The Chilliwack
Progress Tuesday
12 Life
Still Helping
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Sports
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Curling
A Chilliwack boy continues to aid earthquake ravaged Chile.
Curling 101 with the Sardis Falcons
Bruins Howse atop of
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Rezoning for contact centre in March? Offer made on property Jennifer Feinberg The Progress
FVRD resource technician Gord Gadsden shows off a nest box to the Eco Maniacs Club at Vedder middle school. The students will be building several of the nest boxes to help the endangered Western Screech-Owl. JUSTIN KEITCH/ PROGRESS
Screech owls to get a helping hand The Progress Some environmentally conscious students at Vedder middle school are getting a crash course on the endangered Western Screech-Owl, as they launch a project to build nest boxes for them at Island 22. FVRD Parks resource technician Gord Gadsden gave a fact-filled talk Wednesday to the school’s environment group called the Eco Maniacs, coordinated by teacher Steve Cecchi.
“This project is going to be great for the owls and great for the school,” Gadsden said. “It is very encouraging to see young people with that level of interest and dedication to nature.” The screech-owl is only about the size of a large coffee mug, if it had a head, wings and legs, that is. They are still found across the Fraser Valley, including Chilliwack. “Unfortunately, their numbers have been dropping over the years, due in part to habitat loss and the spread of larger owl species,” said Gadsden.
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The red-listed western screech-owl was designated endangered in 2002, by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. A five-year recovery plan was launched in 2008, including the goal of securing more nesting habitat at priority sites with good foraging nearby. The yellow-eyed owls seek out tree cavities in large, old trees to nest in, but they will also inhabit human-constructed bird houses, like the ones at Island 22 in recent years. One way the students can
have a real impact is by building nest boxes in which they’ll raise their young, and use as roosts during the non-breeding season, Gadsden told the kids. “We’re hoping we can provide more nesting opportunities.” The VMS students will be building the boxes in the school’s woodworking shop in the coming weeks. “They’ll also get a chance to learn a little about the bird to supplement their learning and appreciation for nature and the environment,” he said. jfeinberg@theprogress.com
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Jennifer Feinberg
An offer to purchase a property for a health contact centre in Chilliwack has been inked by the province, according to a source at BC Housing. Project proponents, including partners like Pacific Community Resources Society, have been hammering away at the housing proposal for years, trying to establish a contact centre for the city’s homeless and addicted. Subject removal is expected by Feb. 28 with a tentative closing date of March 31, and the location will be announced once those milestones are achieved. “A rezoning would be required and PCRS will be completing an application to the City,” said the BC Housing rep in an email to The Progress. “We anticipate city council may consider rezoning in March.” Once the purchasing details and rezoning applications are approved, a process to identify capital funding for renovations and operating funds will begin. “It is anticipated the centre could house up to approximately 34 people, and PCRS and other service providers are planning to offer a range of health support services at the centre, however it is early in the process and details on the type of housing and supports still need to be developed.” About 100 people in the Chilliwack community are thought to be homeless on a long-term basis, while service providers estimate there are another 200 in various stages of homelessness. Project advocates thought they had found a suitable location downtown last year for transitional and emergency housing in a contact centre, but the Traders Inn property on Yale Road was sold to another buyer before an offer could be made. This offer to purchase a new Chilliwack property, near downtown, has been accepted by the seller, but the subject conditions still have to be removed.