The federal government has officially recognized all 33 Capital Regional District parks in the 91原创 Protected and Conserved Areas Database.
The CRD is the first local government in Canada to add its locally protected and conserved areas into the national database, which is managed by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Previously the database only contained federally protected and conserved areas.
The department calls the CRD a prime example of how local governments can make meaningful contributions to national and international conservation targets, with a hope that others will follow their example.
“Having our regional parks system included in Canada’s Protected and Conserved Areas Database recognizes our ongoing conservation efforts and the confidence that regional residents have placed in the Capital Regional District to sustain and grow our regional parks system over the years,” said Colin Plant, who chairs the CRD board.
The CRD manages about 13,300 hectares of natural areas in 33 regional parks and four regional trails on southern 91原创 Island.
• For more information, go to .
>>> Grandmothers for Africa seeking art donations
Victoria Grandmothers for Africa are looking for art donations for an Art from the Attic event at the upcoming TD Art Gallery Paint-In.
The group hopes to raise money from the sale of donated art on the front lawn of a member’s house on Moss Street in Fairfield during the event, set for Saturday, July 15.
The paint-in, held along Moss Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., brings together about 160 91原创 Island artists and draws about 30,000 people every year, organizers say.
Proceeds from the Art from the Attic sales will help support grandmothers raising their grandchildren in sub-Saharan Africa, the group says.
Anyone with two-dimensional art that they are tired of looking at or no longer have room to hang is asked to contact [email protected].
The group is accepting original art, limited-edition prints, decorative art and art for children.
• For more information, go to .
>>> Claremont student receives B.C. Transplant scholarship
A Grade 11 student at Claremont Secondary School has been awarded a Live Life. Pass It On. scholarship from B.C. Transplant.
Jayla Jeske is one of four recipients of a $1,500 scholarship this year.
Inspired by her father, who received a liver transplant in 2021, Jeske was recognized for encouraging her fellow students and community to register as organ donors.
She has actively organized Green Shirt Day events at her school since Grade 10, reaching more than 2,600 people each year.
• For more information, go to .
>>> Good vibes: Victoria events guide viewership grows
The City of Victoria says it’s noticed a significant increase in community interest in CityVibe, an online guide for 200 free summer events.
Since it was launched at the end of May, about 13,000 people have viewed the guide, which is double the interest from the same time in 2022, suggesting potential strong turnout for upcoming summer events, the city says.
The guide is a compilation of free events, arts and cultural activities, festivals, museums, galleries and public markets taking place in Victoria this summer. Music lovers can attend 150 free concerts in the Victoria Summer Concert Series.
The guide can be accessed from cellphones, tablets or computers, with direct links to event information and maps.
• For a full list of summer festivals, go to .
>>> Survey helps shape B.C.’s health programs and services
About 85,000 people have responded to B.C. SPEAK, B.C.’s largest population health survey, which will help shape regional health programs and services.
But organizers are hoping more will share their experiences in SPEAK — Survey on Population Experiences, Action and Knowledge — which is open until July 31.
“I’m grateful to everyone who has participated in this latest round of the SPEAK survey — your input is vital to help us understand the health needs of Island Health’s populations and regions,” said Dr. Réka Gustafson, Island Health’s vice president of population health and chief medical health officer.
“For those who have yet to take the survey, I encourage you to contribute to this important conversation about the health of our diverse communities. We want to hear from you!”
Organizers are hoping to hear from 120,000 more people of all backgrounds — particularly from under-represented groups, where participation levels are lower.
Those include First Nations, Métis and Inuit people; people from racialized communities, including those of Chinese, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Black, Filipino, Latin American and Arab descent; people living in rural parts of the province; men aged 18 to 34 and 75 and older; people with no post-secondary education; those with lower household incomes; and parents and caregivers with children and young adults.
The survey is available in 10 languages and takes around 20 minutes to fill out. People are also encouraged to share the survey with their families and help them participate as needed.
• For assistance, contact Island Health’s Population Health Assessment, Surveillance and Epidemiology team at [email protected].
• The survey can be found at .
>>> 40 families to celebrate Make-A-Wish’s 40 years
In celebration of Make-A-Wish Canada’s 40th anniversary, 40 families from across Canada will travel to Walt Disney World Resort in a special week-long group vacation.
“A wish is essential for children facing critical illness to support their physical recovery while also strengthening their mental and emotional health,” said Meaghan Stovel McKnight, CEO of Make-A-Wish Canada.
“For our wish families, this wish trip creates the opportunity to build positive families memories which help with the healing process that they all so vitally need.”
WestJet is donating a chartered 737 aircraft and providing crew to fly to Orlando, Florida. Blue Cross is providing travel insurance, while Sofina Foods donated an additional $150,000 to help make the trip possible.
• For more information, go to .
