A Look Back at 2010

December 2010

As 2011 begins, Sierra Club BC is celebrating a year full of major accomplishments, hard-fought battles and amazing partnerships. We're proud of what we've done and are thankful for the supporters and partner organizations who helped make 2010 such a productive year.

Here's a look back at some of the highlights from 2010.

January
Sierra Club BC's Managing BC’s Forests for a Cooler Planet: Carbon Storage, Sustainable Jobs and Conservation, a joint publication with the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, calls on the BC government to conserve more forest, halt rampant wood waste and promote wise use of forest products — all part of a concerted effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

February
The BC government announces a ban on mining and oil and gas development in the Flathead River Valley, an important first step on the road to permanent protection.

Sierra Club BC releases "Code Blue: Ocean Rescue and Revival" – an animated examination of the health of B.C.'s coastal waters.

March
A report by Sierra Club BC and partners calls attention to key species in the Great Bear Rainforest that could still be at risk of extinction as the province falls behind on commitments to map out crucial habitat in the Great Bear Rainforest.

Susan Howatt, our campaigns director, focuses on engaging municipal governments and asking mayors and councils to endorse the need for a strong law to protect species and ecosystems based on ten key conservation principles.

Sierra Club BC and our partners present two 2010 Olympic venues with Good Wood awards in recognition of their contribution to reducing pressure on forest ecosystems by using FSC-certified timber.

April
We release results from a survey of our donors in late 2009. Our supporters told us what was important to them and we used these thoughts to work more effectively in 2010.

May
Sierra Club BC staff, local group members and supporters join Alexandra Morton on her journey in support of wild salmon. Thousands of people converge on Victoria for this historic gathering.

Two Sierra Club BC educators tour coastal schools, giving workshops about the wild bounty of the forest. The Going Wild! program teaches about non-timber forest products used in crafts, medicine and as wild edibles.

June
Sierra Club BC co-hosts the third annual Guardian Watchmen conference and was there when the group test-drove their new coastal monitoring strategy.

Sierra Malaspina, a Sierra Club BC local group, halts logging in a city park in Powell River after spotting a heron's nest.

July
Our supporters send more than 1,100 letters to the Senate, opposing legislation aimed at gutting Canada's environmental assessment process.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee releases its long-awaited mission report on the Flathead River Valley, which calls for a management plan that "gives priority to natural ecological values and conservation."

August
Sierra Club BC releases a report on Blue Carbon. Written by our science advisor, Colin Campbell, the report reveals that eelgrass meadows and salt marshes offer carbon storage that lasts for thousands of years.

September
Caitlyn Vernon heads to the Great Bear Rainforest with a group of conservation photographers to document this ecological treasure that is threatened by plans to send tankers along its coast.

October
More than 400 people came out in the pouring rain to say no to the Site C dam proposed for the Peace River.

Sierra Club BC hosts a 10-10-10 Mudboots Party with the Seagrass Conservation Working group and helps to restore an eelgrass meadow. Blue carbon fun!

The Friends of the Flathead group reaches 10,000 members who support permanent protection of the Flathead River Valley.

November
The Federal cabinet rejects the proposed "Prosperity" mine project that would have destroyed Fish Lake and surrounding habitat.

Several hundred people attend our inspiring Flathead event at Science World. Along with coalition partners, Sierra Club BC was there to hear great speakers, watch a video and see amazing photos from the Flathead.

December
Sierra Club BC and our allies win a landmark court decision aimed at protecting endangered orca whales.