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January 04 2011 » News Clippings » Burnaby Newsletter

2011 Hopes & Plans:  A closer look at our rivers with Mark Angelo


Mark Angelo is a longtime advocate of river conservation and the founder of both BC Rivers Day and World Rivers Day. He is chair of the Rivers Institute at BC Institute of Technology and has received numerous awards for his efforts, including the Order of British Columbia, the Order of Canada and the United Nations Stewardship Award. In addition to advocating, he has experienced rivers firsthand, paddling along hundreds of them around the world.

Q: Were there any surprises for you in river conservation in 2010? Please elaborate.

My biggest surprises this year were of a positive nature. For example, it was exciting to see such a massive global turnout this year for World Rivers Day, which involved well over 60 countries and millions of participants. This went far beyond our expectations and the event continues to grow. It’s also exciting to know that the origin, or genesis, of this international celebration can be found right here in B.C. In addition, another very pleasant surprise was the unexpectedly large return of sockeye salmon to the Fraser this year. This was the biggest return in a century and something indeed worth celebrating!

Q: What do you think is the most pressing issue in river conservation right now and why?

Across our province, I think there’s still much to be done in terms of ensuring our waterways are adequately cared for. We’ve made some progress on specific fronts and some local governments, such as Burnaby, have been quite progressive in protecting local streams. But if you scan the entire province, many of our rivers continue to face an array of threats associated with pollution, inappropriate development, urbanization, the excessive extraction of water and the building of dams.

Q: What are your plans to help address this, or other, issues in the new year?

Through the Rivers Institute at BCIT, we’re involved in an array of activities including applied research, various special projects relating to river conservation and restoration, and public awareness activities such as Rivers Day. We also try to mentor and support the next generation of river stewards; young people who will become our river champions of the future. My hope is that all of these activities, in conjunction with the good work that many other groups and individuals are undertaking, will help address at least some of these issues. In addition, we’re organizing a “Water for Life” benefit concert on April 7 at the Michael J Fox Theatre. This program will be a mix of inspiring stories, stunning images and great music, all focused on the importance of water and the need to be good water stewards, wherever we might live. The show will also be filmed as a major Global TV special with all proceeds benefitting worthy water-related initiatives, both locally and abroad. Tickets will go on sale Feb. 1 through Ticketmaster.

Q: What would be the best thing that could happen in river conservation in 2011?

I think we have the world’s finest river heritage right here in B.C. and yet our waterways continue to face an array of threats and pressures. A number of these were highlighted in the most recent “endangered rivers list”, which included problems around excessive water extraction on interior rivers such as the Kettle and Coldwater; concerns about proposed coalbed methane development in the “sacred headwaters” of the Nass, Stikine and Skeena Rivers (three of our finest salmon rivers); and uncontrolled development and a loss of habitat along the “Heart of the Fraser” between Hope and Mission, one of the most productive stretches of river anywhere in the world. In addition, there’s a myriad of other concerns ranging from the lack of an effective strategy and plan for independent power project development to the urgent need for a new Water Act that strikes a better balance between water extraction and the protection of aquatic ecosystems. So the best thing that could happen in the coming year would be to make progress on all of these fronts!

Q: The worst thing?

As a long time river advocate, I’ve seen my share of ups and downs over the years—and I’ve always believed that the worst thing that could happen to any sector in a given year is to make no progress, or even take a step backwards. I try to remain hopeful though that this won’t happen.

Q: What are your hopes for the community in the new year that have the best chances of actually happening?

I’m very upbeat about our own community and I see a very vibrant future, both in the short and long term. And looking at the many natural areas that have been set aside in communities such as Burnaby (totaling about 25 per cent of the land base), I believe we have a unique opportunity here to strike an appropriate balance between a sound economy, a good environment and an excellent quality of life.

Q: Give us your wildest and craziest prediction?

In response to a similar question last year, after a disastrous 2009 sockeye return, I said my “wildest and craziest prediction” would be to see a massive salmon return in the fall of 2010. In light of what happened, perhaps if I answer this again in the very same way, we’ll be fortunate once more in the fall of 2011.
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