Grizzly report lauded
Human-caused habitat degradation is the greatest threat to grizzly populations, according to a new report from B.C.’s Auditor General.
It’s a finding that one environmentalist group is applauding.
“We welcome the recommendations from this report, and we are also encouraged by the province’s response to the recommendations and their stated commitment to improving [things for the] grizzly bear” says Johnny Mikes, the field director of Coast to Cascades Grizzly Bear Recovery Initiative.
“Time is of the essence for some populations,” added Mikes. “The province needs to prioritize developing and implementing recovery actions for the most at-risk populations immediately, or we risk losing them from the landscape.”
Last year, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature declared three of the six grizzly bear populations in southwest BC as critically endangered, out of only eleven populations in the world to receive that status.
While the number of grizzly bears in the Squamish-Lillooet region has slightly increased to about 59, they are considered threatened in the area because the population is small relative to the size of the territory.
Skiing at Sea to Sky
Local skiers won’t have to travel as far as Whistler Blackcomb if they want to ride on fresh powder.
The Sea to Sky Gondola is expected to be offering cross-country and backcountry skiing options this winter.
“We’ll have over four kilometres of groomed road for cross-country this winter and a whole bunch of backcountry enthusiasts heading into the backcountry from the top of the gondola,” said
Kirby Brown, general manager at the gondola.
