EDITOR,

Humans are curious creatures and every community has individuals who are passionate about some aspect of their environment. Many are obvious such as birders or Streamkeepers or trails society groups. Yet, there are many individuals who study other environmental topics with deep interest and attention to details. Often such persons are working solo or unaware that others might also be interested.

The Squamish Environment Society (SES) is keen to meet these local persons and to know about their environmental interest. The notion of the citizen scientist has taken on valuable meaning in the context of personal pursuits. Recent news reports mention hardcore hobbyists who help shape daily weather reports. Other reports tell of map groups detailing local areas or others studying aspects of the local estuary. The sale of guidebooks and “apps” that detail the environment demonstrates the extent of these interests.

All persons with an environmental hobby or study interest are invited to make themselves known to the Squamish Environment Society — stars, water, fish, plants, rocks, animals, weather. All interests are welcome.

Our first step is to create an inventory of such persons and interests. This will enable SES to consider further how to support individuals and groups to achieve their environmental study goals.

SES invites everyone who has an environmental interest or sees himself or herself as a Citizen Scientist to send us their name, interest and contact numbers.

Please visit www.squamishenvrionment.ca and email your information with lawm@telus.net.

Squamish Environment Society