Chemainus Residents Association

Category: Environment

  • Weighing in on anchorages

    If you count ’em there’s four freighters in the photo above, taken from Kin Beach Park. But the picture doesn’t tell the whole story, there were at least two more freighters visible from that vantage on the day the picture was taken, probably at least one or two more behind Bare Point and farther into Ladysmith Harbour.

    So how many is too many, when it comes to freighters mooring in Stuart Channel? Or is it okay, and a part of keeping Canada and B.C. connected to the global economy? What are the environmental risks of freighters in our waters? How well prepared are we to deal with those environmental risks?

    Are these questions we should be asking our local, provincial and federal representatives? What are the boundaries between jurisdictions? Is there a role for the Chemainus Residents’ Association when it comes to freighters off our favourite beach?

    We’d like to know what you think. So connect with us and share your thoughts. Or post a comment, and share them with our readers, too.

  • Seen any nesting herons?

    Great Blue Heron at Chemainus Lake. Herons in the Georgia Strait basin are under pressure due to habitat loss and nest attacks by eagles. The Ministry of Forestry: Ecosystems wants to know if people have sighted nesting herons in the area.

    Biologists with the BC Ministry of Forestry: Ecosystems want to know if anyone in Chemainus has seen herons nesting this past spring/summer in the mid island area.

    Herons are a bird of concern in the Georgia Strait basin as they are having trouble with habitat loss and eagles who have developed a taste for their young.

    Such is the sad case this past spring with the large nesting colony at the Chemainus mill. It was decimated by eagles attacking and eating the young herons in their nests.

    It’s hoped the herons may have moved to another location and tried to nest again. So, if you have seen any nesting herons could you please give the info ( location, number of nests or birds, etc.) to Saltair District Ratepayers Association board member Jane Cole Walton, who will pass the information on.

    Her contact info is waltonjc@shaw.ca