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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Published in partnership with SnowSeekersPlease review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
In search of long line, fresh powder, friendly locals, and epic Instagram-worthy sights and scenes? Then you need to #SkiNorthBC!
Photographer and writer Abby Cooper (@AbbyDells) set out for Northern BC with SnowSeekers’ #SkiNorthBC expedition this winter. She hit 6 different destinations and chronicled her journey. I wanted to find out more about what she experienced, discovered, and what anyone looking for a Northern BC adventure simply cannot miss.
Q1. What were your first impressions of Smithers? ABBY: Despite never living there, it’s a picture perfect mountain town, friendly atmosphere and plethora of mountains make me feel right at home and ready to get to know my new surroundings.
Q2. Who was your best local resource for info? ABBY: The heart beat of this town spans generations and there’s no shortage of Smithers residents ready to showcase the best of their town. Jay form Local Supply Co will always point you in the right direction for gear and snow. Blaine Estby knows a thing or two about apres in Smithers and local filmmaker Marty Clements has a good lay of the land.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q3. What did you find most surprising/unexpected? ABBY: I’ve always gone into the mountains which are literally a hop away from main street, but I was surprised by the opportunity to fat bike from downtown to the Riverside Trails – a very refreshing activity for a day off the slopes.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q4. What is a can’t-miss in Smithers? ABBY: Where to begin?! If you’re a powder-junkie you cannot miss the opportunity to stay overnight at Skeena Cat Skiing’s luxury backcountry basecamp. Don’t miss grabbing a bit at Telly’s, delicious array of cultured cuisine await here or a pint at one of the new breweries in town.
Photo by Abby Cooper
Q5. What was the most Instagram-worthy moment or place? ABBY: Instagram haven at Two Sisters Cafe, so trendy, but I prefer the outdoors so I’ll take my coffee for a walk exploring the shops and views of Hudson Bay Mountain.
Q6. What would make you go back again and again? ABBY: Culture and community meet bottomless champagne powder in Smithers, need I say more?
This winter I have been sharing stories about the Cuso CAN Fund, which supports Cuso International’s high priority maternal and child health projects in Ethiopia, Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Behind these stories are some amazing local women who have volunteered with Cuso over the years, like Maggie Woo Kinshella of Vancouver. I had the opportunity to do a Q&A with Maggie to learn more about her time with Cuso.
Q1. How did you get involved with Cuso? Maggie: It’s a bit of a long story how I got in contact with Cuso International. My dad talked about his friend going on a Cuso International placement and himself applying when he was younger but ultimately timing didn’t work out for him. Consequently, Cuso International was something on my mind. A couple years ago, the timing for me aligned. My husband Bryan and I had just come home from our extended honeymoon where we cycled from Vancouver to Buenos Aires, Argentina to raise awareness and funding for gender equality and health programs in Western Kenya. I had just graduated from my masters in medical anthropology in global health before the trip so I had skills I could offer. I had been working as an independent research consultant in the Downtown Eastside with mental health, homelessness and addiction, which is a very amazing field but I wanted to get back to gender and global health, which is a passion for me.
Cuso International, as a long established volunteer organization in Canada and one that focuses on community partnerships and capacity building, was an obvious choice for me. Its philosophies of working closely with local people in the heart of communities, through local organization, matched my own. Continue reading this post ⟩⟩
The RunGo Dash for Dogs, a guided 10km, 5km or 2km run or walk through Stanley Park, is coming up this month and 100% of proceeds going to BC & Alberta Guide Dogs. The event is hosted by the RunGo app, a running app with turn-by-turn instructions for popular running routes in cities like Vancouver, London, New York, and Seattle.
Where Starting and ending at Brockton Pavilion (1151 Stanley Park Dr) When Saturday, February 24, 2018 start times 10km: 9:00am, 5km 9:15am, 2k 9:30am Registration Register online for the 2km Walk ($20 by Feb 23); 5km Run ($35 by Feb 23); or 10km Run ($40 by Feb 23). Routes are outlined online here.
After this fun, non-competitive race, there will be a social event with pancakes, prizes, and good tunes. This is a race for people to support dogs, you don’t need a dog to run. Guide dogs and good dogs are welcome, dogs must be on leash and under control at all times for the safety of the working guide dogs.
Download the RunGo app for Android or Apple devices.
BC & Alberta Guide Dogs makes a profound difference to blind/ visually impaired people by partnering them with a certified guide dog at no cost. These guide dogs provide tangible and immediate help; making a significant difference in their partner’s safety, independence, sense of well being and belonging.
This post has been contributed by Ben Hill, Communications Volunteer with the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”).
SPES Turns 30!
Photo: Pierre Cenerelli
The Western red cedar can grow more than 25cm in a year; in 30 years a tiny sapling may become a great tree. On February 5, 2018, Stanley Park Ecology Society celebrated its 30th birthday marking 30 years of education and conservation in Stanley Park. Akin to those great cedars, we’ve come a long way…
Thirty years ago in 1988, a group of ecologists joined forces to try and enhance facilities at the ageing Stanley Park zoo, which had existed since the early 20th Century. The penguins, wolves and polar bears were still a major tourist attraction, but their accommodation was outdated.
Western red cedar in Stanley Park Photo: Don Enright.
The newly formed Stanley Park Zoological Society soon expanded its work from captive animals to conservation programs for wild species like bats, and to urban wildlife management. In 1993 Vancouver residents voted to close the zoo, meaning that the Society could focus its efforts on conserving the Park’s habitat. With the newly refurbished Nature House as a base, the Zoological Society was rebranded as the Stanley Park Ecology Society in 1995.
While the Ecology Society worked on important projects like public education and monitoring of the Park’s Pacific great blue heron colony, it took the 2006 windstorm to really make people appreciate how vulnerable the Park’s landscape really is. The loss of 10,000 trees and the massive restoration effort following the storm required the kind of expertise that SPES could provide.
The 2006 windstorm blew down 10,000 trees in Stanley Park. Photo: Tilo
The Society produced reports on the Park’s ecologically sensitive areas, planned ecological recovery and even steered the logging machines around areas where they would put breeding birds at risk.
The shock of that event and the work of SPES, the Park Board and a host of other stakeholders paved the way for a more thorough and scientific approach to preserving Stanley Park.
In the last ten years SPES has taken the lead in innovative conservation projects to remove invasive species, restore the Park’s threatened waterways and put in place plans to protect the most threatened species. Our school programs, which started out as a way to interpret the natural history of the captive animals to young people, are now tied closely to the provincial curriculum reaching over 5000 students annually. And our public education programs have expanded in scope and direction to include unique offerings like taxidermy preparation, Indigenous plant walks and brewing bitters from native plants!
(Left) A SPES taxidermy class participant holds a horned grebe. Photo: Rose Gardner.(Right) A SPES volunteer removes invasive blackberry vines. Photo: Michael Schmidt.
Conservation has come a long way in the last 30 years but there is still a huge amount that we need to do. The popularity of the Park means the environment is under constant pressure from human use, invasive species remain a threat, and the impacts of climate change are still not fully understood. Over the next 30 years, SPES will continue to advocate for a collaborative and scientifically sound approach to conserving this world renowned park for generations to come. Join us!
About SPES Saturday
As a member of the Stanley Park Ecology Society (“SPES”), I wanted to offer the organization an opportunity to share their news, events, and work so I created the “SPES Series” years ago. This is where SPES can contribute and share stories with my audience once a month. Follow SPES on Facebook for more information.
The 52nd Show of Hearts Telethon returns this Sunday on Global BC, supporting Variety – The Children’s Charity of BC. Tune in to hear stories, watch performances, and get updates from children you met during Variety Week 2017.
Variety BC’s Show of Hearts Telethon
When: Sunday, February 11, 2018 9:30am to 5:30pm Where: Tune into Global BC live from the Molson Canadian Theatre at Hard Rock Casino Vancouver on television and live streaming online.
The entertainment line up includes Mathew V, The Matinée, Ty Waters and the return of “Working My Way Back To You – A Jersey Boys Tribute.” Plus The Sojourners, The James Barker Band, Gentlemen’s Quartet and a Buddy Holly Tribute.
You will be reintroduced to kids from past years whose lives have been changed thanks to donors like you. Learn more about Variety’s granting programs and see firsthand where your dollars go.
Sunshine Coach Program
At this year’s Show of Hearts, Variety will be celebrating a very important milestone – Variety’s 600th Sunshine Coach to hit the road in British Columbia.
It was 25 years ago when The PACE Program received a Sunshine Coach to use for their Family Program which offers intensive early intervention for young children with emotional and behavioural challenges and their families. Today, they are in urgent need for a new one. We are so pleased to announce that on February 11th because of our donors’ commitment to this program, their dream of a new coach will be fulfilled.
Robert Bateman Poster
Back by popular demand, donors can once again receive an official Robert Bateman poster with a minimum donation of just $169! This year we will be featuring Robert Bateman’s Water’s Edge – Wolves poster and donors will have the opportunity to have their posters framed for an added $169 by GS & Company, with a portion being donated to Variety.
Lottery
Don’t miss your chance to win one of three incredible prize packages in the Show of Hearts Lottery! There’s an all inclusive trip to Los Cabos up for grabs along with a NASCAR Driver for a Day experience, and a luxury getaway in Charleston.
Ways to Give
Donate online, by phone 310-KIDS (5437) toll-free in BC, or by texting KIDS to 45678 to make an automatic $20 contribution.
About Variety
With your support, Variety – the Children’s Charity steps in to provide direct help to children with special needs in BC. For over 50 years, Variety has ensured that children have the support they need to reach their potential and thrive.
Funding from Variety helps to cover costs for medical care and services, mobility and communication equipment, therapies and developmental programs not covered by private or public health plans.
Since 2010, Variety has distributed more than $30 million in funding to families and organizations in communities all across the province.
Miss604 is proud to return as the sponsor the Social Lounge at the Show of Hearts Telethon, where my team of amazing friends and colleagues — who all social media superstars — will be sharing updates throughout the day, from the VIP lounge, behind the scenes, with honoured donors, volunteers, performers and more. Follow along on social media using the tag #ShowOfHearts.
Rebecca Bollwitt is a member of Variety BC’s Board of Directors and Miss604 is the proud sponsor of the Show of Hearts Telethon’s Social Lounge
