Unplugged
Unplugged
Colorado’s rural electric co-ops are determined to go green. - By Keaton Peters / High Country News
06 OPENING REMARKS It’s not quite summer in Whistler just yet, but the early signs of the season are all around us, writes editor Braden Dupuis.
08 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR This week’s letter writers share thanks for a trio of local fundraisers and events.
20 THE OUTSIDER After two decades in the resort, Vince Shuley reflects on his recent move down the road to Squamish.
42 PIQUE’N YER INTEREST The environment is everything, writes Leslie Anthony. Nothing—not ourselves, not the much-lauded economy—exists without it.
10 STANDING STRONG The Sea to Sky’s Filipino community is rallying together following the tragic incident that took 11 lives in Vancouver April 26
11 CUB CONCERNS Bear advocates are voicing concerns after a pair of orphaned cubs were filmed in Whistler last week.
24 TOP OF THE WORLD Whistler’s Wei Tien Ho reflects on going from a wildcard entrant to a Freeride World Tour gold medal in Verbier.
28 FOR THE KIDS The Whistler Children’s Festival returns to liven up the resort from May 16 to 18.
COVER Funny how the loudest critics of government overreach always seem to have the longest arms when it’s time to swat down progress they don’t agree with. - By Jon Parris //@jon.parris.art
Publisher SARAH STROTHER - sstrother@piquenewsmagazine.com
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Contributors G.D. MAXWELL, GLENDA BARTOSH, LESLIE ANTHONY, ANDREW MITCHELL, ALISON TAYLOR, VINCE SHULEY, ALYSSA NOEL
Founding Publishers KATHY & BOB BARNETT www.piquenewsmagazine.com
Signs of summer in Whistler
SUMMERS IN WHISTLER seem to start just a little earlier each year.
That’s not to say summer is here already, in the first week of May—June in Whistler has a reputation for being called “Juneuary” for a reason—but recent days have provided ample sunshine in the valley, bringing out some early staples of every Whistler summer.
BY BRADEN DUPUIS
An increase in traffic, both foot and cycle, on the Valley Trail; the first warning signs of wildfire season, with fires near Squamish and the local fire danger rating hitting high for the first time in 2025; bears everywhere, including one very unfortunate incident in Kadenwood that saw a young woman knocked down and bitten by a lactating momma black bear, who was sadly shot and killed by the COS.
A heart-wrenching video of her cubs, crying at the base of a tree in Kadenwood, is a stark reminder of the responsibility we all share here in Whistler. This is not to lay blame on anyone for what transpired in that event (you can read more on page 11), but it’s a clear reminder for everyone in the resort, visitors or otherwise, to respect local wildlife as summer approaches.
Instances of black bears attacking humans are exceedingly rare. The Kadenwood neighbourhood is the site of an infamous 2018 bear-feeding case, in which a Whistler woman was ultimately fined $10,500 for repeatedly feeding bears, but Conservation Officers said they were unable to confirm a connection.
“The COS cannot stress enough the importance of not feeding bears and other dangerous wildlife, which can create a serious
risk to public safety, as well as the safety of the bear,” the COS said in a statement to Pique “Violators can face fines under the Wildlife Act. Reports can be made to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline.”
But then, spring and early summer can be a funny thing in Whistler, as evidenced by the forecast seen early in the week. As of this Tuesday afternoon writing, Thursday’s forecast was showing a chance of flurries and/ or rain showers before the sun and spring-like temperatures were expected to return starting Friday. As with so many things, your mileage may vary by the time you read this.
And while the Resort Municipality of Whistler announced the local fire danger rating was increased to high late last week, the danger had subsided considerably, at least according to the BC Wildfire Service, by May 6.
As summer gets underway in earnest,
budworm infestation currently impacting local forests—not cause for panic just yet, according to local experts, but worth keeping an eye on as far as wildfire risk goes (read more about that in an upcoming issue of Pique).
Compared to the disastrous totals of 2023—more than 2.84 million hectares of land burned, hundreds of homes and structures lost, tens of thousands forced to evacuate… the worst wildfire season on record in B.C.— last year was nothing short of a reprieve.
And yet, with an estimated 1.08 million hectares burned, 2024 was still the fourth worst wildfire season on record in B.C.—so even as the water slowly boils around us, the overall trends are obvious.
Like protecting local wildlife, reducing wildfire risk in Whistler is a responsibility we all share, whether that’s through proper campfire and/or smoking etiquette,
Rescue Service (WFRS), BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), RMOW staff, and external emergency management personnel; enhancing emergency preparedness in Whistler, including evacuation prep; and continuing “strategic vegetation management efforts”—i.e., fuel-thinning— while also ensuring “multiple forest values continue to be managed for.”
That last one has proven a sticking point for many in recent years, and the debate over how to manage Whistler’s forests is sure to carry through 2025 and beyond.
Clearly, protecting Whistler from wildfire is no small task, requiring careful consideration and input from multiple groups—one of the themes of a wildfire workshop hosted by the Cheakamus Community Forest on May 6 and 7.
Titled Wildfire Resilience in Times of Uncertainty, the workshop featured talks
Like protecting local wildlife, reducing wildfire risk in Whistler is a responsibility we all share, whether that’s through proper campfire and/ or smoking etiquette, FireSmarting our properties, or even just keeping an eye out for smoke, and reporting it when we see it.
it’s worth staying tuned to the BC Wildfire Service’s conditions map, and whistler.ca/ wildfire (or better yet, signing up for Whistler Alert at whistler.ca/whistleralert), for all the latest on wildfire.
Whistler has so far avoided wildfire catastrophe like those seen in Jasper or Lytton (knocking of course on all the wood in arm’s reach here), but look around you—the valley is a veritable tinder box just waiting for a light. And that’s to say nothing of the spruce
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FireSmarting our properties, or even just keeping an eye out for smoke, and reporting it when we see it.
At a municipal level, the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, first adopted in 2022, guides Whistler’s efforts, focusing on six strategies: Educating about FireSmart principles and wildfire prevention; adapting relevant legislation and community plans; increasing interagency cooperation; increasing cross-training between the Whistler Fire
by local professionals involved in wildfire management and UBC academics breaking new ground in wildfire research (again, check back with Pique for more next week).
It’s a timely talk in a town that seems to dodge the proverbial wildfire bullet year after, but as the experts say, it’s not a matter of if Whistler is impacted by wildfire, but when.
The signs of spring and early summer are all around us—it’s up to us to make sure we’re not ignoring them. n
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Keep on rockin for Big Kev
The Rock for “Big Kev” Benefit electrified Whistler on May 2 at Merlin’s in support of Kevin Mikkelsen a.k.a. Big Rockn’ Kev, and his journey living with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. It was an unforgettable night of connection, community, and there was definitely a whole lotta love in the room. Thanks to the 325 people who showed up to make this a Whistler event of epic proportions that will be etched in our memories forever.
It was exhilarating to rock out to the seven acts and 23 artists who donated their time to play including Ruckus Deluxe (Chad and Ian), Taylor James, Jaxon Mishaw, Rutherford Creek Collective (Glenn, Gary, Brett and Rajan), Stephen Vogler and The West Coast Front (Stephen, Rajan, Andrew, Rosalind and Geeta), The Big Love Band (Erik, Brancho, Radim, Rajan and Mark), and Red Chair (Adam, Cam, Derek and Bannock). Whistler’s legendary DJ duo Foxy Moron (Ace) and Vinyl Ritchie (Scotty) kept the party going while the bands changed over, fuelling the passion and energy.
Many, many thanks to our amazing volunteer team including Angie Nolan, Stephen and Peggy Vogler, Carol Severson, Mike Robertson, Chris Quinlan, Glenn Mishaw and Martha Kertesz, who contributed countless hours to pulling the event and silent auction
together. A huge shout out to all the amazing staff at Merlin’s (KC, Jack, Courtney, Toby and team) and of course, Mike Wilson. A massive shout out to Andrew Bowes from XL AV and Rajan Das for supporting the production and talent. Thank you also to all of the companies that donated to the silent auction.
We raised close to $40,000, BUT our goal is a minimum of $56,000—Big Kev’s age.
OUR ONE ASK is to everyone who attended please post your favourite photos and videos on social from the benefit AND share the link
to our fundraising campaign at gofund.me/ bigKevfundraiser.
For those of you who can donate, please head to the GoFundMe link, and let’s show Big Kev some more love, so we can ensure he is set up with his living situation and financially for the next few years while he navigates his disease as he can no longer work. This condition has drastically changed his life, making it impossible for him to walk or work, and requiring costly equipment and adaptations for his home. Funds raised will be held in trust,
ensuring they go directly towards improving his quality of life and financial security. From mobility aids to necessary furniture and basic needs, every contribution counts.
Big Kev has spent 20 years building a vibrant life in Whistler, and we want to help him stay in his beloved community. Thank you Whistler for your love and support of our friend Big Rockn Kev, who has the best hugs in town.
Keep on rockn!
Shauna Hardy // Producer, Rock for Big Kev Benefit
Girl Guides say thanks
On behalf of the Whistler & Pemberton Girl Guides, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks for the generous donations and support of Nesters Market. They are always there to support the community and local organizations, and we are so grateful they chose us to be the recipients of their Taste of Local Celebrations on May 3. The event barbecue was a hit. Brother Twang kept the crowd rocking while customers spun the prize wheel, tasted delicious product samples, enjoyed complimentary face painting and bought Girl Guide cookies!
Thanks to the support and generosity of Nesters customers and staff, we were able to raise valuable funds that will go directly towards helping our girls participate in an incredible international experience, travelling to Europe in July 2026. Opportunities like this
Official search called off for orphaned bear cubs
WILDLIFE ADVOCATES, MLA CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND IMPROVED CONSERVATION EFFORTS
BY LIZ MCDONALD
HOPE IS FADING for three orphaned black bear cubs in Whistler.
The cubs are presumed orphaned after the Conservation Officer Service (COS) shot a lactating female black bear on the evening of April 28. Officers euthanized the bear after a woman was knocked down and bitten in Kadenwood, a forested neighbourhood connected to Whistler Mountain that largely consists of second homes. The woman sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The cubs were captured on video last week by a construction worker, seen crying beside a tree.
Local wildlife advocates Ellie Lamb and Tina James have spent the past week searching for the cubs on foot. Despite at least one sighting by construction workers, there have been no publicly reported sightings since.
The COS placed a live trap and borrowed two specialized cub traps from Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley in an effort to capture the animals last week. The service has since called off its ground search and removed the traps.
“The cubs have not been located, and no new reports have been received. A live trap has now been pulled from the area, due in part to the potential of catching other bears in the area,” the COS said in an emailed statement.
Gale Martin, executive director of the wildlife rehabilitation centre, said Critter Care was contacted on either Monday, April 28 or Tuesday, April 29 by the COS and informed that three bear cubs might be incoming. When Critter Care staff followed up on April 29 to determine a timeline for their arrival, they were told the COS had lost track of the cubs.
Martin said she has unanswered questions about what happened.
“This whole thing is bizarre. You just don’t lose three bear cubs. People have been all over the area—community members brought a drone with infrared, and they couldn’t find anything either,” she said.
With 40 years of rehabilitation experience,
Martin said bear cubs don’t leave an area with their mother’s scent.
“He should have left the body for a day, and the cubs would have stayed, and he could have rescued them. I feel such sadness for the people of Whistler who have gone out of their way to find these animals and for the mother being shot and these babies having no help, if they are still out there,” she said.
Lamb and James have continued searching using a drone and a dog, but to no avail.
West Vancouver-Sea to Sky MLA Jeremy Valeriote said he wants to see more funding for COS officers in the Sea to Sky.
“I defer to conservation officers and scientists, but it’s heart-wrenching the sow was killed,” Valeriote said. “We need more funding for officers here—the Sea to Sky isn’t properly serviced by the COS. I also wish qualified biologists could help during searches.”
If the cubs are spotted again, the COS said the matter will be referred to the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, as the animals are not currently considered a threat to public safety.
“If the cubs are located, they will be assessed for rehabilitation at a permitted rearing facility, as per the Orphaned Black Bear Cub guidelines,” the service said.
Ken Macquisten, a veterinarian with Critter Care, said there needs to be more transparency around how officials determine whether a cub is a candidate for rehabilitation.
“The recent policy on how to deal with bear cubs as suitable candidates requires a vet assessment, but there is only one vet in the province who makes the assessment,” Macquisten said. “They work for the government. They’ve been reassuring the public that they speak to vets, but they only speak to one who is a government employee—that’s a big hole.”
While Lamb is slowly coming to terms with the likelihood the cubs may not be found, she said she still wants accountability and transparency from the agency.
“We pay the COS to ensure the safety of animals and people,” Lamb said. “[Animals are] in the community because they are vulnerable to predators, and they come in because we are safer… It’s our responsibility to ensure they stay safe and receive fair treatment.” n
SAD SIGHT A still from a video showing orphaned bear cubs in Whistler.
SCREENSHOT
Whistler building bylaw overhaul moves ahead
CONSTRUCTIVE INPUT FROM COUNCIL AND PUBLIC WILL SEE SOME PROPOSED CHANGES RENOVATED BY FALL
BY LIZ MCDONALD
THE RESORT MUNICIPALITY of Whistler (RMOW) is advancing an overhaul of its 21-yearold building bylaw, aiming to streamline permit approvals, introduce clearer rules, and update building safety standards. But the move hasn’t come without constructive criticism—particularly around fee complexity, FireSmart construction, and how much responsibility should be shifted from municipal staff to private professionals.
The RMOW’s committee of the whole received a presentation on April 29 from building department manager Melissa Hollis, who walked councillors through the proposed bylaw updates, informed by months of engagement with local builders, architects and residents.
The engagement was a stipulation added last November by Councillor Ralph Forsyth, though some councillors wondered whether it would slow down the process. The bylaw was initially slated for approval this April.
“This is one part of the backbone of the tools that supports the other permit efficiency work,” said Hollis, noting the update is tied to the municipality’s Housing Accelerator Fund commitments.
At its core, the bylaw splits Whistler’s existing building rules into two parts: a regulation bylaw (No. 2482) and a fees and
charges bylaw (No. 2483), both based on a provincial template from the Municipal Insurance Association of B.C. (MIABC). But the RMOW customized several sections to better reflect Whistler’s unique context.
NEW FEES STRUCTURE
One of the most talked-about changes is a proposed shift away from calculating permit fees based on declared construction value. Instead, Whistler plans to introduce a Permit Scope Index (PSI) model—multiplying project type by square footage to produce a set cost.
Staff said this will make fees more predictable, but several survey respondents and councillors flagged concerns about the model’s complexity.
“The intent is not to increase the fees above where they sit today,” said Hollis. “But to distribute them more fairly and consistently across permit types.” Some building permits will cost more, and others, less.
Still, in response to feedback, staff are recommending a phased rollout—keeping the current system in place temporarily while refining PSI categories and updating internal systems.
Coun. Jeff Murl questioned whether the overhaul is truly making life easier for builders, especially given how many rules are still scattered across other municipal bylaws.
“It seems like we maybe missed an opportunity here,” Murl said, referring to items like backflow prevention and fire sprinklers, which are addressed in separate bylaws. Staff pushed back, noting those pieces are already regulated through engineering bylaws or subdivision covenants and including them would create redundancy.
“The intent is not to increase the fees above where they sit today.”
- MELISSA HOLLIS
FIRE ACCESS IN, WILDFIRE HAZARD RULES ON PAUSE
Survey respondents supported the inclusion of fire access route design and firefighting water supply requirements—two areas Whistler is prioritizing given the danger wildfire presents to the community.
But one item that needs more time is whether Whistler should go further by adding wildfire hazard building requirements to its bylaw. Though 76 per cent of survey respondents supported the idea, Hollis said staff want more time to work with the building community on what such requirements might look like.
CERTIFIED PROFESSIONALS: HELP OR HEADACHE?
Another topic which took digs from the public and council was the proposed Certified Professional (CP) program, which would allow qualified architects or engineers to take over code compliance reviews for Part 3 buildings which are large, complex projects often over three storeys.
While most survey respondents supported the idea, others raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest that benefits the developer, the systems failure in other communities, trust issues and that having many eyes on a project is more beneficial than one set of CP’s.
Murl suggested Whistler should fully explore what implementation would look like before moving forward. “If we’re going to adopt it, we should adopt it … to its most useful degree,” he said.
Staff plan to return to council in the fall with a detailed recommendation. n
Construction begins on new École La Vallée building in Pemberton
PEMBERTON’S FRANCOPHONE COMMUNITY CELEBRATES NEW FRENCH-LANGUAGE PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDING
BY LUKE FAULKS
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
AFTER MORE THAN two decades, Pemberton’s francophone community is set to get its own school building. A groundbreaking ceremony at the future school’s location between the Tiyata Village and Highway 99 was held on May 6.
“This is a huge win for students to keep their parents’ mother tongue and parents looking to pass their language on to the next generation without having to be in a predominantly francophone environment to do so,” said Laura Grefford, a board member of the Fédération des Parents Francophones de Colombie-Britannique (FPFCB).
LEGAL LEGWORK BEFORE CONSTRUCTION
While construction on the school itself has been in development for about five years, the origins of the new building date back closer to two decades.
École La Vallée was inaugurated in September 2004 with 24 students across kindergarten to Grade 7. It has grown to 82 students spread across four portables next to Signal Hill Elementary School.
The FPFCB and Conseil Scolaire Francophone de la Colombie-Britannique (CSF), also known as the Francophone Education Authority or School District 93 (SD93), had argued for years that the province underfunded French-language schools and failed to provide adequate facilities—particularly in rural areas like Pemberton, where francophone students were forced into a growing number of portables or other facilities across town.
Under Section 23 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, a province or territory’s French- or English-minority communities are guaranteed primary and secondary education in their mother tongue. The CSF argued Pemberton and other communities’ growing francophone student populations merited their own standalone facilities.
“There’s a principle of equivalence in
education,” said Marie-Pierre Lavoie, board chair of the CSF. “It’s about not having a school that’s too old or that we rent from someone. Our students already perform very well, but we want to grow with our students.”
The CSF and FPFCB launched a lawsuit against the province in June 2010, arguing the province had failed to provide equivalent educational services to francophone students.
In 2016, the B.C. Supreme Court delivered a partial victory to the CSF in a lengthy ruling agreeing French-language schools were underfunded, but that charter breaches were occasionally appropriate based on insufficient French student populations.
The CSF and FPFCB appealed the 2016 decision, which made its way to the Supreme Court of Canada.
In June 2020, the SCC ruled in favour of the CSF, affirming the right to comparable education for French-speaking students and placing a strong obligation on governments to actively support minority language education.
Work began in earnest on a new physical building in Pemberton in 2020. Details on the specs for the new school building were released in November 2020, and the CSF secured $66 million from the province for the construction of a new school building in March 2024.
BREAKING GROUND
The three-storey, 4,000-square-metre school will be built behind Signal Hill Elementary, within the Tiyata Village.
The planned facility will accommodate 220 students, with the potential to expand by an additional 150 seats to meet future enrolment. Construction will use hybrid mass timber, aligning with the province’s emissions-reduction goals.
In addition to a basketball court, soccer field and gymnasium, the new school will offer French-language child care services. Grefford sees it as a way for younger kids and new families to integrate into the new school earlier than kindergarten.
“Very importantly, these children will be able to speak French outside of the home and build their French-speaking skills even more by integrating into the francophone community,” she said.
Lil’wat cultural chief Gélpcal Ashley Joseph, his cousin, and his wife—Heather Joseph, the Ucwalmícwts teacher at Signal Hill—commemorated the groundbreaking with a work song.
“Language is really exciting to us,” said Gélpcal. “To have it continue, have it flourish… and I think it’s really important to
be supporting each other’s communities and each other’s children.”
Pemberton Mayor Mike Richman, whose kids attended the French-language program, marked the occasion by reflecting on the work that went into the new building.
“It’s been a long road getting here,” he told Pique . “There’s been a number of people involved from the beginning who have put in years and years of work to get here, and they should be very proud. There should be a lot of pride in this community to get to this point, the school will bring not only a lot of value to the francophone community here, but also to the greater community.”
Richman noted part of the hurdle was establishing a business case that Pemberton had the need for a new building specifically to accommodate francophone students. The current portables have the capacity to hold about 100 students, according to Lavoie, but the CSF projects ample growth in the years ahead.
“We’ve been growing ever since it opened as a small program, and then we are convinced that there’s going to be more students when the school is ready to open with the new building,” she said.
École La Vallée is a public school, just not a French immersion school. Unlike Signal Hill and Pemberton Secondary School, which reside in School District 48, the French school is part of SD93—the French language public school board for every French school in the province.
“A lot of times you have people think that the franc schools are private, but they are not,” said Grefford.
“There’s a public francophone school district in the province, and it’s wonderful that Pemberton is going to be able to offer a full-fledged francophone school right here in the village.”
Students who attend an SD93 school need to have at least one parent whose first language is French.
Construction on the new École La Vallée is scheduled to be completed in winter 2027. n
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BREAKING GROUND Officials from School District 93, the Fédération des Parents Francophones de ColombieBritannique, Village of Pemberton and Lil’wat Nation gathered on May 6 for a groundbreaking ceremony.
PHOTO BY LUKE FAULKS
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Moving down the street
TIME HAS A WAY of putting things in perspective. Young folks fresh into adulthood (who we sometimes derisively refer to as “kids”) often see the world through rosetinted glasses, where long-term commitments to their careers, their finances and even their relationships happily run aloof. The focus is
BY VINCE SHULEY
simply on having fun, meeting people and enjoying every possible new and exciting experience. The influx of young people to work their one (or many) seasons in Whistler is in part, or sometimes in whole, attributed to these aspirations.
It certainly was for me when I stepped off the Greyhound bus in Whistler Village many moons ago, wide-eyed and ready for the adventure of living in what I had heard was the best ski resort in North America.
If you ever return to where you grew up as a child, you’ll notice everything seems smaller now. The world of a five-year-old
starts at your home and finishes down the street, or wherever your parents designated the boundary. Now replace that five-year-old with a 22-year-old young adult, and the street with the Whistler Valley, and you’ll see where I’m going with this.
When I arrived in the mid-2000s, no one wanted to live far from the village. If you worked for Whistler Blackcomb you hopefully got your first season sorted at Glacier Lane staff housing, but after that, you were on your own to find rental housing. And yes,
filled with so much stuff it looked like she was living out of it, just because she didn’t want to drive to and from Emerald more than once a day. The idea of living in Squamish or Pemberton was still far-fetched, and you never met anyone in your age group doing that commute. Why would you move from the other side of the world, to not live in Whistler?
Then, time happened. Whistler built aggressively for the 2010 Olympics and Cheakamus Crossing slowly became a more desirable place to live (before the traffic got
Why would you move from the other side of the world, to not live in Whistler?
while the rents weren’t as excruciatingly expensive back then, it was still a challenge to find housing, just as it always has. Living south of Creekside was considered remote and inconvenient, too far from the social scene of town. Cheakamus Crossing was still a municipal landfill at the time and Function Junction was all but an industrial No Man’s Land. Emerald had plenty of cosy cabins, but the bus ride to and from town was brutal. I remember meeting a girl whose car was
REALLY bad). Pemberton was gaining a reputation as the place to move and raise a family, and Squamish began to gentrify, filing off its rough edges and reputation as a road stop on the way to Whistler. Friends of mine began to migrate up and down the corridor, while I held on to the Whistler dream tooth and nail.
Last weekend, I joined their ranks. Just as I passed the 20-year milestone and qualified as a veteran Whistler local, I made the move to Squamish. What prompted this after so
long? Let’s just call it a fresh start. A long-term relationship ended. I was in need of housing with my dog, bikes and snowmobile in tow. After so many years of centring my life around access to ski lifts, it was time to dip a toe outside of the town that raised me from a wet-behindthe-ears pup with a ski bag to a guy in his 40s who somewhat has his shit together.
There’s a lot I’ll miss about being a true Whistler local. The impromptu ski days that turn out to be sleeper hits. Rolling over to the bike park most nights of the week. Sitting on a bench on the shores of Alta Lake as I admire the view of Whistler Peak and West Bowl while my dog enjoys the afternoon breeze. There’s nowhere in the world quite like it.
While my address is changing, my connection to Whistler is not. I’m still here writing opinion columns and the occasional feature story for Pique. I’ll be coming up the highway for powder days, either with my skis or with my sled. I’ll be up to see my old friends, ride the latest gnar on the Westside and diving off a couple of Alta Lake party barges at every opportunity. On the daily, I’ll be exploring the nooks and crannies of Squamish, walking my dog along the estuaries and meeting a new community of like-minded folk.
Moving down the street doesn’t look too bad at all.
Vince Shuley is feeling fresh. For questions, comments or suggestions for The Outsider, email vince.shuley@gmail.com or Instagram @ whis_vince. n
NEW HOOD, WHO DIS? The mountain views in Squamish get Link’s seal of approval.
PHOTO BY VINCE SHULEY
From Waste to Action: The real cost of throwing out food
BY ALEXANDRA CUSCHIERI
AS THE COST of living rises, we’re all searching for ways to stretch our budgets, especially when it comes to groceries. What if the easiest way to save money is simply reducing food waste?
In Canada, the average household throws away about $1,300 worth of edible food every year. That’s equivalent to tossing a full grocery bag into the trash every single week. In today’s economy, that isn’t just careless; it’s a luxury we can’t afford.
And the impact of food waste goes far beyond our finances. Producing food requires water, land, energy, and labour. When we waste food, we disregard all the resources that went into getting it to our plates. Worse, when food ends up in landfills, it emits methane, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change.
Food waste is a climate issue; one we’ve normalized. It’s time to stop pretending it’s harmless.
A CULTURE OF WASTE
How did we get here? We live in a society where wasting food has become routine. Our systems make food cheap and disposable. We’re sold on the idea that more is better, and we treat bestbefore dates like gospel, trading in common sense for caution.
Meanwhile, nearly half the food in Canada never gets eaten. In Whistler, one-fifth of household food waste is avoidable—perfectly good food thrown away that could have been consumed. It’s not just unfortunate; it’s absurd.
Many households are already masters of making food stretch. But the uncomfortable truth is that most of us are part of the problem. And unless we’re willing to face that, we’ll keep throwing away more than just food.
WHY SHOULD WE CARE?
Because if we don’t change our habits, we’re not just wasting food—we’re accelerating climate collapse. When we shrug off our role in food waste, we normalize the problem. And when millions of people normalize waste, we fuel a collective crisis.
We need to talk about it. We’re quietly consuming more than we need and tossing what becomes inconvenient: too wrinkled, too close to date, or forgotten in the fridge.
Meanwhile, waste builds in our landfills, and climate extremes become our new normal. This isn’t fearmongering, it’s fact. Future generations are counting on us to care now, because the habits we form today will shape the world they inherit tomorrow.
SO, WHAT CAN WE DO?
By understanding a few of the most common reasons food goes to waste, we can take action to waste less, save more, and be part of the solution.
1. We misunderstand best-before dates
A major driver of household food waste is confusion over date labels. In Canada, 23
per cent of avoidable food waste comes from people tossing food based on best-before dates. But “best before” doesn’t mean “bad after.” These labels are about peak quality, not safety. A box of crackers might be a little less crisp, but still perfectly fine to eat. Yogurt, eggs, and milk often last well beyond their best-before dates. We’ve outsourced our judgment to arbitrary labels. If it looks, smells, and tastes fine, it likely is. (“Expiry” dates are the exception, indicating when a product is no longer safe to consume).
2. We store food incorrectly
Fruits and vegetables make up 45 per cent of the food wasted in Canada. And often, it’s simply because they weren’t stored properly. A few easy fixes can go a long way: trim herb stems and keep them in a jar of water in the fridge like a bouquet. Keep mushrooms in a paper bag to prevent moisture buildup. And don’t default to the fridge; bananas, potatoes, and onions prefer cool, dry counters. Knowing how to store your food isn’t just smart; it’s a simple way to show respect for the resources it took to produce it.
3. We don’t know what to do with leftovers
Leftovers make up 13 per cent of Canada’s food waste, often because they don’t seem like a full meal: a half-portion of rice, a few roasted carrots, half a bowl of soup. But when we stop seeing leftovers as scraps and start seeing them as ingredients, the possibilities grow. Roasted vegetables can become a frittata, soup, or sandwich filling. Leftover rice is perfect for a stir-fry or grain bowl. Creativity in the kitchen doesn’t have to be gourmet, it just has to be intentional.
A MINDSET SHIFT
At its core, food waste isn’t just about habits—it’s about values. Are we really OK with discarding perfectly good food because it’s more convenient than figuring out what to do with it? Are we comfortable with the environmental consequences of our choices just because we don’t see them happening in front of us?
This isn’t about guilt, it’s about responsibility. We can choose to plan better. To store smarter. To cook what we already have. And we can choose to talk about it; to challenge the culture that normalizes food waste.
Food is too valuable to waste. In a world where so much feels out of our hands, this is something we can control. Saving food means saving money. It means protecting the planet. It means doing right by the people, places, and systems that make our meals possible.
COMPOST WHAT’S LEFT
Of course, not all food can—or should—be eaten. Composting keeps scraps out of landfills, prevents methane, and returns nutrients to the soil. By separating food scraps, we help close the loop, transforming waste into a valuable resource for gardens, farms, and green spaces.
AWARE works with the community to deliver bold, inspiring evidence-based solutions to the environmental issues that affect Whistler. Read more at awarewhistler.org. n
‘This moment I’ve been working towards for a long time’
WEI TIEN HO REFLECTS ON GOING FROM A WILDCARD TO A FREERIDE WORLD TOUR GOLD MEDAL IN VERBIER
BY DAVID SONG
WEI TIEN HO MISSED the Cut for last year’s Freeride World Tour (FWT) finals. He squeaked into competition this year via wildcard berth, which he admitted to having “mixed feelings” about. With a tremendous array of talent in the field, including 2024 overall runner-up Marcus Goguen, Ho was not considered a podium favourite.
He saved his best for last, though: prevailing in March’s season finale at the Yeti Xtreme Verbier.
“To be honest, I think it’s only just starting to sink in now,” said Ho about the most notable victory of his skiing career to date. “I got injured in the fall and I wasn’t really sure what my season would look like. This moment I’ve been working towards for a long time and I feel like I’ve been close, but not all the pieces have fallen together. This moment kind of felt like that one time all the stars aligned.” Verbier is arguably the grandest event on the FWT calendar. It’s quite a spectacle, with more fans and sponsors looking on
than any other contest. The massive Bec des Rosses venue is also considered particularly intimidating by numerous athletes.
If you watch Ho’s run, you wouldn’t assume he was feeling much trepidation.
The Whistlerite made his way through a steep upper part of the face before landing a backflip, a 360 and a creative double pop through the icefall. Judges rewarded him
I normally like to be. But, I think my whole mindset around Verbier was quite good because I didn’t feel like I had any pressure on me the whole season.
“I was 10th overall and had nothing to lose, so I was just looking forward to showcasing the skiing that I’ve been wanting to showcase, having fun and putting on a show for the crowd.”
“I was just looking forward to showcasing the skiing that I’ve been wanting to showcase...”
- WEI TIEN HO
with 84.33 points, ahead of silver medallist Ross Tester (76.67) and Toby Rafford in third (72.67).
Goguen was relegated to fourth place (69.17), but still did enough to lock down the overall men’s ski championship.
“My process around [Verbier] wasn’t any better in any particular way, and if anything, it was maybe worse,” Ho revealed. “I was kind of struggling to find a line and I was still looking at my line at 11:30 p.m. the day before the comp. That isn’t a place
‘ALWAYS A DREAM IN THE BACK OF OUR HEADS’
Fan adoration and judge approval are great, but in Ho’s case nothing topped completing his run and giving his childhood pal Goguen a big hug.
“That’s a memory I’ll never forget for the rest of my life,” Ho said. “Derek Foose, the commentator on tour, has been our coach since we were 12. It’s kind of hard to explain all those feelings I had at that moment … we never really said it when we were young, but [winning the FWT together] was always
a dream in the back of our heads. To know that was actually the reality in Verbier is pretty surreal.
“Marcus is definitely someone who inspires me every day, both inside and outside of the comps. He’s cracked the code a bit better than I’ve been able to, so I definitely try and learn from what he’s doing.”
Goguen, too, had praise for his close friend.
“This title means the world to me; it’s been a childhood dream, and achieving it alongside my friend Wei Tien Ho ... makes it even more special,” he said in a press release. “I couldn’t have asked for a better outcome.”
Ho believes the current level of FWT competition is as high as ever, with virtually anybody capable of triumph on any given day. Weather and luck do factor in, but he intends to keep grinding to maximize his odds of consistent future success.
For now, though, it is time for Ho to dust off his mountain bike and get ready for a summer of Enduro World Cups, national downhill races and Crankworx outings.
“I just can’t pick [between skiing and biking],” he said. “I continue to love them both, and this is a goal I set when I was young: to try and compete with the best in both sports. In terms of the mental aspect, I think they do complement each other because I’m constantly practicing ways to get in the zone and perform under pressure.” n
TOP OF THE WORLD The 2025 men’s ski podium at the Yeti Xtreme Verbier, left to right: Ross Tester, Wei Tien Ho and Toby Rafford.
PHOTO COURTESY OF THE FREERIDE WORLD TOUR
MEADOW PARK SPORTS CENTRE
PIQUE’S GUIDE TO LOCAL EVENTS & NIGHTLIFE
Here’s a quick look at some events happening in Whistler this week and beyond. FIND MORE LOCAL EVENT LISTINGS (and submit your own for free!) at piquenewsmagazine.com/local-events
THE CHAIR SERIES
AUTHOR TALK: STORIES OF ICE WITH LYNN MARTEL
Level1 WaterRestrictions InEffect
WhenCanI Water?
Even-numberedaddresses canusesprinklersoneven-numbered days.
Odd-numberedaddresses canusesprinklersonodd-numbered days.
In-groundirrigationsystems:
Evenaddressesmaywaterfrom10:00pmto4:00amoneven days.
Oddaddressesmaywaterfrom10:00pmto4:00amonodddays.
Join Mt. Waddington for a collection of stories surrounding glaciers and glacier activity from the days of old up to modern day. Lynn Martel has been exploring and documenting the mountains and glaciers of the world since moving to the Canadian Rockies in the ’80s. She’s a writer and photographer who has documented her love of the outdoors for years with amazing stories of her expeditions.
> May 9, 7:30 p.m.
> Mt. Waddington Outdoors
THE CHAIR SERIES
Written and directed by Vancouver playwright John McGie, The Chair Series is theatre at its most fundamental level. The only prop is a chair for each actor and some sound to augment the story. The actors rely solely on their craft and the script that McGie has written specifically for each player.
> May 10, 7 p.m.
> The Point Artist-Run Centre
MOTHER’S DAY BRUNCH
Back by popular demand, Four Seasons Resort Whistler invites guests to their Mother’s Day brunch. Indulge in a specially curated menu for $85 per adult and
$45 per child, all accompanied by the charming solo performance of Goby Catt.
> May 11, 10 a.m. to noon
> Four Seasons Resort Whistler
WHISTLER MEDITATES WITH SUSAN REIFER
Experience traditional and evidence-based mindfulness techniques you can apply to everyday life. Strengthen skills to manage stress, deepen self-awareness, cultivate compassion and more deftly navigate your thoughts, feelings, experiences and circumstances. Enjoy a welcoming, inclusive space where both beginners and seasoned practitioners come together and grow.
> May 14, 7 p.m.
> Whistler Public Library
ELECTRIC KITCHEN
Electric Kitchen is about facilitating wider connections and musical development amongst Whistler’s growing scene of electronic producers. Open to all levels, the open workshop format means guests can explore multiple elements of music production with hands-on experience at their own pace.
> May 15, 7 p.m.
> Whistler Public Library
ASTROLOGY
Free Will Astrology
WEEK OF MAY 9 BY
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Just for now, you might benefit from moderating your intensity. I am pleased to see how much good stuff you have generated lately, but it may be time to scale back a bit. At least consider the possibility of pursuing modest, sustainable production rather than daring to indulge in spectacular bursts of energy. In conclusion, dear Aries, the coming days will be a favourable time for finding the sweet spot between driving ambition and practical self-care. Your natural radiance won’t have to burn at maximum brightness to be effective.
Resort Municipality ofWhistler
NOTICEOFASSISTANCE
Inaccordancewithsection24ofthe CommunityCharter,theResortMunicipalityof
Whistler(RMOW)herebygivesnoticethat:
TheRMOWintendstoprovideassistancethroughpartneringagreementsfor2025 inaccordancewithCouncilPolicyA-39-FeeforService(FFS)to:
•WhistlerArtsCouncil(dbaArtsWhistler)uptotheamountof$594,825 tooperate MauryYoungArtsCentreanddevelop,produceandpromoteartsprogramming in Whistler;
•SeatoSkyInvasiveSpeciesCounciluptotheamountof$75,705 toprovide invasive species expertise, programdevelopment, trainingandeducationin Whistler;
•WhistlerAnimalsGaloreSocietyuptotheamountof$124,373 tooperatean animalshelterinWhistler;
•WhistlerMuseumandArchivesSocietyuptotheamountof$224,950tooperate theWhistlerMuseum;and
•WhistlerOff-RoadCyclingAssociationuptotheamountof$290,925 tomaintain theexistingoff-roadtrailnetworkwithinWhistler(togethertheFFSRecipients).
On February 25,2025 Councilpassedaresolutionapprovingthe fundingamounts totheFFSRecipientsataRegular Council Meeting. The FFSRecipientsare providingimportantservicestotheWhistlercommunityand Councilhas determinedthattheassistancebeingprovidedbytheRMOWfurthers thegoalsof theWhistlercommunityasidentifiedinWhistler’sOfficialCommunityPlan.All fundingundertheseagreementsisduetobepaidin2025, subjecttotheFFS Recipientssatisfyingmilestonesthroughout2025 andcontinuedavailabilityof funding.
Pauline Lysaght
Resort Municipalityof Whistler Corporate Officer
Resort MunicipalityofWhistler whistler.c a
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Classical ballet dancers often seek to convey the illusion of weightlessness through highly stylized movements. Innovative Taurus choreographer Martha Graham had a different aim, emphasizing groundedness. Emotional depth and rooted physicality were crucial to her art of movement. “The body never lies” is a motto attributed to her, along with “Don’t be nice, be real.” I recommend you make those themes your guides for now, Taurus. Ask your body to reveal truths unavailable to your rational mind. Value raw honesty and unembellished authenticity over mere decorum.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Gemini photographer Margaret Bourke-White (1904–1971) was a trailblazer. She was the first American woman war photojournalist, the first professional photographer permitted into the Soviet Union, and among the first to photograph a Nazi concentration camp. She was consistently at the right place at the right time to record key historical moments. She’s your role model in the coming months. You, too, will have a knack for being in the right place and time to experience weighty turning points. Be vigilant for such opportunities. Be alert and ready to gracefully pounce.
CANCER (June 21-July 22): “Each negative word in a news headline increases click-through rates,” writes Joan Westenberg. “Negative political posts on social media get twice the engagement. The system rewards pessimism.” She wants to be clear: “Doomsayers aren’t necessarily wrong. Many concerns are valid. But they’ve built an attention economy that profits from perpetual panic. It’s a challenge to distinguish between actionable information and algorithmic amplification, genuine concern and manufactured outrage.” Westenberg’s excellent points are true for all of us. But it’s especially important that you Cancerians take measures to protect yourself now. For the sake of your mental and physical health, you need extra high doses of optimism, hope, and compassion. Seek out tales of triumph, liberation, pleasure, and ingenuity far more than tales of affliction, mayhem, and corruption.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Bees are smart. The robust and lightweight honeycombs they create for their homes are designed with high efficiency, maximizing storage space while using the least amount of resources. Let’s make the bees’ genius your inspirational role model for the coming weeks, Leo. It will be a favourable time to optimize your own routines and systems. Where can you reduce unnecessary effort and create more efficiency? Whether it’s refining your schedule, streamlining a project, or organizing your workspace, small adjustments will yield pleasing rewards.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): In 1971, Virgo poet Kay Ryan began teaching English at a small community college. Though she wrote steadily, working hard to improve her craft and publish books, she never promoted herself. For years, she was virtually unknown. Finally, in 2008, she flamed into prominence. In quick succession, she served as the U.S. Poet Laureate, won a Pulitzer Prize, and received a $500,000 “genius grant” as a MacArthur Fellow. Why am I telling you about her long toil before getting her rightful honours? Because I believe that if you are ever going to receive the acclaim, recognition, appreciation, and full respect you deserve, it will happen in the coming months.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Libran author Diane Ackerman combines an elegant poetic sensibility and a deft skill
ROB BREZSNY
at scientific observation. She is lyrical and precise, imaginative and logical, inventive and factual. I would love for you to be inspired by her example in the coming weeks. Your greatest success and pleasure will arise as you blend creativity with pragmatism. You will make good decisions as you focus on both the big picture and the intimate details. PS: If you immerse yourself in the natural world and seek out sensory-rich experiences, I bet you will inspire a smart solution to an achy dilemma.
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Scorpio-born Sabina Spielrein (1885–1942) was one of the earliest woman psychoanalysts. In the 21st century, she is increasingly recognized as a great thinker who got marginalized because of her feminist approach to psychology. Several of her big contributions were Scorpionic to the core: She observed how breakdown can lead to breakthrough, how most transformations require the death of an old form, and how dissolution often serves creation. These will be useful themes for you to ruminate about in the coming weeks. For best results, be your deep, true, Scorpio self.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): In the middle of his art career, Sagittarian painter Paul Klee (1879–1940) was drafted into the German army as a soldier in the First World War. Rather than fighting on the front lines, he managed to get a job painting camouflage on military airplanes. This enabled him to conduct artistic explorations and experiments. The metal hulls became his canvases. I am predicting a comparable opportunity disguised as an obstacle for you, Sagittarius. Just as the apparent constraint on Klee actually advanced his artistic development, you will discover luck in unexpected places.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): “To live is so startling it leaves little time for anything else,” wrote poet Emily Dickinson. I often feel that truth. As much as I would love to devote 70-plus hours a week to creative writing and making music, I am continually diverted by the endless surprises of the daily rhythm. One of these weeks, maybe I’ll be brave enough to simply give myself unconditionally to ordinary life’s startling flow and forget about trying to accomplish anything great. If you have ever felt a similar pull, Capricorn, the coming days will be prime time to indulge. There will be no karmic cost incurred.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): David Bowie was a brilliant musical composer and performer. His artistry extended to how he crafted his persona. He was constantly revising and reshaping his identity, his appearance, and his style. The Ziggy Stardust character he portrayed on stage, for example, had little in common with his later phase as the Thin White Duke. “I’ve always collected personalities,” he quipped. If you have ever felt an inclination to experiment with your image and identity, Aquarius, the coming weeks will be an excellent time. Shape-shifting could be fun and productive. Transforming your outer style may generate interesting inner growth. What would be interesting ways to play with your selfexpression?
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): The Voynich manuscript is a famous text written in an unfamiliar script filled with bizarre illustrations. Carbon-dated to the early 15th century, it has resisted all attempts at deciphering its content. Even Artificial Intelligence has not penetrated its meaning. I propose we make this enigmatic document an iconic metaphor for your life in the coming weeks. It will symbolize the power you can generate by celebrating and honouring mystery. It will affirm the fact that you don’t necessarily require logical explanations, but can instead appreciate the beauty of the unknown. Your natural comfort with ambiguity will be a potent asset, enabling you to work effectively with situations others find too uncertain.
Homework: What’s your worst excuse for not being completely devoted to your dreams? Newsletter.FreeWillAstrology.com
In addition to this column, Rob Brezsny creates
In-depth weekly forecasts designed to inspire and uplift you. To buy access, phone 1-888-499-4425. Once you’ve chosen the Block of Time you like, call 1-888-682-8777 to hear Rob’s forecasts. www.freewillastrology.com
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Earth First
LAST WEEK , I was honoured to be invited to speak at AWARE’s “Party for the Planet.” Celebrating Earth Week and the 30th anniversary of our local environmental advocate with a silent auction fundraiser and some great beats from DJ Foxy Moron, a bigger reason for coming together was to acknowledge the need to continue and extend AWARE’s work on behalf of the environment.
BY LESLIE ANTHONY
I kicked off my talk with a story first recalled as comic anecdote, but which, in hindsight, had changed my life enough to find me now addressing a crowd on why it was important to speak up for the environment, why it was also important to speak up for science, and how to support these missions in Whistler.
Back in the late ’80s, my younger brother’s Grateful Dead tribute band asked if I’d speak at an Earth Day concert they were playing. Aa a doctoral student in zoology at the University of Toronto, I was clearly the only environment-adjacent person they knew. It wasn’t my area of expertise but I’d agreed, thinking I only had to deliver a few lines about frogs being canaries in the coalmine of consumerism in one of the dingy bars they typically played.
It turned out the gig was at Toronto city hall in front of 10,000 people. I got up on stage, and the crowd went quiet. Being Earth Day, folks doubtless anticipated some serious pitchforks-and-torches call to action— not the musings of a nerdy student focused on a molecules-and-microscopes study of chromosomes totally bereft of the kind of bigpicture thinking expected. I don’t remember
what I said, but it was something like “Earth good, industry bad,” and laced with the newly minted portmanteau “biodiversity” that had quickly attained buzzword status (that original cachet didn’t pan out in the long run, but that’s a whole different story).
People clapped a few times so I didn’t totally bomb. Nevertheless, I came away from that humbling experience with three lessons: First, people really wanted to understand the importance of the environment, how we’re connected to it, and what they could do to save it. Second, my arcane lab-based research needed more ecological context and big-picture thinking—a shift that would affect my scientific perspective to this day. Third, I needed to learn how to communicate all of this, which, to shorten a long, convoluted story that also involves a lot of skiing and moving to Whistler, is how I became a science-environment writer for whom every job clarifies why it’s important to speak up for the environment.
The answer is simple: the environment is everything Nothing—not ourselves, not the much-lauded economy—exists without it. By way of example, I like to share the little-known fact that photosynthetic ocean plankton produce 50 to 70 per cent of Earth’s oxygen. Meaning that at least every second breath we take relies on a healthy ocean, from which, despite being land-dwellers, we have no more than one degree of separation.
When you consider our careless treatment of the ocean—warming, acidification, plastic pollution, overfishing etc.—it makes you wonder over our priorities as a species. And, of course, we know these things because of science. Being environmentally aware means being scientifically aware, such that speaking up for science is speaking up for the environment.
The Chinese artist Ai Weiwei once said: “Everything is art. Everything is politics.” It’s a great T-shirt slogan as is, but he could also have added “Everything is science.” Certainly, science plays a bigger role in our lives than people tend to recognize. The microphone I spoke through that night—physics; my shirt—materials science; the beer I was drinking—microbiology and biochemistry; the snowmaking that supported my skiing
earlier that day tons of science!
Beloved astronomer Carl Sagan liked to point out that science isn’t just a way to find out things but a way of thinking—a form of inquiry aimed at the universe. A learning conversation with the environment that literally defines humanity and its progress. In that sense we’re all scientists, forever asking questions that refine our world view. And when scientists change their mind, it’s not because they’re wrong, but because they’ve learned more. Science tells us what is— not what we want things to be. And that’s something that breeds diplomacy, counters division and enables democracy.
This last point is important with science currently under serious threat in America. Along with the demolition of human rights, international aid, health oversight, medical research and protected areas of all kinds, the greatest science agencies on Earth like NASA, NOAA, NSF and NIH—those most responsible for our understanding of the planet—are being recklessly dismantled, throwing a quarter of a million highly trained individuals out of work, most early career scientists like I was when I addressed that Earth Day rally in Toronto. I can’t imagine what would have happened to my life had I gone to my office one day back then and had someone say, “Oh, your grant has been rescinded—you have no salary, no research funds. You’re done.”
Unlike what the U.S. government would have you believe, this isn’t a search for “efficiencies.” It’s an attack on knowledge. Suppression of truth. The very face of fascism. I mentioned this in my AWARE talk because Canadians were going to the polls within 12 hours and we have two parties who would happily enact the same attacks on science and the environment here. In fact, the Conservative Party of Canada already did so under the government of Stephen Harper— muzzling scientists, cutting climate research, throwing data into dumpsters. Moreover, the need for such reminders was clear when, the next day, some eight million Canadians voted for them to do it all again, somehow unaware that an over-concern with money and crime (literally the only thing conservatives talked
about at the Whistler all-candidates meeting— with a detour into sportfishing entitlement) fully abandons the environment and with it, every aspect of our shared future.
All of which devolved to a final point: why it’s important to act locally. Basically, because it’s how we can achieve the most direct results. And it all starts with voting. Whether for mayor and municipal council, a member of B.C.’s Legislative Assembly, or a representative to sit in federal Parliament, each occasion is a chance to vote for action on the environment. We’re lucky to have seen action from our current reps at all three government levels—and beyond lucky to have dodged the bullet-to-the-head of conservatism that would undo much of it.
Locally, there’s also abundant opportunity to have public input into municipal environment-related projects and policies. You can participate in things like community cleanups or become a rabidly good recycler who actually removes forever stickers from their fruit and vegetables and takes the frickin’ lids and caps off of bottles and jars. You can also get involved by volunteering or attending the events of local environmental organizations like AWARE, the Whistler Lakes Conservation Society, the Whistler Naturalists, the Fire & Ice GeoRegion Society and the Sea to Sky Invasive Species Council, to name a few. You can support local print journalism like Pique and Mountain Life that run environmental stories, get connected to the environment through local photography and films that tell environmental stories, or support events that do so (the recent talk by renowned wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen and current Ed Burtynsky “Coast Mountains” exhibition at the Audain Art Museum are excellent examples).
In the end, I might still be a nerdy scientist, but most of what I know about the local environment has come not from books, but from these organizations—something I hadn’t quite yet learned when I addressed that first Earth Day crowd.
Leslie Anthony is a biologist, writer and author of several popular books on environmental science. n
THE ANECDOTAL AMPHIBIAN Gets caught frogfooted at a Grateful Dead Tribute concert.
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