Sunshine Coast Conservation Association

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Mar 3!
2025-03-03 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Vancouver) | Armours Beach
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Mar. 3rd
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 4:00 PM

Date: Tuesday, Mar. 4th
Location 1: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 3:00PM
Location 2: Delta Beach, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 4:30 PM

Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

West Howe Sound Community Meeting: A Conversation on Green Bylaws
2025-02-13 19:00 - 20:15 | Eric Cardinall Hall, 930 Chamberlin Road, West Howe Sound, BC, V0N 1V1, Canada
Join us for an important West Howe Sound Community Association (WHSCA) Meeting focused on how Green Bylaws can help protect our forests, waters, and wildlife. With the Sunshine Coast undergoing critical land-use planning updates, now is the time to advocate for stronger environmental protections.
Featured Speaker: Suzanne Senger, Executive Director of the Sunshine Coast Conservation Association (SCCA), will present the Sunshine Coast Green Bylaws (SCGB) campaign—an initiative aimed at helping local governments integrate environmental protections into municipal policies.
Why It Matters:

The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), Town of Gibsons, and District of Sechelt are updating their Official Community Plans (OCPs)—a rare chance to shape the future of land use in West Howe Sound.
The BC government’s new housing mandates are increasing development pressure, and Green Bylaws offer practical solutions to balance housing needs with conservation.
Learn how to advocate for policies that protect biodiversity and climate resilience in your community.

Be part of the solution! This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded residents and help shape a sustainable future for West Howe Sound.
Learn More: Read our latest blog post for more details.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Future of Sechelt Workshop – Help Shape the Official Community Plan
2025-02-13 13:00 - 15:00 | Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
The District of Sechelt is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP), a key document that will shape the future of land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure in the community. This is your opportunity to help ensure that environmental sustainability, climate resilience, and natural asset protection are central to the conversation.
On February 13, the District is hosting the Future of Sechelt workshop to gather public input. There are two sessions available:
Workshop Option 1: 1:00 – 3:00 PM
Workshop Option 2: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Location: Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt
Your voice is crucial in ensuring Sechelt’s OCP reflects a balance between growth and conservation – join the conversation and make an impact!
For more details on why this update matters and how you can advocate for strong environmental protections, read our full blog post.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Feb 4!
2025-02-04 15:00 - 17:30
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Feb. 3rd
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 3:00 PM

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 4th
Location 1: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 3:00PM
Location 2: Delta Beach, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 4:30 PM

*More dates posted in the March calendar
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Feb 3!
2025-02-03 15:00 - 16:00 | Armours Beach
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Feb. 3rd
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 3:00 PM

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 4th
Location 1: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 3:00PM
Location 2: Delta Bay, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 4:30 PM

*More dates posted in the March calendar
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Share Your Thoughts for our upcoming Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival
2025-01-24
As we gear up for this year’s festival, we’d love to hear from you! If you attended last year’s events, we’d appreciate your feedback:

What did you like most and least about the 2024 festival?
Is there an issue, project, or group you would like to see featured as part of our 2025 NEMO Talks series?
Is there an ocean-related film you would love to see as part of this year’s film festival?

Are you part of a nonprofit working on ocean-related conservation projects? We are always looking for collaborators to join the festival and present at this year’s NEMO Talks. Let’s join forces to amplify the impact of our work!
Share your feedback and ideas by emailing us at communications@thescca.ca.
Read more about the 2025 Festival in our latest blog post

DEADLINE to apply for the District of Sechelt’s Advisory Planning Commission
2025-01-22
We encourage our supporters to consider applying for the Advisory Planning Commission position with the District of Sechelt.
If you are passionate about conservation and community planning, your voice is needed now more than ever.
Learn more about the importance of having conservation voices at the table in APCs by reading our latest blog post.
To apply, please submit a written expression of interest by 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. The time commitment as a member of the APC is about 3-4 hours per month.
APPLY NOW!
By joining the APC, you can play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our community and ensuring that conservation remains a priority in local planning efforts. Together, we can protect the remarkable biodiversity of the Sunshine Coast for generations to come.
To save this deadline to your own personal calendar click the ‘add to calendar’ button below.

King Tide Photo Contest
2025-01-14 - 2025-01-15
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is inviting community members to document the upcoming King Tides on January 14 and 15. These extreme high tide events offer a preview of what future sea level rise may look like for our region.
By capturing photos of these events, you can help raise awareness about the impacts of coastal flooding, erosion, and wave action. There will be a photo contest with prizes for the best submissions! Photo entries must be submitted to the SCRD by January 24, 2025.
This photo contest is part of a larger Coastal Flood Mapping Project, you can read more about this project in our latest blog post.
Together, we can work towards a more resilient Sunshine Coast!
Tide times below:

APC Application for the SCRD
2025-01-10
Learn more on the SCRD website

DEADLINE to sign the letter to help strengthen Canada's oil and gas emission cap!
2025-01-08
The oil and gas sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada, with emissions continuing to rise despite industry promises and government commitments to reduce GHGs.
Our friends at West Coast Environmental Law (WCEL) are leading a public campaign urging the Government of Canada to strengthen its newly drafted Oil and Gas Sector GHG Emissions Cap Regulations by:

Increasing the cap to align with national targets
Closing loopholes that would allow emissions to exceed the cap
Immediately implementing the cap rather than delaying it until 2030

This is a pivotal moment for climate action in Canada. By sending a letter, you can help hold the oil and gas sector and the Government of Canada to account.
Please join us in supporting this request for strong emissions caps on the oil and gas industry. Let’s help Canada meet its climate commitments and protect the environment and future generations from the impacts of climate change.
SIGN THE LETTER BY JANUARY 8, 2025
Read the full blog post

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling Jan 7!
2025-01-07 14:30 - 17:00
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Jan. 6th
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 4:00 PM

Date: Tuesday, Jan. 7th
Location 1: Delta Bay, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 2:30PM
Location 2: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 4:00 PM

*More dates posted in the February, and March calendars
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Jan 6!
2025-01-06 16:00 - 17:00 | Armours Beach

Join the Christmas Bird Count in Pender Harbour on Dec 18!
2024-12-18
The annual Pender Harbour Christmas Bird Count, organised by John Field and the Pender Harbour and District Wildlife Society, is happening on Wednesday Dec 18.
Join a group of volunteers as they undertake the annual count and gather valuable data as citizen scientists.
Please see below for information from the Pender Harbour and District Wildlife Society about the event:
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 broken up into smaller areas, each of which is allocated to a group of counters. We plan to have at least six expert-led crews, three of which will spend part of the day on boats.
I would like to welcome those of you who have come to the Pender Harbour CBC in the past as well as those joining us for the first time! Expertise at 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!
Please also note that registration for some of the boat-based routes (see below) will be limited because of enclosed cabins on the vessels.
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 (Dan Bouman)
3. Francis Peninsula (Tony Greenfield)
Details regarding the boat groups are as follows:
5. Eastern group (John Dafoe) will leave from Egmont to survey northern Sechelt Inlet, including Skookumchuk Narrows and Storm Bay
4. Northern group (Tony Greenfield) will go out in the afternoon to survey waters near Pender Harbour
6. Southern group (Michael Jackson) will leave from Secret Cove to survey Bjerre Shoals and the shoreline south of Pender Harbour
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). Please contact me for details.
All registrations and other enquiries should be directed to me by email: johnfield307@gmail.com or phone: 604-883-2807.
Please let me 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 contact me to register and to get more information on this aspect of the count.
NOTE: The back-up date (Thursday, December 19th) will be used only if extreme weather conditions (gale force or stronger winds, or major snowfall) make the scheduled count day unsuitable for birding.
IF WEATHER CONDITIONS ON COUNT DAY ARE FORECAST TO BE EXTREME, ALL REGISTERED PARTICIPANTS WILL BE NOTIFIED VIA EMAIL BY 7 PM ON THE PREVIOUS EVENING. An email will be sent out only if there is a change of date. If the weather looks bad, be sure to check your email after 7 pm in the evening prior to the count. No email means no change!

Join the Christmas Bird Count on the Sunshine Coast on Dec 14!
2024-12-14
Join a group of volunteers as they undertake the annual count and gather valuable data as citizen scientists.
The Sunshine Coast CBC (Gibsons to Sechelt) is scheduled for Saturday, December 14th – contact Tony Greenfield for more information at gfieldtony@gmail.com

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Dec 11!
2024-12-11 08:00 - 09:00 | Delta Beach, Sechelt Inlet, 5597 Delta Rd, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A3, Canada
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Dec. 9th
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 4:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10th
Location: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 5:00 PM

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11th
Location: Delta Beach, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 8:00 AM

*More dates posted in the January, February, and March calendars
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Dec 10!
2024-12-10 17:00 - 18:00 | Trail Bay Beach
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Dec. 9th
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 4:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10th
Location: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 5:00 PM

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11th
Location: Delta Beach, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 8:00 AM

*More dates posted in the January, February, and March calendars
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, a headlamp or torch and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling on Dec 9!
2024-12-09 16:30 - 17:30 | Armours Beach
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Monday, Dec. 9th
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 4:30 PM

Date: Tuesday, Dec. 10th
Location: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 5:00 PM

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 11th
Location: Delta Bay, Sechelt Inlet
Time: 8:00 AM
*More dates posted in the January, February, and March calendars
Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, a headlamp or torch and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.
Photo Credit: Sand Lance by Will Duguid
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Public Hearing for Lot A and C Gibsons Way
2024-12-03 15:15 - 16:30 | Council Chambers, 474 South Fletcher, Gibsons, BC, V0N 1V0, Canada
Public Notice from the Town of Gibsons
The Town will hold a Public Hearing to consider OCP and Zoning amendment applications for the properties known as Lot A and C Gibsons Way. The amendments would allow for the construction of a commercial building fronting Gibsons Way and three apartment buildings behind, with a total of 172 residential units.
How to provide feedback:

In Writing: Written submissions must be received before 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2nd to be added to the Public Hearing Agenda. Email planning@gibsons.ca, or bring your letter to Town Hall.
Verbally: Anyone who would like to speak at the Public Hearing can do so at the event. No prior registration is required.

More information on the proposed development can be found on the Town of Gibsons website

Give back to the SCCA this #GivingTuesday
2024-12-03
This #GivingTuesday, we invite you to support our work to protect biodiversity on the Sunshine Coast.

Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that occurs every year after Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The goal of the movement is to help people to ‘do good in the world’.
For some, #GivingTuesday is an opportunity to offset material consumerism by giving a gift of support on behalf of someone else. For others it’s a way to help assuage climate anxiety and eco-grief, or to support important work they may not have the opportunity to engage in.
For charitable nonprofits like the SCCA, the movement provides a forum for us to share our work protecting biodiversity and raise awareness and funds within a supportive global network.
The SCCA collaborates with many other organizations on the coast and in Howe Sound to protect our forests and watersheds and fight climate change. Your donation helps the SCCA continue our essential work and extends valuable support to many other NGOs in our community.
Maintaining a stable income for a nonprofit can be challenging, as funding and grants are often unpredictable and limited. This #GivingTuesday, we’re inviting our supporters to consider signing up for monthly donations to the SCCA.
Your monthly gift, even as little as 0.1% of your income, could have a huge impact on our mission and the future of biodiversity on the Sunshine Coast.
5 Easy Ways to Give

Sign up for MONTHLY DONATIONS
Make a one-time TAX CHARITABLE DONATION
Donate to our ENDOWMENT FUND
Become an SCCA MEMBER
VOLUNTEER your time

Where will your donation go?
Your donations help the SCCA continue our essential conservation work and extend valuable support to many other groups in the community.
The SCCA collaborates with many other organizations on the Upper and Lower Sunshine Coast and within Átl’ka7tsem Howe Sound, working together to protect our forests, watersheds and marine environment and to fight climate change.
We have worked tirelessly to preserve sensitive ecosystems, species at risk, old-growth forests, and drinking watersheds for nearly 30 years. We engage with First Nations and all levels of government, and collaborate with a wide range of members, supporters, and partners to get the job done.
Some of the projects your donation will support include:

West Howe Sound Watershed Protection
Forest Landscape Planning Engagement
Stop Woodfibre LNG and FortisBC
Old Growth Marbled Murrelet Habitat Protection
Ch’ḵw’elhp-Gibson Creek Restoration
Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival
Forage Fish Sampling
Eelgrass Conservation
Sunshine Coast Green Bylaws
Election Engagement

We hope you will consider donating to help us carry on these programs!

Call to Action: Participate in the Ghost Gear Survey
2024-11-30
As part of our ongoing commitment to marine conservation, we encourage our community to provide feedback to the Canadian federal government through the Ghost Gear Program’s Gear Management Survey. This initiative is crucial for addressing the issue of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear—commonly referred to as ghost gear—which poses significant threats to marine life and ecosystems.
During last year’s Sunshine Coast Ocean Festival, we hosted a NEMO talk titled “Seafloor Garbage in the Salish Sea” presented by Susan Anthony. This event highlighted the alarming prevalence of marine debris in our waters and sparked a lively discussion among attendees about how they could contribute to efforts aimed at reporting ghost gear and supporting its removal. Many community members expressed a desire to take action, and the Gear Management Survey provides an excellent opportunity to do just that.
Ghost gear not only harms marine wildlife but also affects local fisheries and the overall health of our oceans. According to research, ghost nets can entangle and kill various marine species, including endangered turtles and fish populations, leading to long-term ecological consequences (Wilcox et al., 2013). By participating in the Gear Management Survey, you can help the government understand the scope of the problem and develop effective strategies for managing and mitigating the impacts of ghost gear.
We urge you to take a few moments to complete the Gear Management Survey. Your insights are invaluable in shaping policies that protect our marine environment and ensure the sustainability of our local fisheries. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against marine debris and contribute to healthier oceans for future generations.
Ways to provide feedback
1. Fill in the online survey
2. Send an email to DFO.GGProgram-ProgrammeEF.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca with your ideas or comments
3. Send a letter with your ideas to the following address:
Ghost Gear Program
C/O Fisheries and Harbours Management
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
200 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t miss the deadline!

Forestry and Water Presentation
2024-11-23 18:30 - 21:30 | Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt, BC, V0N 3A0, Canada
Hosted by the Pender Harbour Wildlife Society (PHWS), join us for an eye-opening evening as Dr. Younes Alila from the UBC Faculty of Forestry presents his groundbreaking research on forestry, flooding, and the link between watershed logging and increased flood risk.
With over 20 years of research challenging long-standing beliefs, Dr. Alila will explain how excessive forest harvesting may be contributing to severe flooding across British Columbia. Dr. Alila’s findings bring into focus the impact of forestry on hydrology and will inspire us to consider how logging practices are influencing water security and flood risk in our communities.
Providing a local perspective, our Executive Director Suzanne Senger will discuss the ongoing West Howe Sound Watershed Protection Project on Mt. Elphinstone. Through this project, the SCCA is actively working to protect critical forested aquifer recharge areas, a mission essential for safeguarding our water supply and enhancing climate resilience in our community. For nearly 30 years, the SCCA has led watershed protection efforts on the Sunshine Coast, and we’re excited to share progress and insights from this vital work.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm, presentations begin at 7:00 pm
Location: Seaside Centre, 5790 Teredo St, Sechelt
Admission: Free, with refreshments and a raffle during the intermission
More Information: Please contact info@penderharbourwildlife.com or visit the PHWS website penderharbourwildlife.com for more information.
We invite you to join this important conversation and discover how the SCCA is addressing watershed threats through science-based initiatives that protect our natural resources for generations to come.
Click the ‘add to calendar’ button so you don’t miss the event!

Keats Island Invasive Species Event
2024-11-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Online
What’s the big deal about invasive plants?

Join the Keats Island Conservation Society for a free online talk about invasive species and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystems.
Presented by Richard Beard on November 23 at 10am Pacific Time.
What are invasive species? In British Columbia, an invasive species is defined as any non-native plant, animal, or microbe that has been introduced to the region—whether intentionally or accidentally—and that spreads rapidly, often outcompeting native species for resources. Invasive species can disrupt local ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and harm native habitats. They can also pose threats to agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and recreation by altering landscapes and ecosystems in ways that negatively impact both natural and human environments.

DEADLINE to Sign the Petition to Protect Canada’s Endangered Landscapes!
2024-11-22
The federal government has committed to protecting 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030, with significant areas already safeguarded under the Natural Heritage Conservation Program (NHCP). However, funding for the NHCP is set to end in March 2026, leaving vital conservation projects at risk. Our partner, the Land Trust Alliance of British Columbia (LTABC), is campaigning for $250 million in renewed NHCP funding to continue protecting Canada’s most vulnerable landscapes.
This funding is essential for land trusts, including groups like the SCCA, to protect endangered ecosystems across Canada. You can help by signing the petition, showing widespread public support for extending NHCP funding and enabling long-term conservation efforts.
Let’s make our voices heard to protect Canada’s rich biodiversity. Visit the petition page and add your signature by November 22 at 12:46PM to ensure a strong future for Canada’s natural landscapes!
Save this calendar event and set yourself a reminder

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling!
2024-11-11 08:00 - 12:30 | Trail Bay Beach
Join us for the next round of forage fish sampling with Dianne Sanford from Friends of Forage Fish!
Forage fish, such as surf smelt and Pacific sand lance, play a crucial role in the marine food web. Our citizen science project helps monitor these important species to ensure the health of our coastal ecosystems.
Event Details:
Date: Sunday, Nov. 10th
Location: Armours Beach
Time: 8:00 AM

Date: Monday, Nov. 11th
Location 1: Trail Bay, Sechelt
Time: 8:00 AM

Location 2: East Porpoise Bay, Sechelt Inlet
Meeting Point: End of Delta Road
Time: 9:30 AM

Bring appropriate clothing for the weather, rubber boots, and a sense of adventure. All necessary equipment and training will be provided on-site. No previous experience is necessary!
Email diannesanford@gmail.com for more information or to sign up. Please indicate which day and location you are available.

Volunteer for Forage Fish Sampling!
2024-11-10 08:00 - 10:00 | Armours Beach

Town of Gibsons OCP Community Feedback Session
2024-11-08 15:00 - 17:00 | Gibsons Community Centre, 700 Park Rd, Gibsons, BC, V0N 1V0, Canada
The Town of Gibsons is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP)!
OCP’s are critically important guiding documents which direct future land use, and growth, as well as conservation.
Local governments generally update their OCPs once every ten years. Gibsons’ OCP was last updated in 2015. Before concurrent droughts, heat domes and atmospheric rivers became the annual norm.
The OCP update process is a vital opportunity for community members to have their say about how their town will grow and change over the next decade, and to ensure sustainability, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience over the long term.
Community input is essential in ensuring OCPs and bylaws contain strong commitments for the preservation of ecological values and natural assets, direct growth away from environmentally sensitive areas and foster sustainable development.
We strongly encourage community members to participate in their OCP engagement processes.
Can’t make it to this in person session? You can submit feedback online until Friday, November 15 by completing this online survey or via this online interactive map.
Let’s come together to shape a sustainable future for Gibsons!
Hit the subscribe to calendar button to add this to your calendar – we hope to see you there!

Salmon Festival
2024-11-02
Join the Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers for their xwesam/stelkaya (Roberts Creek) Salmon Festival on November 2nd at the Roberts Creek Estuary.
“Protect Roberts Creek Watershed FOR SALMON – NO LOGGING”
Most residents of xwesam/stelkaya (Roberts Creek) and residents of the Sunshine Coast are very aware of the annual spawning salmon run.
Many start to peer over the Roberts Creek bridge at the estuary in September to November looking for the returning salmon special arrival and sightings!
The suggestion to have a salmon festival was in response to an individual hearing about the BCTS proposed 6 cut blocks in Roberts Creek watershed in 2025 and 2026. This is the first ever festival celebrating iconic salmon in Roberts Creek!
In other areas of the province, the evidence is clear that cutting down hectares of primary forests in a creek’s headwaters seriously changed the hydrology causing flooding and destroying ecologically important habitat. We don’t want this to happen here! The cut blocks proposed could dramatically risk the pristine water quality and put at risk the precious pink, chum, coho salmon and cutthroat trout. Also at risk is the very important wildlife corridor these forests provide for an extensive number of other creatures.
The Sunshine Coast Streamkeepers invite you to join them to find out all the details and especially what we can do as a community to protect this extremely important salmon habitat.

Provide Feedback on the Gibsons Official Community Plan
2024-10-23 - 2024-11-15
The Town of Gibsons is updating its Official Community Plan (OCP)!
OCP’s are critically important guiding documents which direct future land use, and growth, as well as conservation.
Local governments generally update their OCPs once every ten years. Gibsons’ OCP was last updated in 2015. Before concurrent droughts, heat domes and atmospheric rivers became the annual norm.
The OCP update process is a vital opportunity for community members to have their say about how their town will grow and change over the next decade, and to ensure sustainability, ecosystem protection, and climate resilience over the long term.
Community input is essential in ensuring OCPs and bylaws contain strong commitments for the preservation of ecological values and natural assets, direct growth away from environmentally sensitive areas and foster sustainable development.
Ways to contribute
1. Attend the community feedback session at the Gibsons and District Community Centre November 8, 3-5 pm
2. Complete the online survey by November 15
3. Provide feedback via the online interactive map by November 15
We strongly encourage community members to participate in their OCP engagement processes.
Let’s come together to shape a sustainable future for Gibsons!
Hit the subscribe to calendar button to add this to your calendar so you don’t miss the deadline!

Give Feedback on the Ocean Noise Strategy!
2024-10-22
The federal government’s proposed Ocean Noise Strategy, aimed at reducing the impact of underwater noise on marine life, is now open for public consultation until October 22.
This is your chance to call for stronger, immediate action to protect marine species like the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales, which rely on sound for survival.
Unfortunately, the current strategy lacks concrete measures and focuses more on data collection than taking urgent action. Canada already has the knowledge and legal tools to address underwater noise pollution, so it’s important that we act now.
West Coast Environmental Law have created a draft letter for you to sign on their website. Submit your feedback to Fisheries and Oceans Canada and make your voice heard before time runs out!
Image Credit: West Coast Environmental Law

Volunteer for Virtual Phonebanking
2024-10-19 12:00 - 14:00
Join the network of local leaders encouraging people to vote! Sign up to volunteer for a virtual, non-partisan phonebank—no experience or phone line needed.
➡️ Tuesday, October 15, 6-8pm
➡️ Wednesday, October 16, 6-8pm
➡️ Thursday, October 17, 6-8pm
➡️ Friday, October 18, 12-2pm
➡️ Saturday, October 19, 12-2pm
Help empower communities across the province to get to the polls this October!
Register at this link: https://voteenvironmentbc2024.com/volunteer/
Save this event to your calendar so you don’t forget!
