The Future of Howe Sound Society (FHSS) is hosting a social "Up the Noise" event in Lions Bay on Saturday, Nov. 17.
The invitation-only event is intended to marshal support for the recovery of Howe Sound and the development of a comprehensive management plan for the area.
"But really it's a networking event," said society spokesperson Jeff Gau.
Held at Lions Bay Village Hall from 7 to 11:30 p.m., and featuring live music and a licensed bar, the event is primarily aimed at bringing together concerned Howe Sound residents and users, Gau said.
Vancouver Aquarium president and CEO John Nightingale will deliver the keynote speech, outlining recovery efforts to date and the challenges ahead to preserve Howe Sound's marine environment for future generations.
Other speakers include Lions Bay Mayor Brenda Broughton and Gau, who will provide an update on the Burnco application for a gravel mine at McNab Creek.
FHSS is a coalition originally made up of McNab Creek Estates, Douglas Bay Strata, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of South Coast BC, Burrard Yacht Club and Thunderbird Yacht Club. The Sunshine Coast Conservation Asso-ciation, Gambier Island Conservancy and the Sea-to-Sky Clean Air Society have also signed up, and the Marine Life Sanctuaries Society of BC is currently considering a request to join, he said.
The group is dedicated to protecting Howe Sound and working toward a comprehensive plan to manage future development. Encouraged to proceed by Islands Trust, the Sunshine Coast Regional District and the Village of Lions Bay, FCSS will launch the plan process with a regional forum early next year. At that time, Gau said, invitations will go out to about a dozen municipal and First Nation governments who signed a Howe Sound principles-of-cooperation agreement in 2002.
