News/Events
Event calendar
We've added an event calendar to our website.
28 Dec 2011: Christmas Bird Count
The Christmas Bird Count, and post-count get-together at Pam's house, will be on Wednesday, December 28, 2011.
For more information, contact Pam at bobandpam@shaw.ca or 9558.
Our position on extending Thompson Road
The Thompson Road road allowance terminates at the boundary of Crown Land Block 6, which contains the Fairy Fen Nature Reserve (owned by the Islands Trust Fund). Some years ago an application was submitted to the Provincial Government for a right-of-way from Thompson Road through the Crown land to provide access to the Cape Roger Curtis lands. This application was turned down by the Province, following consultation with the Bowen Island Municipality.
Recently, residents in the Tunstall Bay and Whitesails Drive areas have requested consideration of this potential access again, to limit construction traffic on Whitesails Drive. The Bowen Island Conservancy is sympathetic to the Whitesails residents’ concerns, but is also very sensitive to any action that could have negative impact on Fairy Fen and the Huszar Creek watershed.
The route that was originally proposed would have been at the upper levels of the slope that leads down into Fairy Fen, and lies well within the Huszar Creek watershed. A road in that location would create the potential for a negative impact on Fairy Fen and the watershed, as it is likely that run-off from the road would introduce pollutants into the area. This could occur both during initial road construction and also during long term use of the road.
A different road layout might be feasible, however: going West immediately—or even before—entering the Crown lands, and proceeding around the hillside outside of the watershed before turning South and down into the Cape Roger Curtis lands. Use of this route would minimize the risk to the Nature Reserve and the watershed, while still providing access to the Cape Roger Curtis lands.
Additional alternative routes may prove to be feasible in the future.
Newly-released study estimates economic value of the natural capital in BC's Lower Mainland
BC's Lower Mainland provides natural benefits in the order of $5.4 billion a year, or about $2,462 per person annually, according to a study released by the David Suzuki Foundation and Pacific Parklands Foundation. Nature provides a vast array of essential services we often take for granted. Trees clean our air. Forests and wetlands filter our water. Green urban spaces cool our cities and protect us from storms. And this doesn't even account for the health and spiritual benefits of time spent in nature.
Download the study (PDF, 4.3 Mb)
New maps available (PDF files)
Quarry Park (1.9Mb)
Headwaters Park (4.7 Mb)
Potential National Park Reserve lands (179Kb)
Past events
03 Dec 2011: Annual General Meeting
Our 2011 AGM will be held on Saturday, December 3, at 10:00 am in the Multipurpose Room at the Bowen Island Community School.
26 Nov 2011: Bird ID Workshop
Pam Dicer held a free Bird ID Workshop in the Library at the Bowen Island Community School on Saturday, November 26, from 10:00 am to noon.
24 Nov 2011: Elders and the Environment Forum 2011
The second Elders and the Environment Forum, sponsored by the Association of Suzuki Elders, took place on Thursday, November 24. This year's theme was built around the question “What can I do?” Our Forum's response: “Start Where You Are.”
This year, the forum was held from 9 am – 3:30 pm, in the Alice Mackay Room, Vancouver Public Library, Downtown Branch
01 Jul 2011: North Shore Hikers were on Bowen Island
The North Shore Hikers organized a hike and trail clearing event on Mt. Gardner on July 1, 2011.
You can learn more by visiting the North Shore Hikers website, or by contacting Natasha Suvorova (778.327.9232 or ns6485@gmail.com).
26 May 2011: Herring bring new life to Howe Sound
On 26 May 2011, at Collins Hall, Dr. John Matsen presented a lecture and slide show entitled Herring bring new life to Howe Sound.
This event was co-sponsored by the Bowen Island Conservancy, Bowen Island Fish & Wildlife Club, and the Squamish Streamkeepers.
15 May 2011: A family outing to discover where our drinking water comes from
Where does our drinking water come from? And what can we do to protect our water supplies?
On 15 May 2011, the Bowen Island Nature Club and the Conservancy co-sponsored a family outing in the form of a “Watershed Quest”. Participants discovered first hand where our island drinking water comes from, while celebrating BC's Drinking Water Week.
2010 AGM
Our 2010 Annual General Meeting was held on November 20th.