Sunshine Coast Conservation Association

Earth Day celebration
2026-04-19 | Roberts Creek Pier, 999 Roberts Creek Rd, Roberts Creek, BC, V0N 2W4, Canada
Roberts Creek has been hosting an Earth Day celebration since 1989. Hosted by the xwesam-Roberts Creek Community Association, this event is held every April at the Roberts Creek Pier.
Food, live music, vendors, books, and a shared love and respect for our mother earth make this a beloved community event.

Come visit the SCCA’s booth at this wonderful Earth Day celebration. 🌎

World Water Day
2026-03-22 | BC

World Seagrass Day
2026-03-01 | BC

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling - Soames Beach February 20th
2026-02-20 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Soames Beach, Gibsons, Soames Rd, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V1, Gibsons, BC, Canada
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!
Join us for our February forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
Last month, two fish eggs were discovered during sampling at Soames Beach, a rare and exciting find that may indicate active spawning habitat. These small discoveries help us better understand and protect the coastal ecosystems that support salmon, seabirds, and marine life.
No experience is required. Volunteers will be guided through the sampling process on site. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for walking on the beach.
Sampling dates and locations:
Soames Beach (Gibsons) – Friday, February 20, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nCa55gfXa3WfwGKb6
Please RSVP Dianne Sanford at 604-741-1029 or email diannesanford@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Sandy Hook February 19th
2026-02-19 15:00 - 17:00 | Sandy Hook – Fish Tail Beach Access, 6038 Coracle Place, Sechelt, BC, V7Z 0C7, Canada
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!
Join us for our February forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
Last month, two fish eggs were discovered during sampling at Soames Beach, a rare and exciting find that may indicate active spawning habitat. These small discoveries help us better understand and protect the coastal ecosystems that support salmon, seabirds, and marine life.
No experience is required. Volunteers will be guided through the sampling process on site. Please dress for the weather and be prepared for walking on the beach.
Sampling dates and locations:
Fish Tail Beach (Sandy Hook) – Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Map link: https://maps.app.goo.gl/fgcSXn9hJ6brzQ5C9
Please RSVP Dianne Sanford at 604-741-1029 or email diannesanford@gmail.com if you would like to attend.

Forage Fish Sampling
2026-01-23 14:45 - 16:45 | Soames Beach, Gibsons, Soames Rd, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V1, Gibsons, BC, Canada
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!

Christmas Bird Count – Sunshine Coast
2025-12-20 | BC
Join the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC)!
This volunteer-driven monitoring program has been running since 1900, adding to our understanding of how wild birds are doing across the country.
EVERYONE is welcome and encouraged to participate!
The Sunshine Coast Christmas Bird Count (Gibsons to Sechelt) is scheduled for Saturday, December 20th – contact Tony Greenfield for more information at gfieldtony@gmail.com
Expertise in identification is not required for participation in the count. All that is needed is an interest in birds and a desire to learn more about which ones are around at this time of year.
Bring binoculars or spotting scope if you have them. Lunch and warm clothes are recommended as participants will be outdoors. In other words… dress for the weather!

Christmas Bird Count – Pender Harbour
2025-12-17 | BC
The 35th annual Pender Harbour CBC (Christmas Bird Count) will take place all day on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025. The backup date is the following day, Thursday.
The Christmas Bird Count is a one-day census of all birds wintering in the Pender Harbour area, specifically within a 24-km radius circle that extends from Middlepoint in the South to Captain’s Island in the North, and from the Bjerre Shoals (Malaspina Strait) in the West to Storm Bay (Sechelt Inlet) in the East. For counting, this complex area of land, sea, and numerous lakes is divided into smaller areas allocated to a group of counters. There will be at least six expert-led crews, three of which will spend part of the day on boats.
This is a Pender Harbour and District Wildlife Society-sponsored event. Members of the Sunshine Coast Natural History Society take part every year and also provide many of the group leaders.
The SCCA’s Daniel Bouman led the Highway One counts for 34 years with support from SCCA members and volunteers. Dan passed away in November 2025. George Smith will now lead this count.
Find a Route
Please also note that registration for some of the boat-based routes (see below) will be limited due to the vessels’ enclosed cabins.
The three main land routes and their usual group leaders are as follows:
1. Oyster Bay and the Garden Bay area (Arnold Skei/Rand Rudland),
2. Highway 101 from Lillies Lake to Ruby Lake (George Smith),
3. Francis Peninsula (Tony Greenfield).
Details regarding the boat groups are as follows:
4. Northern group (Tony Greenfield) will go out in the afternoon to survey waters near Pender Harbour;
5. Eastern group (John Dafoe/Fianna & Blythe Wilde) will leave from Egmont to survey parts of Agamemnon Channel and Sechelt Inlet, including Skookumchuk Narrows and Storm Bay;
6. Southern group (Michael Jackson) will leave from Secret Cove to survey Bjerre Shoals and the shoreline south of Pender Harbour.
Lead a NEW Route?
If you are, or know of, an expert birder who would consider taking on a new route, there are several areas within our count circle that are not currently covered (for example, Spipiyus Park, Klein Lake corridor, the big lakes). Don’t hesitate to get in touch with John Field for details. All registrations and other enquiries should be directed by email to johnfield307@gmail.com or by phone to 604-883-2807.
Please let John know:
A) whether you would like to join the count for the day or part of the day. There is no formal fee for registration, but Birds Canada, which coordinates the CBC program overall, appreciates donations: www.birdscanada.org
B) whether you have a preference for a particular route.
Finally, if you want to take part in the count by monitoring your home bird feeder during the day, please get in touch with John to register and get more information on this aspect of the count.
Please feel free to forward this message to others who might be interested.

SCRD Backroad Trash Bash 2025
2025-09-27 | BC
Mark your calendars! The Sunshine Coast Regional District’s annual Backroad Trash Bash is happening on Saturday, September 27. Join fellow community members to help clean up the backroads from Roberts Creek to West Howe Sound.
This year’s event will be based out of Shirley Macey/Eric Cardinal Community Hall, where volunteers will gather before heading out to identified dump sites. If you know of sites in the BnK or Port Mellon area, you can help by sharing GPS locations and photos.
All the details and the registration form are available here: https://letstalk.scrd.ca/trash-bash

Draw the Line – Cross-Canada Day of Action
2025-09-20 12:30 - 14:00 | Davis Bay Pier, https://maps.app.goo.gl/EomnbTTct27cDwAE6, Davis Bay, Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
Join Seniors for Climate, supported by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA), for a powerful day of climate action on the Sunshine Coast. Together with youth, workers, migrants, Indigenous leaders, and peace advocates, we’ll make the climate emergency — and its impacts — impossible to ignore. Bring your family, friends, and signs for an afternoon of speakers, music, and community energy.
Click the “add to calendar” button to save this event to your personal calendar.
Sunshine Coast Seniors for Climate welcomes your interest and your participation as they build a local chapter. If you would like to get involved, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Jef Keighley at jefkeighley64@gmail.com or Gail Riddell at bgriddell@icloud.com.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Trail Bay
2025-09-20 09:30 - 11:30 | Trail Bay Pier, 5477 Wharf Ave, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
Tiny eggs in beach sand tell big stories about ocean health. Help us search for forage fish eggs at Trail Bay and learn how these little fish support salmon, seabirds, and whales. We provide gear and training — you bring your curiosity! Dress for shoreline conditions and bring boots if you have them. Carpool available from Roberts Creek (contact Dianne).
Click the “add to calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Armours Beach
2025-09-19 09:00 - 11:00 | Armours Beach
Ever wondered what tiny fish keep salmon, seabirds, and whales alive? Join our community science team for hands-on forage fish sampling at Armours Beach! We’ll show you how to collect and search for eggs, contributing real data that helps protect critical shoreline habitat. No experience needed — just curiosity. Dress for the beach and bring boots if you have them.
Carpool available from Roberts Creek (contact Dianne). Click the “add to calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

SCCA Annual General Meeting 2025
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Sechelt Arts Centre, 5714 Medusa St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A3, Canada
Join us for the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM).
This is your opportunity to hear updates on our conservation work, review the year’s achievements, and help shape the future of the SCCA.
The meeting will include the presentation of financial statements, the Executive Director’s report, and the election of Directors.
Click the “add to calendar” button to save this event to your personal calendar.

Squamish Shoreline Cleanup
2025-06-08 09:00 - 11:00 | BC
The Átl’?a7tsem/Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative and Squamish River Watershed Society invite you to join them at the oceanfront in Squamish for a two-hour cleanup event, on World Oceans Day.
They write:
Join us on World Oceans Day, June 8th, for a community shoreline cleanup in Squamish!
– Oceanfront (gravel parking lot), Squamish
– 9am-11am
– Sunday June 8
Let’s celebrate World Oceans Day together by caring for our local shorelines. We will be removing garbage and invasive species from the trails and parking lot bordering the Mamquam Blind Channel in Squamish.
We will provide gloves, bags, and tools. There will also be some light snacks and coffee.
Please wear closed-toe shoes and dress for the weather – the event will happen rain or shine!
Co-hosted by the Átl’?a7tsem / Howe Sound Marine Stewardship Initiative, Squamish River Watershed Society, and Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council.
We hope to see you there
You can find more details ont he event, and RSVP (optional) here on facebook.

Open House: shíshálh/BC Land Use Planning Process
2025-06-05 14:00 - 19:30 | Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
Phase 2 of the shíshálh nation and BC Government Land Use Planning Process is underway. There are two open houses you can attend to participate in this process. This is the second of them.
This is a drop-in event. You do not need to attend the whole event. Hours are 2:00-4:00 pm and 5:30-7:30 pm.
Learn more about this planning process.

Open House: shíshálh/BC Land Use Planning Process
2025-05-05 14:00 - 19:30 | Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
Phase 2 of the shíshálh nation and BC Government Land Use Planning Process is underway. There are two open houses you can attend to participate in this process. This is the first of them.
This is a drop-in event. You do not need to attend the whole event. Hours are 2:00-4:00 pm and 5:30-7:30 pm.
Learn more about this planning process.

Webinar: shíshálh/BC Land Use Planning Process
2025-05-01 18:00 - 20:00 | Online
Phase 2 of the shíshálh nation and BC Government Land Use Planning Process is underway. It starts with a public webinar which the SCCA encourages local residents to attend.
The webinar is being held on May 1, 2025, from 6 – 8 pm PST. You can register here.
Learn more about this planning process.

Webs of Life
2025-04-28 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Wonders of the Salish Sea is an inspiring learning experience hosted by Transition Salt Spring that invites adults of all ages to explore the stunning biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation efforts that define our coastal home.
From herring to orcas, every species has a role to play—and every action we take matters. Dr. Briony Penn unravels the rise, fall, and hopeful return of herring populations. Dr. Will Duguid explores how salmon diets offer insights into ocean health and food web dynamics. Then Race Rocks Ecoguardian Kendra Luckow shares wild, touching, and unforgettable stories from one of BC’s richest biodiversity hotspots.
Celebrate our shared ecosystems and the power of stewardship in this finale filled with awe and action.
Registration required – the cost is $50 for the 4-part series
2025 Series Dates & Topics:• March 31 – Introducing the Salish Sea• April 7 – Ecosystems: Deep to Shallow• April 14 – Continually Swimming: Hope and Sharks• April 28 – Webs of Life
Click the “Add to Calendar” button below to add this event to your calendar.

Canadian Federal Election Voting Day
2025-04-28 | BC
On April 28, 2025, Canadians will head to the polls to vote in the federal election. This election will be pivotal in shaping the future of our communities and deciding the fate of the natural environment.
🗳️ Get Ready to Vote — our latest news post breaks down everything you need to know about where, when, and how to vote.
Candidates (Tentative)
*Confirmed candidates will be posted on the Elections Canada website after April 14.

Patrick Weiler – Liberal Party of Canada
Keith Roy – Conservative Party of Canada
Jäger Rosenberg – New Democratic Party (NDP)
Lauren Greenlaw – Green Party of Canada
Peyman Askari – People’s Party of Canada

Click the “add to calendar” button below to save this event!

Green Drinks at Banditry Cider
2025-04-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Banditry Cider, 538 Pratt Road, Gibsons, British Columbia, V0N 1V4, Canada
If you’d like to connect with community members who care about protecting both the global and local environment, come out to Banditry Cider this Friday evening (April 25th) for Green Drinks!
Locals Brendan and Naomi Glauser have recently started organizing monthly gatherings for Sunshine Coast residents to connect, learn and share about “Green” topics here on the Sunshine Coast. The first meeting was held on March 28th. At that meeting, members of Transportation Choices (TRAC) shared about the Connect the Coast project which aims to create a multi-use path parallel to Hwy 101 from Langdale to ch’atlich/Sechelt.
At the April 25th meeting, local resident Duncan Smith will speak about Official Community Plans and Green Bylaws. This year, multiple communities across the Coast are updating their OCPs, providing a chance to create a consistent set of Green Bylaws throughout the Lower Sunshine Coast.
Learn how the Sunshine Coast is reimagining its future through the Official Community Plan (OCP) Renewal – and why Green Bylaws are key to protecting our forests, wetlands, and watersheds. We’ll explore how smart planning tools can help us build a more climate-resilient, environmentally conscious community. Learn what’s at stake, what’s possible, and how your voice can help shape the path forward. Let’s plan for a future we can all be proud of.
The event runs from 6-8pm, at Banditry Cider. Arrive a little early (5:30ish) if you’d like to enjoy some dinner from TK’s Gourmet Food Truck.
There is no cost to attend.
The SCCA has been leading work on OCPs and Green Bylaws for years. To learn more about our work, check out our pages on OCPs and Green Bylaws.

Canadian Federal Election Advance Voting
2025-04-18 - 2025-04-21 | BC
On April 28, 2025, Canadians will head to the polls to vote in the federal election. This federal election is a defining moment for climate and ecological justice in Canada.
🗳️ Get Ready to Vote — our latest news post breaks down everything you need to know about where, when, and how to vote.
Advance Voting: Advance voting is available April 18 – 21, 2025. Voting locations will be added to the Elections Canada website after April 1st.
Candidates (Tentative)
*Confirmed candidates will be posted on the Elections Canada website after April 14.

Patrick Weiler – Liberal Party of Canada
Keith Roy – Conservative Party of Canada
Jäger Rosenberg – New Democratic Party (NDP)
Lauren Greenlaw – Green Party of Canada
Peyman Askari – People’s Party of Canada

Click the “add to calendar” button below to save this event!

Continually Swimming: Hope and Sharks
2025-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Wonders of the Salish Sea is an inspiring learning experience hosted by Transition Salt Spring that invites adults of all ages to explore the stunning biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation efforts that define our coastal home.
This week’s theme is both powerful and uplifting: stories of resilience, recovery—and sharks. First, filmmaker Bob Friel shares updates from SeaDoc Society, followed by Ginny Broadhurst of the Salish Sea Institute, who reveals real-world success stories in marine recovery and offers strategies for staying hopeful amidst the climate and biodiversity crisis. Then aquatic ecologist Cara Poulsen dives into the mysterious lives of local sharks, from elusive sixgills to misunderstood dogfish.
This evening will leave you inspired, informed, and ready to protect the Salish Sea’s incredible biodiversity.
Registration required – the cost is $50 for the 4-part series
2025 Series Dates & Topics:• March 31 – Introducing the Salish Sea• April 7 – Ecosystems: Deep to Shallow• April 14 – Continually Swimming: Hope and Sharks• April 28 – Webs of Life
Click the “Add to Calendar” button below to add this event to your calendar.

Native Plant Planting & Ivy Removal at Roberts Creek Estuary
2025-04-12 11:00 - 13:00 | Roberts Creek Estuary
Get your hands dirty for a great cause! Join the Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers for a special native planting and ivy removal event at Roberts Creek Estuary. This is your chance to make a real difference in restoring vital salmon habitat and protecting a key wildlife corridor.
What to expect:

Plant native species to support local ecosystems
Remove invasive ivy to help native plants thrive
Connect with like-minded nature lovers in our community

What to bring:

Gloves, clippers (small or large), and eye protection
A strong shovel and watering can for planting
Weather-appropriate clothing, including rain gear and sturdy waterproof boots

Meeting Point: Roberts Creek Pier/Mandala parking lot
Roberts Creek is an important spawning stream on the lower Sunshine Coast, and this is a great opportunity to support local salmon habitat restoration. Every effort counts—the salmon need us!

Part Two: The Future of Sechelt OCP Process
2025-04-10 14:00 - 18:00 | Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
The future of Sechelt is being shaped—and your input matters. This drop-in event is part of the Official Community Plan (OCP) update process, where community voices are helping guide how Sechelt grows, protects nature, and plans for climate resilience.
At the first visioning workshop, residents called for more affordable housing, better transportation, walkable neighbourhoods, vibrant gathering spaces, and strong protections for the environment. Now it’s time to build on that momentum.
Come by anytime between 2 and 6 PM to share your thoughts on housing, infrastructure, daily needs, and the places you find special. This is your chance to make sure the OCP reflects the values of Sechelt’s land, waters, and people.
Read more in our latest blog post:
Part Two: The Future of Sechelt OCP Process
Read the District’s workshop summary:
Visioning Workshop Summary
Click the ‘add to calendar’ button below to save this event to your personal calendar!

Ecosystems: Deep to Shallow
2025-04-07 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Wonders of the Salish Sea is an inspiring learning experience hosted by Transition Salt Spring that invites adults of all ages to explore the stunning biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation efforts that define our coastal home.
This session immerses you in the layered ecosystems of the Salish Sea—from ocean currents to intertidal life. Dr. Parker MacCready reveals a deep, invisible “river” of seawater flowing into Puget Sound, delivering nutrients that fuel the entire food chain. Then, marine biologist Rebecca Hansen introduces us to mussels, sea stars, algae and other species living between land and sea—master survivalists in a harsh and shifting zone.
You’ll come away with new eyes for the complexity and resilience of life just beneath the surface.
Registration required – the cost is $50 for the 4-part series
2025 Series Dates & Topics:• March 31 – Introducing the Salish Sea• April 7 – Ecosystems: Deep to Shallow• April 14 – Continually Swimming: Hope and Sharks• April 28 – Webs of Life
Click the “Add to Calendar” button below to add this event to your calendar.

Introducing the Salish Sea
2025-03-31 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
Wonders of the Salish Sea is an inspiring learning experience hosted by Transition Salt Spring that invites adults of all ages to explore the stunning biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge, and conservation efforts that define our coastal home.
The program begins with a deep look into the geological and microscopic foundations of the Salish Sea. Dr. Bob Turner reveals the dramatic natural forces—glaciers, volcanoes, tectonic shifts—that shaped the fjords and islands we know today. Then marine educator Chandler Colohan introduces us to plankton, the tiny organisms that quietly power the entire marine food web.
This evening offers awe, insight, and a fresh appreciation for what lies beneath and around us.
Registration required – the cost is $50 for the 4-part series
2025 Series Dates & Topics:• March 31 – Introducing the Salish Sea• April 7 – Ecosystems: Deep to Shallow• April 14 – Continually Swimming: Hope and Sharks• April 28 – Webs of Life
Click the “Add to Calendar” button below to add this event to your calendar.

shíshálh-BC Foundation Agreement + Dock Management Plan – Virtual Info Sessions
2025-03-31 19:00 - 20:30, 2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Online
Join representatives from the shíshálh Nation and the BC government for a virtual information session on the renewal of the shíshálh-BC Foundation Agreement and updates to the swiya Dock Management Plan.
Learn more about how these important agreements support Indigenous-led land and water stewardship on the Sunshine Coast.

Thursday, March 20, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m
Monday, March 31, 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m

Zoom link will be available on the shíshálh Nation – British Columbia Foundation Agreement web page shortly before each session.

Help Shape Gibsons’ Urban Forest Plan
2025-03-25 | BC
The survey has now been extended until March 25!
The Town of Gibsons has released its Urban Forest Plan, a strategy to protect and expand the town’s tree canopy. Public feedback is open until March 18, and this is a crucial opportunity to ensure Gibsons prioritizes strong protections for forests and biodiversity.
The plan outlines three potential scenarios for Gibsons’ urban forest, but even the most ambitious option falls short of what’s needed to protect ecosystems and fight climate change. We believe Gibsons should go further—committing to protect 50% of its natural lands as part of a bold conservation vision.
📢 Read our latest blog post to learn more about the plan, our recommendations, and how you can make your voice heard:
https://thescca.ca/help-shape-gibsons-urban-forest-plan/
Take Action: Complete the Survey & Advocate for Half for Nature
The Urban Forest Plan survey is open now, and we urge all SCCA supporters to participate. Ask the Town of Gibsons to adopt a ‘Half for Nature’ goal and commit to protecting at least 50% of its lands for conservation.
COMPLETE THE SURVEY
Don’t wait—trees take decades to grow but only moments to lose. Act now to protect the forests that sustain us all.
Cover Image: The forest at Gospel Rock by Sarama

World Water Day
2025-03-22 | BC
From the taps in our homes to the rivers that sustain our communities, fresh water fuels everything we value—our health, our food, our economy, and our future.
This World Water Day, let’s celebrate and defend BC’s most precious resource. 🌊💙
📢 Tell the province: Defend BC’s freshwater: Write a Letter
#DefendOurWater #WorldWaterDay
