People are already standing together to stop a plan to log a section of old growth forest near Argenta. Last weekend an environmental protest camp was set up near Argenta, with support from local environmentalists and at the invitation of the Autonomous Sinixt, Last Stand West Kootenay (LSWK) — a grassroots collective, non-profit group — intends “to help protect part one of the most significant wilderness areas in southeastern B.C.,” noted a LSWK press release on Monday. “The Argenta-Johnsons Landing Face is an ecologically diverse mountainside, important to wildlife and home to old growth spruce, cedar and rare 300-plus-year-old western larch,” the release explained. For several years BC Parks has suggested the importance of protecting this land, according to the release, but Cooper Creek Cedar (owned by Porcupine Wood Products) has been permitted access to five clear-cut blocks, “some of which contain potential priority one old growth.”

George Heyman

…on April 22 three supporters of Nanaimo hunger striker Howard Breen made an unannounced visit to Environment and Climate Change Strategy Minister George Heyman. …Heyman gave the visitors 15 minutes of his time between other scheduled events. The visitors to Heyman’s office wanted him to publicly endorse the demand from Breen and another hunger striker, Brent Eichler, for Forests Minister Katrine Conroy to hold a public meeting to discuss old-growth forests. “I understand a lot of people would like me to do that but she’s the minister responsible,” Heyman said in a tape recording of the meeting, which the Straight obtained. “I can’t speak for her.” …”I’m not saying the issue isn’t serious or the threat to their health isn’t serious,” the minister continued. “It is a door, I think, for others to regularly do something similar. That creates a very awkward situation, frankly, for members of the government.” 

The Alberni Valley Curling Club was one of numerous entities that held cleanups for Earth Day. Mosaic Forest Management joined with KNK Ventures to hold a cleanup on Shoemaker Bay Road near the Sproat Yard. Mosaic Management was primarily looking for illegal dump sites on their property. “Illegal dumping on Mosaic lands significantly impacts forest health and our decisions around developing recreational opportunities on our private forest lands,” said Mosaic Director of Sustainability, Molly Hudson. “We’re grateful to the many volunteers who show their support for clean outdoor spaces on Earth Day and every day. …illegal dumping …costs Mosaic close to $100,000 every year (from illegally dumped cars to mattresses), money that could be better spent on expanding recreational activities on our private land. Mosaic has committed to reinvesting any savings in illegal dumping costs in 2022 compared to 2021 into community environmental programs.”

One person was arrested during Monday morning’s rush hour in the latest blockade of the Iron Workers Memorial Bridge by a group protesting logging in B.C.’s old growth forests. …The group Save Old Growth says 85 people have been arrested so far and that they have no plans to stop the disruptions. …Forests Minister Katrine Conroy defended the province’s logging policy and said the protesters were not garnering support by making people angry. “We’ve already deferred over 1.7 million hectares of old growth. Just to put that in perspective, it’s equivalent to over 4,000 Stanley Parks,” said Conroy. But Save Old Growth supporters argue that deferring old growth logging is not the same as saving the trees. …”While we support individual rights to peaceful protests, blocking a highway is a criminal act and will not be tolerated,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé of the B.C. RCMP.

Saturday morning, 300 community firefighters from across the province woke up in Penticton to begin a weekend where they’d learn to be even better firefighters. This weekend they’d focus on “interface’ and “intermix” wildfires — the names given to fires that border upon neighbourhoods (interface) or where housing and vegetation intermingle (intermix). Essentially the type of incident where community firefighters get called into duty alongside personnel from BC Wildfire. It was the first full day of the 2022 Wildfire Urban Interface Symposium, an annual event put together primarily by the Penticton Fire Department. And the instruction and the activities Saturday were spread throughout the city and region. There were multiple classroom sessions at the Lakeside Resort. There were multiple “Boots on the Ground” exercises at adjacent Rotary Park. And there were multiple mock scenarios playing out at various interface and intermix situations in the greater Penticton area.

VICTORIA, BC — David Eby, Attorney General, has announced proposed amendments to the Professional Governance Act [that] oversees five regulatory bodies that regulate six professions: the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC; the Association of BC Forest Professionals; the BC Institute of Agrologists; the College of Applied Biologists; and the Engineers and Geoscientists of BC. …The proposed amendments will: enable regulatory bodies to address non-compliance with administrative matters, such as continuing education requirements, outside of the discipline process; …enable requirements for professionals to declare they are competent to provide their services… and enable requirements for professionals to declare they are competent to provide their services and that they are free from any conflicts of interest. …These amendments will also allow for the Architectural Institute of BC to be brought under the act this year, and for more professions in the future.

Kyle Ackles and family

After working in logging and construction for many years, Steve Ackles wanted something different. He underwent a career assessment, which suggested a conservation officer might be a job better suited for him. In his 40s, he went back to university to train for this new role, becoming a conservation officer in 2005. He wore the badge proudly and was the epitome of a conservation officer – passionate about protecting the environment, fish and wildlife, with an unmatched work ethic. …Sgt. Steve Ackles passed away after a lengthy illness in March 2021 but left an indelible mark on the Conservation Officer Service. His legacy lives on with his colleagues around the province, who remember Steve as an enthusiastic officer, valued mentor, patient supervisor, COS Society president and more. Steve Ackles is the 28th recipient of the Conservation Officer of the Year award. Awarded posthumously, his son, Kyle Ackles accepted the award on his behalf. 

Additional coverage in CKPG Today, by Thomas Doucet: Sgt. Steve Ackles named Conservation Officer of the Year