March's Coastal Canine is one handsome devil This handsome devil answers to the name of Sampson. He's about 4 years old, and has a slightly uncertain (if definitely noble!) heritage. Based on his size and his basso profundo voice, his genes likely point mostly toward an Anatolian Shepherd/Great Pyrenees cross. Sampson is unable to eat chicken, but he loves all other foods, especially cheese and sweet potatoes. He adores getting his zoomies out by running through his yard and

Weather didn't dampen spirits Wet but undaunted volunteers at the Fire Hall ivy pull. Photo by Val Morton. The Village garden group's latest Ivy Pull this past St. Patrick's Day Sunday was a major success, in spite of the waterlogged weather. Organizer Val Morton says that seven volunteers, plus Public Works stalwart Andrew Smethurst braved the atmospheric river conditions, and filled the back of a large Works truck with invasive ivy in just one hour. "It was a very good morn

New study confirms long-held concerns after wildfires File photo of Air Tractor 802 Fireboss, deployed at the Whyte Lake wildfire in 2023. A recent study co-authored by University of British Columbia professor Qingshi Tu concluded that the chemicals used to fight wildfires, along with the ash and other chemicals that leach out after the fire, can continue to contaminate groundwater for months or years after the fire has been extinguished. This finding confirms long-held conc

Springtime (and butterflies!) just around the corner Story by Val Morton and Hana Boye Photo courtesy of Hana Boye and Val Morton. News about declining biodiversity can feel overwhelming; the problems and challenges too big for any one person to tackle. To change that perspective, Douglas Tallamy, a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, promotes the idea of creating "Homegrown National Parks" by "renaturing" the backyard

Great Backyard Bird Count Returns tomorrow Your backyard, window, or office counts: this Friday, become a scientist by joining the Great Backyard Bird Count ! This year’s annual global count takes place from February 13 – 16. By participating, you support researchers who track bird populations, document declines, observe the impacts of climate change, identify disease outbreaks and more. Research results inform conservation strategies to support struggling bird populations. A

Spring shows her beautiful face six weeks early Top from left: periwinkle, hellibores, rose. Centre from left crocus, snowdrops, daffodil. Bottom row: cherry blossoms, creeping violet. Photos by kc dyer and Norma Rodgers. This uncharacteristically balmy winter appears to have left the door open wide enough for spring to creep through a full six weeks early. All these blooms were spotted yesterday, February 9, in upper Lions Bay. Have you got some early bloomers to share? Send

Atmospheric river brings wet start to 2026 Clockwise from top left: water drains below tennis court, free-running creek on Mountain Drive, water pours below blackberry bushes, and a look up Harvey Creek from beneath the highway. Photos by kc dyer. Living on the windward side of a mountain in a temperate rainforest means foggy, dampish winters are almost a given. However, the series of atmospheric rivers coupled with the mild Pacific air mass that is blowing through has meant