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.
When climate’s on B.C. communities’ agenda, fossil fuels firms turn up the heat
Many municipal leaders are contesting continued sponsorship of their annual UBCM conference by fossil fuel corporations — especially when those same companies direct heat at small communities looking to electrify to meet climate targets.
Economy needs Indigenous people and perspectives
Within one generation of reclaiming a seat at the economic table, Indigenous Peoples are driving key outcomes in the national economy and climate action, says a First Nations business leader working to build an inclusive climate economy.
Youth take charge of climate action
Thousands of young people and activists led a climate strike in Vancouver on Friday, joining a global day of action to put an end to fossil fuels super-heating the planet.
Holy Mola! That’s a big fish!
A citizen science project documenting sightings of massive sunfish on the B.C. coast is helping puzzle together missing pieces of the marine creatures' mysterious life.
On third anniversary of B.C’s promise to protect old-growth, ancient trees still falling
The fact logging deferrals aren't in place for all remaining priority old-growth three years after B.C. promised to protect ancient forests is a bitter pill after a summer scorched by drought and unprecedented wildfires, critics say.
A summer scarred by wildfire and drought puts climate crisis top of mind as university resumes
Vancouver Island University experts are offering community insights on how to take individual climate action and combat eco-anxiety this fall after much of Canada saw flames aggravated by global warming this summer.
When it comes to water security, small rural communities in B.C. largely left high and dry
B.C.’s small rural communities striving for water security as droughts become the norm will sink or swim without much assistance from the province, policy experts say.
Small island community launches big effort to develop water security
Like most small rural populations in B.C., the state of Quadra Island’s groundwater resources and the effects of drought and other climate impacts on aquifers and the community’s water security are largely a mystery.
A remote Canadian island makes history in fight for affordable housing
B.C.’s Cortes Island is making housing history as the first community in the province to tax short-term holiday rentals and have all the funds directed to affordable housing projects, said Mark Vonesch, the area’s Strathcona Regional District director.
Crews work through the night to dampen out-of-control Quadra Island wildfire
BC Wildfire Service’s latest alert at 11 a.m. said the fire is being held. It broke out in the island’s Village Lakes area, a popular summer destination with numerous recreational properties and homes.