Overview: Since being assigned to Route 5 (Southern Gulf Islands) in 1992, the Queen of Cumberland has struggled to effectively and efficiently serve the users. Issues with drives, elevated ramps, hull speed and conflicting berth schedules have clearly shown the Cumberland is unsuitable for the route and have earned the ship the nickname ‘Queen of Cumbersome’.
In summer months the … Read the rest of this post
Declines in forest and woodland birds have largely been attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation. In the past decade, however, the potential for herbivores to influence bird species abundance and community composition via their direct impact on vegetation structure has also been recognised. We tested the hypothesis that deer influence vegetation structure and bird assemblages in a large island archipelago … Read the rest of this post
Abstract. The dominance of nonnative plants coupled with declines of native plants suggests that competitive displacement drives extinctions, yet empirical examples are rare. Herbivores, however, can alter vegetation structure and reduce diversity when abundant. Herbivores may act on mature, reproductive life stages whereas some of the strongest competitive effects might occur at early life stages that are difficult to observe. … Read the rest of this post
Lack of hunting is destroying BC’s Gulf Islands
http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/4836168/Lack_of_hunting_is_destroying_
BC’s Gulf Islands Needs Hunters
http://outdoorcanada.ca/12416/hunting/big-game/why-we-need-hunters-in-b-c
BC Parks Sidney Island
http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/bcparks/conserve/occ_paper/faldeer.html
Fallow Deer Eating Their Way Across Gulf Islands
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/fallow-deer-eating-their-way-across-gulf-islands-1.51352
Saturna Island Fallow Deer
http://www.vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/Stephen+Hume+battle+against+Bambi/7809432/story.html
CRD Deer Committee
http://www.crd.bc.ca/regionalplanning/deermanage.htm
Deer Friendly – Deer in the news worldwide
Australia and New Zealand information
http://www.feral.org.au/category/dama/dama-dama/deer-fallow-deer/
More New Zealand
http://www.readperiodicals.com/201001/1975162951.html
Hawaii Deer … Read the rest of this post
Fire Hall Referendum Special Issue
Greetings MIRRA Members,
As you are no doubt aware, The Mayne Island Improvement District has scheduled a referendum for March 12th to borrow up to $3,400,000 to build a new fire hall. MIRRA was founded to interact with the various levels of gov- ernment over such issues on behalf of residents and ratepayers. Besides a … Read the rest of this post
On January 14, a community forum was hosted by the Mayne Island Residents and Ratepayers Association at the Ag Hall to discuss the growing deer populations on Mayne Island, their impact on the islands ecosystem and the options available to address residents concerns over deer overpopulation. Over 85 residents and stakeholders representing a broad spectrum of interests filled the hall.… Read the rest of this post
Deer Community Forum: On Friday January 14, there will be a community forum to explore and discuss the ever growing issue of deer on Mayne Island.
As we all are aware, Mayne is home to both native Black Tail deer and imported European Fallow deer. With no resident predators and a hunting ban, the Black Tail population has expanded will … Read the rest of this post
Mayne Island Residents and Ratepayers Association As 2010 draws to a close it is both a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the year ahead. Often times MIRRA has been accused of having a ‘hidden agenda’ or only being concerned with one issue. In fact the organization has been active in many parts of the … Read the rest of this post
Queen of Nanaimo: August 3rd saw Mayne Island at it’s finest in the aftermath of the acci- dent when the ferry Queen of Nanaimo attempted to move us closer to our friends on Saturna. The response from our Ambulance Crew, Mayne Island Fire, Mayne Island Emergency Services, Southern Gulf Islands Emergency Program, RCMP, BCFS staff and count- less others in … Read the rest of this post
Overview
The southern Gulf Islands of Pender, Saturna, Mayne and Galiano continue to struggle with ferry transportation. Growing populations and commercial activity are pushing existing services to the limit on some sailings; static funding from the Provincial Government and increasing operating costs put BCFS in a difficult situation as losses mount.
Currently there is little or no justification for service … Read the rest of this post
Evolution
Human beings are perhaps one of the most destructive creatures ever to inhabit our planet; we have created horrible, lasting impacts for centuries. However human beings also have the wonderful ability to adapt, evolve and prosper with each challenge. We have dealt with climate change for thousands of years, survived floods and drought, world wars, the atomic age and … Read the rest of this post
Deer, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep have a widespread distribution across British Columbia, providing significant public recreational opportunities and aesthetic enjoyment to BC residents. However, excellent habitat in residential areas and protection from hunters and predators has encouraged some ungulate populations to become urban dwellers. Increasing numbers of ungulates (primarily deer) living in urban areas has led to increased conflict … Read the rest of this post
Deer, moose, elk, and bighorn sheep have a widespread distribution across British Columbia, providing significant public recreational opportunities and aesthetic enjoyment to BC residents. However, excellent habitat in residential areas and protection from hunters and predators has encouraged some ungulate populations to become urban dwellers. Increasing numbers of ungulates (primarily deer) living in urban areas has led to increased conflict … Read the rest of this post