Join us once a month on Wednesday at noon for seniors' lunch!
It's an opportunity to catch up with friends, listen to an interesting talk and have a tasty lunch together. 
Please contact Har El's office by phone or email if have any questions, or need assistance with registration or transportation.

Join us for this month's lunch with guest speaker Nicky Hastings:
“Living on the Edge: Geology, Natural Hazards, and Risk in Southwest British Columbia”

  Southwest British Columbia encompasses the densely populated Greater Vancouver and the rapidly growing Sea to Sky Corridor. It is uniquely exposed to a wide array of natural hazards due to its mountainous terrain and complex geologic and climatic setting. This presentation explores how regional geology and geography influence the frequency, magnitude, and impacts of hazards including flooding, landslides, earthquakes, volcanic activity, wildfires, and climate change.

The region’s position along the Cascadia Subduction Zone makes it vulnerable to significant seismic events. Similarly, steep slopes, glacial history, and intense rainfall contribute to frequent landslides, debris flows, and snow avalanches. Water-related risks are amplified by heavy winter precipitation, such as the 2021 atmospheric river and the historic Fraser River floods. Volcanoes like Mount Meager and Garibaldi pose infrequent but high-impact risks, including lahars and ashfall. Coastal and marine hazards include tsunamis from local or distant seismic sources, sea-level rise, and coastal subsidence.

Climate change is intensifying these hazards by increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, wildfires, and flooding.

The presentation highlights the importance of integrating geological knowledge with land-use planning, infrastructure design, public education, and emergency preparedness. Ultimately, sustainable development in BC’s mountain corridors requires striking a balance between growth and the realities of living in a dynamic, hazard-prone landscape.

About Nicky Hastings

Nicky Hastings is a physical scientist with the Geological Survey of Canada at Natural Resources Canada, specializing in coastal science and disaster risk reduction. With over 15 years of experience in the field, she has become an expert in developing and adapting risk assessment methods to address coastal flooding and coastal change across Canada. Nicky’s work focuses on understanding and mitigating the impacts of coastal storm surges, sea-level rise, coastal change, and tsunami risks. She collaborates closely with internal teams, local government agencies, private sector representatives, and academic institutions to co-develop knowledge that can inform decision-making for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation.

A key aspect of Nicky’s contributions is the development of coastal flood maps designed to effectively communicate the impacts and consequences of current and future flooding hazards. These tools can support communities, including coastal and Indigenous populations, in building resilience to natural hazards.

This event is by dination. We kindly recommand a $10 donation.