fairweather)
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada speaks to reporters at the COP15UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Sunday, December 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

Canadian ministers vow to accelerate action at global environment conference

Vancouver played host to the assembly of the Global Environment Facility

Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change of Canada speaks to reporters at the COP15UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal, Sunday, December 18, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Canadians unified on forest protection, cause of wildfire jump divisive: poll

‘That is deeply concerning and it does reflect widespread disinformation on climate issues’

Hot spots from the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire burn in Scotch Creek, B.C., on Sunday, August 20, 2023. As Canada struggles through its worst fire season in recorded history, a new survey suggests protecting forests remains one issue that unites most Canadians no matter who they are or where they live.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The beach where members of the B.C. Big Tree Committee set up camp for two nights on the shores of Barkley Sound, where they ventured into the rainforest in search of a western red cedar tree of “mythically large” proportions, measuring nearly five metres in diameter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Colin Spratt

Quest for an ancient B.C. colossus in Vancouver Island’s wild rainforest

Researchers hunt for ancient tree measuring 6 metres in diameter in the deep woods of Barkley Sound

The beach where members of the B.C. Big Tree Committee set up camp for two nights on the shores of Barkley Sound, where they ventured into the rainforest in search of a western red cedar tree of “mythically large” proportions, measuring nearly five metres in diameter. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Colin Spratt
This microscopic image showcases a soft marine organism impaled by multiple fibreglass particles, creating a visual reminiscent of a living pincushion. Photo courtesy of Dr. Corina Ciocan

Derelict boats, Part 2: ‘A persistent source of pollution’ in B.C. and beyond

Contaminants shed by abandoned vessels causing concern about ocean health

This microscopic image showcases a soft marine organism impaled by multiple fibreglass particles, creating a visual reminiscent of a living pincushion. Photo courtesy of Dr. Corina Ciocan
Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver was among the projects that had benefited from previous funding through the CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization program. The province recently announced $5 million for another round of funding. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Aviation Museum)

Province defends size of investment in zero-emission vehicle research

Transportation sector responsible for 40 per cent of all greenhouse gases in B.C.

Harbour Air’s electric-powered de Havilland Beaver was among the projects that had benefited from previous funding through the CleanBC Go Electric Advanced Research and Commercialization program. The province recently announced $5 million for another round of funding. (Photo courtesy of British Columbia Aviation Museum)
Jordan Reichert, campaign director of Animal Alliance of Canada, is displeased with the eradication of fallow deer on Sidney Island. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Plan to eradicate fallow deer population from B.C. island faces backlash

Animal Alliance of Canada speaks out about alternative methods to preserve Sidney Island ecosystem

Jordan Reichert, campaign director of Animal Alliance of Canada, is displeased with the eradication of fallow deer on Sidney Island. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
The Uto Wildfire is now more than 1,700 ha. (Parks Canada)

Poor visibility on Highway 1 expected through Glacier National Park: Parks Canada

The fire was first discovered July 9 and is suspected to have started from lightning

The Uto Wildfire is now more than 1,700 ha. (Parks Canada)
Almost all of B.C. finds itself at the worst or second-worst level of drought, according to the most recent map tracking drought conditions in B.C. (Government of BC/Screencap)

Almost all of B.C. at worst or second-worst possible drought level

28 out of 34 water basins at Level 4 or Level 5 drought rating

Almost all of B.C. finds itself at the worst or second-worst level of drought, according to the most recent map tracking drought conditions in B.C. (Government of BC/Screencap)
Housing emerged as the one of the top issues during recent provincial budget consultations. Other top of mind issues include health care, the environment but also regulatory reform and labour shortages, according to the final report from the legislative committee that had toured the province earlier this year. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Housing, health care, climate should be central to B.C.’s next budget: report

Final report from provincial finance committee released after extensive public consultation

Housing emerged as the one of the top issues during recent provincial budget consultations. Other top of mind issues include health care, the environment but also regulatory reform and labour shortages, according to the final report from the legislative committee that had toured the province earlier this year. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples has joined the Climate Solutions Council, an independent advisory body on climate change to the provincial government. Also joining are TransLink director Andrea Reimer and David Suzuki Foundation adviser Tom Green. (Black Press Media file photo)

Duncan mayor, Vancouver municipal politician join climate advisory council

Climate Solutions Council’s latest report critical of government’s climate policy

Duncan Mayor Michelle Staples has joined the Climate Solutions Council, an independent advisory body on climate change to the provincial government. Also joining are TransLink director Andrea Reimer and David Suzuki Foundation adviser Tom Green. (Black Press Media file photo)
A black bear is creating havoc at French Beach Provincial Park. Officials will close the park until the bear is captured. (Photo by Gary Schroyen)

Bear rips through tent, breaks into vehicle, closing B.C. campground

Black bear wanders into French Beach Provincial Park campsite west of Sooke

A black bear is creating havoc at French Beach Provincial Park. Officials will close the park until the bear is captured. (Photo by Gary Schroyen)
A marbled murrelet is shown in mid flight over the waters near Mitlenatch Island, B.C., in this undated handout photo. Bird watcher Royann Petrell, a retired University of B.C. assocate professor, is pushing the provincial government to create protected wildlife habitat areas to help sustain the threatened population of the marbled murrelet on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Deb Freeman

B.C. professor pushing marbled murrelet old growth habitat protection plan

Scientist wants more data on murrelet nesting grounds in face of continued logging

A marbled murrelet is shown in mid flight over the waters near Mitlenatch Island, B.C., in this undated handout photo. Bird watcher Royann Petrell, a retired University of B.C. assocate professor, is pushing the provincial government to create protected wildlife habitat areas to help sustain the threatened population of the marbled murrelet on Vancouver Island. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Deb Freeman
Ontario resident Leslie Dart is seen in a July 15, 2022, handout image. Dart, who spent the last three summers planting trees across the country, is among the thousands of tree planters, many of them college students, who work mostly for logging companies on reforestation projects each summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Leslie Dart

She planted more than 4,500 trees in a day and found an audience of millions

Leslie Dart has planted 372,290 trees across Canada over the past 3 summers and inspired many

Ontario resident Leslie Dart is seen in a July 15, 2022, handout image. Dart, who spent the last three summers planting trees across the country, is among the thousands of tree planters, many of them college students, who work mostly for logging companies on reforestation projects each summer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Leslie Dart