OUTREACH -some highlights 2021

Jan 20, 2022 | Events, In the news, Newsletter, Outreach

January 20, 2022

If you are new to PWPA, the board or just unable to keep abreast, here is smattering of some of the MEDIA and IN PERSON OUTREACH achieved by PWPA in 2021.  What’s most remarkable is the variety; from television, to international publications, mainstream media, independent journalism, local newspapers, in-person advocacy and community relationship building.

Global Okanagan –

PWPA Communications Chair questions lack of information and community involvement in government and industry decision in our watershed

Patagonia–

Journalist and Photographer from Patagonia’s environmental branch ski tour Peachland watershed, lead by director Corey Sutton, interviews by local trappers, Fenton family and PWPA director Taryn Skalbania. Read about the skiiers’ experience here – in the Worst Traverse. (10 minute read)

Weather Network–

Article and Video linking clear cut forestry and floods, Grand Forks and Peachland are focus, PWPA interviewed

Global News––

Interview with PWPA Outreach director, Taryn Skalbania, on links between clear cut logging and November province wide mass flooding

Narwhal–

Article covering expert and community voices linking the November floods and extreme peak flows to clear cut forestry, PWPA interviewed

Focus on Victoria–

Opinion Piece by PWPA’s Taryn Skalbania, logging’s remedy for wildfires will only make them worse.

Daily Courier–

PWPA Outreach raises concerns over removal of natural flood defenses

Daily Courier–

A community point of view on necessary reforms for forestry; some conservationists resort to protesting

Corey Sutton traverses with Patagonia- THE WORST TRAVERSE

 

  • Birder James Jansen, effortlessly helps us find 25 species in our watershed including a rare Northern Pygmy Owl, Heidi Gygax wins the volunteer participation prize.

  • PWPA joined the Healthy Watershed Committee members for a tour of the new WTP , now it is up and running.

  • “Grasslands’ Don Gayton speaks to members about the sensitivity of our local fire dependant ecosystems.

  • Jack Gerow, PWPA Chair, with Aaron Sumexheltza, councillor with the Lower Nicol Indian Band , Arron speaks on communities taking control or decision affecting their watersheds.

  • PWPA communications chair lobbies for a Watershed Security fund with MLA budget standing Committee

  • Wildfire consultant Thomas Martin insists we need beneficial cold burns and forest ladder fuel removal for forest health and community safety

  • 14 PWPA members tour Brenda Mines site with Glencore managers and Brenda Renewables, for a Class A composting facility.

  • Watershed damages tour with UBCO Dr. John Wagner, Peachland watershed is the focus of a UBC research effort to develop a new integrated management model to protect its water resource. (PWPA mascots, Enzo and Max observe mudslide)

  • Peachland’s Mayor, Cindy Fortin, and Councillor Terry Condon attended our AGM, Mayor Fortin offered us support and words of encouragement for 2022 at the year-end Christmas mingler

  • PWPA speaker and member, Dawn Boys, on her regular ‘watershed watch” forays into our backcountry

  • Annual PWPA watershed wide clean-up, collaboration with OFTF, RCDO, District of Peachland, ABC Recycling, GFL Kelowna, Tolko

  • All of Peachland shared in our “Watershed Dead Zone” Haunted Pier for Halloween thanks to volunteers like Secretary, Director, Virginia Schmidt!

  • syilx elder and Westbank First nation Indigenous educators Grouse and Pamela Barnes invite the PWPA members and gusts with their traditional territorial welcome.

  • Michelle Connolly, Director of Conservation North spoke to us on how community organization’s like PWPA can become more informed, inspired, active and enact change. Michelle Connolly, Director of Conservation North spoke to us on how community organization’s like PWPA can become more informed, inspired, active and enact change. https://www.evergreenalliance.ca/portal-the-need-to-get-informed-organized-and-inspired-for-change/1/

 REMINDERS and LINKS