Saanich plans restoration of Colquitz Park
The District of Saanich says a restoration plan being developed for a shoreline area in Colquitz Park will help prevent erosion and flooding, while also enhancing the park experience for visitors.
Saanich Parks is working on the plan for the Green Shores for Shoreline Development Project with the Stewardship Centre for B.C., along with the consulting team of Associated Engineering and DHI.
The Stewardship Centre notes that the Colquitz River is home to cutthroat trout and coho salmon, and has a sensitive ecosystem that can be affected by its urban location.
The project will focus on about 200 metres of shoreline on the banks of the Colquitz River estuary.
It follows work done by the Peninsula Streams Society, Saanich and the Friends of Colquitz Mainstem.
The consultants have been putting together information about the park to help understand the physical, hydrological and biological dynamics of the area, and to apply them to restorative efforts.
There will be details of the final design at an open house and information session from 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 26 in the Colquitz Room at the Pearkes Recreation Centre.
Partnership to expand Clayoquot Sound drop zone
B.C. Marine Trails has teamed up with Surfrider Pacific Rim and B.C. Parks to expand the marine-debris drop zone program in Clayoquot Sound for the collection of items littering the area.
B.C. Marine Trails works to secure public access to the coast through a network of trails, while Surfrider Pacific Rim tackles plastic pollution in the ocean environment.
They have helped the marine-debris program expand to five drop zones on Vargas and Flores islands, where items like fishing nets, ropes, buoys and rigid foam can be left by recreational visitors and others.
This month, the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation cleared the drop zones and other locations around Clayoquot Sound — removing a total of about 900 kilograms of debris, with about 225 kilograms coming from the drop zones.
The debris gathered up will be recycled through the Ocean Legacy Foundation depot in Ucluelet
“Galvanizing recreationists to help in the fight against marine debris is crucial,” said Sam Sutcliffe of B.C. Marine Trails. “As thousands of individuals visit the BC coast annually, we are working to give them the power to make a difference."
Lions fundraiser aids Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team
The three Lions clubs in Sooke are supporting the 2024 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team and and rider Const. Mary-Ellen Somerville from the Sooke RCMP with a Wednesday fundraiser at the Sooke Community Hall.
Tour riders and support crew will be in attendance at the event, which includes a catered dinner, a raffle and casino games.
The ride reaches Sooke on Wednesday before wrapping up Friday in Victoria.
Tickets are $50 and are available at the Sooke RCMP detachment, Sooke Pharmasave, Forbes Pharmacy and the Sooke Family Resources Thrift Store.
Tour de Rock is in its 27th year and had raised over $29 million for pediatric cancer research prior to this year’s ride.
Vision Zero road safety grants up for grabs
Applications are open for the 2025 British Columbia Vision Zero in Road Safety Grant Program, with up to $20,000 available to a wide range of organizations.
Municipal and Indigenous governments, school districts, parent advisory councils and safety-advocacy groups are among the groups invited to apply until Nov. 29.
The program, now in its fourth year, provides grants from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure that are distributed by regional health authorities.
The health authorities sometimes provide top-ups to the funding, as well.
The 2024 round of grants saw $170,000 go to 10 communities within the Island Health region for projects that included new lighting and signage, support for lower speeds, cycling and road safety lessons for children, and a pilot to help new drivers in remote and rural areas get their driver’s license.
“These grants allow communities to invest in prevention,” said Island Health medical health officer Dr. Murray Fyfe. “These future projects can eliminate preventable fatalities and at the same time, foster more active and ecologically friendly transportation—improving both human and environmental health.
“Every step we take toward safer roads translates into healthier lives and a more resilient health system.”
Island Health said there were 919 road-related deaths in its jurisdiction from 2002 to 2022.
Apply for the program at visionzerobc.grantplatform.com.
City Green festival offers advice on energy saving
City Green Solutions, a non-profit dedicated to energy efficiency in homes and buildings, says it has created the Retrofit! Community Festival “to give you the inside scoop in getting your energy savings plans right.”
At the free event, set for 11 a.m.-5 p.m. on Oct. 5, experts and educators will provide free, unbiased advice for energy-saving steps, City Green said.
Expert panels will discuss topics like planning financially for upgrades, insulation and draft-proofing, as well as what to consider if you’re going to buy a heat pump.
There will also be a “living library” with people from the region talking about their own home upgrades, along with experts from government and a range of organizations and programs.
The Retrofit! Community Festival will take place at the Centre for Trades Education and Innovation Atrium at Camosun College’s Interurban Campus.
Parking is free for those attending.
The festival has funding support from Natural Resources Canada, the Zero Emissions Innovation Centre and the Home Energy Navigator Program.
For further details, visit citygreen.ca/projects/retrofit-community-festival/.
