Projects

DICAN 2024 - 2025:

The following list shows how and why 2024 - 2025 were busy and productive years for DICAN.  As you read about each initiative or event you may find areas that prompt you to take individual action or join us in our work to address climate change.  Initiatives are in approximate chronological order.

1. Ship Breaking in Baynes Sound: In 2020 Deep Water Recovery began dismantling derelict barges and ships in Union Bay, allowing pollutants to run directly into Baynes Sound.  Following the Nov. 15, 2024 EcoForum hosted by Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound (CCOBS), which DICAN members attended, DICAN held a community meeting on Denman to garner support.  Last summer Deep Water Recovery’s licence was finally revoked, although it appears that ship breaking is still taking place and the fight is not over:

2. Old Growth Forest Arrests: DICAN members attended a court hearing for a fellow Denmanite who was arrested and charged for protesting Old Growth forest cuts.  As part of the proceedings a “defence of necessity” was recognized. And while this is significant, as the severity of climate change can now be applied in such cases, the defendants were still sentenced to community hours and probation.

3. Seniors for ClimateAction (SCAN). DICAN joined this national climate action group and we participated in their first climate action on Oct. 1, 2024.  To raise awareness we handed out cookies, information and sang climate songs at the Denman West Ferry terminal, the Denman Island School, on the steps of the General Store, and at the Guest House Bistro. A second SCAN event took place on Earth Day 2025 where we created a collage of the Nature we seek to preserve.

4. Repair Cafe 2025:  On Sunday April 27 DICAN held it’s third spring Repair Café at the recycling centre.  At this popular event several Denman Island handymen and women helped other Denman Islanders sharpen and repair tools to ready them for the upcoming gardening season. 

5. Old School Heat Pump Project: Since the Denman Old School still relied on an ancient oil furnace for expensive, polluting and often ineffective heat, DICAN and the Old School Committee joined forces to raise funds for a heat pump to replace the furnace. Estimates for the new heat pump were from $25 - $30 K. Throughout the fall, winter and spring money was raised through generous donations from community members as well as grants from the CVRD and FCU.  Sufficient money was raised by July and the new Heat Pump was installed in August 2025.

6. Food Sustainability and Buying Local: In 2025 DICAN had several discussions about the importance of buying locally to enhance food security as well as to support local businesses and farmers.  This led to an article in the Island Grapevine that received significant notice from local residents and possibly some improved shopping habits.

7. Clear Cutting on Denman: Concern expressed about clear cutting on the Northlands lead DICAN to offer financial support to the Denman Conservancy Association who was monitoring the situation.

8. Newcomers Welcoming Event: In June, DICAN had a booth at the Newcomer’s Event where we informed new residents about our committee and signed up several new members to our mailing list.

9. Breakfast with John Vaillant: John Vaillant, author of Fire Weather, attended the DI Readers and Writers Festival in July.  DICAN organized a stimulating and informative breakfast meeting with John to discuss strategic ways to promote Climate Action on Denman

10. Clean BC Submission: As part of our advocacy, a submission was made to Clean BC about areas they could improve climate action as they have acknowledged that they are not meeting their own targets.

11.  Blackberry Faire:  DICAN participated in the Blackberry Fair Parade sporting DICAN and SCAN banners. Fliers about our upcoming Climate Fair were also given out.

12. Draw the Line:  Arguably our biggest event to date was a Climate Fair held on Sept. 20 in conjunction with the global day of action to draw the line against injustices around the economy, immigration and climate. Groups promoting plastic alternatives, recycling and reusing to reduce consumption, eating sustainably, off-grid living, energy efficiency, waste management, and fire safety were all represented. A video summary of the event was created:   https://vimeo.com/1120538020

 13.  Meeting with Josie Osborne: Members of DICAN met with Josie Osborne, our MLA and Health Minister to express urgent need for significant action against climate change given the significant health implications being discovered in northern BC where fracking is commonplace.

14. Ecotrust Presentation: DICAN, DIRA and Michael-Anthony Lufty from Ecotrust organized a presentation and workshop on energy efficiency at the end of June. Michael-Anthony presented the Ecotrust program that supports affordable heat pump installation.  This was followed by an air filter making workshop:

15. DICAN supports Climate Groups:   By engaging in programs and amplifying messages, DICAN supports the following provincial and national groups: WECAN, Sue Big Oil, West Coast Environmental Law, Seniors for Climate Action and the Climate Emergency Unit.

16. Keep Denman Dark: This campaign was initiated in an effort to reduce light pollution and wasted energy on Denman Island.  A summary information handout was prepared and distributed at the Draw the Line event: