News Highlights

FBC CEO David Marshall (centre left) presents Vancouver International Airport President and CEO Tamara Vrooman with a certificate to recognize the Salmon-Safe recertification of YVR in 2022. Joining the event were Morgan Guerin, Senior Marine Planning Specialist of Musqueam First Nation (right), and Andrea McDonald, FBC Program Coordinator, GVSS region.

YVR Earns Salmon-Safe Recertification

On April 22 the Vancouver International Airport (YVR) was recertified by FBC’s Salmon-Safe BC program to recognize YVR’s ongoing commitment to progressive land and water management practices that benefit Pacific salmon habitat and water quality. YVR was the first airport in North America to achieve Salmon-Safe certification in 2016 and is now the first organization in Canada to be recertified.

YVR has integrated Salmon-Safe principles into its operations, such as by taking steps to reduce harmful pesticides; implement a comprehensive stormwater management plan; reduce site-wide water consumption and ensure zero sediment runoff during future construction activities. YVR’s commitments are important, given its location in a busy and growing metropolitan area at the mouth of the Stó꞉lō or Fraser River — one of the world’s most important salmon-bearing rivers.

The Salmon-Safe BC recertification assessment was undertaken by a team that included an Indigenous knowledge holder from Musqueam First Nation on whose traditional territories the airport is located. Including Indigenous ways of knowing in the Salmon-Safe process offers essential insights in the assessment and brings together knowledge streams in way that reinforces a commitment to stewardship and to reconciliation.

There is opportunity for many other BC businesses, industries, communities and organizations to seek Salmon-Safe certification for sites they manage. This includes offices, retail centres, parks and campuses in urban and suburban areas.

Happy Earth Day from FBC and the Salmon-Safe BC team, and congratulations to YVR! Check out the YVR blog and video and head to the Salmon-Safe website to learn about the program.

2022 Elizabeth Henry Scholarship

Applications are open now through through May 10 for the 2022 Scholarship

The Elizabeth Henry Scholarship for Communities and Environmental Health supports graduate students working on research projects in partnership with one or more Indigenous and/or non-Indigenous British Columbia communities that are addressing air quality, environmental health issues and/or promoting environmental sustainability through cooperative initiatives. 

To learn more about the Award and to apply in 2022, see Elizabeth Henry Scholarship.