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Bear pauses in Sunday sunshine to allow fans a photograph Photo by Norma Rodgers, May 31, 2026. Spot a bear? Make sure you report the sighting to Lions Bay Bear Smart. While you're there, take a look around the site to learn all the tips and tricks for keeping bear encounters positive and conflict-free. The Watershed values your opinion. Share your thoughts below, or email editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local

Mountain, Sunset, Timbertop residents get first look at new plan How do you get out, if the worst is happening? Do you have a plan? Mary Brown does. Since taking on the position of Emergency Planning Coordinator (EPC) in the summer of 2025, Brown has sought and secured funding for an Evacuation Planning expert, who has generated a new plan to help Lions Bay residents address any number of potential emergencies from wildfires to earthquakes. And this week, if you are a residen

How much do you know about LBSAR? Photo courtesy LBSAR. Sunny skies and warm temperatures have local hikers shaking the dust off their hiking boots, and poring over local trail maps. But for Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR), the increasing number of hikers in the wilderness means the start of rescue season. Of course, with winter hiking and the ever-increasing number of adventurers taking advantage of the great outdoors, it's never really NOT rescue season for LBSAR. They

Local residents return to find unexpected new tenants When Lions Bay residents Trevor Hoffmann and Bobo Zhao recently returned from a work trip, they were met by a unexpected group of gate crashers. A window that had been left cracked open to offer a little air circulation while they were away proved to be an invitation to an uninvited visitor with homemaking plans of her own. All photos by Trevor Hoffmann. A nest, complete with four perfectly positioned eggs, had been neatly

Some residents worried about speed, focus of changes A public hearing scheduled to address changes to the zoning bylaw that addresses lot size is being met with concern from a number of local residents. As noted by staff in the May 22 Village Update, the proposed amendments to the bylaw in question, Zoning and Development Bylaw No.520, 2017, would revise three sections of the zone governing all single-family properties in the Village in order to establish a minimum parcel are

New residents, a milestone, and a chance to meet the chicks by Ron McLaughlin Spring’s arrival has brought not only warmer temperatures and colour from new blooms to the Village, but new residents as well. Thomas and Lauren Arnott. New to Crosscreek are Thomas and Lauren Arnott who were born and raised in West Vancouver and Pender Harbor, respectively. They met while playing for the men’s and women's soccer teams at Capilano University. Thomas is a plumbing foreman for Enerso

Body of missing resident Stewart McLean positively identified Remains first located by Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) team members on May 20 have been positively identified as belonging to local resident Stewart McLean, who was reported missing on May 18. This afternoon, Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) spokesperson Corporal Esther Tupper released a statement on behalf of IHIT stating that evidence uncovered during the search for McLean, which began May 18,

Vehicle impound record smashed over long weekend photo courtesy BC Highway Patrol. May's month-long High Risk Driving Campaign netted a record number of tickets issued and vehicles impounded last weekend along the Sea to Sky. The Squamish BC Highway Patrol (BCHP) unit spread out between Lions Bay and Mt. Currie over the Victoria Day long weekend, and as a result issued 212 violation tickets as well as a record 66 excessive speed tickets that included vehicle impounds. “We wan

Missing person case becomes a homicide investigation RCMP vehicles block the north end of Brunswick Beach Road on Thursday evening. Photo by kc dyer. Several homes in Brunswick Beach are behind police tape this evening as what began as a missing person investigation has been handed over to the RCMP's Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). IHIT is called in to investigate homicides and suspicious deaths and also when missing persons are deemed to be at high-risk or whe

Squamish RCMP announced this afternoon that the search for missing person, Lions Bay resident Stewart McLean has been handed over to the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT). A news release this afternoon stated: “Squamish RCMP initiated an investigation and, through investigative efforts, uncovered evidence that led investigators to believe Mr. McLean was the victim of a homicide.” Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the IHIT infor

Audit, many strategic priorities complete With all Council members present at the table, and a comparatively small gallery of 12 attendees on line and in person, the final Council meeting of May took place on Tuesday evening. Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell joined Council members at the table, and Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff was present in the gallery. The evening's agenda, which was approved with a few minor additions, can be found HERE. MNP's Cory Vanderhors

Lions Bay resident subject of RCMP, LBSAR search Stewart McLean. Photo courtesy Sea To Sky RCMP, Squamish detachment. The Squamish RCMP detachment is seeking public assistance in locating Lions Bay resident Stewart McLean, who was reported missing on May 18. McLean is described as 45 years old, 5 foot 10 inches tall and approximately 150 pounds. He has recently-shaved grey hair and blue eyes. A member of the Vancouver Film and Television community, McLean was reportedly recen

To filter or not to filter...that is the question Are you drinking old lead in your water? And if you are, what can you do about it? Village water is subject to rigorous testing by the expert group of specialists who make up the Lions Bay Public Works department, and there is definitively no measurable quantity of lead to be found in water that is delivered to Village homes. However, any homes built in Canada before 1989 may indeed have copper plumbing that was soldered toget

Wishing a lovely long weekend to all Watershed readers A Lions Bay rhododendron offers a glorious display. Photo by kc dyer. The Watershed welcomes your thoughts. Leave your comments below, or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca Like what you're reading? For as little as $5/month, you can support local independent journalism by subscribing to The Watershed HERE.

Air traffic not all attributable to SAR teams Photo credit: Helijet.com Last week, Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) participated in five separate rescues, bringing injured hikers back to safety from the trails around and above the Village. This involved calling on the assistance of North Shore Rescue (NSR) and helicopter support. LBSAR Manager Ed Langford acknowledges the early start to the hiking — and rescue — season. "This past week and based on hiker volumes evident th

Council goes to bat: both COW and Special meetings in one night It was a night for wrapping things up on Tuesday as Council held both a Committee of the Whole (COW) and Special Council meeting in a single evening. The intent of most COW meetings is to allow for a more thorough discussion of topics of interest to Council, and Tuesday's meeting was no exception. Chief Administrative Officer Ross Blackwell, attending online, presented no less than three reports for the informati

Organizers hope Sunday's festivities will become an annual event photos courtesy of Epic Media. One hundred years ago this week, the people of Britannia Beach chose their first ever Copper Queen. And this Sunday, live music, a craft fair and an art walk will mark Britannia Day. Fire Truck Bike Parade Events begin with the Britannia Beach Volunteer Fire Department leading kids (12 and under) on a lap of Britannia Village behind their restored historic 1951 Mercury fire truck.

Quick updates to ongoing news stories and more Campfire Ban The Coastal Fire Centre of British Columbia has enacted a campfire ban in all areas except Haida Gwaii. All categories of open burning are now subject to the ban until further notice. Further information can be found HERE. Council Meeting Council has announced a Committee of the Whole meeting to be held May 12 at 6 p.m., to be followed by a Special Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. News Updates Have you completed the 202

Twelve-year-old E-biker calls for help An injured hiker received help on Saturday, thanks to a young local who was out for a ride. Lions Bay Search and Rescue (LBSAR) member Maria Masiar reports that a twelve-year-old boy was out on his e-bike when he came upon the injured hiker. The hiker had been trying to make his way down using a pole he had found in the woods. Neither the hiker nor their partner had a cell phone, so it was the young cyclist who used his cell phone to cal