Annual Report 2002 - Sierra Club BC

2002SIERRA CLUB OF CANADA BC CHAPTER annual report

FundersThe Bullitt FoundationBrainerd FoundationCanadian International Development AgencyThe Endswell FoundationHuman Resources Development CanadaW. Alton Jones FoundationLuna TrustTD Friends of the EnvironmentThe J.W. McConnell Family FoundationThe Moriah FundThe McLean FoundationMountain Equipment Co-opNorth American Fund for Environmental CooperationThe David and Lucile Packard FoundationSierra Club of BC FoundationSierra Club FoundationTides Canada FoundationTurner Foundation Inc.VanCityVancouver FoundationVictoria FoundationWilburforce FoundationWorld Wildlife Fund CanadaHighlights of 2002• Helped form the Coalition for Sustainable Forest Solutions, a broad-based coalitionworking for a durable solution to B.C.’s current forestry crisis.• Celebrated our Conservation Chair, Vicky Husband’s, being awarded the Order ofCanada for her decades of work on B.C. environmental issues.• Through our Marine Campaign, published two reports: The Right to be Responsible: AFramework for the Rebuilding and Conservation of Inshore Rockfish and Lingcod on the BC Coastand State of the Strait: The History and Future Outlook of the Strait of Georgia Marine Fisheries.• Spearheaded a successful petition to the B.C. legislature calling on government to rejecta proposed wolf and cougar cull on Vancouver Island.• Through our Environmental Education Program, delivered widely praised schoolprograms to more than 3,750 students across Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.• Published Sustainable Forests, Sustainable Communities, a series of five pamphlets aimedat sparking discussion and debate around the prospects for B.C.’s forest communities.• Delivered another successful year of GAIA Project internship programs in Ecuador,El Salvador, and Bolivia.• Launched a new website for the GAIA Project: www.gaiaproject.bc.ca.• With the support of the Victoria Group, formalized a popular Wildly InteractiveNature Outings Program, offering free, guided visits to local nature areas throughoutGreater Victoria.

Message from the ChairPAULA STEELEIn spite of the ongoing political andeconomic realities, our programs continuedto forge ahead and met with somenotable successes. Our work in marineconservation continued to build momentum,as did our ever-popular EnvironmentalEducation program. Ourforest team continued to work for anecologically viable conservation solutionfor the Great Bear Rainforest. Theaddition of Sea to Sky Group inSquamish brings to five the number oflocal groups doing grassroots conservationaround B.C. under the Sierra Clubof Canada banner.As always, we have our dedicated andcommitted members, donors, volunteersand staff to thank for the progress madeover the year.Paul SenezExecutive Committee Chair1

Program reportsspearheaded apetition to reject a wolfand cougar cull onVancouver Island, andit succeeded!‘‘WeGreat Bear RainforestOne year after the precedent-setting GreatBear Rainforest Agreement, we continueto make progress towards a conservationsolution for the region. Together withgovernment, industry, and First Nations,the BC Chapter and its allies established anindependent science program to providecurrent information to the planningprocesses underway in the Great BearRainforest.We continued our work with First Nationsin the region, offering relevant ecologicalinformation and a selection of options forpreparing their own land use plans.On this year’s anniversary of the April 4,2001 agreement, we published a Great BearRainforest Report Card. The provincialgovernment received failing grades for itslack of progress on two major elements ofthe original Great Bear Rainforest Agreement– official protection of 20 rainforestvalleys and implementation of the FirstNations protocol. Government received a Dfor minimal attention to environmentallysustainable planning.Vancouver IslandIn 2002, our Vancouver Island Programcontinued its work on forests and endangeredspecies. We spearheaded a petitionto the B.C. government calling for therejection of plans for a wolf and cougar cullon Vancouver Island, and it succeeded!Though a localized cull remains on thetable, government’s plans for an Islandwidecull have been withdrawn.The BC Chapter campaign to protectEast Creek, one of the last pristine primarywatersheds remaining on Vancouver Island,continued in 2002. This included launchinga new, updated campaign website(www.saveeastcreek.com) to help spread theword about threats to this incredible place,located just north of the Brooks Peninsula.Energy and Climate ChangeWorking through the grassroots GSXConcerned Citizens Coalition, the GlobalClimate Change Committee continued itsopposition to the Georgia Strait Crossing(GSX) natural gas pipeline and the BCHydro plan to meet most new electricity2

development. We gained media coverage forour “Ratify Kyoto Now” sidewalk event,and represented the BC Chapter at theNational Climate Change Workshop, partof the federal public discussion processleading to the ratification of the KyotoProtocol.of initiatives, including eco-tourism,mapping, environmental education, pedalpoweredtechnologies, youth at risk andenvironmentally friendly agriculturaltechnologies. New for 2002 are two internmentorship programs: Career Mentor andEx-Intern Mentor.demand on Vancouver Island by burningnatural gas. The Coalition continued as afull participant in the federal review ofGSX, hiring legal counsel and developingextensive technical evidence in preparationfor the public hearing on GSX.The Committee wrote a critique andposition paper on the BC government’sdraft energy policy, highlighting thecomplete lack of acknowledgement of theclimate change implications of fossil fuelGAIA Project2002 was a banner year for the GAIAProjects’ sustainability work in Canada.Our climate change project, Victoria GetCool! successfully engaged 19 individualsand households, who committed todecreasing their personal greenhousegas emissions over six months. Welaunched our new GAIA Project website(www.gaiaproject.bc.ca), published a guidebookentitled Managing EnvironmentalVolunteer Programs, delivered a ‘BuildingSustainable Communities’ workshop series,and added to our Sustainable Stories Project.Our internship program saw 13 internstravel from Canada to placements with ourpartner organizations: Arbolando inBolivia, CESTA Friends of the Earth in ElSalvador, and others in Guatemala and thePhilippines. They worked on a wide rangeMATTHEW BOLTON3

Forest PolicyWe continued to use a variety of toolsand opportunities to advance our visionfor forest policy in B.C. As a memberof the Forestry Stewardship Council,we celebrated the culmination of fiveyears of negotiations when the multistakeholdersteering committee reachedagreement on a B.C. forest certificationstandard.Our brochure series Sustainable Forests,Sustainable Communities looks at the plightof our forest communities, from our dependenceon high-volume exports to the importanceof developing the value-added sector.During the softwood lumber dispute,we came together with First Nations,labour, community and environmentalgroups to form the BC Coalition forSustainable Forest Solutions(www.forestsolutions.ca).Unfortunately, though we providedcritical analysis on the government initiatedResults-Based Forest Practices Code,it seems our input was ignored. Enablinglegislation for the new Code was passed inthe fall, opening several loopholes throughwhich the forest industry could avoidaccountability for environmental damagecaused. In general, government’s ‘open-forbusiness’policies are quickly unravelingprogress we had made recently towardessential environmental protections. Wecontinue to monitor, evaluate, and counterregressive government forest policies.‘‘Sustainable Forests.First Nations,labour, communityand environmental groupscame together to formthe BC Coalition forPHARIS PATENAUDE4

Marine CampaignOur Marine Campaign saw significantprogress in 2002 in its work for sustainablefisheries and marine conservation. Commercialrockfish fishing groups agreed toimplement observer programs and by-catchmonitoring systems to improve statisticalrecords. Preliminary identification ofstakeholder-supported Rockfish ProtectionAreas was initiated, and leading conservationgroups adopted a framework forinshore rockfish and lingcod conservationon the B.C. Coast.A series of meetings was held throughoutthe Strait of Georgia to launch ourreport, State of the Strait. Our effortsresulted in the total closure of the Strait’slingcod fishery, significant reductions incommercial and recreational fisheries forrockfish, and one million dollars forgroundfish research.We also continued its work to protect wildsalmon. We played a lead role in dialoguearound certifying BC’s salmon under theMarine Stewardship Council Certification.Acting as advisors to Fisheries andOceans Canada (DFO), we held a firmconservation stance when there wasCelebrating Vickyuncertainty around the health of FraserRiver sockeye runs. We have taken aleadership role on salmon conservation,and are demanding more transparency inthe decision-making processes of Fisheriesand Oceans Canada (DFO).In 2002, the BC Chapter’s very own ConservationChair, Vicky Husband, was awarded the Order ofCanada, this country’s highest civilian honour, for herwork as one of North America’s best-known and mosteffective environmentalists. Vicky’s leadership wascentral to the preservation of Gwaii Haanas/SouthMoresby National Park Reserve, the establishment ofthe Khutzeymateen Grizzly Bear Sanctuary and the Clayoquot Sound UNBiosphere Reserve. She has also worked extensively on marine issues, focusingparticularly on the protection of wild salmon and groundfish.Thanks largely to Vicky’s personal dedication, future generations ofCanadians will be left a wilderness legacy that includes the Vancouver Islandancient rainforest watersheds of the Tahsish/Kwois/Silburn, Nasparti, Power,Battle, Carmanah, and lower Tsitika. The honour follows on the Order ofBritish Columbia, awarded to Vicky two years ago, and an earlier UnitedNations award for environmental achievement.TAYLOR BACHRACH5

Environmental EducationTools for changeMappingOur GIS technicians continue to makesignificant contributions to the Great BearRainforest Campaign, creating maps forboth the BC Chapter and our ally organizations.We also provided mapping support toForest Ethics and the Heltsiuk and Gitga’atFirst Nations. Our GIS technicians alsoprovided advice to the Coast InformationTeam, the independent science body stemmingfrom the Central Coast Land UsePlanning process.Contracted by the Society PromotingEnvironmental Conservation (SPEC) weworked with the Environmental MiningCouncil of BC to develop an interactiveonline atlas for Community Watershedsin B.C. The atlas allows visitors to createcustomized maps of BC on a variety ofenvironmental themes.JENN HOFFMANSix years after its inception, our EnvironmentalEducation Program has become oneof Canada’s most effective environmenteducation providers. In 2002, the Programentered a partnership with Green Street, anational initiative spearheaded by the J.W.McConnell Family Foundation, which linksteachers with high-quality environmentaleducation programs.Our in-school environmental educationprograms—now expanded to include eightelementary and one secondary program –were delivered to more than 3,750 B.C.students over the course of the 2002-2003school year. Feedback from teachers andstudents indicates our programs are fillinga critical niche in school curricula. Teachingstudents about ecological processes empowersthem to become the next generation ofenvironmental stewards.In response to the B.C. government’sdrastic cuts to park interpretive programs,we formalized our Nature Outings Programin 2002 to include a full slate of interpretivevisits to natural spaces in the Victoria area.The outings, led by trained volunteer naturalists,were well attended by young and oldalike – a testament to the eagerness of thepublic to learn more about the naturalenvironment.JENN HOFFMAN6

Grassrooots ActivismCoast Mountain GroupThe Coast Mountain Group constructeda recreational trail to the Exstew River in2002 and organized several kayaking andhiking trips. On the land use planningfront, we began our involvement in theNorth Coast LRMP and wrapped up ourwork on the Kalum LRMP. Our efforts toreduce municipal and industrial use ofpesticides continue, as does our ForestWatch work. New initiatives includeaddressing the lifting of the oil and gasmoratorium and the moratorium onsalmon farming.Haida Gwaii GroupIn its third year, Haida Gwaii Group hassecured their internal structure throughfundraising and ongoing communication.Expanding to a membership of 30, eightdirectors lead committees on alternativeenergy, forestry issues, introduced species,and maintaining the moratorium onoffshore oil and gas exploration.Victoria GroupThis year, Victoria Group promoted environmentalawareness at local, municipal,and provincial levels. Locally, the grouphelped create the BC Chapter’s NatureOutings Program (see Education) andhosted four community nights on waterconservation, organic gardening, parks, andlogging threats to local areas. The group’sConservation Chair made presentations tomunicipalities and the regional governmenton sustainable land use and the need foranti-SLAPP legislation (SLAPP, or StrategicLawsuits Against Public Participation, areaimed at quieting public dissent). At theprovincial level, Victoria Group’s PesticideCampaign recommended changes to B.C.’sarchaic Pesticide Control Act.Quadra Island GroupQuadra Island Group lead five hikes in2002, designed to introduce visitors andreacquaint islanders with the local area.The group also celebrated its fifth-annualEarth Day Cleanup, hauling away twotandem trucks filled with garbage. Raisingtheir political voices, members attendedrallies in Victoria and Campbell River andmonitored local forestry developmentplans, fish farm applications, the SaywardForest Landscape Unit Plan, and theHillsborough Resources Limited coal-firedpower plant.Sea to Sky GroupFormed in the fall, the new SquamishbasedSea to Sky Group serves an areabetween Horseshoe Bay and Pemberton.The group is already finding success.In addition to being actively engagedin municipal affairs and sitting on thecommunity environment committee,members helped stop a proposed garbageincinerator.7

Financial Report for theYear Ended December 31, 2002Sierra Club of Canada, British Columbia ChapterStatement of Financial PositionDecember 31, 20027% Service Contracts25% GovernmentFunding2% Membershipand Donations12% Contributionsfrom other Not-for-Profit Organizations2002 RevenueProducts andEvents 1%Foundationsthrough SierraClub of BCFoundation 53%Operating Program Capital Total TotalFund Fund Fund 2002 2001AssetsCurrent Cash $231,003 $187,164 - $418,167 $356,758Receivables - 97,148 - 97,148 64.518Inventories 7,838 - - 7,838 7,296Due from SierraClub of BCFoundation (Note 5) 72,248 26,856 - 99,104 29,869Prepaids 2,267 - - 2,267 6,955$313,356 311,168 - 624,525 465,396Investments (marketvalue $70,629)(2001: $76,884) 69,075 - - 69,075 69,170Capital assets(Note 6) - - 36,545 36,545 37,26413% Operating Costs1% Capital Costs1% Surplus1% Sierra Report2002 Expenditures*Groups 1%Membership 2%$382,431 311,168 36,545 730,145 571,830LiabilitiesCurrentPayables andaccruals 24,221 193,254 - 217,475 70,146Due to programs 264,946 - - 264,946 -Due from operations - (264,946) - (264,946) -$289,167 (71,692) - 217,475 70,146ConservationPrograms 81%Fund BalancesInvestment incapital assets - - 36,545 36,545 37,264Restricted - 382,860 - 382,860 492,756Unrestricted 93,264 - - 93,264 (28,336)* Stated as percentage of revenue93,264 382,860 36,545 512,669 501,684$382,431 $311,168 $36,545 $730,145 $571,830This financial statement is summarized from our audited financial statements.For a complete set of audited statements, please contact our office.8

PHARIS PATENAUDEExecutiveCommittee2002(consolidated)Chair:Michael MascallRob Hart, Paul SenezSecretary:Paul Senez,John BroadheadTreasurer:Brad GrundyConservation Chair:Vicky HusbandLocal GroupRepresentativesVictoria Group:Kevin Prokopenko,Caspar DavisCoast Mountain Group:Rob HartHaida Gwaii Group:Jaques MorinQuadra Island Group:Jim MitchellSea to Sky Group:Spencer FitschenGAIA Project:John BaineSierra Report Editor:Margaret Floyd,Morgan Mcdonald,Stephen SanbornStaff 2002 (consolidated)Executive Director: Bill WarehamActing Executive Director: Judy LightwaterFinancial Officer: Tracey ChilderhoseCampaign Manager: Judy LightwaterDevelopment Officer: Jeff PalecznyOffice Manager: Sharon JutilaCommunications Coordinator:Julie Stauffer, Taylor BachrachCoordinator of Volunteers: Nikko SnowBookkeeper: Arlene SkagfeldCoast Forest Campaigner: Justin BrûléCoast Campaign Assistant: Claire WestbyCoast Community Outreach Coordinator:Robin June HoodLand Use Specialist: Renee MikaloffForest Policy Analyst: Lisa MatthausVancouver Island Coordinator:Jill ThompsonMarine Campaigner/ MembershipDevelopment: Sharon ChowMarine Campaign Coordinator:Keith SymingtonLillooet Campaigner: Doug RadiesGIS Mapping Technicians:Steve Young, Dave LeverseeEducation Program Coordinator:Jennifer HoffmanGaia Project Coordinator:Sandra ThompsonGaia Project Internship Coordinator:Sandra FoglianiGaia Project Administrative Assistant:Kari JonesGaia Climate Change Outreach Coordinator:Michelle Hannah, Joy BeachampGaia Sustainable Living Education:Shelley ButlerInternsCoastal Community Outreach Interns:Fiona Scanlan, Mike GeselbrachtGaia Project Interns 2000/01:Carlos Marticorena Landolt,Hamish Millar, Joanne GilliesGaia Project Interns 2001/02:Kimberly Wilson, Tim Harvey,Cynthia PaquetteSummer StudentsGAIA 2000/01: Graeme Hussey,Keltie CraigTREE Team 2000/01: Nikki Stubbs,Karen Zucchiatti, Jean CreminTREE Team 2001/02: Jennifer Grant,Claire Malcolmson, Pharis PatenaudeVolunteers 2002Marco AndinoRandy AlersJennifer BaileyJohn BaineJoy BeauchampJim BeebeMeghan BeveridgeMargot BloxomVictoria BoltonJessie BoudinMike BoydShelly & Alan ButlerSandro CamilliGrant CampbellMadeleine ChalliesBrian ClarkMary CobhamKelly ConlinKathy CookKeltie CraigNathan CullenRuth-Ann DevosJulia DoetschCatherine DraperMichael EckfordBarb EngstromJenny FraserGerry GaydosErika GoldtKent GreenGary GreensteinDawn GrigorJeremy HallRob HareTim HarveySibylla HelmsTammy HillickeGail HochachkaSherri HohertBrad HornickVicky HusbandKari JonesSteven JonesSelina JorgensenSharon JutilaZeb KingIngmar Leegagan leekhaDiane LefebvreJennifer MakowskiMichael MascallEd MayMike MayorSteve MacAddamAaron MillerLeAnn MogermanKathryn MolloyKen MorganJohn NelsonSarah OlsonMilagros PalaciosMichael PardyBrian RivasKaren SawatzkyBryce ScottJennifer SkeltonToby SmithLaura SmithHarry & Nadja SteinerSam SternbergMike StiniKaren TruemanMaia TsurumiMalgosia TurtonJennifer VeyAudrey WaltKen WuSteve YoungThe Sierra Club of Canada BC Chapter receives all charitable gifts and grants through the Sierra Club of BC Foundation, 304-733 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC V8W 3C7

Sierra Club of Canada BC Chapter302 - 733 Johnson StreetVictoria, BC V8W 3C7Phone: (250) 386-5255Fax: (250) 386-4453e-mail: info@sierraclub.bc.cawebsite: www.sierraclub.ca/bcThe Sierra Club of BC is an officialchapter of the Sierra Club of CanadaSierra Club of Canada1 Nicholas Street, Suite 412Ottawa, ON K1N 7B7Phone: (613) 241-4611Fax: (613) 241-2292e-mail: sierra@web.cawebsite: www.sierraclub.ca/nationalPHOTO CREDITSCover/GARTH LENZBack Cover/PHARIS PATENAUDEPrinted on 100% post-consumer recycled paper