The B.C. government is doing its part for Earth Hour 2012 for the fourth year in a row by shutting off the lights at the Parliament Buildings this Saturday from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to save power and encourage British Columbians to do the same, Environment Minister Terry Lake and Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Bill Barisoff announced.

Finavera Wind Energy Inc. has received an environmental assessment (EA) Certificate for the proposed Tumbler Ridge Wind Energy Project located within the District of Tumbler Ridge municipal boundary in northeast B.C.

Environment Minister Terry Lake says Discover Camping saw a 41 per cent increase over 2011 when BC Parks opened for reservations on March 15. In the first hour, more than 2,100 reservations were made. This represents approximately 35 a minute.

The Natural Resource Compliance Act, introduced in fall 2011, is now in effect, making it easier for compliance and enforcement officers to hold offenders accountable for violating natural resource legislation.

B.C. seniors, families and stakeholders are being invited to help shape the implementation of a comprehensive action plan - including the establishment of an advocate - to ensure a more accessible, transparent and accountable approach to seniors' care.

As part of 'Canada Starts Here: The BC Jobs Plan', the BC Water and Waste Association (BCWWA) and its sector partners have been awarded $632,500 for the development and pilot delivery of an industry-standard Parks and Public Works Technician training program.

The BC Coroners Service and Office of the Fire Commissioner are urging owners of mobile (manufactured) homes and operators of mobile home parks to take special care to prevent fires in the wake of a calamitous New Year's weekend for fire deaths in British Columbia.