Central Valley Naturalists Club Report September 2005
a. History
To mark the 13th anniversary of our club and the beginning of a new winter season of activities it is appropriate to review, in brief, the history of our club, and the changing public perception of the significance of environmental issues in our region.
In the early 1990s there were few community organizations in Abbotsford that took an interest in the natural environment and none that had adopted a strong advocacy role. The range of environmental issues and their impact on the health and well-being of the community was poorly understood. Environmentalists were at one point referred to as "environmental terrorists" solidly opposed to any development.
Nevertheless, in 1990 the District of Matsqui hired Peter Andzans and tasked him to draft an environmental policy. The " State of the Environment Report and Environmental Policy" was only one of four in existence at the time. The SOER was published and public forums were organized. At one of these Peter met Johanna Saaltink. Encouraged by Peter, Johanna Saaltink and a loyal group of like-minded friends formed the Central Valley Naturalists. The Club was given an office in City Hall. But all funding for environmental projects in those days had to come from Trust Funds or Corporate Donors and not from the City.
But public interest started to increase. Our members participated in the preparation of proposals for the Protected Area Strategy. The group had a strong birder component and bird lists were prepared. At about the same time Sylvia Pincott and one of the city’s environmental interns set up the Backyard Habitat Program. The Naturalists gave strong support to this effort that became an outstanding success and became Naturescape B.C.
In 1995 Matsqui and Abbotsford amalgamated. Peter Andzans remained Environmental Manager, but the Council of the new City was not ready yet to adopt an environmental stewardship role. Members of the club participated in public consultations for an OCP and prepared an ambitious proposal for the execution of a biophysical inventory. But at this point in time the overriding concern for the survival of the Salmon caused all funding by DFO and donor organizations to be channeled into projects designed to protect or to restore Salmon Habitat. The funds were used to support Stream Enhancement Societies and Stream Keeper groups established by volunteer groups. This approach to management of fish habitats was not very satisfactory. DFO funding discontinued and volunteer activities ceased except in the municipalities who had supported the work. Abbotsford was not one of them.
Meanwhile Community Colleges and Universities were educating a whole new generation of young people in the theory and practice of environmental management. These students have now entered the job market. At the same time, a dramatic increase in public support for environmental issues occurred. In particular the prolonged fight to stop the construction of the SE2 power plant in Washington State did a lot to boost the interest of concerned citizens and politicians in environmental issues.
It became abundantly clear that the City needed to protect itself from the undesirable effects of interventions by Government and proposed developments by private interests. Accordingly the City of Abbotsford adopted a "Charter of Sustainability" and has recently hired suitably qualified professional staff to work with other city departments under the general supervision of Peter Andzans to handle environmental issues, to cooperate with professional staff of other levels of Government, and work with volunteer organizations such as CVN. This will have a beneficial effect on our relationship with the City and our effectiveness as an advocacy agency. While we shall continue to monitor the actions of council affecting the environment, we hope that through our work with competent City staff, communications will greatly improve and it is hoped that our relationship will become one of mutual trust and respect. For a start, four CVN members were invited to take part in a newly formed Environmental Advisory Committee.
b. Activities
Local issues have kept members busy over the summer, including participation in the new Official Community Plan focus groups and hearings, watershed management planning and stewardship initiatives, McKee Peak planning study workshops and hearings, attending a Smart Growth forum, writing letters in support of preserving wildlife habitat in the Delta region, protection of the Agricultural Land Reserve, providing information and suggestions for the long-awaited upcoming City biophysical inventory.
Our evening meetings continue to be well attended. Our first guest speaker was Chris Junck, Outreach Coordinator of the Garry Oak Ecosystem Recovery Team. Abbotsford has one of the rare inland Lower Mainland Garry oak stands. Anticipated with interest is former FBCN president Anne Murray’s October talk on natural history of Queensland, Australia. We will also have bi-weekly local nature walks again this year, and field trips are planned to McGillivray Slough, the Chilliwack heronry, and Stanley Park. Regular activities coming up include our participation in C.W.S.’s Trumpeter Swan survey, the Eagle Festival in Harrison/Mission, and the annual Christmas Bird-count. This will be followed next spring by the annual Raptor’s Nests survey. Stephen Howard, one of our keen birders hopes to co-ordinate the updating of our bird checklist.