SCCA Annual General Meeting 2025
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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.

Trouble in the Headwaters Film Screening & Panel Discussion
2025-09-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Roberts Creek Community Hall, 1309 Roberts Creek Rd, Roberts Creek, BC, V0N 2W2, Canada
On Wednesday, September 17th, the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and RhizomeUp!Media will host a community screening of Trouble in the Headwaters at Roberts Creek Hall.
This hard-hitting, 25-minute documentary by filmmaker Daniel J. Pierce examines the disastrous 2018 flood in Grand Forks, BC, and the hydrological connection to clear-cut logging in the Kettle River Watershed. The film features the research of Dr. Younes Alila, professor of forest hydrology at the UBC Faculty of Forestry, whose decades of peer-reviewed research have shown how government and industry have consistently underestimated the flood risks caused by clear-cut logging.
The screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Pierce, Alila, and Suzanne Senger, Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association.

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.

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.

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.

SCRD Backroad Trash Bash 2025
2025-09-27
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

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
2025-09-30

World Habitat Day
2025-10-07

World Migratory Bird Day
2025-10-12

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Armours Beach
2025-11-28 06:00 - 08:00 | 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 – 604-741-1029).
Click the “add to calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Sandy Hook
2025-11-29 10:00 - 12:00 | Sandy Hook – Fish Tail Beach Access, 6038 Coracle Place, Sechelt, BC, V7Z 0C7, Canada
Tiny eggs in beach sand tell big stories about ocean health. Help us search for forage fish eggs at Sandy Hook 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 – 604-741-1029).
Click the “add to calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

Christmas Bird Count – Pender Harbour
2025-12-17
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.

Christmas Bird Count – Sunshine Coast
2025-12-20
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!

Forage Fish Sampling
2026-01-22 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!

Forage Fish Sampling
2026-01-23 14:45 - 16:45 | Soames Beach, Gibsons, Soames Rd, Gibsons, BC V0N 1V1, Gibsons, BC, Canada

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.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling - Soames Beach February 20th
2026-02-20 14:00 - 16:00 | 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.

World Seagrass Day
2026-03-01

Celebration of Life for Daniel Bouman
2026-03-14 14:00 - 17:00 | High Beam Dreams, 350 Glassford Rd, Gibsons, BC, V0N 1V4, Canada
A Celebration of Life for Daniel Bouman will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2026, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at High Beam Dreams in Gibsons.
Friends, family, colleagues, and community members are invited to gather in honour of Dan’s life and legacy. As founder of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and a dedicated conservation leader for decades, Dan helped shape the environmental movement on the Sunshine Coast with integrity, clarity, and deep respect for the natural world.
The afternoon will be an opportunity to share stories, reflect on Dan’s contributions, and reconnect as a community committed to protecting the lands and waters he cared so deeply about.
All who loved Dan are welcome to join; please RSVP to rosimhunter@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
Daniel Bouman: Advocate, Founder, Mentor, Friend

INCANDESCENCE Film Screening & Panel Discussion
2026-03-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Roberts Creek Community Hall, 1309 Roberts Creek Rd, Roberts Creek, BC, V0N 2W2, Canada
Mar 18, 2026 | 7:00 PM PDT
Roberts Creek Community Hall
1309 Roberts Creek Road, Roberts Creek, BC
By-donation community screening
INCANDESCENCE (directed by Nova Ami & Velcrow Ripper, 2024, 104 mins.)
Every summer, wildfires increasingly ravage places around the globe, darkening the skies with thick smoke and reducing communities to little more than ash and debris. Award-winning directors Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper weave together immersive on-the-ground footage with first-person accounts from Indigenous Elders, first responders, and ordinary people forced to react to a rapidly evolving ecosystem. As climate change continues to escalate, full suppression measures have largely failed, leading to bigger, more intense mega-fires. But there is another way. Indigenous knowledge keepers explain that the First Nations people traditionally used controlled burns to regenerate the land. Honouring the experiences of both human and non-human inhabitants, the film transforms our understanding of fire from destruction and disaster into a profound illumination, lighting the way towards new life and hope.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/e17xBip25Xs
This event is presented by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association and Rhizome Up! Media.
Following the screening, we will host a panel discussion featuring:
Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper – FilmmakersCraig Moore – President of Rider VenturesDr. Lori Daniels – Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry & Environmental StewardshipLogan O’Reilly – Researcher, Fire and Ecosystems Research Lab (UBC), based on the Coast
Each guest will offer brief remarks, followed by an open question-and-answer session with the audience.
We typically schedule one hour for the post-film program. If the discussion is robust, the evening may extend until approximately 10:30 PM.
This is an opportunity to engage directly with experts and practitioners working at the intersection of forest ecology, wildfire science, community resilience, and climate change.
No pre-registration is required. All are welcome. For more information, contact the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association at info@thescca.ca
Please click the “add to calendar” button to save SCCA events to your personal calendar.

Hoak-Pus Sandy Beach Nature Reserve Work Party
2026-03-21 10:00 - 13:00 | Sandy Beach Nature Reserve, Box 1969, Keats Island, BC, Canada
On Saturday, March 21, from 10:00 AM to approximately 1:00 PM, community members are invited to take part in a stewardship work party at the Sandy Beach Nature Reserve on Keats Island.
The Sandy Beach property is permanently protected through a conservation covenant held by the SCCA and The Land Conservancy of British Columbia. The land is owned by the Islands Trust Conservancy.
On-the-ground stewardship and maintenance are led by the Keats Island Conservation Society (KICS) in cooperation with SCCA and the Islands Trust. Together, this partnership ensures that the ecological values of the reserve are protected while allowing respectful public access.
Restoration and Access Improvements
Over the past two years, dedicated volunteers have:

Removed garbage and marine debris
Identified and removed invasive species such as blackberry, holly, and cherry laurel
Built a new set of steps and improved a trail to the beach that no longer crosses private property

This work supports native plant communities, protects wildlife habitat, and strengthens the site’s long-term ecological integrity.
What to Expect on March 21
Volunteers will gather at the Nature Reserve at 10:00 AM and work until approximately 12:30 or 1:00 PM. Activities will include:

Continued invasive species removal
Ongoing work on the beach steps and trail
Clearing fallen branches and other trail obstructions

Please bring:

Gloves
Long pants and long sleeves
A raincoat (if needed)
Sturdy footwear
A hat
Water and a snack
Hand tools such as clippers or a shovel

RSVP & Contact
To confirm your attendance or coordinate arrival at Keats Landing, please contact Keats Island Conservation Society
Richard Beard: 778-870-2152
Dan Rogers: keatsislandconservationsociety@gmail.com

World Water Day
2026-03-22

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. 🌎

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Sandy Hook
2026-04-24 10:00 - 12:00
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!
Join us for our April forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
The other 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 day and location:
Fish Tail Beach (Sandy Hook) – Friday, April, 24, 2026 at 10:00am
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.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling – Soames Beach
2026-04-24 15:00 - 17:00
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!
Join us for our April forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
The other 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, April 24th , 2026 at 3:00 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 – Soames Beach
2026-05-13 09:30 - 12:30
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!

Join us for our May forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
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) – Wednesday, May, 13, 2026 at 9:30am
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
2026-05-14 10:00 - 12:00
All are welcome to join our community science initiative!

Join us for our May forage fish sampling days on the Sunshine Coast.
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 date and location:
Fish Tail Beach (Sandy Hook) – Thursday, May 14th @10am-12:30pm
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.

Fish Tail Beach Forage Fish Sampling - Sandy Hook
2026-06-07 10:00 - 12:00 | Fish Hook Beach, BC, Canada
Beneath the sand at Fish Hook Beach lies a hidden world that helps sustain salmon, seabirds, marine mammals, and healthy coastal ecosystems.
Join Sunshine Coast Friends of Forage Fish for a hands-on community science experience and learn how to identify and sample spawning habitat used by surf smelt and Pacific sand lance. These small forage fish play a vital role in the marine food web, yet many people walk past their spawning beaches without ever knowing they are there.
Participants will learn about forage fish ecology, shoreline stewardship, and how community volunteers are helping monitor and protect critical spawning habitat throughout the Sunshine Coast.
No experience is necessary. Training and equipment will be provided.
Click the “Add to Calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

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.

Soames Beach Forage Fish Sampling - Gibsons
2026-06-07 15:00 - 17:00
The future of salmon and many marine species begins on beaches like Soames Beach.
Join Sunshine Coast Friends of Forage Fish for an afternoon of shoreline exploration and community science. Learn how to identify spawning habitat used by surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, collect samples alongside experienced volunteers, and discover why these small fish are considered one of the most important links in the marine food web.
This family-friendly event offers a unique opportunity to experience the shoreline through the eyes of a scientist while contributing valuable information to support local conservation and restoration efforts.
No experience is necessary. Everyone is welcome.
Click the “Add to Calendar” button to add this event to your personal calendar.

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.

Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival 2026
2026-06-08 - 2026-06-14 | Online and In Person
The Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival is a vibrant annual celebration bringing together our coastal community to honour and protect the ocean that sustains us. Organized by the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA), the festival offers a dynamic platform for education, inspiration, and action; fostering a deeper connection between people and the marine environment.
The 2026 festival will run June 8–14 and currently includes:
• Daily online NEMO Talks (Monday–Friday, 12 PM–1 PM)
• Film screenings including Turtle Walker and Salmon Secrets with special guest Alex Morton
• The Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival Celebration Day at Mission Point Park
• Citizen science and community engagement opportunities
Additional programming and event details will continue to be added as they are confirmed.
For the full festival schedule, Zoom links, and updated event information, please visit the Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival website. Link: https://sunshinecoastoceanfestival.ca/
