Environment

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
An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management, citing a lack of transparency and scientific oversight. A giant Canadian flag hangs on the side of a government office building in downtown Ottawa, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

‘False sense of security’: B.C. scientist quits as national pesticide watchdog

Pesticide regulation ‘obsolete,’ protects industry, scientific adviser says in resignation

An independent scientific adviser has resigned from a Health Canada committee on pesticide management, citing a lack of transparency and scientific oversight. A giant Canadian flag hangs on the side of a government office building in downtown Ottawa, Tuesday, June 30, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June of 2021. A new report into the disaster that killed 619 people pegs the cost into the billions in making multiple recommendations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Heat dome deemed deadliest and among costliest disasters in B.C. history: report

The 2021 heat dome that killed 619 people cost B.C. $5.5 billion by one measure

Many cities across B.C. recorded the hottest days of their histories during the ‘heat dome’ heatwave that blanketed much of the Pacific Northwest at the end June of 2021. A new report into the disaster that killed 619 people pegs the cost into the billions in making multiple recommendations. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue/Special to The News)

Annual funding finds stability for B.C.’s ground search and rescue teams

The Outdoor Recreation Council of BC welcomes additional funding for ground search…

(Ridge Meadows Search and Rescue/Special to The News)
B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman says new regulation concerning shopping bags will benefit the environment and the bottom line. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

New single-use plastics bans coming in time for B.C. holiday shopping season

New regulations around shopping bags, other single-use plastic items comes into effect Dec. 20

B.C. Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman says new regulation concerning shopping bags will benefit the environment and the bottom line. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
MSABC president and CEO Alec Morrison said the association is “very proud” of the campaign they’ve put out thus far, and hopes that the message and goals of making mining more climate-friendly will resonate with a wide audience. (Spotlight file photo)

B.C. mining suppliers working to make industry greener from pit to port

Heavy industries in Canada emitted over 500 megatons of greenhouse gas per year in the last 30 years

MSABC president and CEO Alec Morrison said the association is “very proud” of the campaign they’ve put out thus far, and hopes that the message and goals of making mining more climate-friendly will resonate with a wide audience. (Spotlight file photo)
Lytton, here seen one year after the 2021 fire that destroyed much of the town, is subject to a heat warning this weekend as temperatures are expected to rise across B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officials say ‘be prepared’ as temperatures peak in large parts of B.C.

Heat warnings remain in effect for parts of Fraser Canyon and northern parts of B.C.

Lytton, here seen one year after the 2021 fire that destroyed much of the town, is subject to a heat warning this weekend as temperatures are expected to rise across B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Simi Rajput, co-founder and CEO of Green Giantz, and her son in the warehouse full of packaged biodegradable briefs. (Special to Langley Advance Times)

B.C. start-up company finds there’s green in eco-friendly adult diapers

Langley’s Green Giantz started delivering biodegradable incontinence briefs to care homes this spring

Simi Rajput, co-founder and CEO of Green Giantz, and her son in the warehouse full of packaged biodegradable briefs. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
There will be no full environmental assessments on two proposed expansion projects at two sites in Bamberton owned by Malahat Nation, including the quarry close to the Malahat highway (pictured). (Citizen file photo)

Full environmental assessments nixed for 2 Bamberton projects

Environmental and other groups fear for the impacts on Saanich Inlet

There will be no full environmental assessments on two proposed expansion projects at two sites in Bamberton owned by Malahat Nation, including the quarry close to the Malahat highway (pictured). (Citizen file photo)
Japanese Beetles decimate the leaf of a Linden tree in Omaha, Neb., July 20, 2017. It’s flying season for the Japanese beetle, which has prompted expanded restrictions on soil and plants in Vancouver that covers much of the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nati Harnik

Expanded restrictions in Vancouver to stop spread of damaging Japanese beetle

Invasive pest was first detected in Vancouver’s False Creek area in 2017

Japanese Beetles decimate the leaf of a Linden tree in Omaha, Neb., July 20, 2017. It’s flying season for the Japanese beetle, which has prompted expanded restrictions on soil and plants in Vancouver that covers much of the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Nati Harnik
Besides landfills, tires are commonly dumped on beaches or in forest areas in British Columbia. The new partnership between Ocean Legacy and the B.C. Tire Stewardship aims to reduce tire pollution, and bolster recycling of discarded tires in the province. (Tire Stewardship B.C./Contributed to Black Press Media)

Tire pollution reduction rubber meeting the road in new B.C. partnership

Tire Stewardship B.C. helps fund Ocean Legacy Foundation cleanup work

Besides landfills, tires are commonly dumped on beaches or in forest areas in British Columbia. The new partnership between Ocean Legacy and the B.C. Tire Stewardship aims to reduce tire pollution, and bolster recycling of discarded tires in the province. (Tire Stewardship B.C./Contributed to Black Press Media)
The provincial government is urging British Columbians to conserve water as forecasts call for drought conditions across much of the province. The northeastern corner of the province is already under the second-worst drought rating.

Recent rain brought little relief as B.C. faces increasing drought conditions

Province urging residents to conserve water as northeastern corner of B.C. is extremely dry

The provincial government is urging British Columbians to conserve water as forecasts call for drought conditions across much of the province. The northeastern corner of the province is already under the second-worst drought rating.
A Great Blue Heron colony has been established in John Wood’s yard, though it failed last year due to noise from a nearby construction site. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Great blue heron lovers seek peace and quiet for up-Island colony

Fireworks, construction noise can lead to Great Blue Heron colony collapse

A Great Blue Heron colony has been established in John Wood’s yard, though it failed last year due to noise from a nearby construction site. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Tom Reid, the west coast conservation land manager for the Nature Trust of BC, talks about plans to restore 70 hectares of the Cowichan River estuary during a tour of the area where the work will take place this summer on June 5. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

Restoration project at Cowichan River estuary announced

Government and conservation groups commit up to $3 million

Tom Reid, the west coast conservation land manager for the Nature Trust of BC, talks about plans to restore 70 hectares of the Cowichan River estuary during a tour of the area where the work will take place this summer on June 5. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)

New B.C. e-bike rebate program hits the road but not without some bumps

Environment minister acknowledged technical glitches during the launch

Starting Thursday (June 1, 2023), British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 toward their purchases of E-bikes depending on their incomes without having to scrap their cars. (Black Press Media file photo)
Styrofoam blocks and buoys washed up on the beach. Ashley Tapp photo

Fed’s response to banning foam from oceans ‘unreasonable, unacceptable and, quite frankly, lazy’

MP Rachel Blaney wrote letter to environment minister asking to follow Washington state’s example

Styrofoam blocks and buoys washed up on the beach. Ashley Tapp photo
This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)

Climate change is threatening technical safety, says B.C.’s regulator

Phil Gothe, lead executive officer at Technical Safety BC, says regulator investigated 81 incidents

This was the aftermath of a 2021 explosion at CFB Comox after crews had hit a gasline. According to the 2022 annual report from the Technical Safety BC, it was one of two serious gas-related explosions caused by unattentive crews. (Photo courtsey of Technical Safety BC)
The B.C. government will invest an additional $25 million into its Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund. The announcement was made May 30 at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville. Left to right: Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, George Heyman, Minister of Environment, MLA Aman Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Paul Kariya, Senior Policy Advisor at Coast First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Joshua Charleson, Relationships Director for the Coastal Restoration Society. (Submitted photo)

B.C. government pledges additional $25 million for coastal cleanup

Fund aims to restore marine environment by removing derelict vessels, cleaning up marine debris

The B.C. government will invest an additional $25 million into its Clean Coast, Clean Waters Initiative Fund. The announcement was made May 30 at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park near Parksville. Left to right: Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum, George Heyman, Minister of Environment, MLA Aman Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Environment, Paul Kariya, Senior Policy Advisor at Coast First Nations-Great Bear Initiative and Joshua Charleson, Relationships Director for the Coastal Restoration Society. (Submitted photo)
A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southwestern Alaska. Research published in 2021 linked a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1958 to glacial melting. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)

Climate change is impacting earthquake risks, federal report finds

Disaster risk assessment notes buildings constructed on permafrost at a ‘high risk’ of sinking

A cruise ship nears the glaciers near Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve in southwestern Alaska. Research published in 2021 linked a magnitude 7.8 earthquake in 1958 to glacial melting. (Courtesy Photo / U.S. National Park Service)
Over 2,000 fish died in a tributary of Willow Creek in Campbell River this week. Photo courtesy Greenways Land Trust

Over 2,000 fish die due to suspected contamination in Campbell River stream

Exact cause under investigation

Over 2,000 fish died in a tributary of Willow Creek in Campbell River this week. Photo courtesy Greenways Land Trust