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CPAWS-BC
@cpawsbc.bsky.social
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Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – British Columbia Chapter
An environmental non-profit working to protect lands, waters and nature in British Columbia
www.cpawsbc.org
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cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Lost Reef marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of Lost Reef glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of marine life around it A freckled dorid, a white sea slug wiuth plumes coming out of the top if its body crawls on the sea floor Photo by: imcote (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: These sea slugs have razor-sharp "teeth" on their tongue, called radula, which they use to feed on prey. An English sole, a brown flatfish with white speckles and eyes on the right side of its head, sits on the sea floor Photo by: Shelby Connelly (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: English soles can live up to 22 years, with female soles living about 4 years longer than male. A blood star, a bright red starfish, sits on a rock Photo by: Erica (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Despite the blood star’s bright red color, they don't actually have blood. Instead, they use seawater to circulate nutrients and oxygen.
November 26, 2025 at 11:52 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Anvil Island marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of Anvil Island glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of marine wildlife around it A slender sole, a pale coloured flatfish speckled with pink and brown, lies flat on the sea floor. Photo by: Gregory C. Jensen (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Slender sole are the only species in their genus known for being highly tolerant of incredibly low oxygen levels. A stubby squid, coloured dark red with large iridescent eyes, sits on the seafloor. Photo by: Justin Chan (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Stubby squid are nocturnal hunters and often spend their days buried in the sand, leaving only their eyes exposed. A spot prawn, a pale pink shrimp with shite spots on its abdomen and stripes on its legs, crawls on the sea floor. Photo by: Justin Chan (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Spot prawns begin life as a males but towards the end of their lives, change sex to become females.
November 24, 2025 at 9:47 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the East Defence Islands marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of East Defence Islands glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of marine wildlife around it A green striped rockfish, coloured white with pale green horizontal stripes, swims in front of a glass sponge. Photo by: Neil McDaniel (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Greenstriped rockfish have venom glands in the spines of the dorsal, anal and pelvic fins to protect themselves from predators. A yellowtail rockfish, coloured pale yellow with brown patches, swims by rocks on the seafloor. Photo by: Daniella LoScerbo (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Yellowtail rockfish can release gas from their swimbladder. This means that when they are caught from the deep they are able to avoid the barotrauma that would be fatal to other rockfishes. A feather duster worm, with white branched tentacles coming out of its stalk, is attached to the ocean floor. Photo by: Neil McDaniel (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Featherduster worms use their highly-branched tentacles for breathing and filter feeding small particles of food drifting in the water currents.
November 20, 2025 at 8:16 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Vancouver's new @thepwhl.com team, the @pwhlgoldeneyes.bsky.social, play their first home game this weekend!

After featuring the males last time, we're now showcasing the females!

Learn how people are working to protect their habitat: cpawsbc.org/campaign/gre...
Text: Meet BC's real goldeneyes! Part 2 The Vancouver Goldeneyes logo and image of a female common goldeneye in front of a coastal background image Images of a female Barrow's goldeneye and a female common goldeneye, both pale coloured ducks with dark brown heads. Photos by: Pacific Southwest Region USFWS from Sacramento, US, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons and Tony Hisgett from Birmingham, UK (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons Text: Female goldeneyes have brown heads and paler colours — better for camouflage when sitting on eggs and young ducklings.
November 19, 2025 at 8:35 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Halkett Point marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of Halkett Point glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of marine wildlife around it A longhorn decorator crab, coloured orange and covered in gray organic matter, hides in a glass sponge. Photo by: Sarah Thiebaud (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Longhorn decorator crabs “decorate” their shells with living anemones and sponges to act as camouflage and make themselves less appealing to eat. A hand holds up a pink shrimp to the sky Photo by: laude Nozères (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Pink shrimp are found mainly in nothern waters. Locally, they are found chiefly in inlets, probably because water temperatures tend to be lower there. A spony scallop has gray coloured sponges growing on it Photo by: imcote (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Spiny scallops have a symbiotic relationship with the sponges that grow on their shells. The sponges get a place to live and protect the scallop from predators by giving it a bad taste.
November 17, 2025 at 7:48 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Vancouver's new @thepwhl.com team, the @pwhlgoldeneyes.bsky.social, play their first game this weekend!

BC is home to two species of goldeneye ducks — the common and the Barrow's. The males can be told part by the white patches on their faces.
Text: Meet BC's real goldeneyes! (the ducks, that is) The Vancouver Goldeneyes logo and images of a common and a Barrow's goldeneye in front of a coastal background image A common goldeneye, a black and white duck with iridescent green head, swims on the water. Photo by: Stefan Berndtsson (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons Text: Males have a circle shaped patch on their face Unlike many diving ducks, common goldeneyes only need to run or “patter” a short 3 to 6 feet across the water before taking off. A Barrow's goldeneye, a black and white duck with iridescent purple head, swims on the water. Photo by: DickDaniels (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons Text: Males have a teardrop shaped patch on their face Barrow’s goldeneyes sometimes congregate near the coast during the early spring herring spawn before migrating inland.
November 13, 2025 at 8:34 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Alberta Bay marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of the Alberta Bay glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of ocean wildlife A sunflower sea star, coloured orange and brown with many arms radiating from its body, sits on the rocky ocean floor. Photo by: Brian (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Once common, their numbers have decreased greatly due to sea star wasting disease and warmer water temperatures caused by global climate change. A squat lobster, colured in bright light and pink hues with small pincers, sits in the opening of a sponge. Photo by: Rachel Munger (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: With their flattened bodies, squat lobsters hide from predators in the crevices of sponges. Their long claws allow them to feed from the safety of these hiding places. A California sea cucumber, coloured red and light brown with spikes protruding from its body, uses its tube feet to crawl on the rocky sea floor. Photo by: imcote (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: The California sea cucumber’s “spikes” are not very useful for defence since they are soft.
November 12, 2025 at 7:42 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Just like the Little Brown Bat, Scorpios are mysterious, determined, and passionate (about eating mosquitoes?).

Join us in calling on the BC government to protect habitat for species at risk like the Little Brown Bat by visiting besthope.ca.
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A little brown bat hangs upside down from a branch Text: Scorpio is the little brown bat A little brown bat hangs upside down in a cave Text: Little Brown Bats, also known as Little Brown Myotis, live all across BC - from coastal rainforests to interior grasslands. They really are very little! Adults weigh only 8 grams and are about 9 cm tall. These bats feed at dawn and dusk. They use echolocation to hunt. They find their prey by emitting sound waves that bounce off their prey, helping the bats zero in on their location. A close up of the very furry face of a little brown bat Text: Unfortunately the little brown bat is considered a species at risk in BC. The biggest threats to the little brown bat are habitat loss and a disease called white nose syndrome, which disrupts their winter hibernation. These bats need habitat like caves and healthy forests to roost and hibernate in without being disturbed. Habitat protection is essential to their survival. Join us in calling on the BC government to protect habitat for species at risk like the Little Brown Bat. A meme showing: Me: "if you need me call me" Also me: do not disturb mode, mute and a sleeping bat pictures Text: Protecting healthy habitats is one of the most effective ways to help the Little Brown Bat Support protecting 30% of lands and waters in BC by visiting besthope.ca
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Brunswick Point marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of Brunswick Point marine refuge with icons of marine wildlife A Pacific dover sole lies flat on its side, camouflaged with gray and brown colours on the sea floor. Photo by: Sarah Thiebaud (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Pacific dover sole are also known as “slime” or “slippery” sole because they excrete mucous that makes them difficult to hold. A Dungeness crab, coloured grey with orange highlights, walks on the rocky sea floor. Photo by: Justin Chan (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Dungeness crabs thrive in colder waters, making BC a great fishing area, and the species the most important crab harvested in the province. A sharpchin rockfish, coloured pink with dark red stripes, swims along the muddy sea floor. Photo by: Jackson W.F. Chu (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Sharpchin rockfish are named for the distinct knob at the tip of their lower jaw.
November 4, 2025 at 8:45 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Three new marine refuges are protecting the Great Bear Sea! 🌊💙

🐟 G̱aw Ḵáahlii & X̲aana K̲aahlii Marine Refuges in Haida Gwaii
🪸 Banks Marine Refuge near Lax k’naga Sts’ool (Banks Island), south of Prince Rupert
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Rockfish swim around a kelp forest Text: More Indigenous-led Conservation in the Great Bear Sea! Marine refuges created in Haida and Gitxaała territroies.
October 29, 2025 at 5:52 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Dorman Point marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map of Lions Bay and Kelvin Grove marine refuges with icons of marine wildlife A lingcod, a long fish speckled with brown spots and with a bright yellow eye rests on the rocks of the sea floor. Photo by: Sarah Thiebaud (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Lingcod use their 18 large canine like teeth to feed on nearly anything they can fit in their mouths. A spiny lithode crab, coloured red with spiky hairs of all over its body, crawls out of pale white coloured glass sponge. Photo by: Rachel Munger (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: The spiny lithode crab is covered in spines tipped with hairs, making it look both spiky and furry. A northern ronquil, a long fish speckled dark and light gray swims on the sea floor. Photo by: Rachel Munger (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: While common, northern ronquils are rarely observed as they seem to stay in their rocky, hidden homes.
October 28, 2025 at 8:11 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Dorman Point marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map showing the Dorman Point glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of 4 marine creatures A picture of a Pacific halibut, a flat fish speckled brown, lying on the seafloor. Photo by: Jackson W.F. Chu (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0), iNaturalist Text: When halibut are born, they have one eye on each side of their face. As they grow older, the left eye moves to the right side. A great white dorid, a white marine invertebrate with bumps on its skin crawls on rocks underwater. Photo by: saraellison (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: The giant white dorid is a species of sea slug or nudibranch. The fluffy plumes on its back are its retractable gills. A vermillion star, a bright orange coloured sea star, lies on rocks underwater Photo by: Justin Chan (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Vermillion stars can move as fast as 40 cm per minute, which is pretty fast for a sea star.
October 24, 2025 at 5:27 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Passionate about ocean conservation? Join the CPAWS-BC Team! We’re seeking a Conservation Campaigner, Ocean Program to lead advocacy efforts for marine protection in BC.

cpawsbc.org/.../2025.10-....
A humpback whale breaches out of ocean water Text: We're Hiring! Conservation Campaigner - Ocean Team Apply at cpawsbc.org
October 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
We collaborate and support Indigenous-led conservation:
Infographic text: We collaborate with scientists and community partners to study the benefits, opportunities, and impacts of protected areas We support Indigenous-led conservation by providing capacity on projects, amplifying announcements, and raising awareness about the need to support Indigenous-led initiatives with governments and the public Background image of a river flowing through a forest
October 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
We inspire and work with partners:
Infographic text: We inspire people to actively engage in conservation by participating in public consultations and advocating for strong protections We work with conservation partners and communities to identify new priority areas and appropriate tools needed for protection measures Background image of tree trunks and forest floor
October 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
We advocate and engage:
Infographic text: We advocate for effective, strong wildlife management protected areas all across British Columbia We engage with First Nations, crown governments, communities, and conservation and industry stakeholders to establish new conservation areas and improve protection and management across BC Background image of coastal ocean and sky
October 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
CPAWS-BC works to protect wilderness in every corner of BC and deep in to the ocean.

But what exactly do we do here? Scroll through the thread to learn more 🧵⬇️
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Infographic text: What does CPAWS-BC do? We work to protect wilderness in every corner of British Columbia and deep into the ocean. We support the creation of large, well-managed, connected protected areas where native plants and animals thrive, now and forever; and where people and communities can live off the land and ocean without impacting the ability of future generations to do the same. Background image of mountainous forest
October 21, 2025 at 9:24 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Ált'ka7tsem/Howe Sound's unique glass sponge reefs are home to amazing wildlife. And they're just minutes away from downtown Vancouver!

Here is some of the marine life found near the Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel marine refuge.

cpawsbc.org/learn/howe-s...
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A map showing the Howe Sound - Queen Charlotte Channel glass sponge reef marine refuge with icons of 3 fish A shortspine thornyhead, coloured red and sharp spines on its fins. Photo by: Neil McDaniel, (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Shortspine thornyhead grow slowly and have long lives of possibly up to 80 or 100 years. Females are able to have young when they are 8 to 10 years old. A quillback rockfish, coloured beige with brown speckling and large spikes on its dorsal fin. Photo by: Rachel Munger (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: Quillback rockfish are named for the sharp, venomous quills or spines on the dorsal fin. These are not dangerous to humans but stings can be a little painful and prone to infections. A red Irish lord fish colured with different shades of red speckling. Photo by: John D Reynolds (CC BY-NC 4.0), iNaturalist Text: The red Irish lord uses its camouflage to blend in with the ocean floor, where it sits motionless and waits to strike at passing prey such as crabs, small fish, shrimp, mussels, and barnacles.
October 16, 2025 at 9:41 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Nature in Transit is back for in Vancouver for October! Each day brings a new fun fact for commuters to enjoy and reconnect with the nature.

And we’ve expanded our reach: you can now spot the ads from October 6 to November 3 at more SkyTrain stations.

Learn more at cpawsbc.org/natureintransit
A digital sign at transit station saying: It's October 6th. Today sees the largest and brightest full moon of the year. Learn more at cpawsbc.org/natureintransit A a large digital billboard at transit station saying: It's October 6th. Today sees the largest and brightest full moon of the year. Learn more at cpawsbc.org/natureintransit
October 15, 2025 at 11:26 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
At CPAWS-BC, we’re working toward protecting 30% of B.C.’s lands and waters by 2030, and IPCAs are key to achieving that goal.

Protecting nature and advancing Indigenous-led conservation go hand in hand — for the health of the land, the water, and all who call them home. 🐻

cpawsbc.org/learn/30x30/
A photo of a moose standing in a wetland. Photo: Adam Combs Protecting 30% of BC by 2030 Establishing protected areas is a key strategy to halt the loss of biodiversity, while combating climate change and advancing reconciliation. How is BC doing? 14% needs protection; ~16% is currently protected Right now there is a unique window of opportunity for all levels of government to work together to double the amount of protected land in BC.
October 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
Here are some IPCAs led by First Nations in BC:
A map of British Columbia showing locations of IPCAs Dene K'éh Kusān in northern BC Gwininitxw Protected Area in central BC Salmon Parks on the west coast of Vancouver Island Ashnola smelqmix Protected Area in southern central BC Infographic text: First Nations across BC are already taking bold action to address biodiversity loss and conserve ecosystems through Indigenous governance and knowledge systems. Dene K'éh Kusän, "Always Will Be There" Led by: The Kaska Dena and Dena Kayeh Institute Goal: Protect nearly four million hectares of wilderness lands in northern BC, which will add 4% to the province's protected areas percentage. Gwininitxw Protected Area Led by: Wilps Gwininitxw, a Gitxsan Nation house group Goal: Protect 170,000 hectares of critical habitat for mountain goats, wolverines, grizzlies and wild salmon within Wilps Gwininitxw Territory. Salmon Parks Led by: Mowachaht/Muchalaht and Nuchatlaht Hawiih (hereditary leaders) Goal: Restore wild salmon by recovering and protecting key watersheds in Nootka Sound, on Vancouver Island's west coast. Ashnola smelqmix Protected Area Led by: Lower Similkameen/the smalqmíx, the syilx people of the Similkameen Valley Goal: Protect water, restore habitat, and safeguard species through active smalqmíx management according to smalqmíx / syilx law
October 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
IPCAs are a vital opportunity for B.C. to increase land protection in a way that upholds Indigenous title and rights — while safeguarding biodiversity, cultural values, and climate resilience.

cpawsbc.org/learn/indige...
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An image of river delta. Photo by Adam Combs Infographic text: What are IPCAs? Lands and waters where First Nations have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance and knowledge systems. An image of an American badger standing on rocky ground. Infographic text: Did You Know? First Nations can establish IPCAs under their inherent rights and laws, but provincial and federal governments lack the legal framework to recognize them as protected areas. IPCAs present an important opportunity for BC to increase land protection in a way that upholds Indigenous Title & Rights and advances provincial commitments to reconciliation.
October 14, 2025 at 9:32 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
What a weekend celebrating the Salish Sea on Pender Island!

There's something special about islanders coming together to talk about the waters that surround us and how to protect them.

Thank you to everyone who took a low-tide walk identifying local seaweed with marine biologist Amanda Swinimer.
October 10, 2025 at 9:44 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
We teamed up with Vernon Community Arts Centre for a night of creativity, community, and learning about rare and sensitive grasslands in BC — home to more species at risk than any other ecosystem.
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October 9, 2025 at 9:36 PM
cpawsbc.bsky.social
We're teaming up with Pender Island Conservancy Association and Georgia Strait Alliance to help turn the tides. Will we sea you there?

Oct 4-5 | Details + registration: linktr.ee/tideturners
A stylized poster titled "Register now! to save your spot" with dark green seaweed, fish and bubbles on a light blue background with the logos of the Georgia Strait Alliance, Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, and Pender Islands Conservancy
October 1, 2025 at 8:28 PM