British Columbia Mainland

Abbotsford Land Trust Society
Website: http://www.abbotsfordlandtrust.ca/
It is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to protect natural areas, historical and cultural sites, and other lands of Abbotsford community importance.
Contact: Lower 4, 32310 S. Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC V2T 1X1 (604-864-5530) or email: lfox@city.abbotsford.bc.ca

Adam va-Adamah ("Humans and the Earth")
Website: http://www.av-a.org/
It is a regional affiliate of the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), dedicated to educating British Columbians about Judaism's deeply-rooted environmental values. Adam va-Adamah was founded in 1998/5758 and is incorporated as a society in British Columbia. Its purpose is to advance public education about the principles of Judaism that address interactions among human beings, other species, and the common biophysical environment. It accomplishes this by developing educational materials and designing and creating courses for children and adults that address environmental thought, principles, and practices arising from the Jewish faith; and by working with schools, colleges, and other educational institutions, as well as synagogues, churches, and other houses of worship in British Columbia through the organization and delivery of educational lectures, seminars and activities on this subject.
COEJL was founded in 1993 and engages Jewish institutions and individuals in bringing the moral passion of Jewish tradition and social action to environmental stewardship -- in order to preserve the integrity of creation, to advance social justice, to protect future generations, and to strengthen the Jewish community.
Contact: 201-4088 Cambie Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 2X8 (604-872-7380) or email: info@av-a.org

Basmati Action Group (BAG)
Website: http://www.eciad.bc.ca/~lolin/basmati/home.html
It is a grassroots organization that values life in all its complexity and supports actions that protect ecological integrity, indigenous knowledge and lands, women's rights, the autonomy and self-determinacy of people, and community-based action.
Contact: (604-255-4910) or email: basmati-action@sfu.ca

BC Biodiversity
Website: http://www.bcbiodiversity.homestead.com/home.html
It is an excellent website of pictures and descriptions of native plants and animals of BC. It is a not-for-profit website compiled by Lyrae Emerson, who holds a BSc in Environmental Sciences and is currently pursuing an MSc in Botany with a desire to be a lichenologist.
She can be contacted at: 5596 Gowland Rd., Sechelt, BC, VON 3A8 Email: lyrae@dccnet.com

BC Cetacean Sightings Network
Website: http://www.wildwhales.org It acts as a central location for the reporting of cetacean (whales, dolphins, or porpoises) sightings in BC waters. This information is used to help identify critical habitats for species-at-risk. The group also promotes environmental awareness by providing seminars, training courses, and educational outreach with the desire that such efforts will help reduce threats imposed on cetaceans. Although they do work with researchers from Alaska and Washington, the focus of BCCSN is the coastal and offshore waters of British Columbia.
If you would like a presentation made for your school, community, or group, please call toll free 1-866 I SAW ONE or send an email to: sightings@vanaqua.org
Contact: 1) Cetacean Research Lab, c/o Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, P.O. Box 3232, Vancouver, BC V6B 3X8 (604-659-3429)
or 2) Marine Mammal Research Program, Pacific Biological Station, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5K6

BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF)
Website: http://www.bccf.com/
It was founded and incorporated in 1969 by the Directors of the BC Wildlife Federation to contribute to the perpetuation and expansion of fish and wildlife populations by way of efficient implementation of projects in the field. They are a federally registered charity dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of British Columbia's ecosystems and species. It provides quality, cost-effective services via strategic partnerships with all levels of government, industry, non-governmental organizations, private groups, educational institutions, and First Nations and have implemented over 3000 conservation projects since 1986.
Contact: #206 - 17564 - 56A Ave., Surrey, BC, V3S 1G3 (604-576-1433) or email: hoffice@bccf.com
Vancouver Island Regional Office: #3 - 1200 Princess Royal Ave., Nanaimo, BC, V9S 3Z7 (250-716-8776) or email: nanaimo@bccf.com

BC Endangered Species Coalition
Website: http://www.extinctionsucks.org/home.html
It represents over 120 environmental, community, and religious groups across the province and the rest of the country who are concerned about protection of species at risk and their habitats. Its mandate is to secure strong, effective, and fair Canadian endangered species legislation which will protect and recover Canada's species at risk and their habitats. The Campaign is supported by a broad cross-section of national and local groups.
Contact: PO Box 383, Smithers, BC V0J 2N0 (250-847-2400) or email: kate@extinctionsucks.org

BC Environmental Network (BCEN)
Website: http://www.bcen.bc.ca/
It is a network of community-based British Columbia environmental organizations which advocate ecological sustainability. It is a large database of over 550 environmental organizations in British Columbia. (However, be forewarned, you have to know the names of the organizations in order to access the database, and they do not readily answer emails!).
Contact: 610-207 W. Hastings, Vancouver, V6B 1H7 (604-879-2279)

BC Lake Stewardship Society BCLSS
Website: http://www.nalms.org/bclss/
It was born from many public requests to the BC Ministry of Environment, Lands, and Parks (MELP) for support and information for small public groups and individuals interested in preserving the quality of water of lakes all over BC. BCLSS acts as a communication and information distribution network between all public lake interest groups, government, and industry, and will provide education, lake monitoring workshops, information on lake management, and a contact list of all the lake interest groups around the province assisting in the preservation of our water resources to its members.
Contact: c/o Science Building, 3333 College Way, Kelowna, V1V 1V7 (mailing address: #4-552 W. Ave., Kelowna, V1Y 4Z4)(250-717-1212 or toll free 1-877- BCLAKES - 225-2537) or email: bclss@hotmail.com

BC Lands in Trust Registry
Website: http://www.landtrustalliance.bc.ca/registry/
It was originally initiated to track Conservation Covenants after they became a legal tool available for conservation purposes in 1995 by the province of BC. Consequently, the Land Trust Alliance of BC determined that a full inventory of conservation lands should include sites also owned by Land Trusts and Conservancies. The Registry, with its database inventory program -- The Protected Lands Catalogue -- offers a central location for this inventory offering detailed information about protected areas on private lands -- their ecoystems, habitats, species, cultural or aesthetic features, and their land uses.
Contact: (250-538-0112) or email: registry@landtrustalliance.bc.ca

BC Spaces For Nature
Website: http://www.spacesfornature.org/
It is a solutions-oriented non-profit society employing a range of innovative approaches to achieve conservation goals. Over the past three decades, BC Spaces staff has contributed significantly to the protection of over seven million acres in park lands and seven million acres in Special Management Zones. Some of the most well-known areas include the following: Nitinat Triangle of Pacific Rim National Park, Spatsizi Wilderness Park (also known as BC’s Serengeti), Central Purcell Mountains (the largest protected wilderness in southern BC), Height of the Rockies (with links to Banff National Park on the Great Divide), and Tatshenshini (North America’s Wildest River and heartland to the World Heritage Site complex on earth). (You can read about the acquisition of these areas in To Save The Wild Earth (1997) by Ric Careless). Its Jobs and environment programmes promote the protection of wilderness while addressing the fears of job loss in rural BC. Most recently, the group has become involved in developing a wilderness educational program, which focuses on inspiring students and teachers to make caring for wild nature part of their lives.
Contact: Email space provided on the website.

BC Stewardship Centre
Website: http://www.stewardshipcentre.bc.ca/sc_bc/main/index.asp
It realized a need to bring all information together in one central place -- and then to dissiminate that information effectively. There is an increasing awareness of the importance of stewardship and a growing realization that people can do far better at managing conservation values on their land. Better decisions require information and technical advice, and there is a need for improved access to information and advice on stewardship in British Columbia. This excellent website is full of that kind of information needed for anyone interested in leaving a legacy of nature.

BC Watershed Pledge Program
Website: http://www.watershed.bcit.ca/
It helps Burnaby residents protect their local streams and lakes. Problems arise when rain-water, that flows off streets and yards, is carried back into streams and lakes. This run-off carries a nasty mix of heavy metals, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste, detergents, and animal feces. City storm drains deliver these substances to our streams and lakes, harming the animals that live there and eventually humans as well. Since we are all citizens of a watershed, the solution lies with each resident of the area and must be solved just as it was created -- through the combined actions of all citizens who live and work in the watershed. If each of us would "Takes the Pledge" to change a few of our daily habits, we can bring new life to the streams and lakes of Burnaby. Your contribution may seem like a "drop in the bucket," but that’s the only way to save our watershed —- one drop at a time!
Contact: tsaare@bcit.ca (Email only)

BC Watershed Stewardship Alliance (BCWSA)
Website: http://www.bcwsa.bc.ca/
It is a non-profit, incorporated society representing grassroots community organizations. The society envisions a network that will further the ability for a local community or individual to bring sustainable planning ideas, experiments, pilot projects, and other initiatives into their own watershed or area of interest. This network will create a vital link, for all people, to keep our watersheds, our bioregions, our province and our planet alive, healthy, and sustainable for future generations. Their functions include the support of existing Watershed groups while encouraging the formation of others by providing advice, knowledge, and experience, and offering, when feasible and appropriate, to participate actively and facilitate in the development of such groups.
Contact: 3360 West 53rd Ave., Vancouver, V6N 4C9 (604-261-3554) or email: eequity@telus.net

BC Wetlands Society
Website: http://www.bcwetlands.com/
It is a non-profit charitable organization whose mission is to promote the conservation of British Columbia's wetland ecosystems through education, research, and stewardship. It has provided wetlands education programs and resources to schools, community groups, and the general public throughout the province. In the lower mainland area, it has worked with community volunteers and landowners to coordinate stewardship programs in local wetlands. Unfortunately, since the year 2000, reduced funding has curtailed its activities, but it does have several books and tapes about wetlands available.
Contact: PO Box 41, Delta Main Post Office, Delta, BC, V4K 3N5

BC Wildlife Federation
Website: http://www.bcwf.bc.ca/
It was incorporated in 1951 and became a registered charity in 1969. It is the largest and oldest conservation organization striving to ensure the sound, long-term management of BC's fish, wildlife, park, and outdoor recreational resources. It also coordinates all the voluntary agencies, societies, clubs, and individuals interested in that objective.
Contact: #303 - 19292 - 60th Ave., Surrey, BC, V3S 8E5 (604-533-2293 or toll free 1-800-533-2293)
A long list of email contacts are provided on the website.

Best Management Practices for Land Development
Website: http://wlapwww.gov.bc.ca/vir/pa/bmp_dev2.htm
It is an e-booklet developed by the Vancouver Region of MWLAP (Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection) to assist municipalities, regional districts, Islands Trust, and Ministry of Transportation and Highways (MOTH) in planning, development, and approval of land development and land management proposals (e.g., subdivisions, re-zonings, development permits and operational work). The primary objective is to provide a consistent proactive environmental management and protection response to authorities responsible for regulating and conducting land development activities. Although the primary audience will be planning and development staff, it also covers issues relevant to such other local government staff as parks and public works personnel.
Contact: PO Box 9339, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, BC, V8W 9M1 (250-387-1161) or email: www.wlapmail@gems5.gov.bc.ca
For Environmental Emergencies (hazardous or toxic spills, discharges, emissions, as well as dyke and dam failures, debris flows and floods) call: 1-800-663-3456.
For Conservation Officer Service (problems with bears, cougars, wolves, or other predators) call: (1-800-663-9453).

Better Environmentally Sound Transport (BEST)
Website: http://www.best.bc.ca
It began with a small group of dedicated cyclists in 1991 and soon obtained registered Federal Charity status. The organization strives to make its communities healthier places in which to live by promoting sustainable transportation and land-use planning with pedestrian, cycling, and transit-oriented neighbourhoods. BEST promotes changes to make our cities healthier environments and to enhance our quality of life and envision communities where it is pleasant and convenient to walk, cycle and take transit; where people can safely mingle or play outside; and where cars are an option, not a necessity. BEST strives to provide imaginative and creative policy proposals in transportation and land use planning; monitors development issues and conducts independent research, as well as working with the media to promote intelligent debate and behavioural change; works with educators, decision-makers, planning professionals, transportation advocates and the public to promote cutting-edge models for transportation and liveable communities; and, BEST is an independent, not for profit agency that advances the public interest.
Contact: 822 - 510 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC V6B 1L8 Email: donations@best.bc.ca

Bicycle People
Website: http://www.alternatives.com/bicycle/people.html
It is a Vancouver action group comprised of area cyclists devoted to the promotion of pedal power for all urban needs. It uses a variety of peaceful means to promote its message, including street theatre, bike rides, and petitions.
Contact: 2085 W. 6 Ave., Vancouver V6J 1R8 (604-736-8194) or email: bicyclepeople@alternatives.com

Biodiversity Publications Catalogue
Website: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/biodiv/enviro-education.htm
It was developed in response to the demand for a complete annotated listing of available biodiversity-related publications. The catalogue lists numerous publication designed for the school student, as well as those in the community. Each topic is accompanied with the website needed to find out where to purchase such publications.

British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (CDC)
Website: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/
It systematically collects and disseminates information on the rare and endangered plants, animals, and plant communities of British Columbia. This information is compiled and maintained in a computerized database which provides a centralized and scientific source of information on the status, locations, and level of protection of these rare organisms and ecosystems. CDC is part of the Registries and Resource Information Division in the BC Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and also part of NatureServe, an international organization of cooperating Conservation Data Centres and Natural Heritage Programs, all using the same methodology to gather and exchange information on the threatened elements of biodiversity. (It should be noted that Canada has no endangered species legislation. Sheila Copps tried to bring in such legislation in 1996; but the government tabled it, leaving 60% of the country's species unprotected. That attempt eventually died, and now only four provinces have their own legislation to date.)
Contact: (mailing address: Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, P.O. Box 9993 Station Provincial Government,Victoria, BC V8W 9R7)
Location: 4th Floor, 395 Waterfront Crescent, Victoria, BC V8T 5K7 (250-356-0928) or email: cdcdata@victoria1.gov.bc.ca

British Columbia Conservation Foundation (BCCF)
Website: http://www.bccf.com/new_bccf_web/index.htm
It was founded and incorporated in 1969 by the Directors of the BC Wildlife Federation. The focus of BCCF is to contribute significantly to the perpetuation and expansion of fish and wildlife populations through the efficient implementation of projects throughout the province. It is a federally registered charity dedicated to the conservation and stewardship of British Columbia's ecosystems and species. It currently has four offices in British Columbia:
Head Office: #206 - 17564 56A Ave. Surrey, V3S 1G3 (604-576-1433) or email: hoffice@bccf.com
Northern Regional Office: #200A - 1383 McGill Road, Kamloops V2C 6K7 (250-828-2551) or email: kamloops@bccf.com
Southern Regional Office: #202 - 17564 56A Ave., Surrey, V3S 1G3 (604-576-1433 or 604-576-1432 ext. 304) or email: lmregion@bccf.com
Vancouver Island Regional Office: #3 - 1200 Princess Royal Ave., Nanaimo V9S 3Z7(250-716-8776) or email: nanaimo@bccf.com

Burke Mountain Naturalists (BMN)
Website: http://www.bmn.bc.ca/
It was formed in 1989 by local residents interested in enjoying nature and conserving local green spaces. It is a registered non-profit society with charitable income status and a member club of the Federation of BC Naturalists. The name is taken from a mountain named after Edmund Burke, a British author and statesman, and located in northeast Coquitlam. This mountain was chosen because it is a distinctive natural feature visible from Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, and Port Moody. The objectives of the group are to promote the enjoyment of nature; foster an interest in, and an appreciation of, our environment; actively pursue the conservation and preservation of the natural world; and, promote the accessibility and maintenance of natural areas, particularly those locally.
Contact: PO Box 52540, R.P.O. Coquitlam Centre, Coquitlam, BC, V3B 7J4 (604-937-5379) or email: votton@sfu.ca

Burns Bog Conservation Society
Website: http://burnsbog.org/
It is a registered charity which began, in 1988, as a small group of dedicated people determined to "conserve and preserve Burns Bog for all life in perpetuity." Its members now number more than 5,000. Burns Bog is the largest undeveloped urban landmass in North America and constantly threatened by human development. The Society has successfully spearheaded a number of campaigns against such development, most recently defeating a proposal to move the Pacific National Exhibition to the bog in February 1999. Through a continual and concerted public education campaign, the Society has turned the preservation of Burns Bog into an issue of provincial and even national significance. Not only has the bog been in the political spotlight, its unique flora and fauna have been featured on such television programs as The Nature of Things and The Canadian Gardener.
Contact:Suite 202-11961 88th Ave., Delta, BC, V4C 3C9 (604-572-0373 or toll free: 1-888-850-6264) or email: info@burnsbog.org

Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Program (BIEAP) and the Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP)
Website: http://www.bieapfremp.org/
They are inter-governmental partnerships established to coordinate the environmental management of two significant aquatic ecosystems in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia - Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River Estuary.
Contact: BIEAP/FREMP, Suite 501, 5945 Kathleen Ave., Burnaby, V5H 4J7 (604-775-5756) or email: mail@bieapfremp.org

Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) -- British Columbia Chapter
Website: http://www.cpawsbc.org
It envisions a healthy ecosphere where people experience and respect natural ecosystem. This is achieved by protecting the wild ecosystems in parks, wilderness and similar natural areas, preserving the full diversity of habitats and their species; promoting awareness and understanding of ecological principles and the inherent values of wilderness through education, appreciation and experience; encouraging individual action to accomplish these goals; and by working co-operatively with government, First Nations, business, other organizations and individuals in a consensus-seeking manner, wherever possible. CPAWS believes that by ensuring the health of the parts, the health of the whole is also assured.
Contact: 555 West Georgia Street, Suite 610, Vancouver V6B 1Z6 (604-685-7445) or email: info@cpawsbc.org

Certified Organic Associations of BC
Website: http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/
It has a large database of contacts geared to the consumer seeking organic produce, the buyer wanting to check a farm's current organic certification status, or simply someone looking for information on organic growing and production in British Columbia. This site provides all relative information.

City Farmer
Website: http://www.cityfarmer.org/
It was established in Vancouver in 1978, but now addresses urban farmers around the globe.
Contact: City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture, #801-318 Homer St., Vancouver, BC V6B 2V3 (604-685-5832) or email: cityfarm@interchange.ubc.ca

Climate Change
Website: http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/climate/
It is a website of climate-change information for southwestern BC. It also provides visuals, critical thinking activities, and questions to debate -- all related to the subject. It is a place to obtain ideas on how to tackle this complex topic -— even if you are new to it. It also has an attractive poster available.

Coastal Alliance For Aquaculture Reform (CAAR)
Website: http://www.farmedanddangerous.org/
It is an organization of First Nations, fishermen, and the conservation community who have led efforts in British Columbia to develop a salmon-farming industry that is safe for humans and the environment. However, industry has staunchly resisted change, putting humans and the ocean health at risk. Now, with industry planning to double the number of harmful fish farms on the coast of BC, groups working to promote safe farming have joined together to create this cooperative alliance in an effort to keep the coast safe, healthy, and sustainable. Its goal is to encourage the fish-farming industry to: develop technology that eliminates the risk of disease transfer to wild fish and escapes of farmed salmon into the wild; guarantee fish farm waste will not be released into the ocean; label all farmed fish so that consumers can make informed choices; develop fish feed that does not deplete global fish stocks; ensure that wildlife is not harmed as a result of fish farming; prohibit the use of genetically modified fish; eliminate the use of antibiotics in fish farming; ensure contaminants in farmed fish do not exceed safe levels; and respect the views of coastal residents by not locating farms where First Nations or other local communities object.
Contact: 207 West Hastings, Suite 703, Vancouver, BC V6B 1H7 (604-696-5044 or 604-699-0065) or email: info@farmedanddangerous.org

Community Mapping Network (CMN)
Website: http://www.shim.bc.ca/
It collects and integrates natural resource information, maps, and mapping information; promotes sustainable resource management; and assists in planning sustainable communities in British Columbia. This site was created to share the wealth of natural resource information and maps with communities within the province. CMN integrates data from many sources and makes them accessible through a user friendly mapping system. There are many uses for this information, including community planning, storm water management, emergency response, habitat restoration and enhancement, watershed and coastal planning, development referrals, impact assessment, research, education, and awareness. There is also the possibility of learning about mapping projects in other parts of the world, including Mexico, Japan, Nepal, and Indonesia, using a map-based Project Directory. The main objective of CMN is to promote sustainable communities.
Contact: 10470 - 152 St., Surrey, BC V3R 0Y3 (604-582-5317) or email: rknight@telus.net

Co-operative Auto Network (CAN)
Website: http://www.cooperativeauto.net/
It is a not-for-profit car-sharing co-operative incorporated as an environmentally responsible transportation option.
Contact: 205-470 Granville, Vancouver V6C 1V5 (604-685-1393) or email info@cooperativeauto.net

Critter Care Wildlife Society
Website: http://www.bc-alter.net/critter/orphan.htm
It provides short and long term care to native mammal species and, through rehabilitation and public education, helps prevent the suffering of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Contact: 481 - 216 St., Lanley, BC, V2Z 1R5 (604-530-2064) or email: crittercare1@shaw.ca or markvb@uniserve.com

Cyber-help for Organic Farmers
Website: http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/
Based in Summerland, BC, this site targets increasing organic agriculture information resources through the Internet and upgrading farmers' skills in accessing Internet information. This project includes technical information, training courses, seminars, and enhanced electronic resources to organic farmers and other farmers interested in exploring the organic approach.
Contact: (250-494-7980) or email: cyber-help@certifiedorganic.bc.ca

David Suzuki Foundation
Website: http://www.davidsuzuki.org/
It has, for many years, worked through science and education to protect the balance of nature and our quality of life, now and for future generations. This is accomplished in three ways: research (the foundation seeks out and commissions the best, most up-to-date research to help reveal ways we can live in balance with nature), application (supports the implementation of ecologically sustainable models -- from such local projects as habitat restoration, to such international initiatives as better frameworks for economic decisions), and education (works to ensure the solutions developed through research and application to reach the widest possible audience, and help mobilize broadly supported change).
Contact: Suite 219, 2211 West 4th Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6K 4S2 (604-732-4228 or toll free 1-800-453-1533) or email:solutions@davidsuzuki.org

Discovery Coast Greenways Land Trust (DCGLT)
Website: http://www.greenwaystrust.ca/
It is a non-profit, charitable organization that works to enhance the community through the creation and management of greenways networks. Its goals are to work with area landowners, community stewardship groups, and local governments to plan and develop a Greenways Habitat Corridor System; to act as a community resource centre on issues of land and stream stewardship; and to be an agency that accepts and manages environmentally sensitive land.
Contact: PO Box 291, Campbell River, BC, V9W 5B1 (250-287-3785) or email: green.ways@crcn.net

Down to Earth Building Bee
Website: http://www.alternatives.com/cob-building/
It began as a project of Canada's oldest environmental organization -- The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) and the Vancouver Temperate Rainforest Action Coalition (VTRAC), both working to end the clearcutting of the ancient temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest. It is a creative response to the numerous negative impacts generated by conventional building. Its purpose is to work with community groups to help demonstrate the viability of cob structures, especially in communities experiencing economic hardship caused by unsustainable resource extraction.
Contact: 1117 Salsbury Dr., Vancouver, BC V5L 4A9 (604-253 6281) or email: vtrac@alternatives.com

EarthSave Canada
Website: http//www.earthsave.bc.ca
Although a British Columbia-based organization, its name encompasses a more general area. EarthSave Canada is a non-profit, educational group promoting awareness of the health, environmental, and ethical consequences of food choices. It advocates the move towards a plant-based diet for better health, environmental sustainability, and compassion toward non-human animals. The EarthSave Foundation started in the United States in 1987 by John Robbins as a result of overwhelming response to his book, Diet for a New America. The Canadian organization grew out of the excitement generated by a presentation by John in Vancouver in the fall of 1989. At about the same time, EarthSave organizations were being established across Canada, particularly in Ontario and Quebec. EarthSave was legally incorporated as a non-profit society in British Columbia on March 1, 1990. With yet another visit by John that month, the resulting media coverage gave EarthSave Canada a tremendous boost, and membership began to grow. After six years of steady growth, affiliation with EarthSave International became official at the Annual General Membership meeting in May of 1996, and now boasts a membership base of well over 600, an office and resource library, and a full-time office manager.
Contact: EarthSave Canada, S.P.E.C Building, 2150 Maple St., Vancouver, BC V6J 3T3 (604-731-5885) (Location is the basement or lower level at the corner of 6th and Maple. Right next to the community gardens and railway tracks) Email office@earthsave.bc.ca

East Kootenay Environmental Society
Website: http://www.ekes.org/index.html
It works to protect the diversity of wildlife habitats, wild lands, air, water and the quality of life of southeastern British Columbia. Since 1987, it has collaborated with other groups, businesses, and governments to find solutions to environmental issues of the area. EKES has more than 650 members -— from an area with a total population of approximately 60,000.
Contact: 495 Wallinger, Kimberley, British Columbia,VIA 2Y5 (250-427-9325) or email: ekes@ekes.org

EcoAction 2000 Community Funding Program
Website: http://www.ec.gc.ca/ecoaction/index_e.htm (very difficult to read however)
It is an Environment Canada program that provides financial support to non-profit community groups for projects that have measurable, positive impacts on the environment. Such eligible groups include, but are not limited to: community, environmental, and aboriginal groups, First Nations councils, service clubs, associations, and youth and seniors’ organizations.
Contact in BC: (604-664-9093) or email: ecoaction.pyr@ec.gc.ca

Ecobeetle BC
Website: http://www.ecobeetle.com/BC.htm
It is a website whose mission is to provide a clearing-house for the best information and opinions that improve the quality of life. This site is chock-full of environmental news from around the province, as well as providing the latest outdoor gear, reviews on it, and where to find the best price. It also has handy tips for "going green" around the home.
Contact: #226 9460 Prince Charles Blvd., Surrey, BC, V3V 1S6 (604-805-9659) or email using the page provided on the site

EcoDesign Resource Society (EDRS)
Website: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/edrs/
This is an organization which promotes environmentally responsible ("green") design, planning and development practices through research, education, and communication. As a non-profit, non-political, professionally-oriented group, it has been instrumental in promoting more environmentally-responsible development practices in British Columbia. It is solely supported by membership fees and grants from foundations for specific projects. During the first seven years of its existence (since 1992), it operated as a resource centre offering a library of select publications on green design, product literature and samples, as well as publishing a journal and theEcoLines Newsletter. In 1999, in response to the changing terrain of information on green design and development, EDRS chose to shift from an emphasis on assembly, housing, and development of resource materials, to a more interactive form. Current projects include the preparation of a Primer on Green Design for use as a resource tool for schools and as an introduction to green design for the public.
Contact: email: edrs@4sustainability.com

Eco Education BC
Website: http://bccf.com/ecoed/
It began in 1990 as the Eco Education Program, a public awareness campaign designed to complement the provincial government strategy to reduce municipal solid waste in the province by 50% before the year 2000. At that time, the program consisted of an indoor pavilion used for public exhibits and mall displays with a mascot called the Ecosaurus. Over the years, numerous other projects have been successfully developed but, because of recent budget cuts, downsizing has had to take place.
Contact: c/o B.C. Conservation Foundation, #206 - 17564-56A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3S 1G3 (604-576-1432 ext 304) or email: eco_education@bccf.com

Ecotrust Canada
Website: http://www.ecotrustcan.org/index.shtml
It promotes the emergence of a conservation economy in the coastal temperate rainforests of British Columbia. Its goal is to transform an economy that has been based on industrial scale resource extraction to a conservation economy, one with equitable and sustainable resource use. By working with several communities along the coast, Ecotrust has been able to act as a catalyst and broker to create the institutions needed to envision, inform, and finance the conservation economy; support conservation entrepreneurs; and conserve and restore the landscapes and waterways needed for its health. In partnership with Ecotrust of Portland, Oregon, its work covers the entire rainforest region that stretches from southern Alaska to northern California.
Contact:Suite 200, 1238 Homer Street, Vancouver, V6B 2Y5 (604-682-4141) or email: info@ecotrustcan.org The Clayoquote-Alberni Office: 451 Main Street or General Delivery, Tofino, BC V0R 2Z0.(250) 725-2536 or email: info@ecotrustcan.org
The Courtenay Office: 491B 4th Street, Courtenay, BC V9N 1G9 (250-898-8770) or email: info@ecotrustcan.org

Endangered Species and Ecosystems of BC
Website: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/atrisk/
It is an excellent database of information. (Remember, that Canada has no endangered species legislation. Sheila Copps tried to bring in such legislation in 1996, but the government tabled it, leaving 60% of the country's species unprotected. That attempt eventually died, and now only four provinces have their own legislation to date.)

Environmental Mining Council of British Columbia (EMCBC)
Website: http://www.emcbc.miningwatch.org/emcbc/index.htm
It helps protect the long term ecological integrity of the province, as well as the Yukon from impacts of mineral developments from exploration to abandonment. It works with local, national, and international communities;labour unions; governments; and industry towards environmental reform of mining practices and regulation through research, education, dialogue, and advocacy. EMCBC was formed by several of the key players in the 1992 Tatshenshini campaign addressing the serious gap in information and action on the environmental impacts of mining in BC. Over the past six years, EMCBC has worked with a variety of groups to catalyze environmental mining networks, linking activists from the Pacific Northwest and across Canada, as well as North and South America. EMCBC members have been active in most of the recent mining Environmental Assessments in BC, working independently, as part of coalitions, and on behalf of First Nations. In 1998, it actively participated in detailed reviews of EA implementation at the federal and provincial levels. EMCBC functions through the guidance of a Board of Directors that includes experts in the fields of environmental law, mine waste disposal, reclamation planning, biodiversity protection, and campaign communications. It has provided research, analysis, and advocacy support on site of specific projects and on policy reform that will better protect the environment.
Contact: #201--607 Yates St., Victoria, BC V8W 1L0 (250-384-2686) or email: info@miningwatch.org

Environmental Youth Alliance
Website: http://www.eya.ca
It is a non-profit, non-governmental charity dedicated to creating sustainable living alternatives through such efforts as building rooftop gardens, developing urban agriculture options, environmental building projects, and creating education strategies.
Contact: 305 - 119 West Pender, Vancouver V5Z 1S5 (604-689-4463) or email: info@eya.ca

Environment Youth Team (ETeam)
Website: http://www.youth.gov.bc.ca/programs/eteams.asp
It gives young adults training and experience working on environmental, conservation, and outdoor recreation projects. There are two components to the E-Team program: Work Crew and Intern. Work Crews complete such outdoor projects as building trails, enhancing habitat for fish, and wildlife and ecological restoration. Interns work with businesses, non-government organizations, and government offices on projects with a technical or environmental stewardship focus, as well as on such projects as geographic information systems mapping, river and stream surveys, environmental education and conservation inventories. Those who are eligible must be permanent residents of BC and between the ages of 16 and 24. There is also a section for First Nations and Inuit Student Summer Career Placement. For more information, contact the local band council, the INAC regional office, or visit www.inac.gc.ca/youth or http://youth.hrdc-drhc.gc.ca/ssja/inac.htm.
http://www.inac.gc.ca/youth/youth1.html
Contact: (250-953-3866)

FarmFolk/CityFolk Society
Website: http://www.ffcf.bc.ca/
It is a non-profit organization working with farm and city to cultivate a local, sustainable food system in British Columbia. All its projects are part of a 3-program approach: Protecting farmland, Supporting farmers and producers, and Linking farm and city.
Contact: 1937 West 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, BC V6J 1J2 (604-730-0450) or email: info@ffcf.bc.ca

Federation of BC Naturalists
Website: http://www.naturalists.bc.ca/
It promotes the enjoyment and understanding of nature through educational field trips, camps, lectures, symposia, publications, and other activities, and by fostering the creation of nature centres and educational programs in addition to defending the integrity of existing facilities and programs. It also encourages the establishment of such protected natural areas, as parks, ecological reserves, wilderness areas, wildlife management areas, wild and scenic rivers, and other similar areas.
Contact: #425-1367 W. Broadway Ave., Vancouver V6H 4A9 (604-737-3057) or email: info@naturalists.bc.ca

Fisheries Renewal BC
Website: http://haidagwaiifisheries.org/FRBC.htm
It is a provincial Crown corporation that makes strategic investments in habitat restoration, stock enhancement, and value added seafood products.
Contact: (604-660-0939) or email: mail@fishrenewal.gov.bc.ca

Forest Action Network (FAN)
Website: http://www.fanweb.org/
It works to replace industrial clearcutting with community-based ecoforestry. From the temperate rainforests of Clayoquot Sound and the Great Bear Rainforest to the vast boreal forests of the north, FAN is known for its effective use of non-violent direct action to defend endangered forests in Canada. For ten years, FAN activists have confronted industry head-on and have worked to build coalitions between First Nations, communities, and environmental groups. Presently, there are three major campaigns of interest: Great Bear Rainforest, Fish Farming, and the Boreal forests.
Contact: Box 625, Bella Coola, Nuxalk Territory, BC VOT 1CO (250-799-5800 or email: fanbc@fanweb.org

Forest Watch of British Columbia
Website: http://www.sierralegal.org/issue/forest_watch.html
It is a project of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund, a not-for-profit citizen's monitoring group, whose mandate is to document the state of BC's forests and the impact of forest development in order to ensure longterm sustainability.
Contact: Sierra Club of BC, 576 Johnson St., Victoria, BC, V8W 1M3 (250-386-4453)

Fraser Headwaters Alliance
Website: http://www.fraserheadwaters.org/
It was formed in 1988 as the Robson Valley's first grassroots conservation organization. Its mission is to maintain and restore ecoystem health and support ecologically sustainable human communities and economies in the Fraser Headwaters bioregion.
Contact: 6005 Brown Road, Dunster, British Columbia VOJ 1JO (250-968-4490) or email: info@fraserheadwaters.org

Fraser Valley Conservation Coalition (FVCC)
Website: No official website
Formed in February, 2005, it is comprised of some 200 Langley and Surrey residents who want to see their communities adopt sustainable development and environmental protection practices. FVCC is calling on provincial and municipal governments to invest in comprehensive transportation management, including upgrading availability of alternate transportation methods to meet current demand, changing community development to integrated mixed use and creating jobs at all income levels in Langley and Surrey to reduce peak demand. FVCC’s fellow Livable Region Coalition members include Better Environmentally Sound Transportation (BEST), David Suzuki Foundation, Smart Growth BC, Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) and numerous academics and transportation policy advocates.
Contact: Donna Passmore, PO Box 34009, 17790 Highway 10, Surrey, British Columbia V3S 8C4 -- Phone: (604-574-9457) or (604-631-6210)

Friends of Cypress Provincial Park
Website: http://www.cypresspark.bc.ca/
It is a registered charity established in 1990 and dedicated to the protection of Cypress Provincial Park, located in the North Shore mountains above West Vancouver, BC. For several years, the Society has been actively involved in the master planning process for Cypress Provincial Park, in an effort to ensure that the new plan will protect the park's natural environment, provide a fair balance among forms of recreation appropriate to the park, and restore year-round free public access to, and within, the park. Society members also participate in park enhancement projects, including maintaining trails, guiding hikes, and producing informational material about the park.
Contact: P.O. Box 91053, West Vancouver, BC V7V 3N3 Email: info@cypresspark.bc.ca

Friends of Ecological Reserves (FER)
Website: http://www.ecoreserves.bc.ca/index.html
It is a volunteer-based, non-profit organization which promotes the interests of the ecological reserves program in British Columbia. It provides public awareness by raising funds used for supporting researchers and wardens in and around ecological reserves; educating the public about the reserves, including plant and animal conservation; and publishing a regular newsletter.
Contact: PO Box 8477 Stn. Central, Victoria, BC V8W 3S1 or email: ecoreserves@hotmail.com

Friends of the Stikine Society
Website: http://www.panorama-map.com/z-pointsite/STIKINE/stikine.html
It, along with other conservation-minded groups and individuals, advocates recognition and protection of the Stikine River main stem as part of a "management" strategy to preserve the integrity and natural balance of the watershed. Also of interest, is a (Headwaters) National Park (Reserve) on the southeastern divide, abutting Spatsizi and Tatlatui Provincial Parks. In cooperation with First Nations, such a reserve would provide a large contiguous area for wildlife while protecting the sensitive headwaters of the Spatsizi, Klappan, Nass, Skeena, and other rivers. This high plateau country of Natural Region #7, is so far unrepresented in Canada's National Park System. The site has some good pictures that show the effects of mining in such a beautiful area.
Contact: gil_arnold@uniserve.com

Fur-Bearer Defenders
Website: http://www.banlegholdtraps.com/
It is a non-profit society working to stop the use of cruel traps. Trapped animals are not killed quickly. The majority die desperate, agonizing deaths. This site hosts a wealth of information about the various traps that are used, as well as hot topics on this issue.
Contact: 225 East 17th Avenue, Ste. 101, Vancouver, BC V5V 1A6 (604-435-1850) or email: fbd@BanLegholdTraps.com

Georgia Basin Action Plan
Website: http://www.pyr.ec.gc.ca/georgiabasin/index_e.htm
It is a government-sponsored partnership that provides tools, support and a framework for action towards sustainability in the Georgia Basin.
Contact: georgiabasin@ec.gc.ca

Georgia Strait Alliance
Website: http://www.georgiastrait.org/
It was formed to protect and restore the marine environment and promote the sustainability of Georgia Strait, its adjoining waters and communities. Its goals are to protect biodiversity and wildlife habitat; restore the region's water and air quality; promote the social, cultural, economic and environmental sustainability of the region's communities; foster understanding and stewardship of the marine environment; and raise awareness of the links between the health of ecosystems and human communities.
Contact: The Main Office: 201-195 Commercial St., Nanaimo, V9R 5G5 (250-753-3459) or email gsa@georgiastrait.org The Victoria Office: #12 Centennial Square, Victoria, BC, V8W 1P7 (250-381-8321). The Vancouver Office: Suite 607- 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H7 (604-633-0530)

Georgia Basin Futures Project (GBFP)
Website: http://www.basinfutures.net/
It is a five-year research project that combines expert knowledge with considered public opinion in order to explore pathways to sustainability. The Project works to explore how, in the next forty years, we can learn to live within the limits of natural ecosystems, while improving human wellbeing in the Georgia Basin region on the west coast of British Columbia. The Project aims to increase the level understanding of how complex ecological, social, and economic systems interact and to discover new ways of achieving a sustainable future for the region. A unique project, it will combine the expert knowledge of thirty-five researchers and experts in this field with sixteen organizations in the private, public and non-profit sectors, as well as the input of thousands of individuals in business, education, government and the community. It uses QUEST, a powerful user-friendly computer model, to engage the public in creating sustainability scenarios to 2040.
Contact: 2nd Floor, 1924 West Mall, UBC Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 (604)822-8198) or email: :info@basinfutures.net

Get Bear Smart Society
Website: http://www.bearsmart.com/
It is a non-profit registered charity formed in 1995 in an effort to protect the well-being and lives of bears by establishing a healthier coexistence between them and people. Their mission is to reduce the number of human-bear conflicts and the number of bears destroyed as a result. It accomplishes this by increasing public understanding and respect for bears; by educating people on dealing with them in their communities; and by promoting non-lethal bear management practices among wildlife managers. Its educational programs include: an extensive ad campaign (print, radio, cable TV); Bear Smart presentations to the public; a website; distribution of educational materials and pamphlets; and non-lethal bear management training workshops. Its programs not only protect the lives of bears, but create a safer environment for community members that live or have recreation in BC bear country. Its website provides a wealth of information about bears.
Contact: PO Box 502, Whislter, BC. V0N 1B0 or check website.

Good Food Box
Website: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/gfb/homepage.htm#
It supports families and individuals by providing access to fresh fruits and vegetables, in a dignified manner. Customers pool their money to buy large amounts of high quality produce at wholesale prices. Volunteers help pack the food into boxes at a central warehouse, and drivers deliver them to neighbourhood depots. Although anyone can take part, the program is aimed at low-income families or individuals who find it difficult to access fresh fruits and vegetables. The Good Food Box program believes that healthy eating helps keeps people strong and helps prevent disease.
Contact: c/o REACH Community Health Centre, 1145 Commercial Drive, Vancouver, BC, V5L 3X3) (604-254-1312) or email: goodfoodbox@shawcable.co

Granby Wilderness Society (GWS)
Website: http://www.granbywilderness.org/
It promotes solutions to the threats facing the endangered Granby Grizzly, watersheds, ecosystems, and community economic security in British Columbia's southern interior. GWS is a non-profit organization based in the Boundary region, just north of the U.S. Washington state border.
Contact: Box 2532, Grand Forks, BC V0H 1H0 (250-442-2125) or email: info@granbywilderness.org

Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia (GCC)
Website: http://www.bcgrasslands.org/home.htm
It, and its partners, have recognized the need to improve education and communication concerning grasslands related issues. Established as a society in 1999, and then as a Registered Charity in 2001, GCC is a strategic alliance of organizations and individuals, including government, range management specialists, ranchers, agrologists, grasslands ecologists, First Nations, environmental groups, recreationists, and grassland enthusiasts. Their goals are to increase awareness and appreciation for BC's rare and beautiful grassland ecosystems, to work with land managers to achieve sustainable management practices, and to implement proactive projects that will ensure the conservation and stewardship of BC's grasslands. The only sure way to promote grassland stewardship, and ensure the sustainability of our grasslands into the future, is through raising awareness and educating the public to appreciate these ecosystems. Grasslands are rare, unique, life-sustaining ecosystems that house a great diversity of plants, animals, and insects. More than 30% of British Columbia’s threatened or endangered species depend on grasslands for their survival. BC’s grasslands represent less than 1% of the provincial land base and are one of Canada’s most endangered ecosystems. In fact, ‘ancient’ grasslands represent a much more endangered space in BC and across Canada than do ‘ancient,’ or old growth, forests! Increasing pressures from urban expansion, subdivision and development, abusive recreation, invasive weeds, forest encroachment, and inappropriate land management practices threaten the long term sustainability of our grasslands.
Contact: 954A Laval Crescent, Kamloops, BC V2C 5P5 (250-374-5787) or email: gcc@bcgrasslands.org

Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup
Website: http://www.vanaqua.org/cleanup/index.php
It is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC). Over the past seventeen years, more than 4.5 million volunteers from 120 countries, including Canada, have participated in the annual ICC. Cleanups are more than just collecting trash. They are examples of communities working together to create solutions that ensure our oceans and waterways are kept clean. The Outreach Department at the Vancouver Aquarium has been actively involved in cleaning up shorelines since 1994. From its early days as the BC Beach Cleanup, the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup has grown into a national conservation program designed to reduce aquatic debris. Each year an increasing number of communities and habitat benefit from the conservation efforts demonstrated by the cleanup’s volunteers. During only one week of September, 2003, over 20,000 volunteers cleaned rivers, streams, lakes, and ocean shorelines across Canada.
Contact: Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre, PO Box 3232, Vancouver, BC V6B 3X8 (1-877-427-2422 Toll free -- Messages only; or in Vancouver -- messages only - 604-659-3506). An email form is provided online.

Green Club
Website: (in English) http://www.greenclub.bc.ca/English/Green_Club_Web/green_club_web.HTM
It is a non-profit organization founded in 1994 in the Greater Vancouver area by a retired pediatrician, along with a group of environmentally concerned Taiwanese and Chinese Canadians. It is dedicated to promoting a cross-cultural understanding of the unique eco-systems and cultures of Taiwan, Asia, and Canada, as well as in educating the public about the importance of conservation and bio-diversity. (Although it advertizes cross-cultural understanding, when contacted, we were told that the walks are conducted only in Mandarin; so it is advised to call ahead to find out where walks are conducted in English in your area.)
Contact: Joseph Lin, 185 West Woodstock Ave., Vancouver V5Y 2R7 (604-327-8693) or email: josephlin@canada.com

Green Legacies (BC)
Website: http://www.stewardshipcentre.bc.ca/green_legacies_web/index.asp
They are gifts made by people to nature conservation organizations, and range from outright gifts of money, to such deferred gifts as bequests or life insurance policies, or gifts of ecologically important land or covenants. There is a Donor's Guide (Green Legacies: A Donor's Guide for B.C.) which gives information about twenty-two different options for giving to nature. This full-colour, 135-page Guide provides details about planned gifts and the nature conservation organizations that receive them. It is designed for professional advisors assisting donors (lawyers, financial planners, and appraisers), and for donors looking for the range of giving options.
Contact: Nora Layard, Project Coordinator, (250-537-4612) (Fax: (250-537-4612) or email: greenlegacies@stewardshipcentre.bc.ca

Green Party, BC
Website: http://www.greenparty.bc.ca/
The vision of the BC Green Party is to blend environmental issues with free enterprise democracy. Leader Adriane Carr states, “Green is the colour of new life, spring, hope; and the Green Party believes British Columbians are ready to hope again.” But it means doing things differently than they have been done before. It means planning for the long-term and moving beyond old left/right thinking. It means using resources in smarter ways by emphasizing quality over quantity and giving local communities more control. It also means working collaboratively, but being willing and able to say 'no' to development that is off-track. Globally, there has been a rapid rise in Green Party support. There are Green Parties in over 70 countries and thousands of Green politicians elected at the local, state, and national levels. As people see the quality of their environment and resources decline, their traditional economies falter and the gap between rich and poor widen, they are turning to the Green Party for hope and for practical, long-term solutions. In the 2001 provincial election, the BC Green Party became the third major political party, with almost 200,000 of the total votes, which amounted to 12.4% -- a 6-fold increase over the 1996 results. The 2005 May election holds even greater promise.
Contact: Box 691, Gibbons, BC, V0N 1V0 (mailing address); 295 Gower Point Road, Gibbons (street address); Phone (604-886-1435 or toll free 1-888-GREENVOTE). Email form is also available on their site.

Greenpeace (BC Chapter)
Website: http://www.greenpeace.ca/e/about/index.php
It seeks to protect biodiversity in all its forms; prevent pollution of the earth’s oceans, land, air and fresh water; end all nuclear threats; and promote peace, global disarmament and non-violence.
Contact: 1726 Commercial Drive, Vancouver V5N 4A3 (604) 253-7701)

Green Timbers Heritage Society
Website: http://www.greentimbers.ca/
The Green Timbers Heritage Society is the steward of the Green Timbers Urban Forest. Since 1987, the Board of Directors has worked closely with Surrey Parks, Recreation, and Culture to improve the trails and open the forest up to residents of Surrey for their recreation and education of the forest, plants, and wildlife. The Society was incorporated to preserve the square mile of forest that was replanted in the 1930's after it was logged. Several attempts have been made to purchase the land for urban development, but the Society has managed to keep this from happening. Over the years, the Society has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for work required in the forest. The Society also manages a program called Surrey Stewardship of Natural Areas Partnership (SSNAP), a partnership of five environmental groups in Surrey. The Society is a wholly volunteer run organization, and any money raised goes directly into the forest. Volunteers are always needed.
Contact: c/o Peter Maarsman, 151-10090 152nd Street, Suite 537, Surrey, BC V3R 8X8; or use the email form provided on the site.

Impact of the Olympics on Community (IOC Coalition)
Website: http://www.olympicsforall.ca/
It is an independent grassroots organization dedicated to ensuring that environmental, social, transportation, housing, economic, and civil rights issues associated with the Vancouver/Whistler 2010 Olympic Bid are addressed.
Contact: (604-408-2714) or email: ioc@vcn.bc.ca

KindActs BC
Website: http://www.kindacts.net/
It is a non-profit Society with a mission to inspire human connection and activate the practice of kindness locally and globally. In addition to being actively engaged in our community locally through events and programs, KindActs is also a partner in the Canadian Kindness Movement and the World Kindness Movement. The society is comprised of a team of individuals from all walks of life united in the commitment to positively impact our world through kindness. "The guiding principle for our decisions is that we remain true to our heart and that our choices be based on kindness and respect. As kindness has no boundaries, we have no religious or political affiliations or motives."
Contact: (604-515-KIND) or email: admin@kindacts.net

Land Covenant Holdings in BC
Website: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/sgb/conservation/agencies.html
It has a large listing of agencies designated to hold covenants under Section 219 of the Land Title Act, including Conservation Covenants.

Langley Environmental Partners Society (LEPS)
Website: http://www.leps.bc.ca/
It is a registered charity formed in 1993 as a partnership among community groups, educational institutions, First Nations, and local and senior government agencies. LEPS operates in the Township of Langley, a rural community on the urban fringe of Vancouver, BC, and provides technical support to community volunteer groups who conduct environmental work. This provision of environmental information and education comes in the form of student work experience, seminars, demonstrations for composting and waste reduction, and watershed stewardship training.
Contact: Program Coordinator Aileen Anderson at aanderson@tol.bc.ca or phone (604-533-6160)

Laskeek Bay Conservation Society
Website: http://www.laskeekbay.org/
It is a grass-roots non-profit organization dedicated to conservation, education, and advocacy in the marine and forest environments of the Queen Charlotte Islands / Haida Gwaii. They are committed to increasing the public's understanding of the natural environment through sensitive biological research that is not harmful to wildlife or its habitat and to the interpretive and educational opportunities for residents of and visitors to the area. You can volunteer as a member of their monitoring team at the Limestone Island field camp during the spring and early summer seasons. In order to coordinate with transportation to the camp, it asks that you commit yourself to a one-week stay or longer. Volunteers are also needed for in-town support of the field camp, and for the Society's interpretive and educational activities.
Contact: Box 867, Queen Charlotte, BC V0T 1S0 (250-559-2345) or email: laskeek@laskeekbay.org

Lynn Canyon Park and Ecology Center
Website: http://www.dnv.org/ecology/
Since 1971, the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre, operated by the District of North Vancouver, has offered environmental education on the area’s temperate rainforest through their varied informative and interactive programs.
Contact: Lynn Canyon Park, 3663 Park Road, North Vancouver, BC V7J 3G3 (604-981-3103) or email: ecocentre@dnv.org

Mountain Forest Researchers in British Columbia
Main webpage: http://www.mountainforests.net/
It is a commission that draws attention to the problems of mountain regions and their development. Mountain regions cover 20% of the Earth's land surface and are essential to the global ecosystem. They are important sources of water, energy, and biological diversity; and they provide key resources such as minerals, forest, and agricultural products, as well as recreation. The ecosystems of mountain regions are changing rapidly around the globe and are subject to soil erosion and habitat and species loss. These threats are recognized by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. British Columbia is part of the great North American Cordillera, one of the world's great mountain systems. Most of BC is mountainous based on the criteria of elevation, elevation range, and slope. BC's mountain forests represent almost 5% of the world's coniferous mountain forests and approximately 20% of the world's temperate and boreal coniferous mountain forests. Economically exploited for over a century, much of British Columbia's forest cover remains in a natural state, particularly at the higher elevations. British Columbia's forest managers and scientists are struggling to develop management methods that permit its sustainable development.
Contact: Individual researchers can be reached by email through the website: http://www.mountainforests.net/researchers/

Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre Society
Website:http://www.mtnviewfarms.com/
Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Center Society plays host to some of the world's most endangered animals. From aardwolves to zebras, the Center is home to many amazing creatures from all over the world including four species of lemurs, Cape Hunting Dogs (now considered to be the most endangered carnivore in Africa), Masai giraffe, pygmy hippopotami - just to name a few. There are over 15 species of wild cats alone! Mountain View is also home to approximately 35% of the captive population of the Vancouver Island Marmot, one of the rarest mammals in the world.
Contact: 23898 Rawlison Cresent, Langley, BC, Canada, V1M 3R6. Phone: (604-882-9313) or email: visit@mtnviewfarms.com

Muskwa-Kechika Management Area
Website: http://www.muskwa-kechika.com/
It remains one of North America's last true wilderness spots south of the 60th parallel. Through the dedication and hard work of land and resource planning tables in Fort Nelson and Fort St. John, consensus was reached on land-use in the Muskwa-Kechika area. The area is unique and requires special management which would allow resource development to continue while recognizing, accommodating, and protecting important wildlife and environmental values in the area. Part of its mandate includes safeguarding environmental values for future generations, as well as identifying, maintaining, and enhancing the unique wildlife, eco-tourism, and native cultures of the area.
Contact: Information Office, 9908 - 100th Ave., Fort St. John, BC V1J 1Y5 (250-262-0065)

Native Plant Society of BC
Website: http://www.npsbc.org/
It is an organization bringing together almost 300 members from throughout the province who enjoy, study, and work with native plants and habitats. The Society was founded in 1997 with the following objectives: advance the knowledge and awareness of the value of native plants; develop and maintain an inventory of the province's native plant species, communities, and habitats; promote the conservation of the province's native plant species, communities and habitats; initiate the development of guidelines concerning ethical uses of native plants; support the use of native plants in accordance with the ethical use guidelines; encourage the restoration of disturbed habitats of native plant species and communities; facilitate communication and interaction among individuals, groups and governments regarding native plant issues; and support research on native plant and plant communities.
Contact: 2012 William Street, Vancouver V5L 2X6 (604-255-5719) or email:information@npsbc.org

Nature Conservancy of Canada
Website: http://www.natureconservancy.ca/files/index.asp
It leads and uses creativity in the conservation of Canada's natural heritage. This is accomplished by securing ecologically significant natural areas of special beauty and/or educational interest through outright purchase, donations, conservation agreements, or other mechanisms, and through achieving long-term stewardship via management plans and monitoring agreements. In BC, its current focus is on Southern Gulf Islands, Jervis Inlet, Cowichan Valley, Tatlayoko Lake Valley, South Okanagan and Similkameen, Upper Columbia River Valley, and Elk River Valley. NCC is constantly working on a variety of acquisition and conservation covenant projects around the province. A listing of its completed projects can be seen on its website.
Contact: 202-26 Bastion Square, Victoria V8W 1H9 (250-479-3191) or email: bcoffice@natureconservancy.ca

Natural Resources Volunteers Program (NRVP)
Website: http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/iands/cvphome.htm
Formally the Conservation Volunteers Program, it provides the tools for UBC students to participate in environmental science, conservation, and/or community-based volunteer activities. The aim is to help aspiring environmental science professionals gain valuable work experience using their practical skills in addition to that obtained in classroom and field exercises while helping and contributing in the community. NRVP promotes linkages between the environment, communities, and education, and strengthens these linkages by connecting student volunteers with environmental organizations and community projects.
Contact: Dept. of Forest Sciences, Forest Sciences Centre, 3041-2424 Main Mall, Vancouver V6T 1Z4 (604-822-8510) or email: consjobs@interchange.ubc.ca

Nature Trust of British Columbia
Website: http://www.naturetrust.bc.ca/index.html
It is one of the largest and longest standing land conservation organization in British Columbia. Its dedication and work in habitat conservation has been critical to the protection and nurturing of this province's natural legacy. BC supports a variety of ecosystems: coastal estuaries, old-growth forests, interior wetlands, grasslands, sub-alpine forests, and alpine meadows. These ecosystems provide habitat to more than 700 endangered, threatened, or vulnerable plants and animals which also beautify our province and enhance our quality of life. Therefore, it is vital that they be protected. Established more than thirty years ago by Bert Hoffmeister, a former Canadian Major-General, war hero, and noted conservationist, who was riding near Pavilion, B.C., on the Diamond S Ranch when he was told Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was calling for him. Mr. Trudeau told him he had a $4.5 million (the equivalent of $10 million now) grant set aside to finance a unique conservation project in BC, which proved to be the beginning of The National Second Century Fund of British Columbia, later to be called The Nature Trust of British Columbia. Since its inception, more than 17,000 hectares of ecologically significant land has been purchased and protected. NTF also oversees the sustainable management of 40,000 additional hectares through long-term leases of Crown land. Working with landowners, corporations, foundations, other conservation organizations, and governments, it helps to conserve B.C.'s natural legacy. Up-to-date scientific information, technology and expertise ensure its efforts are properly focused on the conservation of critical habitats within B.C. and the important plants and animals those habitats nurture. It has also fostered such significant projects as the South Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Program, the Okanagan Falls/Vaseux Lake and White Lake Biodiversity Ranches, the Pacific Estuary Conservation Program, Vancouver Island Wetlands Management Program, the Drs. VC Brink and Alastair McLean Grassland Conservation Fund, and, with the help of over twenty-five conservation partners, established the East Kootenay Conservation Program -- to name but a few.
Contact: #260-1000 Roosevelt Crescent, North Vancouver V7P 1M3 (604-924-9771 or toll free 1-866-288-7878) or email: info@naturetrust.bc.ca

Networking BC Rivers
Website: http://www.educ.sfu.ca/nbcr/
It is a project to enable schools and communities throughout BC to learn more about the four major river watersheds in British Columbia: the Fraser, the Peace, the Skeena, and the Columbia. The project includes different methods and areas of study from scientific data collection to language arts and supports the learning and collaborations done through both traditional and new media.
Contact: None, web-based

North Columbia Environmental Society
Website: http://www.northcolumbia.org/
It is a non-profit association formed in 1999 to represent the environmental issues concerning the area. The group has a desire to contribute to a healthy environment for everyone to enjoy and believes that the quality of life can be maintained only if social, economic, as well as environmental issues, are addressed. Several committees within the group act on various issues, including recycling, the reduction of pesticide use, urban forestry planning, and land-use decisions regarding the North Columbia Mountains affecting Revelstoke residents.
Contact: PO Box 3116, Revelstoke, BC VOE 2SO (250-837-5529) or email: nces@northcolumbia.org

Orphaned Wildlife Rehabilitation Society (OWL)
Website: http://www.owlcanada.ca/
It is a non-profit organization whose volunteers are dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured and orphaned birds, as well as to public education. OWL became a Society in 1985 and is licensed through Fish and Wildlife under the direction of founding director Bev Day. OWL is on call twenty-four hours a day seven days a week and specializes in raptors, although all birds of prey are often sent to them from all over BC, other provinces, and the US. Although it encourages the public to transport injured or orphaned birds to the facility, OWL has a network of volunteers when pick-up is necessary. An Open House is held every Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Contact: 3800 - 72nd Street, Delta, BC V4K 3N2 (604-946-3171) or email: owl_rehab@telus.net

Pacific Salmon Foundation
Website: http://www.pacificsalmon.ca
It was organized in an effort to conserve and rebuild Pacific salmon populations through strategic and focused efforts throughout BC and the Yukon.
Contact: 300 - 1682 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver V6J 4S6 (604-664-7664) or email: salmon@psf.ca

Pacific Streamkeepers Federation
Website: http://www.pskf.ca It is a non-profit society helping streamkeepers take action through support, education, and building partnerships. The objectives of its program are to provide volunteers with the training and support required to protect and restore local aquatic habitat; educate the public about the importance of watershed resources; and encourage communication and cooperation in watershed management.
Contact: 720 Orwell Street, North Vancouver V7J 2G3 (604-986-5059) or email: pskf@direct.ca

Peace Habitat and Conservation Endowment Trust (Phacet)
Website: http://www.phacet.ca/index.html
It began with local members of the Peace community identifying an area need. The lowlands of the Peace River Basin are some of the most productive lands for wildlife in British Columbia. As a result, the region is easily the most heavily and intensely impacted in the province because of land-clearing for agriculture, forestry, and oil and gas exploration. Phacet provides a coordinated strategy to ensure conservation of the Peace's natural history and wild inhabitants and partners with local communities and organizations, to conserve wetlands, wildlands, and wildlife for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the region. The society works hard for better protection of the natural environment, as well as encouraging the study and appreciation of the region's beautiful natural history and living biodiversity.
Contact: SS2 Site 22 Comp 23, Fort St. John BC V1J 4M7 (250-785-6417) or email: info@phacet.ca

Port Moody Ecological Society (PMES)
Website: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/pmes/
It is a society whose volunteers operate a hatchery, water quality lab, and educational and community outreach programs. It is a broadly-based, community supported, federally [Canada] registered, charitable non-profit society, incorporated under the British Columbia Societies Act in 1991.
Contact: 300 Ioco Road, Port Moody, BC V3H 2V7 (250-469-9106) or email: pmes@vcn.bc.ca

Private Forest Landowners Association (PFLA)
Website: http://www.pfla.bc.ca/
It was established in 1995 to represent owners of private managed forest in BC’s Forest and Agricultural Land Reserves. 94% of British Columbia's land is publicly-owned and managed by the provincial government. About two million hectares, representing about 2% of the provincial land base, is private forest land and nearly half of which has qualified for the Managed Forest status. Although this accounts for a small percentage of the entire province, it plays a significant role in the lives of British Columbians. PFLA represents owners of over 95% of the Managed Forests in British Columbia. These owners make a long-term commitment of their forest land through investment, innovative silviculture, harvesting practices, and reforestation, as well as in protecting the key public environmental values of fish, water, soils and critical wildlife habitat.
Contact: 556 Herald Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1S6 (250-381-7565) or email: info@pfla.bc.ca

Raincoast Research Society
Website: http://www.raincoastresearch.org/home.htm
It was founded in 1981 under the name of Lore Quest, whose original idea was to conduct year-round research on the acoustics of the orca of the British Columbia coast. Over the years, this mandate broadened to include conservation and documentation of the return of the Pacific white-sided dolphin (after an absence of over seventy years), as well as other marine wildlife including salmon, seals, and sea lions.
Contact: RRS, Simoom Sound, BC V0P 1S0 or email: info@RaincoastResearch.org

Raw Food Society of BC
Website: http://www.rawbc.org
A non-profit organization for raw and living foods resources in Vancouver and British Columbia, Canada. This site provides information on the benefits of increasing the amount of raw, organic foods in the everyday diet.
Contact: (604-738-8225) or email: info@rawbc.org

Recycling Council of BC (RCBC)
Website: http://www.rcbc.bc.ca/
It is Canada's oldest recycling council and has earned the reputation of being the most widely respected, multi-sectoral environmental organization operating in the province today. RCBC receives almost 50,000 inquiries a year from residents and businesses across the province wanting pollution prevention and waste management information. In addition, it is a primary contact for local media and is typically invited to the table during stakeholder consultation on public policy issues within its scope.
Contact: (604-683-600)

Richmond Nature Park
Website: http://www.geog.ubc.ca/courses/klink/g448/2000/rnp/
The Richmond Nature Park is run cooperatively by the City of Richmond and the Richmond Nature Park Society. Focus is on interpretation of and education about the natural features of the Lulu Island Bog. The protected area is a relic example of the raised peat bogs that once covered more than 25 per cent Richmond, British Columbia.
Contact: 11851 Westminster Hwy., Richmond, BC, V6X 1B4; (604-718-6188) or email nature@city.richmond.bc.ca

Rivershed Society of BC
Website: http://www.rivershed.com/
It was formed in 1996 in an effort to build on the momentum of Fin Donnelly’s 1,375-kilometre swim of the Fraser River in 1995. Through education, special public events, funding of river-based programs, and partnerships with groups and individuals, the society now works toward a sustainable future with people living within healthy riversheds. In order to realize their vision (“We aim to inspire change."), a paradigm shift in individual values and actions is required. Disappearing salmon runs, lost streams, increasing levels of toxins, heavy metals and chemicals in our waterways, a loss of critical habitat and biodiversity are all indicators our riversheds are in trouble.
Contact: 201 - 1190 Pipeline Road, Coquitlam, BC V3B 7T9 (604) 941-5937) or email: fin@rivershed.bc.ca

Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society
Website: http://lagoonsociety.com/>
The Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve is a 10-hectare reserve featuring a freshwater lagoon and forested acreage on the Sunshine Coast, northwest of Vancouver. The Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society is a non-profit society whose purpose is to preserve and enhance the natural habitat and wildlife of the Lagoon and to facilitate local environmental education.
Contact:: RR1, S20, C16, Madeira Park, BC V0N 2H0 (604-883-9893) or email: info@lagoonsociety.com

Save The Cedar League
Website: http://www.panorama-map.com/z-pointsite/stcl.html
It was formed in response to the need to protect rainforest and antique forest areas, particularly in BC. New research in the Rocky Mountain Trench between the Rocky and the Cariboo Mountains has revealed that the old-growth forests of the Robson Valley contain the world's most extensive example of an interior (oroboreal) rainforest at temperate latitudes. The most ancient parts of this 500,000 hectare (2,000 sq.mi.) rainforest are made-up of old "old-growth" termed "Antique Forest" which may represent one of the longest unbroken biological traditions of any forested inland region at temperate latitudes. This is an exceptionally rich assemblage of distinctly oceanic ecologies near the Continental Divide deep inland -- a Continental Rainforest. Ancient Red Cedars, many over 800 years-old and 2.5 meters in diameter, are found among at least thirty lichen species dependent on old-growth rainforests. These, and other lichens, are a source of nourishment for some of the most unique and diverse food-webs in North America. The Antique Forests of Robson Valley are unique in the world and their discovery has caused excitement in the international scientific community. This phenomenon is usually restricted to small watersheds on the windward slopes of the Columbia and Rocky Mountains. The Robson Valley is the only area in which extensive tracts of the Continental Rainforest occupy a major river valley (Fraser River).
Contact: rzammuto@aol.com

Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory (SEI) of BC
Website: http://srmwww.gov.bc.ca/cdc/sei/
It systematically identifies and maps rare and fragile ecosystems in a given area. The information is derived from aerial photography, supported by selective field checking of the data. SEI is a "flagging" tool that provides scientific information and support to local governments and others who are working to maintain biodiversity. The ecosystem types identified vary from region to region, according to the natural ecosystems found there, but usually include forested ecosystems, woodlands, wetlands, riparian areas, and natural meadows and grasslands. To date, SEI has completed or is working on East Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands, the Sunshine Coast (including the Bowen-Gambier Trust Area), and the Central Okanagan. Similar mapping projects combining Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping with an SEI theme are being undertaken for North and South Okanagan, as well as part of the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Contact: (East Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands) Marlene Caskey or Trudy Chatwin (250-751-3100) or email: Marlene.Caskey@gems7.gov.bc.ca Trudy.Chatwin@gems1.gov.bc.ca
Contact: (Sunshine Coast area) Paul Thompson (604-885-2261) or email: Paul.Thompson@scrd.bc.ca
Contact: (Central Okanagan area) Ken Arcuri (250) 868-5246

Shuswap Environmental Action Society (SEAS)
Website: http://www.seas.ca/
It was incorporated as a non-profit society in 1989 with a mission to study environmental issues, inform the public about environmental problems and solutions, coordinate activities and share information with other local, provincial, and national environmental organizations, and to improve local environment.
Contact: Box 1021, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4P2 (250-679-3693) or email: info@seas

Sierra Club of BC Marine Site
Website: http://www.sierraclub.ca/bc/Campaigns/Marine/marine_index.html
It is a program of the official Sierra Club. Its current campaigns are aimed at protecting critical wildlife habitat, protecting wild salmon and other marine resources, stopping clearcut logging, and saving remaining ancient temperate forests and other threatened ecosystems throughout British Columbia.
Contact: 576 Johnson Street, Victoria, BC V8W 1M3 (250-386-5255) or email: info@sierraclubbc.org

Simon Fraser Public Interest Research Group (SFPIRG)
Website: http://www.sfu.ca/~sfpirg/
It was formed to educate, inform, and support SFU students, and the community, about various social, economic, and environmental issues, as well as striving for justice in these areas.
Contact: TC326, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia V5A 1S (604-291-4360) or email: sf-pirg@sfu.ca

Silva Forest Foundation
Website: http://www.silvafor.org/index.htm
It initiates and supports ecosystem stewardship by working with communities to protect, maintain, and restore forests. This work expresses its guiding principle: The forest sustains us, we do not sustain the forest. They recognize that diverse ecosystems are required to maintain healthy communities, which in turn, are required to support strong local economies. Its work involves practical mapping tools, education, and training; but it also collaborates with rural communities, First Nations, and environmental organizations in an effort to build bridges between divergent interests.
Contact: P.O. Box 9, Slocan Park, BC, V0G 2E0 (250-226-7222) or email silvafor@netidea.com

Slocan Valley Watershed Protection Groups
Website: http://www.watertalk.org/svwa/index.html
They organized in the early 1970s and work to protect water quality, quantity, timing of flow, as well as promoting sustainable economies.
Contact: watertalk@watertalk.org

SmartGrowth BC
Website: http://www.smartgrowth.bc.ca/index.cfm
It is a collection of fiscally, environmentally, and socially responsible development strategies to reduce urban sprawl. Smart growth enhances our quality of life, protects our environment, and uses tax revenues wisely. Smart Growth BC is a non-profit, registered charitable organization, created in 1999 to address the burgeoning environmental, economic, and community implications of sprawl. Since that time, it has worked with thousands of British Columbians to enhance and protect the liveability of communities.
Contact: #201, 402 West Pender Street Vancouver, BC V6B1T6 (604-915-5234) or use the email page provided on the site.

Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC)
Website: http://www.speck.bc.ca
It is a non-profit, charitable organization, supported by members and volunteers. Since 1969 SPEC has been a leader in efforts to protect the British Columbia environment and has a particular focus on issues that affect urban communities in Lower Mainland and the Georgia Basin. As part of these initiatives, SPEC is currently working on the following projects: Air and Water Quality, Solid and Liquid Waste Reduction, Pesticides and Toxics, Protecting Marine Habitats, Recycling, Drinking Water Protection, Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy, Nuclear Energy (Nanoose Bay), and Transportation. SPEC also operates the Vancouver Environmental Information Centre.
Contact: 2150 Maple Street, Vancouver, V6J 3T3 (604 736-7732) or email info@speck.bc.ca

Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES)
Website: http://www.vcn.bc.ca/spes/
It is a community-based, not-for-profit organization dedicated to encouraging stewardship of our natural world through environmental education and action. Members, volunteers, and staff create opportunities for residents and visitors to participate in the appreciation and preservation of parks, wild spaces, and species through environmental education, stewardship, and outreach activities. Environmental education for school children includes natural history displays at the Lost Lagoon Nature House, The Urban Camping program, and stewardship projects.
Contact: Stanley Park Dining Pavilion 2nd Floor, PO Box 5167, Vancouver, BC V6B 4B2 (604-257-6908) or email: info@stanleyparkecology.ca

Steelhead Society of BC
Website: http://www.steelheadsociety.com/
It was formed in 1970 to protect, enhance, and restore the province's wild salmon and steelhead habitats. It is a registered, non-profit, watershed conservation organization, dedicated to fighting for the return of wild fish to their native habitat. The society strives to gather together diverse interest groups, governments, First Nations, multinational organizations, small businesses and communities of like-minded individuals. The Society now has over 1000 members organized in twelve branches throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Washington, Japan, and Germany.
Contact: 103-131 Water Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 4M3 (604-684-6242) or email: info@steelheadsociety.com

Stewardship Centre for BC
Website: http://www.stewardshipcentre.bc.ca/sc_bc/main/index.asp?sProv=bc
It was formed in an effort to create the increasing awareness of the importance of stewardship in managing conservation of the land. Better decisions require information and technical advice, and there is a need for improved access to information and advice on stewardship in British Columbia. Over the last few years in BC, a number of agencies and organizations have cooperated in creating the Stewardship Series -- a world-class series of publications that offer such stewardship information to landowners, developers, volunteers, professionals, local governments, and agencies. Bringing this information to the public requires a central location to do the job effectively and, thus, a website was created to fulfull this need. The site is an excellent, very informative source of hundreds of links to groups, businesses, and government programs that are geared towards good environmental practices.

Sunshine Coast Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Society (SCWRCS)
Website: http://www.sunshine.net/www/0/sn0017/rehab/
It is a non-profit society whose mandate is to rehabilitate and release to the wild, injured, and immature wildlife. It deals with 300-400 birds and animals per year, ranging from black-capped chickadees to eagles, seals, otters, and marbled murrelets. Educational tours can be arranged in advance by contacting the center and speaking to the director. If you are visiting the Sunshine Coast and have a desire to see the premises, please phone before coming.
Contact: Box 8, Trout Rd., Halfmoon Bay, BC VON 1YO (604-885-5997)

Tatshenshini Wild
Website: http://www.spacesfornature.org/tatwild.html
Now known as BC Spaces for Nature (see separately), this non-profit environmental organization was established in 1989 in order to protect the Tatshenshini from the potential environmental devastation of the proposed Windy Craggy massive open-pit copper mine. Tatshenshini Wild chaired Tatshenshini International, a continental network of North America's leading conservation organizations (representing 10,000,000 members) working to protect the Tatshenshini. The public pressure generated by this grouping led the British Columbia government to establish the Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Park in June 22, 1993, completing the largest international wilderness on earth -- 25 million acres (10 million hectares), including surrounding Wrangell - St. Elias, Kluane, and Glacier Bay National Parks. Tatshenshini Wild is an umbrella organization representing over fifty major environmental groups in Canada and the U.S., and spearheaded a high-profile international campaign aimed at securing protection for the area. The B.C. government officially declared this area a Class "A" provincial park in 1993; and in 1994, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) designated Tatshenshini-Alsek as a World Heritage site.
Contact: Tatshenshini Wild, 843 - 810 West Broadway, Vancouver, V5Z 4C9 (604-886-4632)

The Land Conservancy (TLC)
Website: http://tlc.bounceme.net/
It is a non-profit, charitable land trust working throughout British Columbia in efforts to protect important habitat for plants, animals, and natural communities, as well as properties with historical, cultural, scientific, scenic or compatible recreational value. Founded in 1997, TLC is modeled after the National Trust of Britain and is a democratic organization, membership-based, and governed by an elected volunteer Board of Directors. TLC achieves its conservation objectives by working in a non-confrontational, businesslike manner with many partners, all levels of government, other agencies, businesses, community groups, and individuals to ensure the broadest support for its activities. There are offices throughout the province, including several in Victoria and Vancouver, as well as Kimberley, Penticton, and Prince George, whose addresses can be accessed from their website.
Contact: TLC Head Office, 2709 Shoreline Drive, Victoria, V9B 1M5 (250-479-8053) or email: admin@conservancy.bc.ca

Turtle Island Stewards (TIES)
Website: http://www.ties.bc.ca/index.htm
It is a non-profit organization that works with communities, landowners, and children to help deepen their connection with nature and learn to become better stewards of the earth. TIES has been working with communities for over twenty-five years with its main office in Salmon Arm and field offices in Salmo, the Robson valley, and Christina Lake. The name Turtle Island refers to the concept that earth is on the back of a turtle; therefore, we must take care of it and deepen our roots to the earth. In doing so, we learn also to deepen our sacred connection with nature and our communities. Landowner outreach programs are designed to assist landowners and communities discover more about the natural world that surrounds them. The group shares such topics as ecology, hydrology, wildlife, biology, mapping, and basic surveying. Youth outreach programs are conducted in schools across BC and in several communities. Each program either brings a little bit of nature into the classroom, or takes children into the wild to experience nature first-hand. Many of the outreach programs run in BC are also conducted in collaboration with our southern partners in Grenada, Mexico, the Philippines, and Ecuador. Programs range from school environmental education programs, to rescuing endangered sea turtles, to organizing beach cleanup events.
Contact: PO Box 3308, Salmon Arm, BC V1E 4S1 (250-832-3993) or toll free 1-888-917-TIES (8437) or email: ties@ties.bc.ca

Valhalla Wilderness Society
Website: http://www.savespiritbear.org/ It was founded in 1975 in the West Kootenay village of New Denver, British Columbia. It started as a group of local residents who wanted to save the forested slopes of the Valhalla Range from logging. After an intensive eight-year campaign, Valhalla Provincial Park became a reality. Since then, the non-profit society has become involved in other provincial, national, and international environmental projects. It has spearheaded the protection of the Khutzeymateen Valley (Canada's first sanctuary for grizzly bears), the Spirit Bear Protection Area, and Goat Range Provincial Park. These four parks encompass over 840,000 acres (341,000 ha) in the highest class of protection accorded parks in B.C.
Contact: VWS, Box 329, New Denver, BC VOG 1S0 (250-358-2333) or email: info@vws.org

Vancouver Permaculture Network (VPN)
Website: http://www.alternatives.com/vpn
It uses planning, organizing, and designing to bring nature and people together by rearranging resources and elements to mutually benefit relationships.
Contact: (604-645-9529) or email: haroldw@alternatives.com

Vegan Voices
WebSite: http//www.veganvoices.org
It is a group of vegans living in the Vancouver area of BC, Canada. Their goal is to make the general public aware of the cruel and inhumane abuses that millions of animals in this world go through needlessly every day. Most people just see the tidy little packages that grace the grocery store shelves, without any idea of where it came from or how it arrived there. It hopes that, by exposing the practices used by most of today's large corporations, people will come to the realization that they can make a difference by choosing to purchase products that do not contribute to animal suffering.
Contact: 2823 Woodland Drive, BSMT suite, Vancouver, BC V5N 3P9 (voice mail - 604-682-3269 extension 6001) or email info@veganvoices.org

Watertalk.org
Website: http://www.watertalk.org/
It hosts a website for various groups concerned with water quality which include the Slocan Valley Watershed Archive, Erickson Water Action Group, Watertalk, and West Arm Watershed Alliance. Water is precious and sacred and one of the basic elements needed for life to exist. Industrial activity, contaminants, and toxins in water systems around the planet are now threatening the continuance of this life, and it is of vital importance to protect all remaining sources of clean water immediately and strive to return all tainted waters to their pure form.
Contact: watertalk@watertalk.org

Western Canada Wilderness Committee
Website: http://www.wildernesscommittee.org
It is Canada's largest membership-based wilderness protection organization. Founded in 1980 (the Victoria Chapter in 1989), it presently has over 26,000 members whose focus is the protection of endangered wilderness and its biodiversity and works towards establishing sustainable resource use in non-protected areas. WCWC believes that an educated public is the most powerful lobby force. Therefore, their main activities include publishing educational materials, ecological research, building hiking trails into endangered areas, and organizing public events. The Victoria Chapter was organized to protect the Carmanah Valley on the West Coast of Vancouver Island. The Carmanah harbours Canada's tallest tree, a 311-foot tall Sitka Spruce, known as the "Carmanah Giant." The organization also has chapters in Qualicum Beach, Vancouver, Edmonton, and Winnipeg.
Contact: (Head Office) 227 Abbott St., Vancouver, BC, V6B 2K7 (604-683-8220) or email: info@wildernesscommittee.org

Wild BC
Website: http://www.hctf.ca/wild.htm
It was created to increase the environmental literacy of British Columbians by providing education and stewardship opportunities that foster appreciation, knowledge, and understanding and responsible actions for the natural world. It provides learning through direct hands-on workshops to increase knowledge and understanding of the natural world and fosters respect and sensitivity through intellectual, emotional and spiritual understandings. It educates people into proper thinking towards environmentally ethical behaviour and encourages positive attitudes and environmentally sound decision-making. Since its inception in 1987, it has trained over 20,000 people of all ages in environmental education, and now provides a family of resources and programs for a variety of audiences related to environmental education initiatives. It is willing to provide workshops for teachers, post-secondary institutions, Girl Guides/Boy Scouts, park interpreters and managers, early childhood educators, resource agency staff, nature centres, youth camps, or any other interested group.
Contact: Suite 100 - 333 Quebec St., Victoria V8V 1W4 (Mailing address: PO Box 9354, STN PROV GOVT.,Victoria V8W 9M1) (250-356-7111 or toll free 1-800-387-9853 ext 4) or email: wild@gems5.gov.bc.ca

Wild Bird Trust of BC (WBT)
Website: http://www.wildbirdtrust.org/
It is a non-profit society dedicated to the protection of birds and their habitats throughout British Columbia, based on the principle that all wildlife must benefit. Since 1993, their major efforts have focused on the establishment of four, possibly five, sanctuaries, restoring, and enhancing them to optimize habitat for wildlife. The sactuaries of interest are: the Conservation Area at Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver, McFadden Creek Heronry on Salt Spring Island (has over 120 active nests and is considered to be the largest colony of breeding Great Blue Herons in BC), Forslund Watson property in Langley (owned by the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, but managed in cooperation with the Langley Field Naturalists), the Corrigan Nature Sanctuary (is actually a house on an acre and a half in Surrey, but will make an ideal location for administration, research, or education), and the Trincomali Nature Sanctuary, Galiano Island.
Contact: 124-1489 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1B8. (604-922-1550) or e-mail: minerva@direct.ca

Wildlife Tree Stewardship Initiative
Website: http://www.wits.nisa.com/
It is an environmental stewardship initiative of the Vancouver Island Region of the Federation of BC Naturalists (FBCN), whose aims are to create, coordinate, and assist a network of community stewards interested in conserving coastal wildlife tree habitats through volunteer monitoring, landowner agreements, and community education along the Strait of Georgia. Of particular concern, the mature coastal trees and mixed tree stands with documented high levels of wildlife use.
Contact: (250-746-3803) or email: kerri-lynne.wilson@bchydro.bc.ca

Women in the Woods
Website: http://www3.telus.net/Womeninthewoods/intro.htm
It was formed to facilitate the understanding and protection of the bio-systems and bio-diversity of the public forests of British Columbia. All women (mothers, grandmothers, daughters, sisters, nieces, aunts, and friends) may join and gather with those who have a special interest in the preservation of our life support systems. Women are, and have historically been, moderators of society and stewards of the land; and, it is in this role of moderators and stewards that they struggle to protect what is left of the public forests of British Columbia.
Contact: Betty Krawczyk or Jen Bradley, 7900 Fraser Park Dr., Burnaby, BC V5J 5H1

Young Naturalists
Website: http://www.naturalhistory.bc.ca/YNC/
The YNC of BC began in March, 2000, and was initiated by the Vancouver Natural History Society. The club was modeled after the youth program of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK. YNC now has community clubs throughout BC. They also have a magazine (Nature Wild) and special memberships for groups, libraries, and teachers, as well as for youth from 5-14 years of age. Their mandate is to encourage children to develop a love of nature and a feeling of respect and responsibility for the unique ecosystems found in this province.
Contact: Information is on the site.
NOTE: Even though two of our grandsons live in Mexico, they belong to this group. YNC has taken under their wing other interested young people throughout the province of British Columbia. They have also been the guiding force for similar groups in other provinces.

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