In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1986. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: In November 1986, voters in Whistler elected Drew Meredith as their new mayor and put Jeff Wuolle, Sonya McCarthy, Paul Burrows, Craig MacKenzie, Diane Eby, and Ted Nebbeling on council. Of those elected, only Paul Burrows and Diane Eby had previously served on council. This was also the first where six councillors (or aldermen as they were then called) were elected, as previous councils had had only four.
Question: What do you think of Whistler’s new mayor and council?
Bill Irwin – Carpenter – Emerald Estates
I would say it’s good. Meredith took a strong stance on gambling, and it will be interesting to see if that remains. I think it’s a good change, generally. I find it humorous that all you have to do to become alderman practically is to run for it.
I don’t think the two candidates for mayor were in conflict with each other. Drew Meredith won because of his own popularity, his high profile in the chamber and WRA, not because of a lack of good wok that Rodgers has done. Before one alderman could swing the other three, but now it will be hard for even a strong person in council to swing the others. So, I’m all in favour of a six-person council.
Harry Smith – Store Owner – Black Tusk
I’m glad to see they have some of the old members back and some new, aggressive ones coming in. It’s going to be an interesting session. And Whistler is growing so fast, I think it’s time we had the extra people. I like the idea of having new people, of a change. I think a new broom always sweeps a little better.
“I think sometimes we need to take a step back and just remember that we’ve no greater right to be on the planet than any other animal.” – David Attenborough
From Whistler’s first Official Community Plan in 1976 to the most recent, “protecting nature” has consistently been listed as a high priority. I’d like to think the ongoing commitment stems from two reasons. First, protecting nature means protecting biodiversity, which is the foundation of healthy, functioning ecosystems of which we are a component. So, we’re protecting biodiversity because we can’t survive without it. Second, and this requires a slight shift in perspective, I share David Attenborough’s belief that every species has an equal right to exist. So, hopefully, we’re protecting species regardless of their usefulness to humans.
The first step in protecting biodiversity is to know what species and ecosystems are present and their current health. If we don’t know this information, we have no baseline for understanding what needs to be done to protect and restore ecosystems.
Early biodiversity monitoring efforts
The first report on Whistler’s biodiversity, Mammals of the Alta Lake Region, was published in 1935 by Ken Racey and Ian McTaggart Cowan and lists 42 mammal species.
Bob Brett, Whistler’s Biodiversity Champion, at an active beaver lodge at Lost Lake. (Photo: Bob Brett)
Birds were inventoried next, with Racey listing 137 species in 1948. The tradition of “citizen science” in bird studies continued, as Max Götz, Nancy Ricker, and Vicky Troup updated the list to include 175 bird species in 1996, following ten years of monitoring. [Note that today’s birding efforts, under the umbrella of the Whistler Naturalists and led largely by Karl Ricker, Heather Baines and Chris Dale, bring our list up to 274 bird species.]
By 2005, the total number of species documented in Whistler, including mammals, birds, and other species, was approximately 335. What happened next demonstrates to me how much one person can enrich our community.
Enter Bob Brett: Whistler’s biodiversity champion
Bob Brett is a long-time resident, a Registered Professional Biologist, founding President of the Whistler Naturalists (1999), and founder of the Whistler Biodiversity Project (WBP). Operating since 2004, the WBP is Whistler’s primary source of biodiversity data, gathering information through surveys, engaging specialists, and compiling data.
One of the primary goals of the WBP is to document species, enabling more informed management decisions that support biodiversity. However, Bob points out that although this is fundamentally true, information alone is not enough. Without political will, biodiversity conservation can get ignored.
It’s worth noting that volunteers at the Whistler Naturalists have contributed almost half of all WBP records through long-running annual events that Bob founded and continues to lead: Fungus Among Us (since 2004) and BioBlitz (since 2007). Full disclosure: I’ve been volunteering with Bob and the Naturalists since about 2006, and his mentorship is a big reason why I’m so passionate about the nature-related work I do.
(Photo: Whistler Naturalists)
In the 20 years since the WBP was initiated, an average of 235 species per year have been added to the list, so today we know at least 5,000 species call Whistler home. Amazing! This number continues to increase annually, thanks to Bob’s commitment to understanding nature. However, the numbers alone aren’t even the most intriguing part.
Bob’s long involvement with the WBP has contributed significantly to our understanding of Whistler’s natural environment. His name appears on the RMOW’s Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health web page across a range of projects, including Ecosystem Monitoring Reports, Species at Risk Reports, and the Priority Habitat Framework. He has also worked on managing invasive species, studying forest age, and monitoring active beaver lodges. His efforts have helped build a clearer picture of local biodiversity and encouraged others to take an interest in this work.
This is the second in a series of articles that will focus on the impact our resort community has had on nature—successes, challenges, and looking to the future.
Kristina Swerhun is a biologist who has managed the Whistler Museum’s Discover Nature program since 2015 and provides public nature training. She is a long-time Whistler Naturalists volunteer, a Certified Interpretive Guide Trainer, and works with the Resort Municipality of Whistler on the Interpretive Panel Project, and wrote and narrated the Biodiversity 101 video.
Join us at the Whistler Museum on Wednesday, November 26 from 4–7 p.m. as we share the first look at the proposed design for the new Museum facility. This open house marks the beginning of an important stage in shaping a new home to share and preserve Whistler’s stories.
Visitors will be able to explore design renderings and panels that showcase a 15,000+ sq. ft. purpose-built, mass-timber museum. The envisioned facility will include expanded exhibition galleries, archival and research spaces, and flexible areas for programs and community events, creating a vibrant, sustainable gathering place for Whistler’s history and people.
As part of this event, we’re asking the community to share their input on the stories, themes, and what experiences they would like to see featured in the new museum facility. Feedback gathered during the evening, and through an accompanying online survey, will directly help guide the development of the exhibit content, design, and interpretation in the next phase of planning.
View the architectural design and exhibit concepts for the New Whistler Museum
Learn about sustainability, accessibility, and building features
Meet members of the Museum’s team and design collaborators
Share your ideas through short surveys and conversation stations
Help shape the future of Whistler’s museum experience
Enjoy light refreshments and snacks while connecting with museum staff and project team
This open house is the first in a series of engagement opportunities designed to ensure the new Whistler Museum reflects the voices and values of the community it serves.
In the 1980s the Whistler Question began posing a question to three to six people and publishing their responses under “Whistler’s Answers” (not to be confused with the Whistler Answer). Each week, we’ll be sharing one question and the answers given back in 1986. Please note, all names/answers/occupations/neighbourhoods represent information given to the Question at the time of publishing and do not necessarily reflect the person today.
Some context for this week’s question: This one seems pretty self explanatory, so we think we’ll leave it there.
Question: Do you think Remembrance Day has meaning for the postwar generation?
Vic Knutson – Elevator Inspector – North Vancouver
For younger people, I suppose it doesn’t, because there hasn’t been any strife in their time. But as soon as they get to their teens, it usually comes home to them what it is. There are always exceptions, such as if they had a father who fought in the war. But it still doesn’t mean much until they get to their teens.
Lizz Ellerman – Jewelry Designer – Alpine Meadows
I don’t feel strongly about it, because there’s never been anything to touch me about it. I think my grandfather fought, but nobody in the family was killed. My girlfriend once wrote a poem about Remembrance Day, and it was neat that she could feel so strongly about it. But while I could appreciate the poetry, I couldn’t appreciate where she got her inspiration from.
Robert Bishop – Realtor – Whistler Cay Heights
Remembrance Day should have meaning for all Canadians. It was our fathers’ and grandfathers’ generations that gave their lives in the wars. After all, there was history before the Beatles. When I was growing up in a small town, Remembrance Day was a big thing, with a large parade. It should be a day to remind us how grateful we are for not going to war.
