September 2008

Province Launches LivesmartBC.ca

The B.C. government has created a new website and information campaign to help British Columbians make better energy choices and explain how the province plans to handle climate change issues.

The new LiveSmartBC website provides up-to-date information to help British Columbians save on energy costs and explain the new revenue-neutral carbon tax that took effect July 1.    Read more

BC Parks Celebrates B.C.’s 150th Birthday with GeoRush 2008

Minister Penner launched GeoRush 2008 by taking part in a geocaching demonstration at Gowlland Tod Provincial Park on Vancouver Island. Geocaching is a popular outdoor recreation activity that allows participants to use Global Positioning System (GPS) handheld receivers to locate hidden caches. Volunteers from the association have placed caches in approximately 100 provincial parks.  Read more

Make Your Mark - For a BC Park

BC Parks has launched a program that will make it easy for every British Columbian to leave a legacy in their favourite provincial park during B.C.’s 150th anniversary.

“With the largest provincial parks system in Canada, there are many opportunities for individuals to contribute to their favourite parks,” said Environment Minister Barry Penner. “That’s why I’m inviting every British Columbian to consider supporting a provincial park through the new ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ program.”

Whether the public would like to sponsor a commemorative bench, picnic table or contribute to a tree-planting project in their local campground, the ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ program makes it easy. Interested sponsors can access all sponsorship opportunities, costs and other information through the BC Parks website by clicking on the ‘Make Your Mark – For a BC Park’ link.  Read more

Minister Penner congratulates Coca-Cola for new environmentally-friendly delivery trucks.

Minister Penner, Coca-Cola Bottling Company president Kevin Warren and Vancouver Mayor Sam Sullivan celebrate the addition of 10 new hybrid-electric delivery trucks to Coca-Cola's Vancouver fleet.

B.C. Seeks Alternatives to Open Burning

The B.C. government is investing $600,000 over three years to better protect air quality by exploring new techniques and technologies to manage woody debris from logging and land development, Environment Minister Barry Penner and Forests and Range Minister Pat Bell announced.

“Protecting and improving our air quality is one of our greatest priorities,” said Penner. “By exploring and promoting alternatives to the open burning of logging debris, we’ll be able to significantly reduce air pollution from that source, and to better protect the health of British Columbians.”

The funding allocated by the Ministry of Forests and Range is part of the $28.5-million BC Air Action Plan released in June by the provincial government. The project will be co-ordinated by FPInnovations’ Feric Division, a non-profit research and development organization that promotes the sustainable development of forestry operations.  Read more

During a tour of the east Kootenays in August, Minister Penner met with community leaders and residents in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Canal Flats, Fairmont Hot Springs, Windermere, Invermere and Golden. In this photo, Minister Penner and ranger Jubilee Cacaci of Kicking Horse Resort, visit "Boo" the grizzly bear who lives in a 20 acre area on the mountain.

Minister Penner (third from left) celebrated Parks Day by attending Parks Day events in Bear Creek Provincial Park , joined by Okanagan-Westside MLA Rick Thorpe (left), Scott Alexander, Bear Creek Park interpreter (second left) and Blake Dixon, Parks and Protected Areas Central Okanagan area supervisor (right).  
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$11 Million to Improve B.C. Parks

To help celebrate Parks Day, the B.C. government is investing close to $11 million this year on upgrades to BC Parks infrastructure to improve the camping and day-use experience for park visitors.

“We want visitors to keep coming back to British Columbia’s world-class provincial parks,” Penner said. “One of the best ways to ensure return visits is to keep improving the BC Parks system by making significant capital investments in our park facilities each year.”  Read more

Minister Penner shared the release of the B.C. Air Action Plan with long-time air quality champions Scott McDonald, executive director of the BC Lung Association, and David Marshall, executive director of the Fraser Basin Council.

B.C. Celebrates Clean Air Day, Launches Air Action Plan

The government of British Columbia celebrated Clean Air Day with the release of the B.C. Air Action Plan, which allocates $28.5 million over three years to improve and enhance air quality across the province and protect the health of British Columbians.

“In British Columbia, we are fortunate to have some of the best air quality in the world and have seen measurable improvements in recent years,” said Penner. “But as our economy continues to grow, keeping our air clean will be a challenge, and it will be up to us to ensure that our province continues to enjoy the healthiest air quality possible.”  Read more

Conservation Officers Open New Office in Maple Ridge

Two full-time conservation officers are working out of Maple Ridge for the first time since 1999.

Minister Penner says the new office, which opened July 18, will allow central access to the north side of the Fraser River and will enable the conservation officers to respond to environmental and public safety issues in a more efficient manner.

The new Conservation Officer Service (COS) office space is in the Maple Ridge municipal building, in the downtown core of Maple Ridge. The public is encouraged to call 1 800 731-6373 to make an appointment to meet with a conservation officer.   Read more

Willard Sparrow, head streamkeeper for the Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society, demonstrates a water quality test for Minister Penner on the banks of Musqueam Creek at the launch of Living Water Smart, a plan to keep B.C.'s waters healthy and secure.

Living Water Smart: A Plan for Water Sustainaibility

More than 40 actions and targets in a new government-wide plan will help all sectors, communities and British Columbians keep the province’s water healthy and secure, now and in the future.

“Water defines British Columbia and it is essential to our quality of life,” said Penner. “Living Water Smart: British Columbia’s Water Plan lays out the vision and steps needed to protect our rivers, lakes, streams and watersheds. This plan will make B.C. a leader in water stewardship, fits with our ovWillard Sparrow, head streamkeeper for the Musqueam Ecosystem Conservation Society, demonstrates a water quality test for Minister Penner on the banks of Musqueam Creek for Minister Penner at the launch of Living Water Smart, a plan to keep B.C.'s waters healthy and secure. erarching strategy to protect the environment and positions us for continued success in the 21st century.” 

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Preventing Bear-Human Conflict

B.C.’s estimated black bear population of 80,000 to 100,000 consists of mostly healthy animals; however, greater interaction between bears and people is resulting in more aggressive behaviour in bears that are equally at home in the back country or your back yard.

The Conservation Officer Service (COS) in the Lower Mainland received more than 2,350 reports of bear sightings between April 1 and July 31. During those four months, conservation officers attended 116 times when bears were acting aggressively or public safety was an issue. Twenty-three black bears were relocated and six bears had to be destroyed.

Bears can become aggressive, especially when seeking food in areas close to human habitat. Food-conditioned bears repeat their offences and may escalate their behaviour in ever more threatening patterns. This year’s berry crop was poor, and the bears are looking for food.  Read more

Fisheries Work Slated for Elk Falls Provincial Park

Fisheries restoration work in Elk Falls Provincial Park will begin August 25 and continue until mid-September, resulting in temporary daily trail closures.

A new fisheries habitat channel will be constructed and connected to the Campbell River. It will provide year-round rearing and spawning areas for salmon, as well as wetted area for other aquatic species. 
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Gassing Up With Alternative Fuel - Minister Penner filled up a hydrogen fuel vehicle while touring the Sacré-Davey (HTEC Hydrogen Technology & Energy Corporation) in North Vancouver. The Minister joins Chris Sacré, president of Sacré-Davey Engineering.