Yumi and I enjoyed a beach seine today at Belcarra Regional Park. Excellent presentations by Douglas Swanston of Seacology.
All posts by Paul Cipywnyk
Cat Gets in on Turtle’s New Sunning Box
I built a sunning box for our slider Midori so she can be safely left out on the balcony for periods of basking, which is essential to turtle health. Choco the Cat got into the action, too, but didn’t last too long in the heat.
Note: While we love Midori, and have cared for her for 24 years, we do NOT recommend turtles as pets. Some reasons here in a post on my old blog.
Edmonds City Fair 2017
I was the event photographer at the Edmonds City Fair again this year. I took over 2,000 shots and have winnowed those down to just over 200 in this Flickr album.
Campbell Valley Regional Park Critters
We enjoyed the butterfly festival at Campbell Valley Regional Park. Great job Metro Vancouver parks staff!
Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver booth — I sit on their board of directors
And I’m guessing this pond occupant nearby is invasive? : -)
Chipmunk cuteness
This frog had its territory in the pond and hung out in the exact same spot for hours despite all the people enjoying the festival
Furry poop on a trail.
Meeting Daytrip to Victoria
I had a meeting in Victoria, BC, today, and enjoyed the BC Ferries ride there and back.
Super dynamic presentation on marine wildlife by Rachel, who I believe is from Parks Canada
And coming home in the evening:
Lynn Canyon Park Ramble
Yumi and I did a loop in Lynn Canyon Park on the north shore. We love these trails!
The suspension bridge
Checking for aquatic invertebrates, AKA bugs
Visiting Ft. Langley National Historic Site
Yumi and I filled the car with recyclables and headed off to the amazing Burnaby Eco-Centre. We do this about once a month after we’ve accumulated enough stuff to make it worthwhile.
Heading back on the road, it occurred to us that we should take advantage of our free Canada Parks 150 Pass and visit the Ft. Langley National Historic Site. Off we went!
We had a super time! We hadn’t visited in many years, and it was great fun wandering around checking out all the displays, and to top it off we got to watch a musket demonstration.
Editors Canada Supports NYT Copy Editors
Proud that Editors Canada supports NYT copy editors, at least in spirit!
Dear copy editors of The New York Times:
The Editors’ Association of Canada (Editors Canada) wishes to express our support for you as The New York Times plans to drastically reduce its copy editing staff.
As your colleagues north of the border, we appreciate your efforts to bring much-needed attention to the importance of the profession of copy editor. As editing professionals, we know that the copy editor’s role is crucial. Without the copy editor, a huge range of errors can all too easily slip into print—not only spelling, grammar and punctuation mistakes, but factual errors, biased language, unclear passages and other problems, all of which can seriously undermine the credibility and effectiveness of a piece of writing. The result is not only unprofessional, but could lead to legal action against the publisher. While copy editors tend to be invisible, their work is indispensable.
We wish you well as you continue to speak out about the value of the copy editor in the publishing process, and we hope for a positive outcome for your current situation.
Sincerely,
Anne Louise Mahoney
Certified Professional Editor
President, Editors Canada
president@editors.ca
http://www.editors.ca/news/editors-canada-supports-copy-editors-new-york-times
Canadian Govt Seeks Input on Strengthening Enviro/Regulatory Reviews
If you’re involved in environmental issues in Canada in any way, be it as a volunteer, consultant, NGO staff member, etc., you may be interested in contributing feedback to this discussion paper.
Environmental and Regulatory Reviews: Discussion Paper
Our Government is committed to deliver environmental assessment and regulatory processes that regain public trust, protect the environment, introduce modern safeguards, advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, ensure good projects go ahead, and resources get to market.
We made this commitment because we share common concerns about the ability of Canada’s environmental assessment and regulatory processes to protect and sustain the natural environment while getting resources to market and creating good, middle class jobs for Canadians. In the current system:
- There is a need for greater transparency around the science, data and evidence supporting decisions and to ensure Indigenous knowledge is sufficiently taken into account;
- Protections to Canada’s fisheries and waterways are insufficient; and,
- Indigenous peoples and the public should have more opportunities to meaningfully participate.
This discussion paper outlines the changes our Government is considering for Canada’s environmental assessment and regulatory processes that will:
- Regain public trust;
- Protect the environment;
- Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples; and,
- Ensure good projects go ahead and resources get to market.
Government is seeking feedback on this discussion paper.
Canada Day Weekend Depletes Canadian Stock of Kindness, Politeness
It’s back to work, grumpy people!
I wanted to buy some hiking socks. At the first sporting goods store I went to I was quietly regarding the racks, when a staff member came by, snorted, and said:
“Why would you want to buy those socks? These are the ones you should be looking at,” pointing to ones costing three times more per pair.
I said I’d been happy with a certain combo of layered liner and thick socks for over 40 years of hiking. That didn’t deter his disdain, or his prattle, so I walked out.
The next store I went to, it was clear sailing until the end. Nobody approached me, I had quiet time to myself to peruse the labels, checking the proportions of poly to wool to whatever. . . Bliss.
Then — accosted at the checkout. “Sir, if you sign up for Partner Credit Card today, I can give you 20% off your entire purchase.”
“I don’t want any more credit cards, and anyway, I have this 10% discount coupon which will do me just fine.”
“But sir, I can issue a paper credit card right now, which you can use to get 20% off. . .”
“What’s a paper credit card? How do I pay it off?”
“We’ll send you a bill in the mail, or you can go straight over to Partner Store, and pay it today.”
Right, sucked further into Database Nation. No thanks.
“But sir!”
“I said, no thanks.” Poor kid slumps away, and checkout clerk glares at me.
After these wee contretemps, I’m feeling hungry, and notice a Subway nearby. I walk in, and say “I’d like a footlong turkey on Italian.”
“What kind of bread?” Italian. “How large?” Footlong. “Was that turkey?” Yes. [Silently to myself — Earth to counter person??]
Another fellow walks in.
“Hi!” says the cashier cheerfully.
He says, “I’d like a. . .”
“Sorry, sir, you have to start your order from the other end of the counter.”
“So why did you say hi to me at this end?”
Oy. . .