Welcome 2026!

Looking ahead to an action-packed year

This is going to be a big year for British Columbia.

Top travel guide Lonely Planet named the province to their list of the the 25 Best Destinations to Visit in 2026, and the world will descend upon us when seven of the 104 scheduled FIFA World Cup matches will take place here in June.

That same month, the Squamish Off-Road Triathlon (swim, mountain bike, trail run) is set for Saturday June 6 at Alice Lake.

The Squamish 50 series of trail races where runners can tackle 23 and 50 kilometre distances, or take on a 50-mile distance for ultra-marathoners is scheduled for August 15-16.

Here in Lions Bay, big plans are also afoot. After years of setbacks, the revitalization of Lions Bay Beach Park is finally nearing completion. The grant-funded universal water metering project is also marching forward, and this fall, residents will go to the polls in our next Municipal Election.

In a statement to The Watershed, the Bear Smart committee says they hope 2026 will be another year when no bears are killed in Lions Bay, and offer thanks to the community for doing such a great job last year keeping our bears out of trouble. The committee plans to continue providing education about safely co-existing with bears and will be sending bear information to all residents in the spring.

Bird Friendly Lions Bay is looking forward to several exciting events and initiatives in 2026. They will be inviting residents to join with them on February 21 for an informal coffee session, where speakers will present the latest in local bird news. They also plan to celebrate nature in Lions Bay during the build-up to the Fifth Bird Friendly Nature Event on Saturday, May 9.

"This year's theme lends itself to some fun, hands-on sessions for curious citizen scientists of all ages," says Bird Friendly Lions Bay founder Penny Nelson. "Our summer beach event will be in July and, after years of fundraising, we plan to unveil a bird statue in honour of our national Bird Friendly City certification."

Nelson notes that the local eagle parents have already been seen at their nest. "Perhaps this year we'll be able to watch a young eagle (or two) fledge successfully after last year's tragic end to two little eaglets."

The local Climate Action committee (CAC) has also set out some priorities for 2026. They plan to:

• Produce a Climate Adaption Plan, depending on the successful receipt of grant support from the Green Municipal Fund (submitted 2025)  

• Consider options for grants and collaboration with other organizations to support natural asset inventorying, mapping and management 

• Submit a grant application early in new year to pursue a fleet electrification transition plan as current vehicles reach end of life

• Review options for an energy and resilience assessment for the remaining Village facilities (Fire Hall, Public Works)

• Explore community education on home energy retrofits and emergency preparedness

•  Promote the Community Recycling Depot with a view to assessing and possibly expanding further options

• Actively engage with stakeholder groups supporting the ecosystem recovery of the Howe Sound marine environment including the Ocean Watch Action Committee, the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society and the Marine Stewardship Initiative.

The Lions Bay Infrastructure Committee (IC) has a number of plans in the works for 2026. They expect to provide technical support to Public Works on ensuring enhanced water quality monitoring and control as well as the universal water metering project and the Centre-Upper Bayview-Bayview Place (CUBB.3) watermain replacement project.

IC member Anthony Greville says the group also plans to assist with the promotion of the emergency portable potable water treatment plants which were recently approved through a UBCM resolution to the provincial government.

The group also plans to advise and consult with staff and Council on initiatives looking at well water review and assessment, inflow and infiltration assessment and repairs in Kelvin Grove waste water treatment collection, and consult on an Active Transportation Plan for the Village.

Committee member and Council liaison Neville Abbott notes that the next major focus for IC will be to complete a 10-year review and update of the 2016 Infrastructure Master Plan (IMP) and the associated Asset Management Plans and Deficits.

Ruth Simons, Executive Director of the Howe Sound Biosphere Region Initiative Society, notes that 2026 is the fifth anniversary of the Átl'ka7tsem/Howe Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, and says her team is looking forward to sharing all the big conservation wins over the past five years.

This year, the Village of Lions Bay will be co-hosting the Howe Sound Community Forum with Metro Area A on April 17 at the Village Hall. Simons notes there will be space for some residents to attend as observers.

An action-packed year clearly lies ahead for residents of Lions Bay and the Sea to Sky.

What are your plans for 2026? Leave your thoughts below,

or email us at editor@lionsbaywatershed.ca 

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