Rochelle Baker
Journalist | Quadra Island |
English
About Rochelle Baker
Rochelle Baker is the Quadra and Cortes Islands reporter for Canada's National Observer, thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada. Rochelle has worked as a newspaper reporter and photographer in BC's Lower Mainland for over 10 years.
Is Justin Trudeau flubbing the West Coast vote by failing to push hard on climate change?
It's not clear if releasing the Liberal climate plan weeks into the election campaign will hurt or help Justin Trudeau secure votes in B.C., where one in four voters cite the climate crisis as their top issue.
Canada’s drug policy — not drugs — is killing people at record numbers, advocates say
More than 1,000 people died in B.C. from illicit drug poisoning in the first six months of 2021, the provincial coroners' service reported on International Overdose Awareness Day.
Watchdog gets over 90 complaints on RCMP enforcement at Fairy Creek
The Civilian Review and Complaints Commission has received 91 complaints tied to RCMP enforcement at the Fairy Creek and will launch investigations into 21 cases.
Why so blue, little ling cod?
Researchers take a crack at unravelling the mystery of the West Coast’s singular “Smurf cod.”
Striking it rich while slogging the marmot trail
It’s a case of climb every mountain, ford every stream in the search for the endangered, timid, plush Vancouver Island Marmot — even if that involves lugging gear and scrambling alpine slopes for a sighting.
Coastal First Nations take steps to protect wild waters of Great Bear Rainforest
The Heiltsuk, Kitasoo/Xai’xais, Nuxalk and Wuikinuxv nations signed an agreement with Ottawa and the province of B.C. to do a feasibility study for a national marine conservation area reserve.
Cross-border Salish Sea study finds key puzzle pieces of wild salmon die-off
A massive cross-border research and conservation effort has yielded a potential roadmap to save wild salmon in the Salish Sea.
Investing in Indigenous-led conservation key in Canada's climate crisis fight
The federal government has announced $340 million to build an Indigenous guardians network along with protected or conserved areas across Canada to combat climate change, protect biodiversity and foster reconciliation.
Old-growth protesters allege RCMP’s Fairy Creek actions defy recent court order
Police are continuing to employ questionable tactics as they enforce an injunction at the Fairy Creek old-growth blockades on Vancouver Island despite a recent court decision declaring their actions unlawful, activists allege.
B.C.’s vital salmon route is seriously clogged
At present, 1,200 barriers prevent salmon from swimming 2,000-plus kilometres of stream, and 85 per cent of rich floodplain habitat is diked and bone dry along the lower Fraser River.