Rochelle Baker

Reporter Quadra + Cortes, B.C.

Rochelle Baker joins Canada's National Observer as a reporter, 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 7 years.

111 Articles

Oyster farmers getting battered by COVID-19

The situation for shellfish growers isn’t likely to get better before it gets worse, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shutter restaurants, closing off a key market.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 28th 2020

Community forest dividends go beyond logging profits

Community forests are a means to keep benefits and decisions around local resources in local hands, said Susan Mulkey, communication manager for the British Columbia Community Forest Association (BCCFA).

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 26th 2020

Newt X-ing ahead

The people behind the Newt X-ing Action Project make it their mission to remind motorists and cyclists to look out for critters on the roads during newt crossing season on B.C.'s Cortes Island.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 23rd 2020

Vancouver Island pink salmon a bright spot in B.C. conservation efforts

Despite a generally good outlook for pink salmon along east Vancouver Island, runs along the Quinsam River can be wildly inconsistent, according to Ed Walls, watershed enhancement manager at Quinsam River Hatchery.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 22nd 2020

NDP grapples with tension over environment, economy as B.C. election approaches

Forestry and fish are playing out as pivotal B.C. election issues in the North Island, as two party leaders paid a visit to the riding in the final week of their campaigns.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Politics, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 21st 2020

'Unprecedented' new data tool aims to bolster B.C. salmon conservation

The Pacific Salmon Explorer, a user-friendly data-visualization tool, provides valuable insights into the current health of salmon across British Columbia.

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 20th 2020

How this island seafood company hooked fresh opportunities during COVID-19

When the pandemic hit, the president of Walcan Seafood, a family-owned seafood processing company on Quadra Island, suddenly found himself sitting on $2 million worth of product he couldn’t find a market for. Then he reeled in a plan to deliver "tide to table."

By Rochelle Baker | News, Quadra and Cortes Island, B.C. | October 16th 2020

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