REEL Earth Day Challenge – Summer 2023 Report

The 2023 #REELEarthDayChallenge brought together film crews, productions, sponsors and industry stakeholders to raise funds towards projects for Metro Vancouver Regional Parks. This year the BC film industry raised $100,000 towards 9 projects. These projects are led by the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks Foundation (MVRPF) and have already begun impacting the communities in positive ways. The 2023 Summer Report features progress updates on 5 out of the 9 fully funded projects. 

Read a few highlights from the report below and read the full Summer 2023 Report here. 

Iona Beach Regional Park – New Life for Rare Ecosystems 

Last year, an unprecedented storm surge and king tide caused severe damage to the beach, threatening this rare and delicate habitat. This project will make a significant difference in preserving the natural beauty and balance of this unique coastal ecosystem and improving this ecosystem’s overall resiliency. 

Latest Project Update: 

Timing:
Log Cleanup: August – September 2023 Invasives removal and beach planting: Oct 2023 

Results to Date:
Removed fourteen 100 yd3 bins of logs and sent for beneficial reuse= 1400 yd3
Removed logs from a coastal sand dune area of approximalty 3000 m2 = 0.3 ha
Ordered 120 dune grass (Elymus mollis) and 144 coastal strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) plants for volunteer planting during during EcoBlitz events. 

Indigenous-led Summer Camps for Youth – Connecting Youth with Indigenous Culture 

Mishkoopitum Youth Summer Camps make a remarkable impact, providing an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth to learn about Métis and First Nations culture, leadership, and environmental stewardship. Through programming created and presented by Indigenous community representatives, youth can acquire knowledge from diverse worldviews and cultures, learn valuable skills, and have fun in nature. 

 Latest Project Update: 

Mishkoopitum Summer Camps saw another season of exceptional success. Attracting an impressive cumulative total of 44 enthusiastic youth participants, alongside a staggering waitlist of over 50 youth, this project demonstrates the significant interest and demand for educational programs that promote Indigenous culture and learning. 

Since 2021, the event has raised over $373,000 to build biodiverse, inclusive park spaces, and a more sustainable world. Thanks to all our sponsors and production teams, this years’ challenge raised $100,000 to support the Metro Vancouver Regional Parks which fully funded 9 transformational projects. Read about all of the projects here.  

To read all the updates, download the Summer 2023 Report here.