On April 27, Elphinstone Community Association (ECA) held its third AGM in a row over Zoom! Guest speaker Jordan Pratt, SCRD emergency management coordinator and Gibsons deputy fire chief, discussed the potential of earthquakes and forest fires. He’s happy to speak to any community group; in times of emergency, we rely on neighbours. Rod Moorcroft, ECA Chair, said there were many questions and reported that Jordan, “talked a bit about floods and…on the forest fire front there is the SCRD sponsored home inspection where a forest fire person will come to your home and assess it for fire vulnerability.” The new ECA board of nine residents was nominated as a slate and acclaimed, to steer the ECA for the coming year.
I’ve mentioned before in this column, how lucky we are in Elphinstone to have so many farm gates to purchase local, fresh produce. We support our farmers so they can support us! I recently enjoyed some pea sprouts from the Suncoast Farm on Reed Road and note that the Grounded Acres Farm on Highland Road is flush with eggs. They’re open Saturday through Monday. There are seedlings available at RR7 Farmstead on Cemetery Road and many other farm stands to check out. Elphinstone also boasts two great cideries – Sunday Cider (open daily) and Banditry (open Thursday through Sunday).
The Sunshine Coast Hospice is gearing up for its annual “Hike for Hospice” fundraiser, supporting grief, palliative support and bereavement programs. As one of their board members recently told me, “People come to hospice for many reasons: to find solace through grief support, for respite and support as they care for dying loved ones… and for Advance Care Planning and the Green Sleeve Programs.” The hike is on May 29, but you can donate anytime at: hikeforcoasthospice.org.
The latest Streamkeepers (SCSS) update reports on many interesting items, including the purchase of 113 native plants for the numerous creeks they monitor. SCSS volunteers have been busy maintaining “loggers” that record the air or water temperature continuously. This data is especially important in the summer months, as high temperatures lead to high mortality for young fry. They monitor 17 creeks including Chaster Creek and note, “After the weather events of last year, SCSS would like to map all the creeks we are monitoring to keep track of changes and if needed, rehabilitate so we do not lose precious salmon habitat.” They will have training programs in May and always need new recruits, so contact them if interested at sunshinecoaststreamkeepers.com.
They are embarking on a Riparian Awareness Project as since so many creeks run through private property it’s important for people to know how to protect these important ecosystems. Look for the Streamkeepers brochure on the topic coming out this summer. And finally, they encourage everyone to check out Bob Turner’s fabulous videos of the Salish Sea. He has created a new website so you can see his remarkable videos and lots of great information about the Salish Sea at: oursalishsea.ca –you’re in for a treat!
Got Elphinstone news? Email me at: [email protected].
