Environment

A bulk carrier cargo ship travels into port as a Harbour Air seaplane flies towards Stanley Park and the downtown skyline, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, July 27, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Victoria beats Vancouver, Kelowna surprisingly low in in city environmental ranking

Small Canadian cities rank high on environmental scorecard that has a few surprises

 

A monarch butterfly is seen in the Insectarium in Montreal, on Wednesday, November 9, 2022. A new report assessing the status of wild species in Canada says more than 2,200 plants, animals, fish and other wildlife found in Canada are at risk of dying out.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

Thousands of plants, animals at risk of extinction in Canada: wild species report

135 species at one time found in Canada believed to be extinct, another 4,883 threatened

 

An injured mule deer buck was located and euthanized in Quesnel on Wednesday, Nov. 23. (Twitter/BC Conservation Officer Service)

Deer wandering with arrow in side euthanized in Quesnel, sparking warning to hunters

The animal was located by the Conservation Officer Service and the RCMP

 

Aquatic science biologist Howie Manchester picks a salmon to collect samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward

Sea lice numbers not necessarily influenced by salmon farms: industry studies

New data suggests sea lice levels trend up or down; Activists are skeptical

Aquatic science biologist Howie Manchester picks a salmon to collect samples from during a Department of Fisheries and Oceans fish health audit at the Okisollo fish farm near Campbell River, B.C. Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS /Jonathan Hayward
The Giant Mine site is shown during a site surface tour of the Giant Mine Remediation Project near Yellowknife on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. With a newly approved cost estimate of $4.38 billion, remediation of Giant Mine, one of the most contaminated sites in Canada, is also expected to be the most expensive federal environmental cleanup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski

Canada’s top 5 federal contaminated sites to cost taxpayers billions to clean up

Sites include B.C.’s Esquimalt Harbour, where hundreds of millions are expected to be spent in total

The Giant Mine site is shown during a site surface tour of the Giant Mine Remediation Project near Yellowknife on Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2022. With a newly approved cost estimate of $4.38 billion, remediation of Giant Mine, one of the most contaminated sites in Canada, is also expected to be the most expensive federal environmental cleanup. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Angela Gzowski
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor has filed a notice of motion to look into the issue of off-leash dogs at Island View Beach. (Black Press Media file photo)

Off-leash dogs on Island View subject of motion by Central Saanich mayor

Ryan Windsor sees an issue with migratory birds being harassed by off-leash dogs

Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor has filed a notice of motion to look into the issue of off-leash dogs at Island View Beach. (Black Press Media file photo)
Colombian environmental engineer Germán Viasus Tibamoso, owner of Tierra Viva, places beetle larvae on solid waste in Tunja, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The company transforms solid, organic waste, with the help of beetle larvae’s digestive microorganisms, that transform the waste into a compost rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. Once adults, some of the beetles are sent to scientific labs and others to Japan where they are popular as pets. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)

VIDEO: Hard-working Colombian beetles clean garbage, retire as pets

Larvae can transform food waste into fertilizer

Colombian environmental engineer Germán Viasus Tibamoso, owner of Tierra Viva, places beetle larvae on solid waste in Tunja, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022. The company transforms solid, organic waste, with the help of beetle larvae’s digestive microorganisms, that transform the waste into a compost rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. Once adults, some of the beetles are sent to scientific labs and others to Japan where they are popular as pets. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Environmentalists and businesses in B.C. are calling on Premier David Eby to protect biodiversity in the province. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Goodrich)

Businesses ally with environmentalists to push B.C.’s new premier to protect biodiversity

As many as 278 species are at risk of extinction in B.C.

  • Nov 22, 2022
Environmentalists and businesses in B.C. are calling on Premier David Eby to protect biodiversity in the province. (Photo courtesy of Bethany Goodrich)
Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor says two proposed projects near Bamberton undermine efforts by Central Saanich to help improve the Saanich Inlet. (File photo courtesy Ryan Windsor)

Proposed Bamberton projects undermine efforts by Central Saanich to improve Saanich Inlet, says mayor

Provincial government is currently reviewing two proposed projects by Malahat Investment Corporation

Central Saanich Mayor Ryan Windsor says two proposed projects near Bamberton undermine efforts by Central Saanich to help improve the Saanich Inlet. (File photo courtesy Ryan Windsor)
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks with members of the media after tabling legislation in the House of Commons, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The federal government has announced an investment of another $1.2 billion in its Ocean Protection Plan for 29 projects involving ocean safety, science and environmental safeguards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Feds announce another $1.2 billion for ocean cleanup and protection

National preparation for releases of hazardous or noxious substances from ships part of what’s coming

Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra speaks with members of the media after tabling legislation in the House of Commons, Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022 in Ottawa. The federal government has announced an investment of another $1.2 billion in its Ocean Protection Plan for 29 projects involving ocean safety, science and environmental safeguards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Saanich Inlet Protection Society based in Central Saanich is concerned that two resource projects on the Malahat side of the inlet threaten the ecology of the inlet, home to a wide variety of marine animals including octopus. (Brent Cooke/Submitted)

Concerns over resource projects span across Saanich Inlet

Saanich Inlet Protection Society is calling for an environmental assessment

Saanich Inlet Protection Society based in Central Saanich is concerned that two resource projects on the Malahat side of the inlet threaten the ecology of the inlet, home to a wide variety of marine animals including octopus. (Brent Cooke/Submitted)
A Rubbermaid container full of cigarette butts that were collected in Tofino and recycled thanks to Surfrider Pacific Rim’s Hold On To Your Butts campaign. (Photo courtesy of Surfrider Pacific Rim)

Hold On To Your Butts campaign a smoking success in Tofino-Ucluelet

Over 1.2 million cigarette butts collected

A Rubbermaid container full of cigarette butts that were collected in Tofino and recycled thanks to Surfrider Pacific Rim’s Hold On To Your Butts campaign. (Photo courtesy of Surfrider Pacific Rim)
The Timber Licence in question was located up Loughborough Inlet. Photo courtesy Google Maps

Fine for illegal cedar harvesting in Great Bear Rainforest increased more than tenfold

Penalty increased to $131,000 to act as deterrent, prevent profit from proceeds of a crime

The Timber Licence in question was located up Loughborough Inlet. Photo courtesy Google Maps
Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault is seen during a news conference in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Guilbeault says Canada’s promised emissions cap on the oil and gas sector won’t be finalized for another year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Environment minister says emissions cap on oil and gas expected by end of 2023

Feds originally promised cap for 2021

Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault is seen during a news conference in Ottawa, Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. Guilbeault says Canada’s promised emissions cap on the oil and gas sector won’t be finalized for another year.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
An adult Piping Plover runs along a beach as waves lap on the shore in the background, in the Quonochontaug Conservation Area, in Westerly, R.I., July 12, 2007. An environmental law group is taking the federal government to court over new rules to protect piping plover habitat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Steven Senne

Environmental group takes federal government to court over piping plover habitat

Group claims feds’ amended version of protection strategy leaves birds more vulnerable

An adult Piping Plover runs along a beach as waves lap on the shore in the background, in the Quonochontaug Conservation Area, in Westerly, R.I., July 12, 2007. An environmental law group is taking the federal government to court over new rules to protect piping plover habitat. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Steven Senne
Members of an environmental group called Stop Fracking Around threw maple syrup on an Emily Carr painting at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Nov. 12. (Twitter/@StopFrackingA/Screenshot)

Activists throw maple syrup at Emily Carr painting at Vancouver art gallery protest

Protesters demanding end to Coastal Gaslink Pipeline

Members of an environmental group called Stop Fracking Around threw maple syrup on an Emily Carr painting at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Nov. 12. (Twitter/@StopFrackingA/Screenshot)
The Chemainus River water levels remained low into late October, but that can change very quickly with a few days of heavy rains. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Flood mitigation work underway for lower Chemainus River

Gravel and sediment removal one of the steps being undertaken

  • Nov 12, 2022
The Chemainus River water levels remained low into late October, but that can change very quickly with a few days of heavy rains. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sprinklers water the fairways at Lakeview Golf Course in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Golf’s origins date back hundreds of years to rural Scotland where the natural features of the land near Edinburgh created the hazards that golfers had to play around and sheep kept the grass well manicured. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Climate Changed: Canadian golf courses working to reduce ecological impact

Some courses looking to capture carbon, better conserve water

Sprinklers water the fairways at Lakeview Golf Course in Mississauga, Ont., on Wednesday, May 12, 2021. Golf’s origins date back hundreds of years to rural Scotland where the natural features of the land near Edinburgh created the hazards that golfers had to play around and sheep kept the grass well manicured. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Oak Bay closes the central meadow of Uplands Park each winter to protect the endangered ecosystem. (Photo by Wylie Thomas)

Winter protocol closes part of Oak Bay park to mitigate plant damage

Central meadow in Uplands Park off-limits to walkers until April 30

Oak Bay closes the central meadow of Uplands Park each winter to protect the endangered ecosystem. (Photo by Wylie Thomas)
The Canadian Coast Guard ship John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to explore a large seamount region off Vancouver Island. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

West Coast First Nations, feds reach tentative understanding on vast offshore region

Leadership mulls deal for proposed Marine Protected Area off Vancouver Island

The Canadian Coast Guard ship John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to explore a large seamount region off Vancouver Island. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)