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Recent Updates from the Victoria Field Office

Comment: Kokish River is the canary in our coal mine
1 week 3 days ago

May 13, 2012

Ottawa's approval of hydro project proves its environmental disinterest

Victoria Times Colonist
Opinon Editorial

By Gwen Barlee, 
 
The fate of the wild Kokish River on Vancouver Island was sealed two weeks ago. Despite hosting five species of wild salmon, two endangered runs of steelhead, cutthroat trout, Dolly Varden and eulachon, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans determined this fish-rich river should be dammed and diverted into a large pipe by a private power company.
Wild News from the Island
2 weeks 5 days ago
Meet Torrance Coste--the Wilderness Committee’s new campaigner, and volunteer for a trail trip to Meares Island !
Vancouver Island's turn to say 'No' to tankers
7 weeks 6 days ago

According to polls, almost 80 per cent of British Columbians oppose increased tanker traffic on our precious coast. Like many of you, I am terrified about the impact that an oil spill would have on our oceans, our forests and our communities.

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Victoria Field Office

The Victoria office of the Wilderness Committee was established in 1989 to protect Vancouver Island’s unique wild places. Since then, we have led many successful campaigns to protect our wilderness, including the Sea to Sea Green Belt, the Sooke Hills and Carmanah Valley.

Our Victoria Office remains a strong a vibrant part of the Wilderness Committee, and the activist community in Victoria. With four full time staff members, a door to door canvas team and a bunch of volunteers we are working hard to protect Vancouver Islands old growth, our special marine ecosystems and species, and to stop climate change at its root causes. 

Please join us! Volunteer, donate or just stop on by our lovely new offices on Pandora Street!

Come buy your Holiday gifts, cards and calendars at the Wilderness Committee. Our store is open from 10-5 Tuesday through Thursday. Come Visit!

Campaigns

Stop Old Growth Logging

British Columbia, Canada is home to some of the Earth's most spectacular, ancient temperate forests, including the world's largest Douglas fir tree (the Red Creek Fir) and second-largest western red cedar tree (the Cheewhat Cedar).

Wild Salmon

Wild Pacific salmon – Sockeye, Coho, Chinook, Chum and Pink – are the lifeblood of the West Coast, supporting Orcas, Grizzlies, other wildlife, forests, First Nations, coastal communities and tourism. Wild salmon are in trouble.

Coal Mining in BC

 Most Canadians are not aware that coal mining is rapidly expanding in Canada. This extremely problematic industry can and must be stopped.  Coal has been known as a dirty fuel for generations.  Burning coal contributes significantly to poor air quality, and can have serious health impacts in the communities next to coal mines or coal fired power plants.

Clayoquot Sound

Since the early 1980s the Wilderness Committee has been working with like-minded environmental groups to protect the intact ancient forested valleys of Clayoquot Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island. (see map)

We are seeking protection for 68,000 hectares of ancient forests.

The Climate Crisis

Climate change is already having a profound impact on our environment, our economy, and our society, and the impact is growing. It’s time to end our dependence on fossil fuels and build a climate-friendly world. Together, we can grow the movement that makes better transportation, food supply and energy solutions a reality.

Make Your Voice Heard

CRISIS IN BC PARKS - ACT NOW TO SAVE OUR OLD TREES!

If a tree gets poached in the forest, does anybody hear? We do!

 
Our outrage that an 800-year-old red cedar tree was chainsawed up by poachers at Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park has gone viral. Media across the country have covered this and people across the continent have spoken out, sharing our shock and anger.
 
This reckless act of vandalizing our protected old-growth forests is a direct result of cuts to the BC Parks budget, which has left the province with a mere 10 full-time rangers for 1,000 parks and protected areas. The Wilderness Committee has always pushed for better protection in existing parks, but the province has cut funding to BC Parks on an almost annual basis over the last ten years. 
 
We need you to take urgent action now to save our provincial parks!
 
Write to Minister Terry Lake NOW and tell him to increase the parks budget so additional park rangers can be brought on to help protect our parks.  
 
Share the story with your friends on Facebook  - Tweet Terry Lake @terrylakemla and tell him to protect BC parks. Don't forget to copy us @wildernews. 
 
And finally, please give now to our campaign to protect BC Parks! Poaching of ancient trees in our parks is unacceptable but it is only going to get worse if we don't take action to SAVE OUR PARKS.
 
Sincerely,
Torrance Coste – Wilderness Committee Vancouver Island Campaigner
 
See all our calls to action

Latest News

Keeping her pledge
Friday, January 6, 2012 (All day)
Parksville Qualicum News
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Latest Press Release

Wilderness Committee hosting candlelight vigil tonight as Canada bails on Kyoto Accord
Wednesday, December 7, 2011 (All day)
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