Picture of the EarthThe Environment

 

A hot topic in Squamish, but something we should all be concerned about and taking part in saving.

What can you do locally, if you live in Squamish? Become involved with one of the following groups or simply begin to live your life more earth friendly. Recycle, reuse, reduce. buy foods packaged in bio-degradable and recycled materials. Talk to other people about how you feel, but always be prepared to respect the other side.

 
 
AWARE
Association of Whistler Residents for the Environment
Box 3500-36
Whistler, BC
V0N 1B0
 
phone number: 604-932-4457
 
 
PATH
People's Action for Threatened Habitat
Contact name: Barney Kern
 
I couldn't find a phone number for this group but if you want to be involved in the local (Squamish area) environmental blockades they're a good group to know. Try going out to one of the blockades or calling the Western Canada Wilderness Committee for more information.
 
 

 

Close up photo of a Bald EagleThe Squamish Estuary Conservation Society
PO Box 1274
Squamish, BC
V0N 3G0
 
This organization is probably one of the most active and visible organizations in Squamish. They have been working for years to secure the Squamish Estuary as environmentally protected land. This year they were able to achieve some success in stopping further development in this important ecosystem.
 
The Squamish Estuary Society does fundraising, presents to council, organises tours of the estuary and often hold informational events (like slide shows or guest speakers). They also host work parties, complete research and create publications.
 
To get involved with this worthwhile organisation, phone Jean at 898-5734.
 
 
"Ecology begins at home"
 
 
BC and the World
 
BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks
www.env.gov.bc.ca
 
Conservation International
1015 18th St, NW
Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20036
phone #1-202-429-5660
www.conservation.org
 
A non-profit, private organisation dedicated to saving endangered rain forests and other ecosystems worldwide. Focuses on program development, working with indigenous peoples living in endangered ecosystems. Publications and videos available.
 
 
David Suzuki Foundation
www.vkool.com/suzuki/index.html
219 - 211 W 4th
phone #604-732-4228
 
EnviroLink Network
4618 Henry St.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
phone #1-412-268-7187
e-mail - admin@envirolink.org
www.envirolink.org
 
World's largest online environmental information service, designed and run primarily by students. Sponsors an environmental online library, environmental chat area, links to other online environmental resources, and other projects.
 
 
Enivironmental Youth Teams
E-Teams
 
A great job if you don't mind physical labour. These are 10 week jobs funded by the government and offered to youth between the ages of 15 and 24. When you start the job you get an allowance to purchase steel toed boots and rain gear, and before you start the physical labour they give you a whole wack of training. FREE. You will get your first aid, transportation ticket, compass training, computer training (last time I checked they were teaching youth how to use DOS and windows 3.1, kind of outdated), and training with GPS - global positioning systems.
 
On the job you will be responsible for doing a variety of activities, depending on where you live. Anything from trail construction to cleaning garbage from the sides of the road. As long as you don't mind the rain and a lot of physical work this is a great job.
 
For more information on how to apply, talk to your local employment centre (for those of you in Squamish you employment centre is in the Capilano College office behind Howe Sound Secondary School). You can also check out the information on Ministry of Environment e-team site or the provincial government youth site Voice for Youth
 
 
animated feet walking across the page
 
 
The Federation of British Columbia Naturalists
FBCN
321-1367 West Broadway
Vancouver, BC
V6H 4A9
phone #604-737-3057
 
The FBCN has local clubs (in Squamish that's the Estuary Conservation Society) which organize walks, hikes and other outings. As well, they hold summer camps which provide you and your family with a social, enjoyable way to learn about the natural history and conservation issues of a particular part of the province.
 
Their goals are: to promote the understanding and enjoyment of nature, to encourage the establishment of protected areas within the province, to defend the integrity of our existing wildlife sanctuaries, to promote and engage in funding and reasearch and to encourage and engage in the protection and restoration of threatened and endangered species.
 
"To know the outdoors and to keep it worth knowing."
 
 
Friends of the Earth
1025 Vermont Ave. NW
3rd Floor
Washington, DC 20005
phone #1-202-783-0444
e-mail - foedc@igc.apc.org
www.xs4all.nl/~foeint
 
A network of environmental organisations with offices in fifty-two countries. Coordinates campaigns on global environmental issues, focusing on international policy. National organisations also carry out their own educational, direct action, and policy campaigns. Web site offers texts of international environmental treaties, updates on international negotiations and UN meetings, and links to member group sites.
 
 
Greenpeace
1726 Commercial Dr.
phone #604-253-7701
www.greenpeace.org
 
High-profile organisation lobbying to strengthen environmental protection. Focuses on public action to bring attention to environmental threats worldwide.
 
 
League of Conservation Voters
1707 L St., NW
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20036
phone #1-202-785-8683
www.lcv.org
 
A political action group with national environmental priorities, the League publishes The National Environmental Scorecard, an annual report on how Congress votes on the environment.
 
 
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society
3107A Washington Boulevard
Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
phone #1-310-301-SEAL
www.envirolink.org/elib/orgs/seashep/seashep.html
 
A non-profit organisation involved with the investigation and documentation of violations of international regulations and treaties protecting marine wildlife. Sea Shepherd's confrontational strategies include intervening directly between, for example, whaling vessels and whales. Quarterly newsletter.
 
 
The Sierra Club of British Columbia
1525 Amelia Street
Victoria, BC
V8W 2K1
 
phone number: 250-386-5255
 
e-mail them at: sierrabc@cyberstore.ca
check out their website: http://www.sierraclub.ca/bc/
 
Moose galloping towards you
Sierra Student Coalition (SSC)
223 Thayer St., #2
Providence, RI 02906 - 1237
phone #1-401-861-6012
e-mail - sierra.student.coalition@sierraclub.org
www.ssc.org/ssc
 
The student-run arm of the Sierra Club runs nationwide lobbying and direct-action campaigns and sponsors summer retreats for enviromental activists. An excellent informational and advisory resource with access to America's largest environmental organisation. Newsletter.
 
 
Spectrum
Society Promoting Environmental Conservation
2150 Maple Street
Vancouver, BC
V6J 3T3
phone number: 604-736-7732
e-mail: spec@alternatives.com
check out their site at: www.alternatives.com/spec/index.html
 
Their mandate: through education, advocacy and action SPEC works for the protection of the environment, empowering British Columbians to become environmentally responsible.
 
Spectrum identifies different environmental issues as their focus each year. They have a variey of different campaigns underway, including one's about watershed's, pesticides and alternative means of transportation. Check out their newsletter, phone them, e-mail them or visit their website for more information.
 
 
 
Student Environmental Action Coalition (SEAC)
PO Box 1168
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-1168
phone #1-919-967-4600
e-mail - SEAC@igc.apc.org
www.seac.org
 
A national coalition of over two thousand high school and college environmental groups that coordinates national and regional projectcts to challenge and change current environmental lays. Its information clearinghouse offers books, fact sheets, and other materials as resources to members. Organises training programs on current environmental issues.
 
 
Western Canada Wilderness Committee
20 water St
Vancouver, BC
phone #604-683-8220
e-mail - info@wildernesscommittee.org
www.web.apc.org/~wc2wild/index.html
 
 
 
 
Back to Main
Table of Contents