Environment

A rezoned property on Del Monte Avenue has seen the loss of a number of mature trees as preparations for development begin. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Removal of mature trees for Saanich development upsets neighbour

Rezoned property on Del Monte Avenue will see original home replaced by four new ones

 

In September 2021, 142 black bears were destroyed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service due to human conflict. (Black Press file photo)

Ex-conservation officer says ‘armed police’ don’t belong in B.C.’s wildlife response

142 black bears were destroyed by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service in September

 

The Nulla Project founders Nancy Prevost-Maurice, left, and Caroline Thibault. (Photo courtesy of The Nulla Project)

Victoria company’s reusable coffee mug program growing, despite pandemic

More people and shops are using The Nulla Project’s cups than ever before

 

‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

September brought torrent of rainfall to a very dry Vancouver Island

When it rained, it poured with four times the usual amount of precipitation

‘Road flooded’ signs in the 3500-block of Fourth Avenue caution drivers who are trying to get around in heavy rain on Sept. 17, 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Members of the black-tailed deer family appear to be most severely affected by adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. (Photo - Veronika Andrews)

Fast-spreading disease baffles wildlife experts

‘Hundreds’ of deer dropping dead on Vancouver Island

Members of the black-tailed deer family appear to be most severely affected by adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. (Photo - Veronika Andrews)
Ducklings swim in Bowker Creek in Oak Bay. (Courtesy of Friends of Bowker Creek)

Walk, work and party to celebrate rivers day in Oak Bay, Saanich

Bowker Creek the centre of attention for Sept. 26 events

Ducklings swim in Bowker Creek in Oak Bay. (Courtesy of Friends of Bowker Creek)
The District of Sooke wants a ban on cosmetic pesticides and herbicides. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke lobbying for ban on non-essential pesticides

Earlier this year, council joined call for a provincewide ban on rat poison

The District of Sooke wants a ban on cosmetic pesticides and herbicides. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
An attendee walks past hydraulic fracking equipment at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

Homes near fracking sites in B.C. have higher levels of some pollutants, says study

Researchers found higher levels of chemicals used in fracking in selected Peace River residences

An attendee walks past hydraulic fracking equipment at the Global Petroleum Show in Calgary on Tuesday, June 7, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
A heavy hauler truck transports material from Suncor’s North Steepbank in the oil sands in Fort McMurray, Alta., Monday, June 13, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Environment groups say all parties now firmly behind strong action on climate change

Only the People’s Party of Canada had no climate action plan

A heavy hauler truck transports material from Suncor’s North Steepbank in the oil sands in Fort McMurray, Alta., Monday, June 13, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
Squashed Cans for Recycling. (Black Press File Photo).

B.C. government to mandate items such as mattresses and EV batteries are recyclable by 2023

But recycling is only one small step towards a cylindrical economy, says expert

Squashed Cans for Recycling. (Black Press File Photo).
The Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is part of stewardship initiatives that help protect habitats. (Black Press Media file photo)

Swan Lake biologist to share how Saanich residents can better connect to nature

Quadra Cedar Hill Community Association hosting Zoom event Sept. 28

The Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is part of stewardship initiatives that help protect habitats. (Black Press Media file photo)
Volunteers build beds for 30,000 chum eggs to settle in late this winter in an Oak Bay segment of Bowker Creek. (Sherryll Harris photo)

Volunteers move masses of gravel, rock into Oak Bay creek

Bowker Creek bed ready for 30,000 chum salmon in early 2022

Volunteers build beds for 30,000 chum eggs to settle in late this winter in an Oak Bay segment of Bowker Creek. (Sherryll Harris photo)
An intact wine glass covered in barnacles was found during one of the Gorge Waterway cleanups. (Photo courtesy of Rachel O’Neill)

Volunteer-driven Gorge Waterway cleanup happens Saturday, rain or shine

Community participation helps protect habitat, maintain natural space

An intact wine glass covered in barnacles was found during one of the Gorge Waterway cleanups. (Photo courtesy of Rachel O’Neill)
Monterey middle school students remove ivy from the entrance to Anderson Hill Park in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

Green team tackles invasive species on Oak Bay’s Anderson Hill

Provincial protocols in place, RSVP required for environmental work Saturday

Monterey middle school students remove ivy from the entrance to Anderson Hill Park in 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
Joost Dubois, Ocean Cleanup’s head of communications, at Ogden Point on Sept. 8. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Ocean Cleanup stops in Victoria to restock for next plastics hunt

Organization testing its new collection system at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Joost Dubois, Ocean Cleanup’s head of communications, at Ogden Point on Sept. 8. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
This Sept. 4, 2021, satellite image provided by Maxar shows a view of oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico at East Timbalier Island National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. (Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies via AP)

Hurricane Larry’s track shifts west, residents of Newfoundland warned to prepare

Hurricane is not expected to have much of an impact on the rest of Atlantic Canada

This Sept. 4, 2021, satellite image provided by Maxar shows a view of oil slicks in the Gulf of Mexico at East Timbalier Island National Wildlife Refuge in Louisiana, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. (Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies via AP)
Beowulf, Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes’ dog, enjoys the water on their Prospect Lake property. The shoreline between the land and the water has been maintained in an effort to merge with nature. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Mayor’s home serves as example of shoreline protection in Saanich

Consultations give guidance to those considering building near sensitive ecosystems

Beowulf, Saanich Mayor Fred Haynes’ dog, enjoys the water on their Prospect Lake property. The shoreline between the land and the water has been maintained in an effort to merge with nature. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney company part of award-winning climate change project

Cascadia Seaweed part of Oceans 2050 project that won Keeling Curve Prize

Bill Collins, chairperson of Cascadia Seaweed, enjoys a piece of sugar kelp, earlier in 2020. The company is part of the Oceans 2050 Seaweed Project, which won a 2021 Keeling Curve Prize. (Black Press Media file photo)
Green Team Greater Victoria volunteers Una Papineau (from left), Anika Rao, Kai Richins Daniel Bu and Kevin Yang stand in front of their haul of invasive blackberries from the University of Victoria’s Cunningham Woods on Aug. 29. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Green Team Greater Victoria tackles invasive species removal at UVic

Eco-stewardship group improving community connections, mental health as much as the environment

Green Team Greater Victoria volunteers Una Papineau (from left), Anika Rao, Kai Richins Daniel Bu and Kevin Yang stand in front of their haul of invasive blackberries from the University of Victoria’s Cunningham Woods on Aug. 29. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A new pedestrian bridge project in Mt. Douglas Park is ready for use. (Photo courtesy of Mike Goldsworthy)

Hikers in Mount Douglas Park have a new bridge over Douglas Creek

Project supported creek restoration, salmon rehabilitation and enhancements to the creek

A new pedestrian bridge project in Mt. Douglas Park is ready for use. (Photo courtesy of Mike Goldsworthy)