Squamish Environment Society

Location: Meeting place TBA (Call Marcia Danielson 898-9420)

Description: You may have noticed flocks of birds in your garden, gathering as they head south for the winter. Migration has begun. This month we’ll look for fall migrants and learn about who stays here for the winter; who heads South; and just how far south they go. About 2 hours walking on flat trails. Walk Leader Marcia Danielson. Bring binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather (it can be very windy in the estuary). Please no dogs. NOTE: walk will be canceled if steady rain.

The Official Community Plan (OCP) is a 20 year planning document that:

• Defines the vision for our community.
• Is a local bylaw, prepared and adopted within the statutory provisions of the Local Government Act.
• Provides statements of objectives and policies to guide decisions on planning and land use management.

When: Tuesday, July 7, 5:30 PM
Where: Council Chambers, Municipal Hall, 37955 Second Avenue.

What you can do:
*Attend the Tuesday, July 7 Squamish council meeting.

Here is a link to the report of the meeting in The Chief newspaper:
The Chief July 15th 2009

Those of us who oppose the GAS project have been given a few minutes to
express our concerns to the council. While only a few people will be given
an opportunity to speak before the council, it is important we show up in
force to demonstrate solidarity against the resort.

Those who oppose GAS will gather outside Municipal Hall at 5:30 PM to show
solidarity against the GAS project. Media will be invited to come to the
council meeting early to speak with us about our concerns.

*If you can't attend the July 7 council meeting, please urge provincial and
local officials to reject the GAS ski resort proposal.

Environmental Assessment Office: eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca (by July 19th)

Premier Gordon Campbell: premier@gov.bc.ca
West Vancouver - Garibaldi MLA -
Joan McIntyre: joan.mcintyre.mla@leg.bc.ca

District of Squamish
Mayor Greg Gardner: ggardner@squamish.ca
Councillor Bryan Raiser: braiser@squamish.ca
Councillor Corinne Lonsdale: clonsdale@squamish.ca
Councillor Doug Race: drace@squamish.ca
Councillor Patricia Heintzman: pheintzman@squamih.ca
Councillor Paul Lalli: plalli@squamish
Councillor Rob Kirkham: rkirkham@squamish.ca

District Council is asking the Community for comments and feedback on these two issues:

1. Sustainability Block - The Sustainability Block project proposes that a specific block (or cross-section of blocks) be redeveloped as a showcase of design innovations for streetscapes, landscapes, and technologies.
2. "Proposed joint-venture run of river hydro-electric project" tell us what you think about the possibility of Squamish partnering on a Community Power Project.

The 2008 Annual Report will also be available to the public.

It is important that you let your local and provincial politicians know how you feel about this issue. The decision on whether the project moves ahead or not rests with the community of Squamish which is represented by our elected Mayor and Council.

GAS development will again be open for public comment from June 19th to July 19th. Send comments to the EAO (Environmental Assessment Office) at eaoinfo@gov.bc.ca, attend the public meeting and contact politicians.

EAO Open House: June 24th at Sea to Sky Hotel, from 5-9pm.

It is important that you let your local and provincial politicians know how you feel about this issue. The decision on whether the project moves ahead or not rests with the community of Squamish which is represented by our elected Mayor and Council.

Contact information:

Meeting @ Town Hall is intended to provide information and answer community questions following cougar attack on 3 year old in Brackendale, and recent attack on a dog over the weekend.

Open to Public.

SUMMARY
Garibaldi at Squamish 101
Where: The Adventure Centre
Why: GET INFORMED!
Food: Refreshments will be served
Contact: Jasmine@AgentJazz.ca or 604.815.7766

This is the time of year when many of you are out and about enjoying all that Squamish has to offer. With all of this great weather we are experiencing the options are endless!

Building on ideas presented so far by members, this is our final planning day. We hope to refine our Mission Statement, streamline our goals, define programs and work out an effective organisational structure that makes the most of our volunteer resources. This will also be an opportunity for members to vote on adoption of the new operating name, GreenSquamish. All of this broken up with a Nature Walk and lunch.

1. Howe Sound Gathering. Saturday, Saturday June 6 (Squamish River Watershed
   Society event)
2. Squamish Estuary Monthly Bird Count, Sunday June 7
3. Re-useable Bag Launch, Saturday June 13
4. Wanted: Green Feet. Help us to reduce plastic bag use in Squamish!
5. Volunteers wanted: Master BBQ chef and SECS membership table
   volunteers, Saturday June 13 / Saturday June 20
6. Volunteer opportunity to learn and help with website maintenance - You
   don't need technical skills!
7. SECS Strategic Planning Final Workshop, Sunday June 21 (includes
   vote on new name for SECS)
8. New Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council established

Learn how to Monitor & Protect Wetlands

When: May 29-31, 2009

Location: Larson Creek Wetland and Gleneagles Community Centre,
6262 Marine Drive.
Horseshoe Bay

Wetlandkeepers is a 2½ day introduction to wetland stewardship.
The course offers individuals an opportunity for hands-on practice of
wetland conservation skills such as conducting wetland plant and bird
surveys, installing a Photo Point Monitoring system and raising public
awareness. This special section covers reports Participants that
successfully complete the course will be awarded a Wetlandkeepers
Certificate.

Location: Squamish Adventure Center

Squamish CAN, the newly formed Climate Action Network in Squamish, is proud to bring back The Melting Pot series with more movies and discussions. This will not be a weekly fixture, but an event that will rock the town as and when desire strikes, i.e. often!

This week's Movie: To the Tar Sands, a film by Jodie Martinson (Parental advisory: Some strong language)
The oil sands – Environmental disaster or holiday destination? Changing our vision of Alberta one barrel at a time.

Location: Wetland behind Valleycliff. Meeting place to be determined.
Nearly all of BC's amphibian species are struggling for survival, due to urban expansion, wetland filling, and other factors. Biologist Chessy Knight will lead this family-friendly nature walk where we'll look have a close up look at frogs. A short walk will take us to a small wetland where we'll hunt for tadpoles. We'll identify each species and learn about their ecology, the challenges they face, and what we can do to help their survival. For more info: Please call Rachel 604-898-4050

Location: Brennan Park Recreation Center
Cost: $35 plus tax. **For more information please call 604-815-5084

Dr. David Suzuki will give the keynote address at the RFABC conference being held in Squamish.
Tickets can be purchased at the Squamish Adventure Centre and Brennan Park Recreation Centre

1. SES Regular meeting and Presentation, Riches of the Natural World in Squamish, Wednesday May 20
2. David Suzuki comes to Squamish, Friday May 22 (Presented by Recreation Facilities Association of BC)
3. Frog Walk - Guided Nature Walk, Sunday May 24
4. To the Tarsands - Climate Change Movie Nights are back! (Presented by Squamish CAN), Monday May 25
5. Wetlands Stewardship Workshop, Friday-Sunday May 29-31 (Presented by BC Wildlife Federation)
6. Help Wanted. Volunteers Needed:

• Master BBQ Chef needed for SES fundraiser
• Opportunity to learn and help with maintaining our new website and to research and write online articles
• Help Greener Footprints to deliver one free bag to every home in Squamish