Environment

As plastic continues to pollute the ocean, Oceana Canada is calling on the government action (credit Oceana Canada/Elemental).

Plastic predicament: Federal group urges action on packaging legislation in Canada

Oceana Canada is calling on the government to reduce the amount of harmful single-use plastics

As plastic continues to pollute the ocean, Oceana Canada is calling on the government action (credit Oceana Canada/Elemental).
FILE - Wildfires burning hundreds of miles away create smoky conditions Monday, June 13, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)

Alaska experiencing wildfires it’s never seen before

530 wildfires already recorded this year, worst of season yet to come

FILE - Wildfires burning hundreds of miles away create smoky conditions Monday, June 13, 2022, in Anchorage, Alaska. Alaska’s remarkable wildfire season includes over 530 blazes that have burned an area more than three times the size of Rhode Island, with nearly all the impacts, including dangerous breathing conditions from smoke, attributed to fires started by lightning. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen, File)
A polar bear is seen walking along the road in Churchill, Man. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Climate change and human impacts on the land are behind a growing number of encounters between people and polar bears around the Arctic, new research concludes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Landfills and climate change increasing polar bear-human conflicts in Arctic: report

Climate change diminishing food supply for bears, while making the Arctic more hospitable for humans

A polar bear is seen walking along the road in Churchill, Man. Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009. Climate change and human impacts on the land are behind a growing number of encounters between people and polar bears around the Arctic, new research concludes. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

B.C. veterinarian has plan to eliminate millions of pieces of plastic from Canadian clinics

Very simple changes can have a large impact if adopted broadly, Jocelyn Marsh says

Burnaby vet technician Jocelyn Marsh shows off part of her pill bottle return program. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
The caterpillar of a spongy (formerly gypsy) moth is distinctive, and microscopic at the start of its life. (Courtesy Davey Tree)

These 3 pests with rising populations can decimate Vancouver Island foliage

The spongy moth is dangerous as ever despite government intervention

The caterpillar of a spongy (formerly gypsy) moth is distinctive, and microscopic at the start of its life. (Courtesy Davey Tree)
A colder, wetter spring may not necessarily mean an influx of mosquitoes in Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., says an entomologist at the University of B.C. (Stock photo)

Colder spring may not mean population boom for Vancouver Island mosquitoes

Entomologist discusses weather’s effects on the irritating insect

A colder, wetter spring may not necessarily mean an influx of mosquitoes in Nanaimo and elsewhere in B.C., says an entomologist at the University of B.C. (Stock photo)
The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount — Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

West Coast expedition off B.C. explores never-before-seen deep-sea habitat

‘We are going to habitats that nobody’s mapped before, that nobody’s seen before’

The Canadian Coast Guard ship called John P. Tully has been used to bring scientists to the Explorer Seamount — Canada’s largest underwater mountain. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The move to ban single-use plastics will prevent 33 billion units of forks, bags, six-pack rings and other plastics from landfills. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Single-use plastic ban a ‘monumental’ step in protecting Canada’s oceans: advocate

Canada is planning phased-in ban on the manufacture, import, sale and export of plastics

The move to ban single-use plastics will prevent 33 billion units of forks, bags, six-pack rings and other plastics from landfills. (Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
A northern red-legged frog pictured in 2020. (Photo/Robin Doty Blymyer)

Nature Trust of B.C. protecting nearly 150 acres of rare Gulf Island climate zone

143.5-acres purchase aims to protect endangered species in new conservation zone on Saturna Island

A northern red-legged frog pictured in 2020. (Photo/Robin Doty Blymyer)
Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group’s co-founder Zain Haq says he’s gone into hiding out of fear of deportation. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

Save Old Growth organizer fears his climate activism has made him a target for deportation

Zain Haq, who is in Canada on a study permit, says he’s gone into hiding

  • Jun 20, 2022
Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group’s co-founder Zain Haq says he’s gone into hiding out of fear of deportation. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
Great blue herons, like this one pictured off the coast of South Oak Bay between Kitty Islet and the Victoria Golf Club, are among at-risk species affected by dogs in Greater Victoria’s migratory bird sanctuaries. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Federal report deems dogs the greatest risk to south Island’s migratory birds

Off-leash dogs, disturbed birds throughout Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuary

Great blue herons, like this one pictured off the coast of South Oak Bay between Kitty Islet and the Victoria Golf Club, are among at-risk species affected by dogs in Greater Victoria’s migratory bird sanctuaries. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)

PODCAST: David Suzuki gets charged up over electric vehicles

TODAY IN B.C.: Columnist Bruce Cameron and builder Todd Maliteare also talk EVs

Todd Maliteare, Bruce Cameron and Dr. David Suzuki. (Submitted/file photos)
Save Old Growth announced the return of their highway blockades as of June 13 during the 2022 Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade. A new group, Clear The Road, which is frsutrated with the regular blockades is now pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Save Old Growth. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. commuters consider lawsuit over logging protest highway blockades by Save Old Growth

Drivers have missed appointments and work shifts, lost out on money, says Clear The Road group

Save Old Growth announced the return of their highway blockades as of June 13 during the 2022 Thrifty Foods Victoria Day Parade. A new group, Clear The Road, which is frsutrated with the regular blockades is now pursuing a class-action lawsuit against Save Old Growth. (Black Press Media file photo)
Honey bees flit in and out of their colony atop an apartment building in Vancouver’s West End. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)

VIDEO: Vancouver rooftops home to a new breed of honey bee: one made to survive

Ensure Hive Future breeding queen bees to be resistant to deadly mites

Honey bees flit in and out of their colony atop an apartment building in Vancouver’s West End. (Jane Skrypnek/Black Press Media)
Western tent caterpillars in a cluster at the tip of a branch at ground level. The silky tents are often found high in trees, where the direct sunlight warms up the larvae. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Tent caterpillar season returns: here’s how Vancouver Island can battle back

Manual removal method the easiest, but targeted natural insecticides available

Western tent caterpillars in a cluster at the tip of a branch at ground level. The silky tents are often found high in trees, where the direct sunlight warms up the larvae. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The Broombusters Invasive Plant Society wants the province to officially label the invasive species Scotch broom as a noxious weed. (File photo)

Group launches sweeping campaign for B.C. to label Scotch broom a noxious weed

Province also asked to help stop spread of the invasive plant species

The Broombusters Invasive Plant Society wants the province to officially label the invasive species Scotch broom as a noxious weed. (File photo)
The Campbell River Estuary Conservation Area. (Photo/Nature Conservancy of Canada).

Federal goal to conserve 25% of land by 2025 achievable – with work: advocate

Protecting land requires time and money, says B.C. Vice President of conservation organization

The Campbell River Estuary Conservation Area. (Photo/Nature Conservancy of Canada).
David Suzuki at Grizzly Plaza in Revelstoke on May 27. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

Low-carbon adventure: David Suzuki journeys across Canada in electric vehicle

Suzuki, his wife Tara Cullis, and a film crew made a pit-stop in Revelstoke on May 27

David Suzuki at Grizzly Plaza in Revelstoke on May 27. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
A fly fisherman casts on the Kootenai River, downstream of the Koocanusa Reservoir, near the Montana-Idaho boundary and Leonia, Idaho, on Sept. 19, 2014. The agency that mediates disputes between Canada and the U.S. over shared waters is pleading with the federal Liberals to join an investigation into contamination from British Columbia coal mines.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - The Spokesman Review, Rich Landers

International commission asks Canada to join probe of selenium flowing from B.C.

Ottawa has already rejected a similar request from the Ktunaxa First Nation

A fly fisherman casts on the Kootenai River, downstream of the Koocanusa Reservoir, near the Montana-Idaho boundary and Leonia, Idaho, on Sept. 19, 2014. The agency that mediates disputes between Canada and the U.S. over shared waters is pleading with the federal Liberals to join an investigation into contamination from British Columbia coal mines.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP - The Spokesman Review, Rich Landers
Westerly file photo

Official crackdown coming for illegal campers around Tofino and Ucluelet

Increased enforcement on patrol this summer as officials urge visitors to respect the West Coast

Westerly file photo