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Foundation Timeline

Celebrating 20 years of the David Suzuki Foundation
1991-2010

The Foundation was formed in 1990, after a meeting with a dozen thinkers and activists in 1989 on Pender Island, BC. In January 1991, the Foundation opened its doors and began its work...
 
1991
1991
1991
  • Hesquiat Harbour Project began to rehabilitate a damaged clam ecosystem on Vancouver Island.
  • Opened our first office in Vancouver.
  • The Declaration of Interdependence was written by David Suzuki, Tara Cullis, Guujaaw, Raffi Cavoukian, and Wade Davis.
     
 
1992
1992
1992
  • Research station opened to help the Kayapo people protect 11.5 million hectares of the lower Amazon.
  • We participated in UN Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; 12-year-old Severn Cullis-Suzuki delivered a moving speech to protect Earth for future generations. We co-sponsored Earth Parliament.
  • Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • Convention on Climate Change sets non-binding CO2 targets for industrial countries.
  • Union of Concerned Scientists issues Warning to Humanity.
  • Earth Summit.
 
1993
1993
1993
  • Ainu Project helped indigenous people of northern Japan protect their sacred salmon, owl, and bear populations.
  • Moved to new eco-friendly, geothermal offices.
  • Jim Fulton hired as our first executive director.
     
    1994
    1994
    1994
    • LA Event, April 14, 1994. Initiated by the late John Candy to bring together Canadian talent to help raise awareness and funds for the David Suzuki Foundation.
    • Published report The Future of British Columbia Fisheries.
    • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) issues revised list on endangered species.
     
    1995
    1995
    1995
    • First volunteer coordinator, Caterina Geuer, hired for our volunteer program.
    • Fish on the Line report released to national acclaim, calling for overhaul of fisheries.
    • Second IPCC assessment report.
     
    1996
    1996
    1996
    • Launched our first book, Dead Reckoning, by Terry Glavin.
    • First communications director hired.
    • Our research showed that closed containment salmon farms are the best way to protect salmon from impacts of aquaculture.
    • Joined the B.C. Endangered Species Coalition to protect species at risk.
    • National accord for the protection of species at risk.
     
    1997
    1997
    1997
    • David Suzuki's The Sacred Balance is published.
    • Staff attended UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto. We prepared a briefing paper called The Role of Government for Finance Minister Paul Martin.
    • Worked with Musqueam Band to restore Vancouver's last salmon-bearing stream.
    • Began producing reports on how Canada is vulnerable to climate change, and how to decrease emissions.
    • UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in Kyoto.
    • Climate Action Team founded in Canada.
    • Oceans Act.
     
    1998
    1998
    1998
    • Tara Cullis went on diplomatic tours of remote First Nations communities in B.C.
    • Launched the Pacific Salmon Forest Project, a B.C. coastal fisheries, forestry, and community project to support economic health while conserving important ecological and cultural areas.
    • Opened a community economic development office in Prince Rupert and initiated projects in 10 remote areas in B.C.
    • Worked to conserve culturally modified trees, and B.C. Supreme Court ruled they should be protected.
    • Culturally modified trees given protection.
    • Delgamuukw ruling.
     
    1999
    1999
    1999
    • Pacific Salmon Forests project - Mapping and inventory of Culturally Modified Trees provided basis for securing an injunction to halt logging on Banks Island.
    • Supported research that shows how salmon fertilize forests, building a greater understanding of how salmon, bears, and forests work together.
    • Supported the Metlakatla in re-establishing its sustainable urchin fishery.
    • First Science Matters column published.
       
      2000
      2000
      2000
      • Initiated Turning Point process with Coastal First Nations, which united to call on provincial and federal governments to negotiate land-use issues.
      • Produced A Cut Above, the first outline of ecosystembased management standards for forestry.
      • Released the Scientists' Declaration to Conserve Canada's Coastal Temperate Rainforest, signed by over 400 scientists.
      • Commissioned groundbreaking study that shows B.C. farmed salmon have high levels of contaminates.
      • Successfully blocked logging scheduled in 51 cut blocks.
      • Walkerton contaminated water tragedy.
      • The Treaty on Persistent Organic Pollutants requires the complete phase-out of nine highly toxic pesticides and limits the use of several other chemicals, including dioxins, furans, and PCBs.
       
      2001
      2001
      2001
      • A landmark agreement with eight coastal First Nations was signed for environmentally responsible logging on B.C. coast.
      • Helped launch the Forest Stewardship Council, for certification of sustainable forestry products.
      • Presented seminars to show problems with farmed salmon to chefs, food writers, and the food industry in Vancouver and Toronto.
      • Third IPCC assessment report.
      • Certification standards for sustainable forestry launched.
      • Landmark agreement signed with Turning Point.
      • Toyota Prius becomes first mass-produced hybrid car on market.
       
      2002
      2002
      2002
      • Nature Challenge is launched – asks people to pledge to take the challenge to decrease their impact on the Earth.
      • Helped improve Yukon Placer Mining regulations to protect streams and reduce pollution.
      • Worked with the Musqueam and Sierra Legal Defence Fund to prevent a fish farm from dumping 1.5 million diseased Atlantic salmon into the Fraser River.
      • Published our first solutions-based book, Good News for a Change.
      • Canada ratified the Kyoto Protocol, and Prime Minister Jean Chrétien sent us a personal letter to say our efforts were an important part of the consultation process.
      • Turning Point opens office in Vancouver.
      • Canada ratifies Kyoto Protocol.
       
      2003
      2003
      2003
      • To raise awareness about the boreal forest, we helped organize the Boreal Rendezvous, where teams of paddlers travelled down 10 picturesque rivers.
      • Reviewed BC Hydro's proposed natural gas pipeline, and found it had high greenhouse gas emissions. Proposal is denied in 2004.
      • Launched the Nature Challenge for Kids and with WWF distributed materials to over 7,000 teachers across Canada.
      • Scientists report industrial fishing has killed off 90 per cent of world's biggest and most economically important fish species.
      • Turning Point becomes independent organization.
       
      2004
      2004
      2004
      • Prime Minister Paul Martin called our report Sustainability Within a Generation a "very important report", and immediately hired the author, David Boyd, to work in the Privy Council Office.
      • Opened our Ottawa office.
      • Went to court to support a National Energy Board ruling to block construction of a gasfired power plant near Abbotsford, B.C.
      • Presented the environmental impacts of offshore oil and gas exploration off the B.C. coast to federal review panels. Thousands of people voiced their support, so the government upheld the moratorium on oil and gas drilling in B.C.
         
        2005
        2005
        2005
        • Forest and land team worked on the Four Great Rivers Project in Tibet to create a conservation plan for the Yangtze, Brahmaputra, Salween, and Mekong river headwaters.
        • Created a resource guide, State of the Catch, to help people buy sustainable seafood.
        • Released recommendations for responsible shellfish aquaculture.
        • Controversial electric plant prevented near Nanaimo.
         
        2006
        2006
        2006
        • Launched SeaChoice program to help consumers choose sustainable seafood.
        • Convinced B.C. government to protect 30 per cent of the Great Bear Rainforest.
        • David Suzuki published his autobiography.
        • Barnston Island and Richmond Garden City lands are protected from development.
        • 30 per cent of Great Bear Rainforest becomes protected.
        • Quebec bans harmful lawn pesticides.
        • VANOC commits to going carbon neutral for 2010 Olympics.
         
        2007
        2007
        2007
        • David Suzuki went on his "If You Were Prime Minister" bus tour, visiting 41 cities in 30 days.
        • Toronto office opened.
        • Helped push through Ontario's Endangered Species Act.
        • Secured protected habitat for the monarch butterfly along the Ottawa River, and the piping plover shorebird in B.C.
        • Helped shut down two proposed coal-fired plants, and convince the B.C. government to create emission-reduction targets and a moratorium on conventional coal-fired plants.
        • Convinced over 500 members of the NHL Players' Association to go carbon neutral and raise awareness about slowing global warming.
        • Fourth IPCC assessment report.
        • Ontario gets new Species at Risk Act.
        • Al Gore and IPCC receive Nobel Peace Prize.
         
        2008
        2008
        2008
        • Pricing Carbon; Saving Green report released in Ottawa.
        • Helped convince the B.C. government to release comprehensive Climate Action Plan, with a carbon tax, and $1 billion investment in climate action.
        • Hired new CEO, Peter Robinson.
        • Opened our Montreal office and committed to being bilingual.
        • The Federal Sustainable Development Act passed, based on our report Sustainability Within a Generation.
        • Launched our Queen of Green program to show how to green your everyday life.
        • Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty committed to protect at least 225,000 square kilometres of Ontario's far north boreal region, with thanks to our advocacy.
        • Jim Fulton passed away on December 21.
        • Federal Sustainable Development Act is passed.
        • ENGOs win Nooksack dace habitat court case.
        • B.C. carbon tax.
        • B.C. government releases Climate Action Plan.
        • Cosmetic lawn and garden pesticide ban in Ontario.
        • Ontario protects a minimum of 225, 000 square kilometres of northern boreal forest.
         
        2009
        2009
        2009
        • Joined with Al Gore to bring The Climate Project to Canada.
        • Secured legal habitat protection for killer whales on the Southwest Coast, and for right whales on the East Coast.
        • SeaChoice program partnered with Overwaitea and other grocery stores to offer sustainable seafood.
        • Started our Ambassadors program to teach people how to green their offices.
        • Green Energy Act is passed in Ontario.
        • One Million Acts of Green.
        • Climate Project comes to Canada.
        • Canadian courts protect killer whale habitat.
        • Inaugural Earth Run.
         
        2010
        2010
        2010
        • The Winter Olympics took place, and followed many of our recommendations to decrease their greenhouse gas emissions.
        • Helped convince key stakeholders to protect a huge part of the boreal forest, a historic deal and the largest protected forest area on Earth.
        • Currently working to end the grizzly trophy hunt in B.C. after the hunt was cancelled in Alberta because of public outcry.
        • On September 14, the Foundation turns 20.
        • David Suzuki will go on a book tour for The Legacy: An Elder's Vision for our Sustainable Future.
        • Carbon neutral Olympics.
        • BP oil spill in Gulf of Mexico.