The Xwésam (Salmon) River on Vancouver Island plays a crucial role for all five species of Pacific salmon, along with cutthroat trout and steelhead. Its river and estuary provide a safe haven for some of British Columbia’s most iconic wildlife, such as the majestic great blue heron, the elusive northern pygmy owl, and the Roosevelt elk, the largest subspecies of North American elk.

The Nature Trust of BC is racing against the clock to raise the remaining $294,000 by April 9th to protect 105.6 acres of floodplain forest along the Xwésam (Salmon) River. Securing this land would expand The Nature Trust’s Xwésam (Salmon) River Estuary Conservation Complex, increasing the total protected area to 1,037.8 acres.

Some area residents are questioning what needs protecting and cited other regional environmental concerns.

We have reached out to The Nature Trust of British Columbia for comment.

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Photo – The Nature Trust of British Columbia

On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the City of Campbell River was alerted to a fuel spill on privately leased land at the Campbell River Airport (YBL). The incident has been reported to the provincial authorities, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada has been informed.

The City promptly responded by deploying absorbent materials, such as sock booms and spill pads, to the affected area to aid in the cleanup efforts.

As a precautionary measure, Airport Drive south of the Terminal Building has been closed to both vehicles and pedestrians until further notice, with local traffic access remaining available. Additionally, trails in the dog-walking area at the south end of Airport Drive have been closed. Residents are advised to avoid creeks and ditches near YBL and keep pets away from the area while cleanup efforts continue.

The City will remain actively involved in the response and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

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Map – City of Campbell River

The Wounded Warrior Run BC 2025 is an inspiring journey across Vancouver Island, bringing communities together to raise awareness and support for the essential mental health programs offered by Wounded Warriors Canada. These initiatives provide crucial aid to trauma exposed professionals and their families. Follow the 2025 Wounded Warrior Run from February 23rd to March 2nd.

Visit the Wounded Warriors website to donate or get involved.

Avalanche Canada has updated the risk of avalanche activity on mountain peaks around the Sayward Valley from “low” to “medium”. The Sunday forecast for coastal regions calls for heavy snowfall in the mountains with accumulations of 20cm to 40cm. Freezing levels will drop slightly overnight and ridgetop winds will strengthen to extreme levels. If you are planning to recreate in the back country, take reasonable precautions and have a plan for adverse conditions.

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Image Credit – Avalanche Canada

On February 19th, the Canadian Coast Guard, alongside its partners, responded to a capsized fishing vessel near Napier Point, approximately 3 km south of Bella Bella, British Columbia. The crew from the Bella Bella Coast Guard station successfully rescued all four fishermen on board, with no reported injuries.

In response to potential environmental risks, the Heiltsuk Tribal Council Marine Emergency Response Team deployed a containment boom around the vessel and is actively working to protect shorelines and the McLoughlin Bay hatchery from contamination, as the vessel appears to be leaking into the marine environment. Mariners not involved in the response are advised to avoid the area.

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Capsized Vessel Image – Canadian Coast Guard

Environmental work for the Brewster Wind Project, located northwest of Campbell River, is set to begin this year, as outlined in a letter from Capstone Infrastructure, a Toronto-based power producer, to the Strathcona Regional District.

The environmental planning will involve field surveys, though the company is awaiting further direction on the regulatory process from the provincial government, as mentioned by Chris Boulton, Capstone’s associate project manager, in the letter.

“British Columbia has robust environmental protections, and we expect the project will undergo a thorough provincial permitting process,” Boulton wrote in the January 31 letter. “In the meantime, we are committed to consulting with local communities and designing the project to minimize or avoid any significant adverse effects.”

Capstone is working with the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, which has signed a 30-year Electricity Purchase Agreement with BC Hydro. The project is expected to produce approximately 510,000 megawatt-hours of clean, renewable electricity annually—more than double the original proposal. This energy would be enough to power over 56,000 average homes.

The project’s website indicates that up to 275 workers will be required during peak construction, with the total capital investment projected to exceed $600 million.