Protect what remains of our Old-Growth forests!

The BC Government is undertaking an Old Growth Strategic Review, and has appointed a two-person panel to consult with people throughout the province, and provide a report to the Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNRO).

We encourage you to contact the panel to express your views on the ecological, economic and cultural importance of old-growth trees and forests. Let's use this opportunity to make it clear that we urgently need to protect our old-growth trees NOW!

The panel includes two professional foresters: Garry Merkel, and Al Gorley. They're asking British Columbians:

  • What old growth means to you and how you value it
  • Your perspective on how old growth is managed now
  • How you think old growth could be managed more effectively in the future

There are 3 ways to make your voice heard:

1) Request to meet with the panel in person or by phone or video call. They will be visiting Powell River on Thursday, December 5th, and Sechelt on Friday, December 6th.

2) Fill out the online questionnaire.

3) Email a written submission to the panel to: oldgrowthbc@gov.bc.ca. Click here for their submission guidelines.

Visit the BC Government website for more information on the review process. The review process continues until JANUARY 31, 2020 at 4 pm.

For more information on the importance of old-growth trees and forests, check out the excellent resources put together by these organizations:

Sierra Club BC:

Ancient Forest Alliance: Before & After Old-Growth Maps

Wilderness Committee: Protecting Old-Growth resource page

Last Updated: Wednesday, 27 November 2019 21:25

Full house at All Candidates Forum October 10th

Thank you to all those who participated in our Environment and Climate Change All Candidates Forum at the Roberts Creek Hall, including our partners, the Sunshine Coast Alliance4Democracy, our incredible SCCA volunteers, and of course, the candidates!

We were pleased to not only hear from each candidate on our 4 advance environment and climate change questions, but also on the 17 questions posed directly from community members on topics ranging from biodiversity loss, inter-party co-operation on climate change, Woodfibre LNG, alternative measures of progress, Indigenous climate priorities, and the Right to a Healthy Environment.

Here are some photos (thanks to John Gibbs) of the packed event. You can find coverage of the event in The Local Weekly, and the Coast Reporter.

 

Last Updated: Monday, 21 October 2019 21:10

Who will be our climate leader?

CLICK HERE TO READ OUR 4 ADVANCE QUESTIONS AND CANDIDATES RESPONSES

Bring your questions! More than half of the forum will be dedicated to questions posed from the floor. You can line up at the mic, or write it on a piece of paper for the moderator to ask. We expect a full house, so arrive when doors open at 6:30 to get a seat!

Last Updated: Wednesday, 09 October 2019 17:45

Celebrating an environmental hero

The SCCA is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and benefactor, Rick O'Neill, who died last Friday, August 16th at his home. Rick was devoted to the protection of our natural environment and worked hard, without a need for recognition, to bring the importance and beauty of our forest ecosystems into focus for others, through his photography, guided forest walks, activism, and wildlife habitat enhancement and survey work. The SCCA has been appointed the executor of his estate and heir to his property. We will be maintaining this property as a conservation area according to his wishes.

Please join us to celebration Rick and his many contributions to our community and the planet:
Friday, September 27th
7 - 9 pm at the Roberts Creek Hall
Come early for a potluck at 6 pm (doors open at 5:30)
If you'd like to sign up to speak, or would like to help with or contribute to the celebration, please contact Naomi: office@thescca.ca.

Rick was a very private person and even though many of us have known the important things about him like his values and dedication to environmental causes, his skills as a photographer, his work ethic, his mischievous sense of humour and joy in music, it turns out we don't know much about his earlier, pre-Sunshine Coast life. We would love to hear your stories and share any information you think appropriate about Rick, especially if you can help fill in these earlier blanks from back then. Please do send along any more information to: chair@thescca.ca.

It is lovely to see all the postings of photos and videos on-line. Thank you to all who are already sharing memories of Rick. He was an exemplar of the environmental values we hold dear. We will all miss his quiet determination and ornery twinkle.

Last Updated: Saturday, 07 September 2019 19:37