Bigger buffer zone for orcas, but not in Canada

Washington State signed new legislation that requires boats to keep 914 metres from orcas, more than doubling the current requirement, beginning in January 2025. Unfortunately, Canada isn’t following suit. Originally published in PostMedia’s The Province on May 18. Endangered southern resident orcas are on the verge of getting a lot more space, but not if … Continue reading

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Wild Salmon are in a state of emergency

In 2022, wild Pacific salmon were on the receiving end of three significant federal policies that failed to prioritize their health and wellbeing, and an Indigenous one that did: Phasing out the 19 fish farms in the Discovery Islands was set aside by a federal judge. The ruling was based on procedural fairness and a … Continue reading

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Perspective on change

It’s hard to believe that in all the more than 18 years we’ve been taking annual kayak trips in coastal BC, that we’ve never had the experience of seeing orcas in the water while paddling but we hadn’t. We’d seen orcas in the wild while sitting in camp, but this year we were out on … Continue reading

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Meet Ambre Comeau, GSA’s Orca Action Month Volunteer!

Growing up, I had spent most of my childhood outside exploring the natural world, reading my collection of National Geographic magazines, as well as encyclopedias on North American plants, animals, and insects. My parents always encouraged this curiosity and helped to nurture it by gifting me microscopes, bug catching nets, and models of animal anatomy … Continue reading

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UNDRIP & the Environmental Movement

Do you know the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and why it is crucial to the environmental movement? Adopted in 2007, UNDRIP is an international legal document that affirms the rights of Indigenous peoples and constitutes the minimum standards for their survival, dignity and well-being. Canada initially voted against endorsing … Continue reading

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It’s Orca Action Month and we want to celebrate with you!

We hope you are as excited as we are to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance and vulnerability of Southern Resident orcas this month. At GSA, June is one of our favorite times of year because, besides being the beginning of summer, we get to learn about, take actions and show our love for … Continue reading

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An interview with Adam Butcher, Director at Seaflora Skincare

We are thrilled to have been chosen by Seaflora Skincare as recipient of their give back program! Seaflora Skincare Inc. is a second generation organic skincare brand that uses wild-harvested nutrient-rich seaweed. Adam Butcher is the son of founder Diane Bernard, also known as the Seaweed Lady, and is CEO of the Sooke-based company he … Continue reading

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Hidden Threat: The pollution we never consider

As we begin turning our attention to what economic recovery might look like, we’re at a moment where we can continue to listen to science and prioritize investment decisions that support healthier and more resilient communities. It’s precisely where investment and the environment intersect that Metro Vancouver has an important decision to make about a … Continue reading

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