Saving Luna
Woodgrove Centre, Nanaimo. A fundraiser for Georgia Straight Alliance: directors Michael Parfit and Suzanne Chisholm will be present to talk about the film and answer questions following the screening.
Luna, a baby killer whale, gets separated from his family on the rugged, wild coast of Vancouver Island. All alone, he seems determined to make friends with humans. People fall in love with him – a cook on an old freighter, a gruff fisheries officer, an elder and a young man from a First Nations band. But the government decides that being friendly with Luna is bad for him and tries to keep him and people apart.
Tickets available at the door, advance tickets 250-753-3459 or tickets@georgiastrait.org.
A Story with Two Ends – with Andrew Nikiforuk and Ian McAllister
Sent by Karen McAllister and presented by West Coast Environmental Law:
A Story with Two Ends
Award-winning Canadian authors Andrew Nikiforuk and Ian McAllister embark on speaking tour highlighting how Alberta Tar Sands developments are set to collide with BC’s remarkable coastline.
Victoria – Sun. Nov. 22nd
Alix Goolden Theatre,
907 Pandora
7:00 pm
$5 suggested donation
Sidney – Mon. Nov. 23rd
Bodine Family Hall,
Mary Winspear Centre
7:00 pm
$5 suggested donation
UVic – Tues. Nov. 24th
Room A110
SS&M Building, UVic
2:30pm FREE
Vancouver-Wed. Nov. 25th (some staff and volunteers from FRK will attend this talk)
Heritage Hall,
3102 Main Street
7:30 pm
$5 suggested donation
UBC-Thurs. Nov. 26th
Norm Theatre,
UBC Student Union Building
12:30-2pm FREE
Burnaby-Thurs. Nov. 26th
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts
6450 Deer Lake Ave.
7:00 pm
$5 suggested donation
Join Ian McAllister, Conservation Director of Pacific Wild, and journalist Andrew Nikiforuk as they describe the beauty and complexity of British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, and look at how Canada’s dirty oil industry threatens BC and our nation.
Ian and Andrew are outlining the stories surrounding both ends of the proposed Enbridge pipeline, from the Alberta Tar Sands to Kitimat’s pristine waters. This compelling muti-media presentation will provide an in-depth and intimate view along the pipeline and tanker route.
Bios:
For the last two decades, Andrew Nikiforuk has written about energy, economics and Western North America for a variety of Canadian publications including The Walrus, Maclean’s, Canadian Business, The Globe and Mail, Chatelaine, Georgia Straight, Equinox and Harrowsmith. His latest book, Tar Sands: Dirty Oil and the Future of the Continent, has won him the Rachel Carson Environment Book Award and the W.O Mitchell City of Calgary Book Award. Nikiforuk lives with his wife and three sons in Calgary, Alberta. Whether speaking or writing about melting glaciers, educational shams, peak oil, or the destruction of the boreal forest, Nikiforuk has earned a reputation as an honest and provocative voice in Canadian journalism.
Ian McAllister is a leading advocate for BC’s wild places. His conservation efforts have won Time Magazine’s “Leader for the 21st Century Award.” His photography was recently awarded the North American Photography Associations Vision Award, and both his books on the BC coast have won the BC Booksellers Choice Award. He is a co-founder of the BC-based wildlife conservation group Pacific Wild, a non-profit dedicated to wildlife research, public education and informed advocacy. He lives on the central coast of BC with his wife and two children.
A CALL TO ACTION
We have an opportunity to make our voices heard! Let’s tell the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) how we want fish farms to be run!
As a result of a recent BC Supreme Court decision, DFO has been given an official mandate to develop new regulations for aquaculture in BC. A series of meetings are being planned to discuss and gather input from all potentially impacted stakeholders (if you live in Canada or come here to see salmon and their predators, you are a stakeholder).
If possible, please consider attending the meeting December 10th and 11th, 2009 in Campbell River, BC at the Campbell River Lodge.
You can confirm your attendance by responding to Mandy Mielke (amanda.mielke@dfo-mpo.gc.ca or (613-949-3129) by Friday November 27th, 2009 or contact Trevor Swerdfager Director General, Aquaculture Management trevor.swerdfager@dfo-mpo.gc.ca 613-949-4919. Cc your MP on any emails to Swerdfager.
If you cannot attend the meeting, please send an email and make your voice heard! Send you email to trevor.swerdfager@dfo-mpo.gc.ca and cc your MP.
Here are some talking points for your email to Trevor Swerdfager:
* The feedlot fishery is damaging wild salmon stocks worldwide.
* Fraser sockeye and all southcoast BC salmon and steelhead are now at risk as a result of the Provincial policy of allowing the feedlot fishery to use Canada’s most valuable wild salmon habitat.
* The risk that open net fish farms pose to our ecology and our economy are unacceptable.
* We demand action now.
o Step one: place a moratorium i on all new farms, and halt all expansion of existing farms.
o Step two: close down farms directly in the paths of migrating fry.
o Step three: remove the remaining farms out of the ocean.
Sample letter:
Dear Mr. Swerdfager:
While I am unable to attend the meeting in Campbell River on December 10th and 11th, I want my voice to be heard.
The feedlot fishery is damaging wild salmon stocks worldwide. Fraser sockeye and all southcoast BC salmon and steelhead are now at risk as a result of the Provincial policy of allowing the feedlot fishery to use Canada’s most valuable wild salmon habitat.
The risk that open net fish farms pose to our ecology and our economy are unacceptable.
We demand action now. Step one: place a moratorium i on all new farms, and halt all expansion of existing farms. Step two: close down farms directly in the paths of migrating fry. Step three: remove the remaining farms out of the ocean.
Please note, these are OUR oceans and these are OUR wild fish.
Yours with concern,
YOUR NAME HERE
FLOW (For the Love of Water)
Irena Salina’s award-winning documentary investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st Century – The World Water Crisis.
7:30 pm, Vancouver Island University Building 200, Room 203
Admission by donation* (suggested donation: $5-$10)
FLOW is co-sponsored by Global Film Festival Nanaimo, Vancouver Island Waterwatch, Nanaimo & Area Land Trust, and Georgia Strait Alliance. In this 2008 film, Irene Salina builds a case against the growing privatization of the world’s dwindling fresh water supply with an unflinching focus on politics, pollution, human rights, and the emergence of a domineering world water cartel. For more information and to download a poster, go to www.nanaimofilmfest.org.
Fraser Riverkeeper will Join Bridge to a Cool Planet
Coming together to stop Global Warming, October 24th in Vancouver
The climate talks in Copenhagen this December are crucial; they must lead to an international agreement to stop global warming. This fall we need to come together and, with one voice, call on government to show bold leadership at these talks. On Saturday, October 24th, we invite you to come have fun with your friends and neighbors while sending a strong message to Ottawa: make us proud in Copenhagen!
11 am: Cambie Street Bridge opens to public
12:30: Banner drop and Parade to Science World via Pacific Blvd
2 pm: Music, performance, art, action and more at Science World. For the whole family, and All Free!
7 pm: Inspirational speakers at Christ Church Cathedral.
We need your help making this day a huge success!
Get involved here: http://www.bridgecoolplanet.ca/en/get_involved.php
Volunteer orientations, 6-7pm, every Monday and Thursday night
at the Wilderness Committee office – 341 Water Street (4th floor)
We need to build a movement! If we are going to achieve the scale of changes needed to stop global warming, everyone is going to have to get involved. Please encourage your organization, business, church, cultural group and sports team to take part in this day. Invite your friends, colleagues, neighbours and grandparents too.
- Print out our poster and flyer and put them in your office, hockey rink, knitting club and give one to everyone you meet. http://www.bridgecoolplanet.ca/en/download.php
- Email everyone you know who has a website and ask them to add a link to us. Web banners can also be found on our downloads page.
- Ask your local MP, MLA and City Councilor to come out to the event.
Twitter: @b2cp
Facebook
www.BridgeCoolPlanet.ca
Other resource: http://www.350.org/
Title: Salmon Celebration
Location: Vanier Park, Vancouver
Link out: Click here
Description: Salmon Festival
Fraser Riverkeeper will be at the Salmon Festival on World Rivers Day.
Start Time: 12:00 p.m.
Date: 2009-09-27
CALLING ALL CITIZENS TO A RALLY FOR WILD SALMON – By
Wild Salmon Circle
OCTOBER 3, 2009
Turn the Tide – Stand up for Wild Salmon
WHERE: The Vancouver Art Gallery, on Georgia between Hornby and Howe
WHEN: October 3, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
WHAT: A rally for wild salmon at the Art Gallery. Guest speakers, Tum Tum the wild salmon in costume, information, petitions, and with luck some wild salmon cultural activities.
PURPOSE: To demand the DFO immediately remove salmon farms from the BC coast, and begin restoring our stocks of wild salmon– and to begin a non-partisan, democratic citizen movement for the preservation of wild salmon.
Fraser Riverkeeper celebrated its official collaboration with the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and launch of “The Kanadaria Project” with a high-profile, adventurous day on the water on October 12, 2009. The Kanadaria Project is a CTC – Germany partnership that focuses on water. Developed in 2008, the project taps into Canada’s evocative power as a destination and the rising importance of sustainability to the German consumer. The objective is to raise awareness of Canada as a world-class tourist destination rich in water resources and activities while fundraising for groups that focus on protecting water. Kanadaria works closely with Viva Con Agua, a German NGO, that campaigns for clean drinking water worldwide. They have chosen to support Fraser Riverkeeper’s work on behalf of the water as a beneficiary of this collaboration.
CTC-Germany organized a “familiarization” trip in October 2009 to British Columbia for some of its country’s best-known sports stars, authors, actors and singers. Mr. Andreas Hoppe, actor in the German crime series “Tatort” and Benny Adrion, initiator of the water association Viva con Agua, came to BC as part of the Kanadaria-Water program and joined Fraser Riverkeeper for a day on the water to celebrate the Fraser River’s and British Columbia’s heritage and ecological significance. Activities included the official launch of Fraser Riverkeeper’s boat, “The Keeper,” with a pollution tour around False Creek Marina and Vancouver Harbour with Mr. Chapman, and a trip upriver from Mission to Hope.
Join Mark Angelo, renowned adventurer, paddler, teacher, and conservationist, as he takes the audience on a visually-spectacular journey to the wildest reaches of the planet.
Wednesday, October 14th – 7:30 PM
Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage
(located at 12th and Granville, Vancouver)
$15 each (includes reception). Tickets at the door
or through Vancouver Tix at 604-629-8849
or www.vancouvertix.com
Event proceeds go toward The Nature Trust of BC’s “Heart of the Fraser” campaign
A new sequel to Mark’s highly-acclaimed Riverworld program which took audiences on an amazing round-the-world journey by river, “Wild Water Wild Earth” spans seven continents and travels by both land and river to many of the world’s most beautiful and remote places.
Ranging from Antarctica to the Himalayas and from the Heart of Africa to the Canadian wilderness, the program is based on Mark’s personal experiences and extensive travels to more than 100 countries and close to 1000 rivers. Mark’s presentation makes an eloquent plea to protect our vanishing wild spaces while also exploring the plight of many of the world’s indigenous cultures. For those with an interest in travel, adventure and the outdoors, or for those who care deeply about our environment, Wild Water Wild Earth is an adventure you won’t soon forget.
Program length: 1 hour
Canadian documentary about solutions to plastic pollution. It encompasses three years of filming in 12 countries across 5 continents. The film provides a wealth of expert interviews on practical and cutting-edge solutions to recycling, toxicity, and biodegradability.
District 319 Theater & Lounge, 319 Main St. Vancouver Green Carpet @ 7:00 PM / Movie Screening @ 7:45
PM Panel Discussion and Reception to follow.
A list of events can be found
here.
The False Creek Watershed Society aids the community in understanding the watershed, with a focus on education materials for children and adults that teaches about the historical, sustainable, and cultural elements of the watershed. The False Creek Watershed Society was incorporated as a Non-Profit Society in 2005.
We honour the spirit of the salmon that used to live in the streams that flowed into False Creek. We invite all to participate. Bring props and masks. Whatever inspires you to remember a lost salmon stream. September 27. See site for event details.
Title: TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Location: Spanish Banks West, Vancouver
Link out: Click here
Description: To celebrate World Rivers Day, Fraser Riverkeeper is one of the site coordinators for this cleanup, and is accepting volunteers to participate. To participate, please contact Fraser Riverkeeper and let us know that you’d like to help.
The TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup is one of the largest conservation initiatives of the Vancouver Aquarium. What started in 1994 as a small beach cleanup conducted by a handful of Vancouver Aquarium employees has now grown into the second largest cleanup in the world.
Last year alone, over 63,000 Canadians registered for the TD Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, and in only one week participants removed 135,467 kg of litter from 1,280 shorelines.
Meeting point and directions: We will meet at 10:00 a.m. at Spanish Banks West. Take NW Marine Drive heading towards UBC and park in the lot next to Spanish Banks West Cafe. We will be cleaning up the beach area just east of the cafe. Look for the Fraser Riverkeeper booth and signs.
Start Time: 10:00 a.m.
Date: 2009-09-19
Waterlife – Film
Location: Vancouver at TinseltownLink out: Click here
Description: WATERLIFE follows the epic cascade of the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. From the icy cliffs of Lake Superior to the ornate fountains of Chicago to the sewers of Windsor, this feature-length documentary tells the story of the last great reserve of fresh water on Earth. Filled with fascinating characters and stunning imagery, WATERLIFE is directed by Kevin McMahon and narrated by Gord Downie of The Tragically Hip.
Under assault by toxins, sewage, invasive species and dropping water levels, many scientists believe the Great Lakes are on the verge of ecological collapse. We are teaming up with grassroots environmental groups who care about our water to help get the word out about the film.
Winner of the Special Jury Prize – Canadian Feature at Hot Docs 2009
Date: 2009-07-17
June 7, 2009: Chipmunk Caves/Chilliwack River Clean-up
A few volunteers from Fraser Riverkeeper will be joining Michelle Cooper at Woodtone to clean up an area of the Chilliwack River. After our success at the Pegleg Bar Cleanup to celebrate Earth Day, the City of Chilliwack contacted Michelle from Woodtone, a partner of our clean-up events during the past two years, to work with the Grassroots Adventure Company to clean up the Chipmunk Caves area.
The Grassroots Adventure Company takes students caving, hiking, and rafting in the Chipmunk Caves area. According to Michelle, this is a popular party place at graduation time, so besides cleaning up the area we want to involve participation from secondary school students to prevent future littering in the area. Michelle added, “By no means are we saying people shouldn’t use the area or even party in the area, but just to take away what they brought in.” Anyone wanting more information should contact Mary at Fraser Riverkeeper or Michelle at Woodtone.
Update: We volunteers got lost on the way, but ended up hiking around the river in the Lake Foley area and taking many pictures. Michelle reported that they cleaned up about a tonne of waste, including a sofa bed, lazy boy chair, and old tent trailer.
May 8 – 10, 2009: EPIC, Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo: Fraser Riverkeeper was one of the hundreds of exhibitors at the Vancouver Sun Sustainable Living Expo, an environmentally focused celebration that lasts for three days in May.
Chapman keynote speaker-April 2009: Chapman was invited to speak to the Vedder River Clean up Coalition in Chilliwack to a room of 75 river enthusiasts.
Fraser Riverkeeper Woodtone, Rotz Disposal, the City of Chilliwack, and other friends of the Fraser River, helped to organize the cleanup of the Pegleg Gravel Bar in Chilliwack on Sunday, April 19th, the Sunday before Earth Day, from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. We would like to thank Rotz Disposal, who helped tremendously, and our other friends and sponsors: Coast Capital Savings, RBC Blue Water Fund, Young Foundation, Waste Services Inc., Tim Hortons, Preserved Seed Cafe, Nestlé Waters Canada, Norm’s Concrete, Watson Gloves, Pro-Fab, Save-on-Foods, and Star FM, Hawk FM, and other press.
This event is always a great opportunity to do your part for Earth Day. We invited fellow Chilliwack and Fraser Valley businesses as well as everyone who enjoys the river to come and join us. Water, snacks, and all equipment, including gloves and sanitizer, were provided at the staging areas located at Pegleg Bar.
Last year’s Earth Day Pegleg Cleanup, which was the first effort of its kind on the popular fishing and recreation gravel bar, resulted in four tons of waste materials recovered (two for landfill and two for recycling). This year, more than 100 volunteers came out to clean up the gravel bar. Early numbers showed that we pulled out about 6 tons of waste this year. More on that later.
This is a perfect time to purchase or renew your Fraser Riverkeeper membership. Your online membership donation is also a great way to lighten your ecological footprint during this Earth Day celebration, and makes a difference helping support Fraser Riverkeeper’s work ensuring Salmon Forever.
11th Hour – Guest Panelist – 2007: Fraser Riverkeeper was invited to introduce the movie 11th Hour at an advance screening for the movie and to be a guest panelist for discussions after the show. The 11th Hour, co-produced by Leonardo Dicaprio, is a documentary speaking to the environmental stress the planet is now under and how each person can find their own solutions.
Tragically Hip-July 2007: The Tragically Hip supplied 10 VIP tickets to their concert in Vancouver at General Motors Place. 10 special guests were invited to join FRK for a light bite before the concert and had the opportunity to meet Gord Downie after the show. This was our first “cultivation event”.
Warped Tour Concert- 2007: As part of the tour’s Warped Eco Initiative, local eco focused groups, including FRK, were invited to exhibit our programs to the Warped fan base as fans were encouraged to take action.
TD Great Shoreline Cleanup- September 2007: FRK was a site coordinator for a stretch of River. This cleanup takes place in every province and territory across Canada and provides an excellent way to work with the community and gain exposure. We took on one clean-up sites on the Fraser River and had an good turnout despite the rain and cold.
Official Fraser Riverkeeper Launch- October 2007: FRK was formally introduced to the community and established as the official Fraser Riverkeeper. Funds raised assisted the Fraser Riverkeeper in developing its organizational infrastructure to support FRK’s advocacy projects on behalf of the Fraser River. The launch helped establish the Fraser Riverkeeper as a community fixture and helped enable fearlessly action against polluters, protecting our rights to clean water.
Como Watershed Group – March 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper gave a presentation to the Como Watershed Group. Outlined the organization and how Fraser Riverkeeper fits into the overall picture of environmental non-profit organizations.
Asterisk Productions – March 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper met with Asterisk Productions to outline the organizations and to explore potential ideas for a documentary that will include the Fraser Riverkeeper.
Protest Private Power Development! Rally! Take Back the Power! March 2008: The rally was aimed pull the Plug on the BC Government’s Power Grab! And invited the people to join the rally at the private power industry’s annual convention.
Earth Day Fraser River Clean-up – April 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper held its first Fraser River Clean-up at Peg Leg Bar in Chilliwack in partnership with a local business, Woodtone Building. Over 75 volunteers participated. The City of Chilliwack provide free landfill tipping and safety gear and Waste Services Inc. provided roll-off containers for waste materials as well as transport to the landfill at no charge. 4 tons of waste were recovered and disposed of.
IMAX Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk – June 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper, along with partners Teva and Eco Marine, hosted a special private screening of the giant-screen IMAX film Grand Canyon Adventure: River at Risk, the story of the worldwide water crisis and the great drought now plaguing the American Southwest. Over 350 paddlers, kayakers and water enthusiasts attended. A media conference was held and Doug Chapman and Lauren Brown spoke to the press about sewage, False Creek and CSOs and gained coverage in several publications.
BC Bike Race – The Pacific Traverse – June 2008: Dean Payne, President of BC Bike Race has selected Fraser Riverkeeper as one of the charities who will benefit from next years’ race. Over seven days bikers from across the country and around the world traverse rainforests, mountains and back-country trails; born of an idea to showcase BC’s amazing backyard. Entrants to the race have increased four fold which provides amazing exposure for the Fraser Riverkeeper organization.
Drive Fest! Car-free Vancouver Day- June 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper supported the Drive Fest to celebrate Car-Free Vancouver Day. The impetus for that event was the announcement of the Gateway Project, which is still a threat. FRK set up an outreach/info booth.
Hamilton College-June 2008: Doug Chapman ‘58, the Fraser Riverkeeper in Vancouver, Canada, and Bob Boyle, who helped found the Riverkeeper movement, discussed their roles in the environmental movement to a Kennedy Auditorium packed with alumni.
MEC Paddlefest Vancouver-July 2008: FRK set up a table next to Teva at Paddlefest, an urban celebration of kayaking, canoeing, and the ocean environment in BC. The day featured learning opportunities on water and on land. Paddlers of all skill levels were welcome and offered opportunities to test boats and equipment from various watersports manufacturers, and has something for every paddler, from beginner to expert. Teva and FRK worked together to gain over 150 new contacts.
Jack Johnson Concert- August 2008: Fraser Riverkeeper was selected to be a participating organization at the “Village Green” at the Jack Johnson Concert in Vancouver. Jack Johnson and his crew collaborated with local and national non-profits around the world. FRK set up a booth and collected over 300 new contact details from concert-goers. Jack Johnson provided FRK with a $500 donation and provided a $2500 matching grant opportunity which we met and exceeded.
Heart of the Fraser Boat Trip- August 2008: FRK joined renowned river advocate Mark Angelo (founder of BC Rivers Day) and fisheries biologist, Marvin Rosenau, on this tour of the world’s greatest salmon river between Mission and Kilby (at the confluence of the Harrison River).
TD Great Canadian Shoreline Clean-up – September 2008: This was the second year Fraser Riverkeeper participated in this event. This cleanup takes place in every province and territory across Canada and provides an excellent way to work with the community and gain exposure. We took on two clean-up sites on the Fraser River and had an excellent turnout and gained coverage in the local Chilliwack Times newspaper.
BC Rivers Day Cleanup- September 2008: FRK attended the cleanup and set up an info booth in Chilliwack.
