Nature

Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys

VIDEO: A sucker for a friendly face; octopus gloms onto diver for once-in-a-lifetime encounter

Diver off Campbell River spends amazing 40-minute session with a friendly octopus

Giant Pacific octopus approaches Campbell River diver Andrea Humphreys during a friendly and unforgettable encounter near Campbell River Oct. 15, 2022. Screen capture from video by Andrea Humphreys
Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson gifts $100M to help preserve B.C.’s nature

Lululemon Athletica Inc. founder and billionaire Chip Wilson is donating $100 million…

Lululemon founder Chip Wilson and his wife Summer Wilson laugh while speaking after announcing a $100 million donation to preserve and protect B.C.’s natural spaces through their Wilson 5 Foundation, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Sept. 15, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
This photo provided by Daniela C. Roessler in August 2022 shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state. A study published on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, suggests that jumping spiders show signs of sleep cycles, similar to humans and some animals. (Daniela C. Roessler via AP)

Do spiders sleep? Study suggests they may snooze like humans

Biologist: ’It was just the most unusual thing I’ve ever seen’

This photo provided by Daniela C. Roessler in August 2022 shows a jumping spider (E. arcuata) exhibiting leg curling during a REM sleep-like state. A study published on Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, suggests that jumping spiders show signs of sleep cycles, similar to humans and some animals. (Daniela C. Roessler via AP)
The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)

Fill your pack with snacks, scientists need to know how neat B.C. nature is

The BioBlitz, through the iNaturalist app, runs from July 28-Aug. 1

The Morkin property in Southern Alberta. (Brent Calver/Nature Conservancy of Canada)
This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)

Japan’s Sakurajima volcano erupts, triggering evacuation

No immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns

This long exposure image shows the eruption of volcano Sakurajima Sunday night, July 24, 2022, in the view from Tarumizu city, Japan’s southern prefecture of Kagoshima. Japan’s Meteorological Agency said a volcano on Japan’s southern main island of Kyushu erupted Sunday night, spewing ash and volcanic rocks, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries in nearby towns. (Kyodo News via AP)
Diana Shklanka and her dog Alpo are intrepid trekkers through the fields of the Cariboo area. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

SMART 55: Diana Shklanka enjoys wandering amongst Cariboo wildflowers

Outings with her dog are how this senior is spending her retirement years

Diana Shklanka and her dog Alpo are intrepid trekkers through the fields of the Cariboo area. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Learning is all part of the fun at Scout Island. (Scout Island Nature Centre photo)

Bugs and birds all part of learning at Scout Island

The next family learning event is about oceans June 16 at 7 p.m.

  • Jun 16, 2022
Learning is all part of the fun at Scout Island. (Scout Island Nature Centre photo)
Cariboo Chilcotin residents are encouraged to participate in the City Nature Challenge 2022. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Cariboo-Chilcotin region participating in City Nature Challenge 2022

‘Area encompassed in our ‘city’ is entirety of Cariboo Regional District,’ said Camille Sangarapillai

Cariboo Chilcotin residents are encouraged to participate in the City Nature Challenge 2022. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Climate change, big agriculture combine to threaten insects

Scientists have noticed dramatic drop in total bug numbers

A bee searches for pollen on a flower during a sunny spring day in Belgrade, Serbia, Friday, April 8, 2022. A study published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, April 20, 2022 says habitat loss from big agriculture and climate change are combining to threaten the world’s insects. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)

$5M dream to create B.C. eagle sanctuary poised to become reality

Campaign to purchase estuary land reaches fundraising goal

The goal to create a protected eagle reserve at the French Creek estuary will become a reality. (Michael Briones photo)
Scout Island trails are getting renovated to withstand future climate changes. (Angie Mindus photo)

Scout Island flood-damaged trails slated for new boardwalks

The Williams Lake Field Naturalists have been fundraising for the improvements

Scout Island trails are getting renovated to withstand future climate changes. (Angie Mindus photo)
A Lark Sparrow was spotted on Opal Street in Williams Lake during this year’s Christmas Bird Count, which is unusual for a bird normally wintering in much warmer climes and only the third one counted in Canada. (Phil Ransom photo)

Williams Lake Christmas Bird Count results sees first-ever sighting for the lakecity

It was challenging and rewarding for this year’s birders

  • Jan 9, 2022
A Lark Sparrow was spotted on Opal Street in Williams Lake during this year’s Christmas Bird Count, which is unusual for a bird normally wintering in much warmer climes and only the third one counted in Canada. (Phil Ransom photo)
(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)

VIDEO: Fraser Valley pilot spots black bear from the air

Agassiz area pilot captures footage of a wandering black bear among the stalks of corn

(Lakes District News File Photo/Eddie Huband)
This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)

Western Hemlock Looper Moths return for a third feast of B.C. foliage

Outbreaks of the moths occur every 11 to 15 years in Coastal and Interior forests

This year’s Western hemlock "looper" moth outbreak has been seen in the Lower Mainland and the Interior, including communities throughout the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (Lorraine Maclauchlan photo)
A common wall lizard scrambles across a concrete wall in a Saanich yard. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population runs, climbs and clings across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

A common wall lizard scrambles across a concrete wall in a Saanich yard. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)

Island near Nanaimo preserved as park after $4M donation from Lululemon founder

Chip Wilson’s family’s foundation supports three land purchases in the Strait of Georgia

Saturnina Island is situated off the east coast of Gabriola Island. (Google Maps image)
Although the process to prepare the snails is long, Revelstoke resident Hailey Ross said they are mighty tasty. (Contributed)

1 way to deal with invasive snails in B.C. is… to eat them?

Foraging for Roman snails, which are cooked in fancy dishes globally as escargot

Although the process to prepare the snails is long, Revelstoke resident Hailey Ross said they are mighty tasty. (Contributed)
University of Maryland entomologist Paula Shrewsbury, reaches for a cookie topped with a cicada nymph, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Columbia, Md. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Freaked by cicada swarms? You could just stick a fork in ‘em

Full of protein, gluten-free, low-fat and low-carb, cicadas are eaten by humans in many countries.

University of Maryland entomologist Paula Shrewsbury, reaches for a cookie topped with a cicada nymph, Monday, May 17, 2021, in Columbia, Md. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)

Legend continues as iconic white raven spotted once again on Vancouver Island

Sightings rare everywhere in world except for central Vancouver Island location

A fledgling white raven was spotted near the end of Winchester Road in Coombs. (Mike Yip photo)
Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)

Chilliwack man has close encounter with killdeer after marking nest

Killdeer nest near farm fields and other high danger areas, but man is intent on saving birds

Joe Sommer of Chilliwack reaches toward a killdeer on its nest on his property, in March 2021. The red marking is to alert the neighbouring farm to avoid the area. (Submitted photo)