Environment

West Coast Seeds marketing specialist Jason Tweten walks through a test garden at the company’s Delta facility. The company has roughly an acre of gardens where it tests seeds for germination and purity. Photo for The Tyee by Katie Hyslop.

How a Wildly Successful Seed Company Stays True to Its Roots

Retaining its focus on pollinators, climate change and soil health, West Coast Seeds sells over three million seed packets a year.

By: Katie Hyslop and Amanda Follett Hosgood

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Salmon fillets for sale at a fish market displayed with a patchwork effect

Hook, Line and Cannery: Decolonizing Seafood

How five First Nations on Vancouver Island are joining to redefine fishing industry success. A Tyee Q&A.

By: Ryan Stuart

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Herdwick sheep on Old Winchester Hill Hampshire England

Shear Genius: Turning Waste Wool into Clean Fertilizer

Tons of sheep clippings are dumped or burned. Meet folks reusing them instead to create jobs and a circular farming economy.

By: Andrea Bennett

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PeterReid

Cleaning Dirt for the Climate

Construction digs up vast amounts of contaminated soil. GRT Resource Regeneration found a low-carbon way to transform it for new uses.

By: Andrew Findlay

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Crowd at concert : Silhouette people crowd happy and cheering with led foam stick light in front of bright colorful stage lights

Bright Idea: This Natural Glow Stick Doesn’t Pollute

Lux Bio invented a bioluminescent alternative to the toxic plastic wands that litter landfills and oceans.

By: Pippa Norman

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‘4VI really helped us open our eyes,’ said Kevin Bradshaw, shown leading kayakers for his Hello Nature Adventure Tours off of Vancouver Island. ‘They looked at every aspect of the business and how it can give back on some level.’ Photo by Andi Wardrop.

Vancouver Island Made a Big Change in How It Defines Tourism Success

For social enterprise 4VI, it’s about visitors and their dollars leaving the place in better shape than they found it.

By: Ryan Stuart

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freshly harvested hops on hands

How a BC Biologist Is Changing the Craft Beer Scene

Ji Yang is working to create a climate-resilient beer brewed with locally grown hops.

By: Samantha Holomay

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CambridgeCreekWetlands

The Thriving Business of Rewilding

How wizards of wetlands restoration are bringing biodiversity back to West Coast landscapes.

By: Isaac Phan Nay

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A pile of discarded used infectious medical masks on a white background.Infectious waste is prevented by the covid-19 virus, a pandemic.The concept of improper disposal is dangerous.Top view.Copyspace

Medical Masks Save Lives but Harm Nature. This Maker Stepped Up

BC’s Vitacore figured out how to recycle difficult plastics like the respirators it manufactures by the millions.

By: Katie Hyslop

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Ragfinery- Branding

A Treasure Trove for Upcycled Clothing

Visit ‘an amazing place’ that swaps consumerism for creative joy while keeping textiles out of landfills.

By: Pippa Norman

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