VANCOUVER PROVINCE: “Citizen science in action, protecting B.C. habitat” (op-ed published in February 2019)
Note to Reader:
In February 2019, the Vancouver Province newspaper published an Op-Ed co-authored by three members of the Leadership Team for the Partnership of Water Sustainability in BC, namely: Kim Stephens (Executive Director); Richard Boase (Vice-President); and Eric Bonham (founding member). Eric Bonham provided historical perspective for the article because he oversaw the Urban Salmon Habitat Program (USHP) in the 1990s when he was a Director in the Minister of Environment.
Citizen science is in action in British Columbia
Throughout British Columbia, an amazing network of volunteer groups is working to protect, restore and enhance local streams. This movement has its roots in the partnership-based Urban Salmon Habitat Program (USHP) of the 1990s.
“Under the program’s umbrella, provincial staff fulfilled a coordinating role with local government, keeping elected officials informed on the activities of stewards within their community. The approach greatly enthused citizens and elected officials alike to commit to the program, resulting in the regeneration of salmon habitat through innovative restorative projects,” recalls Eric Bonham, the visionary who was the Province’s lead person for USHP.
Context and Perspective for Improving Where We Live
“The op-ed provides an historical perspective on the evolution of stream stewardship over the past three decades – from an in-stream focus, to looking beyond the stream channel to connect the dots between actions on the surrounding landscape and the consequences for streams,” explains Kim Stephens.
“When it was published, the op-ed helped draw attention to the critically important role that the stewardship sector plays through collaboration and partnerships with government. Simply put, there is a vast pool of experienced talent in most communities that is ready, willing and available to make where we live better.”
“The call to action in 2019 is standing the test to time,” adds Richard Boase in reflecting on the purpose of the op0ed. “Embrace Design With Nature standards of land use and engineering practice so that restorative land development results in sustainable stream stabilization. “
Peter Law measuring streamflow in Shelly Creek, which flows through the City of Parksville on Vancouver Island.
To Learn More:
To read the complete Op-Ed as published in the Vancouver Province newspaper, click on the image below or download a PDF copy of Citizen science in action, protecting B.C. habitat.
Citizen science in action in the Regional District of Nanaimo: Island Waters Fly Fishers participating in a habitat survey on Millstone River in 2017
