British Columbia Magazine

It is known as “the heart of the Fraser.” A 90-kilometre gravel reach between Hope and Mission, this stretch of the Fraser River is one of the richest aquatic systems on Earth. 

At least 30 different species of fish spawn in or migrate through this part of the lower Fraser. It supports millions of pink salmon in peak years, as well as resident populations of endangered sturgeon.

In a feature story called “Islands of the Fraser,” published the Fall 2000 issue of British Columbia Magazine, I wrote about this vital river and some of the threats to it. Productive as it is, the waterway is under extreme stress from urban growth, agriculture, resource extraction, and industrial development.

For 14 years, the Fraser has ranked high in the list of B.C.’s Most Endangered Rivers, released annually by the Outdoor Recreation Council (ORC). Now, in a new report prepared for the Pacific Fisheries Resource Conservation Council, ORC rivers chair Mark Angelo and fellow British Columbia Institute of Technology instructor Marvin Rosenau say it’s time for action.

Their report calls for proactive conservation measures such as the acquisition of key private properties, the conversion of Crown land to protected areas, improved law enforcement, and the repair of past ecological damage.

“Regardless of the negative issues outlined in this report, British Columbians should take the optimistic view that what remains of this rich ecosystem can be protected and somewhat restored,” the authors conclude. 

To learn more, visit www.heartofthefraser.bcit.ca

You will almost certainly never see a northern spotted owl in the wilds of southwestern British Columbia. Fewer than 20 of the birds remain, down from a historic high of 300 to 500 pairs. But that doesn’t mean you should stop caring about the species, which continues to sound the alarm for all manner of animals at risk.

Enter Jared Hobbs, Ministry of Environment biologist and professional photographer with his important and compelling new book, Spotted Owls: Shadows in an Old-Growth Forest, with text by noted Okanagan ecologist Richard Cannings (Greystone, $36.95, cloth, 136 pages).

In the summer of 2005, I accompanied Hobbs by helicopter and foot into the Stein Valley near Lillooet to see the owls for myself. The experience left me with mixed emotions:  saddened to witness the downward spiral of these precious birds, but feeling fortunate to have at least seen them before they vanish altogether, the victim mainly of logging of their old-growth habitat and, to a lesser extent, of competition from the more resilient barred owl.

Hobbs’ remarkable collection of photos takes me back to the forest, deep into the owls’ shadowy world, and shows why we are all richer for maintaining ecological diversity–and what we stand to lose if we do not take care of our natural world.

For more about Jared Hobbs and his new book, please visit his website (www.hobbsphotos.com).

Reduce, reuse, recycle. We all know the value of the three Rs when it comes to protecting our environment.

This week, five B.C. municipalities were acknowledged for their outstanding efforts to reduce power consumption, as BC Hydro announced the winners of its four-month Turn It Off challenge this past summer. Of 66 local governments that participated in the competition, the District of Houston, City of Williams Lake, City of Pitt Meadows, City of Victoria, and Corporation of Delta did the most to cut back on their power usage and raise awareness of energy use in their communities.

Here are the overall standings. Congratulations to all for their efforts.

Group 1 (under 4,000 residents)

Winner: District of Houston Runners up: Village of Burns Lake, District of Hudson’s Hope

Group 2 (4,000 to 14,000 residents)Winner: City of Williams Lake Runners up: City of Dawson Creek, Town of Qualicum Beach

Group 3 (15, 000 to 50,000 residents)Winner: City of Pitt Meadows Runners Up: City of North Vancouver, City of Vernon

Group 4 (more than 51,000 residents) Winners: City of Victoria, Corporation of Delta Runners up: Comox Strathcona Regional District, City of New Westminster

For more information, visit the BC Hydro website (www.bchydro.com/turnitoff/).