Valemount Community Forest Forecasts
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WANTED: Men for Men’s Shed P2 The Goat brings home awards P4 Welcome, Stewarts! P7 More COVID restrictions lifted P7 CELEBRATING Thursday June 17th, 2021 Volume 12 Issue 22 MCBRIDE’S GRADS PM42164515 SEE P9-12 $2.00 GST INCLUDED ($1.30 when you subscribe) Valemount Community Forest forecasts Salmon tank program a summer of road building, new blocks, beetle traps starting at and firing up the new mill visitor centre this summer By Trish Dunn The Valemount Visitor Information Centre has paired up with Spruce City Wildlife Association out of Prince George to help rehabilitate the Chinook Salmon in BC. The Valemount Visitor Information Centre will get a large fish tank in late August or early September to hold salmon eggs. The eggs will be arriving from Prince George in late September and will be at the Visitor Information Centre on display until they are released back into the water in the Prince George area where they came from at the fry stage, says Cassandra Knelsen from the Village of Valemount. The Valemount Visitor Information Centre was not able to use the eggs from Swift Creek this year because they were unsuccessful in collecting Chinook eggs last fall, Knelsen says. They are going to try to collect eggs again, and hopefully they will Reiner Thoni gives a be successful this year and be able to release thumbs up. /VCF PHOTO CONT’D ON P3 By Laura Keil pine on West Canoe, and spruce, cedar it’s locally-owned and the rates are and fir on Swift Mountain and above competitive and they do a good job.” The Goat caught up with Valemount town. Community Forest manager Craig “We’re trying to mix it up more and Inventory and surveys Pryor last week to talk about the more, just because it’s good for the They are also doing some region Irene Berndsen community forest’s plans for the forest, climate and that kind of stuff,” surveys and in July or August they’ll upcoming season. Pryor said. complete some free-growing surveys He said in the old days you’d plant all which are usually done 8-10 years Tree planting pine or all spruce, but they know that’s after planting. ASPIRE REALTY Pryor says they are about 2/3rds done putting all their eggs in one basket. “The trees get to a certain height planting this season. “You run into problems. But if you above the brush and then you can do www.mountainviewrealty.ca Between late-April and now they mix it up, there’s a better chance of a survey and if there’s enough trees have planted trees on the fire- success.” and they’re tall enough you can say McBride 250-569-7397 preparedness blocks they did in the The planting is being done by that the block is free-growing and past couple years including the ones Integrity Contracting run by Seth your liability goes away,” Pryor says. see LISTINGS ON on Blackman Road. They’ve planted Macdonald out of Dunster, which “But we’re an spruce on Westridge, spruce, fir, cedar, employs a number of locals. area base so CONT’D ON P8 BACK PAGE “We keep going back to them because Andreas Haugk HAUGK HOME DESIGNS SERVING BC & ALBERTA Over 45 years of experience specializing in custom design, renovations and furniture making. www.haugkhomedesigns.com |[email protected] | 250-981-0457 2 Thursday June 17th 2021 In Print | Online | therockymountaingoat.com WANTED: Men to start local “Men’s Shed” By Laura Keil self-identified men of all ages. Dedicated men’s services has been part of the RVCS Thanks to a grant from CN Rail, Robson board of directors strategic planning for Valley Community Services has $2,500 in the last several years, Thompson says. start-up funding for local Men’s Sheds— “The leadership team and the board feel one in McBride and one in Valemount— very strongly about ensuring we have and now it’s putting the word out to find support programs for men,” she says. men who have a space and/or ideas to get “We will apply for every grant in support, them started. and I’m guaranteeing that 100 per cent of “We really want it to be male-led,” proceeds will go back to that program.” said RVCS Executive Director Lina RVCS has charitable status, so tax Thompson. “At the end of the day, I don’t receipts are issued for any donations. have a clue what guys need.” Thompson says there are some existing Men’s Sheds have sprung up across the supports available to those in need. For country as a tool to engage men in their instance Northern Health offers free community. According to Men’s Sheds mental health counselling to adults living Canada, Sheds are “modern, shared in community—but there are often wait versions of the home workshops that have lists. long been part of the Canadian way of “We are very fortunate to have a life.” dedicated team of doctors, nurses and Thompson said it’s been an uphill counsellors, but from my understanding battle to get funding for men’s programs, there are considerable wait lists. I strongly despite the community saying for years believe that intentional connection is one that it’s something that’s needed. of the best prevention tools we can offer “We were like, how long are we going each other.” to wait? How many more men are going She said a contact at the United Way to feel isolated and struggle with mental helped push the idea forward: health challenges? Let’s just do it.” “If you’re waiting for this bucket of RVCS has a small shed in McBride they gold to drop from the sky to make this Men’s sheds are a place for men to gather, make or repair things, and get more engaged can convert until they find something happen, you’re going to wait forever,” she with their community. /MENSSHEDS.CA better. They don’t have a location in recalls him saying. “Just start where you Valemount yet, so they are putting it out are .” to the community to see what’s available. She said the same man spoke of “social Thompson says Men’s Sheds go beyond prescribing,” in other words, prescribing to the Men’s Sheds Canada website, which are keys to good overall health.” the physical space, and features of other social contact as a way to improve health. Doug recognized that many men in his “Men’s sheds are not a service for men. Sheds include doing outdoor activities RVCS wants the participants of the community had both time on their hands But you might be of service to others like hikes and creating a tool-lending Men’s Shed to decide how they want to and a tendency to suffer from isolation, or get advice and support from time to library. The physical space is where men shape it, which means RVCS is taking a loneliness, and depression, especially time,” the website says. can socialize, repair or build things, leap of faith, Thompson says. after retirement, as many men tie their Anyone interested in getting a Men’s perhaps swap bike repair skills, or repair “My board’s like ‘How are we going to do identities to their careers. “Since starting Shed going in Valemount or McBride or sporting equipment and give it back to this’ and I’m like ‘We’ll figure it out.’” MenSheds Manitoba, Doug has helped has a space they’re willing to lend, get local kids. Doug Mackie founded the first Canadian men come together, stay productive, in touch with Lina Thompson at at ed@ It would be a space open to shed in 2011 in Winnipeg. According and contribute to the community—all of rvcsbc.org or Jana at [email protected] Your Local Realtor ASPIRE REALTY For over 21 years Independently Owned and Operated $689,900 NEW 3085 O’Dwyer Road VALEMOUNT Call Tammy 250-566-1025 Tammy VandeNobelen [email protected] LIVING ROOM WEST VIEW MAGICAL VIEWS! LARGE KITCHEN Discover this ultimate residence on 2.2 acres sitting on a popular ridge with amazing views of the Westridge Mountains.This 4 bdrm 2 bath home has lots to offer.Over 2800 sq ft on two floors. Living room has floor to ceiling windows framing the unobstructed views. Walk out basement has plenty of space to create a suite or just perfect for a large family. Only 5 mins from town, quiet dead end street, lots of privacy, large sundeck. Need I say more! BASEMENT BATH WWW.VALEMOUNTREALESTATE.COM Valemount | McBride | Dunster | Blue River Thursday June 17th 2021 3 CONT’D FROM A1 Salmon tank program ... the fish back into Swift Creek once they reach the fry stage. The Village of Valemount will advise the public when they know the exact dates the tanks with eggs are in place for viewing Never miss a story! CALL 250-566- Subscribe today: 4606 / Photo of a salmon tank taken at the Spruce City Wildlife Centre in Prince George/SPRUCE CITY GALLERY PHOTO UBCM discussion topics, sand discoloration explained and village office hours changed By: Andrea Arnold UBCM Executive – was also added to the hours on Monday to facilitate staff the municipality or another position June 15th meeting. meetings. The new Monday hours will be appointed by the municipality; (i) Mayor Gene Runtz called the 10:00am- 4:30pm, effective July 12, 2021 the receipt of advice that is subject June 8, 2021 meeting to order (changed from an 8:30am opening).