Before You Move A Rock – A Guide To Restoring Historical First Nations Clam Beds

New resource highlights importance of protecting clam gardens and intertidal ecosystems along the B.C. coast

A new coastal stewardship guide from the Nanwakolas Council is encouraging residents, boaters, and coastal communities across Vancouver Island and the North Island to think carefully before moving rocks or altering shoreline environments.

The document, Before You Move a Rock, focuses on protecting intertidal ecosystems and culturally significant clam garden areas that support marine life, traditional food systems, and coastal biodiversity. The guide explains that even small changes to beaches, shorelines, or rocky areas can disrupt sensitive habitats and damage long-established ecological systems.

Clam gardens — traditional Indigenous mariculture systems built along the coast — are a key focus of the resource. These areas have supported shellfish harvesting for generations and continue to play an important role in coastal food security and environmental stewardship.

The guide emphasizes that rocks and shoreline features are not just part of the landscape, but essential components of marine ecosystems that support clams, shellfish, fish habitat, and other coastal species. Moving or disturbing these areas without proper planning can lead to long-term environmental impacts.

For coastal communities such as Sayward and other North Island regions where residents frequently access beaches, shorelines, and marine areas, the message is straightforward: understand the environmental and cultural importance of intertidal zones before making any changes.

The document encourages collaboration between First Nations, local communities, researchers, and stewardship groups to ensure coastal restoration and development work is done responsibly. Indigenous knowledge and long-term stewardship practices are highlighted as essential in maintaining healthy ecosystems and protecting traditional harvesting areas.

Nanwakolas Council’s guidance is part of a broader effort to promote awareness and respectful use of coastal environments throughout British Columbia. By encouraging people to pause and consider the impacts of altering natural shorelines, the resource aims to help protect marine ecosystems and cultural heritage for future generations.

Residents and community groups interested in learning more about coastal stewardship and clam garden protection are encouraged to review the Before You Move a Rock document and consider how their activities along the shoreline can contribute to long-term environmental sustainability.

Access the entire PDF from the Nanwakolas Council website.

Vancouver Island Marmot Gets Second Chance At Life In The Wild After Unexpected Return To Recovery Centre

A young Vancouver Island marmot that surprised conservationists by returning to its breeding facility after being released into the wild is being given a second chance this spring, highlighting the ongoing effort to protect one of the Island’s most endangered species.

Gob, a captive-bred Vancouver Island marmot, was released on Mount Washington last year as part of recovery work led by the Marmot Recovery Foundation. The release was intended to help strengthen the fragile wild population of the species, which exists only on Vancouver Island and remains at risk despite decades of conservation efforts.

But shortly after his release, Gob did something few marmots have ever done — he returned to the breeding centre.

Within about two months, the young marmot made his way back to the facility and stayed nearby, interacting with marmots still in care and spending time around the buildings. Conservation staff observed him digging a hibernation burrow under the facility, a sign that he was not settling into alpine life as expected.

To protect his safety and give him another opportunity to adapt, staff brought him back into care for the winter. Now, with spring conditions returning to the mountains, Gob is preparing for a second release into the wild.

A rare but hopeful situation

Wildlife experts say most captive-bred marmots quickly disperse into alpine habitat after release, exploring their surroundings and joining colonies within a short time. Gob’s return was unusual, but it also showed the strong social nature of the species.

Vancouver Island marmots rely heavily on colony life, using vocal calls to warn each other of predators and working together to survive in the harsh mountain environment. Without strong social connections, survival in the wild can be more difficult for young animals.

Giving Gob another chance at release allows conservationists to place him in a setting where he can integrate with other marmots and develop the behaviours needed to thrive.

Importance to Vancouver Island ecosystems

The Vancouver Island marmot is one of the rarest mammals in the world and is found nowhere else. Alpine regions such as Mount Washington, Strathcona Park, and surrounding mountain ranges provide critical habitat for the species.

For communities across North Vancouver Island — including Sayward, Woss, Campbell River, and surrounding areas — the marmot represents a unique part of the region’s natural heritage. The species is often seen as a symbol of successful conservation and the importance of protecting local ecosystems.

Healthy marmot populations contribute to alpine biodiversity by helping maintain meadow ecosystems through burrowing and soil movement, which supports plant growth and other wildlife.

Recovery efforts continue

In the early 2000s, the Vancouver Island marmot population dropped to fewer than 30 animals in the wild, placing the species on the brink of extinction. Through captive breeding and coordinated release programs, the population has slowly rebounded to several hundred animals across Vancouver Island.

The Marmot Recovery Foundation continues to monitor colonies, breed marmots in captivity, and release animals each year to strengthen wild populations and maintain genetic diversity.

Each marmot released into the wild is considered an important step toward long-term recovery.

A second chance in the mountains

Gob’s story is a reminder that wildlife recovery is not always straightforward. Some animals adapt immediately, while others need more time and support to transition to life in the wild.

Conservationists remain optimistic that his second release will allow him to integrate into a colony and become part of the growing wild population.

As spring arrives and alpine habitats reopen, Gob will once again head into Vancouver Island’s mountains — a small but meaningful step in the larger effort to ensure the Vancouver Island marmot continues to survive for future generations.

Rising Food Bank Use on Vancouver Island Highlights Deepening Affordability Crisis

Food bank usage across British Columbia — including communities on Vancouver Island — is reaching record levels, as rising living costs and policy-driven economic pressures continue to strain household budgets in smaller communities like Sayward.

According to a 2025 report from Food Banks BC, visits to food banks across the province have increased by 79 per cent since 2019, with more than 113,000 people accessing services in a single month in 2025 — a 44 per cent jump compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The data paints a stark picture: nearly one in four British Columbians — about 1.3 million people — now experience some level of food insecurity.

Pressure growing in smaller communities

While much of the attention has focused on urban centres, the impact is increasingly visible in rural and resource-based communities like Sayward on northern Vancouver Island, where incomes are often lower and access to affordable groceries is more limited.

Food bank operators across B.C.’s northern and interior regions report some of the highest usage rates in the province, with demand outpacing available donations and supplies.

In smaller communities, food banks are often stretched even further, acting as primary support hubs rather than emergency services. Many report being forced to reduce portion sizes or limit how often clients can access food due to shortages.

Inflation and cost pressures driving demand

At the core of the surge is a sustained rise in the cost of basic necessities. Since 2021, prices for essentials such as food and housing have climbed more than 25 per cent, significantly outpacing wage growth.

Food costs alone have risen more than 30 per cent in B.C. since 2019, with households expected to spend hundreds more annually on groceries.

For many families in places like Sayward, where transportation costs and limited competition can further increase prices, the result is a growing gap between income and expenses — one that increasingly leads to food bank reliance.

Notably, employment is no longer a safeguard. A rising share of food bank users are working individuals whose incomes no longer keep pace with inflation.

The role of government policy

Experts and advocacy groups point to a combination of local, provincial, and federal policies contributing to the affordability crisis.

At the federal level, broad inflationary pressures tied to pandemic-era spending, interest rate hikes, and carbon pricing mechanisms have increased costs across supply chains, particularly in transportation and food production.

Provincially, critics argue that housing shortages and regulatory constraints have driven up shelter costs — the largest expense for most households — leaving less income available for food. Food bank data shows low-income households are now spending up to two-thirds of their income on housing alone.

At the local level, smaller municipalities like Sayward face additional challenges, including limited economic diversification and higher costs for goods transported over long distances.

Food Banks BC and partner organizations have emphasized that the crisis is not the result of individual choices, but systemic gaps in income supports and affordability policies.

A system under strain

Food banks themselves are increasingly unable to keep up. More than 80 per cent report that rising food costs are affecting their ability to procure supplies, while some have already begun turning people away due to lack of resources.

What was once considered a temporary safety net is becoming a long-term necessity for many households.

“This is no longer an emergency response — it’s becoming part of the system,” one report noted, warning that charitable food programs cannot compensate for broader economic and policy failures.

Looking ahead

As food bank usage continues to rise on Vancouver Island and across the province, the situation in communities like Sayward underscores a broader shift: affordability challenges are no longer confined to major cities or the unemployed.

Instead, they are increasingly affecting working families, seniors, and rural residents — raising questions about whether current policy approaches are adequately addressing the cost-of-living crisis, or contributing to it.

North Island Film Seeks Sayward Locals For Extras

A feature film set to shoot on Northern Vancouver Island early next year is inviting local residents to get involved, bringing both community participation and an international story to the region.

The production, titled Exchange, will be filmed in Sayward, Campbell River and nearby locations from February 4 to 14, 2026. Casting is now underway for local background performers to appear in non-speaking roles such as students, townspeople and police officers. Applicants from their teens through middle age are welcome, and no previous acting experience is required.

Producers note that background performers are essential in creating authentic community environments throughout the movie. Although the roles do not involve dialogue, participants will be on set with professional cast and crew, gaining a close-up look at how a feature film is made. Scheduling will depend on the needs of each scene, with some individuals called for specific shoot days.

Exchange is described as a character-focused drama with strong thriller elements. The story follows an 18‑year‑old Thai exchange student who vanishes while studying in Canada. Her mother travels overseas to search for her, confronting cultural challenges, isolation and unsettling clues as she navigates an unfamiliar country. During her search, she forms a connection with a Thai teenager living in Canada, and together they work to uncover what happened. As the investigation deepens, tensions surrounding the exchange program and the student’s host family begin to surface.

Written and directed by Chatchai Hongsirikun, the film is being produced as a non‑union feature. Alongside background roles, the team has also been casting several speaking parts—such as police officers and local youth—with a focus on hiring Vancouver Island talent whenever possible.

The production is expected to bring economic benefits to Northern Vancouver Island, including increased demand for accommodations, local services and short-term employment. Community participation is also a key priority, helping highlight the region’s landscapes and small-town character on screen.

Residents interested in appearing as background performers are asked to send their name, age, a recent photo, availability during the filming window and contact details to sublunarcasting@gmail.com.

The production team encourages anyone curious about the filmmaking process to apply, emphasizing that enthusiasm and local involvement are just as valuable as experience.

Vancouver Island Marmot Population Rebounds to 427 After Near-Extinction

Conservation officials report that the Vancouver Island marmot has reached a major recovery milestone, with the wild population now estimated at 427 animals. This marks a remarkable rebound from a low of just 22 individuals in 2003.

Endemic to the alpine meadows of Vancouver Island, the species was once on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss, predation, and low reproductive rates. In response, a comprehensive recovery program was launched, combining captive breeding, reintroduction, habitat restoration, and ongoing monitoring.

Biologists say the latest numbers reflect steady growth across more than 30 mountain sites, offering one of the clearest signs yet that coordinated conservation efforts are paying off.

Still, experts caution that the marmot remains endangered and vulnerable to shifting environmental conditions. Continued management and close monitoring will be critical to ensuring the population remains stable and continues to expand.

Conservation leaders describe the rebound as a rare success story in species recovery, underscoring decades of collaboration among governments, researchers, volunteers, and conservation groups that helped prevent the marmot’s disappearance from the wild.