2019
Sustainability in Practice
Engineers Canada and Polytechnique Montreal have teamed together to create the course “Sustainability in Practice." It is a four module, self-paced course that is available online. It reviews how practitioners have implemented principles of sustainable development and environmental stewardship into their projects, with a focus on engineers.
Registration closes April 15th and course completion is May 17th.
Information on the course and the registration link can be found here: https://engineerscanada.ca/news-and-events/news/first-edition-of-sustainability-in-practice-class-wraps-up-with-great-success
Site Remediation Presentations
Webinars were held by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy to explain the proposed amendments to the soil relocation provisions in the Environmental Management Act and the Contaminated Sites Regulation. The webinars included a presentation and time for questions and answers.
Podcast: This New Climate
Check out the first episode of "This New Climate", a podcast where host Will Bugler introduces EIT Climate-KIC and shows how they are stimulating innovation in the face of climate change. The episode unpacks how EIT Climate-KIC is working to foster change at the systems level, in an effort to bring about transformative change. "This New Climate" podcast series tells the stories of the projects and people who are grappling with climate change and showcases their inventions and innovations.
2018 Articles & Resources
The College of Applied Biology (CAB) has partnered with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (APEGBC) and the Association of BC Forest Professionals (ABCFP) to produce the Professional Practice Guidelines - Legislated Riparian Area Assessments in British Columbia.
This document provides guidance and establishes the standard of practice when carrying out riparian assessments that are consistent with BC’s Riparian Areas Regulation. Click here for full details
BC Conservation Data Centre - Spring 2018 Update:
Taxonomy, Classification, Rank Updates and Application Enhancements! click here to read
UBC Science Connect Newsletters feature news, kudos, upcoming events, alumni stories and more. It's a quick and fun way to keep in touch with the Faculty. Read Issues.
ReTooling for Climate Change: your first-stop website on climate change adaptation. Here is the place to find top tools and resources for BC local governments, First Nations and the natural resource sectors as everyone prepares for the impacts of climate change, now and in the years ahead. Read
The Compost Council of Canada is a national non-profit, member-driven organization with a charter to advocate and advance organics residuals recycling and compost use. It serves as the central resource and network for the compost industry in Canada and, through its members, contributes to the environmental sustainability of the communities in which they operate. Check out the latest happenings.
2017 Articles & Resources
ALC Policy - Criteria for Agricultural Capability Assessments
This policy is intended to provide information for professional agrologists submitting agricultural capability assessment reports (a “Report”) as part of an exclusion, subdivision, non-farm use application, or as required through a compliance and enforcement action to ensure that they: 1) are providing sufficient information and evidence to support their assessment; 2) are qualified to complete this work; and 3) perform their work on the Reports in accordance with the Code of Ethics of the British Columbia Institute of Agrologists (the “Code of Ethics”).The submission of a Report as part of an application is optional; however, one is recommended if low agricultural capability is the primary reason for the application.
https://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/alc/content/home - link to home page (see New and Amended Policies)
https://www.alc.gov.bc.ca/assets/alc/assets/legislation-and-regulation/policies/alc_-_policy_p-10_-_criteria_for_agricultural_capability_assessments.pdf
BC Conservation Data Centre - Spring 2017 Update:
As part of standard business, the BC Conservation Data Centre annually releases updates to document changes to Conservation Status Ranks of selected species and ecological communities, additions of new species and ecological communities in B.C., and changes in species taxonomy and ecological community classification. Taxonomy, Classification and Rank Updates - click here to read
Journal of Ecosystems and Management has published two new discussion papers:
LiDAR as an Advanced Remote Sensing Technology to Augment Ecosystem Classification and Mapping by Lorraine Campbell, Nicolas C. Coops, Sari C.Saunders and "A Landscape Disturbance Matrix for Conserving Biodiversity" by Sonia Leverkus, Marten Geertsema, Samuel D. Fuhlendorf, R. Dwayne Elmore, David M. Engle, & Kristen A. Baum. To read the articles, please visit http://jem-online.org/index.php/jem.
2016 Articles and Resources
Invasive Species Article by Mark Hall, P.Ag.
Article on Invasive Species by Mark Hall, P.Ag. published in the BC Local News - Sept 2016
2015 Articles and Resources
Soil as a Precious Natural Resource - Brochure
The Brochure “Soil – A precious Natural Resource” has appeared in four languages (English, German, French and Italian) in the International Year of Soil 2015. The publication was written by Gregor Klaus and is illustrated by the artist Nils Nova. Some spectacular photographs of the microcosm soil are also included. The focus lies on explaining the functions of soil and the services it provides. The goal is to raise awareness of the soil functions.
Final Reports for Northern BC Study Agricultural Land Use Planning for Farmland Protection
Now available are the final reports for the northern BC study of agricultural land use planning for farmland protection. There is a technical report for each regional district, including the Smithers-Telkwa Rural Area case study. As well, you might be interested in the overall assessment for northern BC. This report brings the results of the five case studies together, which helps to see the similarities and differences across the regions.The purpose of the study was to assess the strength of local legislative frameworks in each study area, whereby 'strength' was measured against the 'best' policies and language available/possible to protect farmland. Read more for details
CAPI Processed Food Research Program Conclusion - Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI)
Persistent trade deficit requires immediate action and a new strategy for Canada's number 1 manufacturing sector
OTTAWA, June 16, 2014 - Research published by the Canadian Agri-Food Policy Institute (CAPI) reveals that Canada's food manufacturing industry - the leading manufacturing sector in the country - depends on increasing investment to turn the tide on rising trade deficits. A new strategy is proposed to position the sector for future success. Read more for details...
Dr. Kevin Folta's presentation, "Marketing a Mistrust of the Safest Food Supply in History”, at the 2015 Trottier Science Symposium at McGill University
Partnership for Water Sustainability: “Feast and Famine Workshop: Flood and Drought – What happened to the balance?” Click here
NRCan Webinar “Are we on the right track? Applying indicators to measure progress on adaptation” Click here
NEW! A documentary exploring the role of science, sustainability and food safety in modern agriculture, encouraging farmers to stand up for their right to farm Click here