Environment

'It's definitely precedent setting:' commercial prawn operator fined $250K

NANAIMO - Prawning in an environmentally sensitive area off the lower Sunshine Coast resulted in a heavy fine and fishing gear seizure against a Delta man. A recent provincial court sentencing hearing...

Alex Rawnsley Feb 23, 2024

Nanaimo area resurgence aiding comeback of Vancouver Island marmots

NANAIMO - On the cusp of being wiped out forever, Vancouver Island marmot populations are slowly, yet steadily gaining traction.Efforts by Nanaimo-based Marmot Recovery Foundation focusses on increasi...

Feb 22, 2024

Drought ignites earlier Scotch broom battle

NANAIMO - In response to a prolonged lack of precipitation, a revised approach is being taken to combat a damaging, fast-growing invasive plant.Joanne Sales, executive director of non-profit organizat...

Alex Rawnsley Feb 17, 2024

Rural fire sweeps smoke across much of Nanaimo

NANAIMO - A blanket of smoke across much of the city Thursday morning came from a rural property burn.Smoke moved across Nanaimo's north and central areas in the 8 a.m. hour on Thursday, Feb. 15, stem...

Feb 15, 2024

'It's a critical time for them:' calls made to leave Brant geese undisturbed during annual migration

PARKSVILLE - For about two months annually the spectacle of thousands of determined birds beeline for Oceanside area beaches to rest, fatten up and head north to breed. A local naturalist is highlight...

Alex Rawnsley Feb 15, 2024

Low snowpack levels not a predictor of bad Island fire season: Coastal Fire Centre

NANAIMO - Despite a snow pack measured at roughly one third of what it typically is this time of year, regional fire crews aren't concerned...yet.As rain deficits increase with each passing month, and...

Feb 14, 2024

Technology plays integral role in rescuing two stranded men in Nanoose Bay

NANOOSE BAY - A smartphone's crash detection feature precisely showed where two injured men were located after their truck tipped over on a snow-filled rural logging road. Arrowsmith Search and Rescue...

Alex Rawnsley Jan 19, 2024

Fine levied for toxic discharges at Crofton mill, including one million litres into ocean

DUNCAN - A sizable administrative penalty has been applied against Catalyst Paper Corporation's Crofton mill for multiple environmental infractions.A recent Ministry of Environment and Climate Change ...

Jan 18, 2024

Forested land south of Nanaimo returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation

NANAIMO - A large section of land south of Nanaimo city limits has been returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) by the province as part of continuing reconciliation efforts.The 212 hectares of land ...

Alex Rawnsley Jan 11, 2024

Arctic air expected to settle over Nanaimo Thursday, bringing low temperatures and snow

NANAIMO - A mass of cold, Arctic air is sweeping across B.C. this week, with the mid-Island in store to see temperatures around ten degrees below normal and the possibility of a big dump of snow. Afte...

Alex Rawnsley Jan 11, 2024