Cranbrook Townsman, Sept. 28, 2020

Cranbrook and Kimberley Councils support initiative calling on BC Gov. to cover prescription contraception

“The message from the Cranbrook Council is clear: our public health care system is falling short. We need the province to commit to providing universal no-cost access to prescription contraception,” said Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff, co-founder and committee chair of AccessBC.

The Hindustan Times, Sept. 26, 2020

13 times rise in quantity of sea cucumber seizures from India over five years: Study

Between January and August 2020, 11 cases were reported, 15 persons were arrested, and 9,016kg of sea cucumbers worth ₹9.58 crore (US$1.3 million) was seized. Consignments were a mix of live, processed (dry and wet), and semi-processed sea cucumbers.

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“There has been a significant increase in sea cucumber poaching and smuggling in the south of India recently, with Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu now global hot spots,” said Dr Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research, OceansAsia.

Fraser Velley News,
September 25, 2020

2020 UBCM Meeting – Union of British Columbia Municipalities Supports Free Prescription Contraception

On September 23rd, municipalities from across BC voted in support of free prescription contraception across the province. An overwhelming majority of delegates at the annual Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) Convention voted to support two resolutions, submitted by the cities of Victoria and Burnaby, calling on the provincial government to make all prescription contraception in BC available at no cost under the Medical Services Plan. 

New Westminster Record,
September 25, 2020

New Westminster supports universal no-cost contraception

“Programs that offer free prescription contraception have been shown to save significantly more money than they cost to put in place. The cost of providing prescription contraception is considerably lower than the costs of unintended pregnancy,” said Teale Phelps Bondaroff, who also co-founded AccessBC. “At a time when the government is looking for ways to respond to the cost impacts of COVID-19, this is a creative solution that would save money while improving health outcomes for B.C. residents.”  

Yam Magazine, September 24, 2020

Find 350+ Little Free Libraries in Victoria B.C.

These wholesome community features are what the CRD calls, ‘Little free Libraries’ – aka LFLs – and they can be found throughout the city in all shapes and sizes.

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“Victorians love LFLs,” says Teale Phelps Bondaroff, Pocket Places Project Lead and Greater Victoria Placemaking Network (GVPN) volunteer board member, “The city has the highest density of LFLs in Canada, and the pace at which Victorians have been installing LFLs is rapid –  the 300th LFL was only set up in June of this year!”

The Tyee, September 12, 2020

Is Free Contraception Finally Coming to BC?

Black and Phelps Bondaroff say universal no-cost contraception won’t eliminate embedded social and economic barriers to access right away, but it would help reduce stigma and open up conversations around reproductive health.

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“When you make prescription contraception universally available at no cost, you are also helping with education and removing some of the stigma and barriers around discussing contraception and sexual health,” said Phelps Bondaroff. 

CGTN, September 11, 2020

Disposable face masks may pose environmental threat

The danger posed by waste plastics to marine life is well documented. "Estimates suggest that more than 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and over a million seabirds are killed by marine plastic annually," Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of Research at OceansAsia, told Energy Live News. "Marine plastic absorbs toxins, which results in it poisoning animals that accidentally ingest it."

Victoria Buzz, September 10, 2020

Greater Victoria now has 350 Little Free Libraries installed throughout the region

“Whenever I’m out cycling around dropping off books to little free libraries, I meet fascinating people and fall into interesting conversations,” said Phelps Bondaroff.

“Little free libraries are not just places to pick up a book, but they help build community. These days, people realize that now, more than ever, we need points of connection in our shared public spaces.”

The Squamish Chief, Sept. 9, 2020

District of Squamish to discuss free menstrual products in municipal buildings

Jensen noted AccessBC formed in 2017 after co-founder and committee chair Dr. Teale Phelps Bondaroff saw how successful similar initiatives were in other countries, as they not only provide benefits to individuals, but also save the healthcare system significant dollars through the preventative approach. A 2010 Options for Sexual Health study found that implementing no-cost universal contraception with a pricetag of $50 million would save the system upwards of $95 million.

Green Queen, August 10, 2020

Galápagos: The Reality Of Our Insatiable Demand For Seafood

Over the past few weeks social media has erupted over a large Chinese squid fleet operating near the Galapagos Islands along the border of their EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) and next to the Galapagos National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The arrival of this fleet has become a seasonal event for the past four years.

Hakai Magazine, July 16, 2020

When the Day’s Catch Includes Cocaine and Heroin

Vast, unpatrolled oceans provide ideal cover for these illicit activities. Even with the advent of satellite surveillance, “we don’t have the capacity to monitor the ocean as effectively as we’d like,” says Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research at nonprofit OceansAsia and an expert in fisheries crime who was not involved in the study. The high seas are hotspots for organized crime, as are the waters of developing countries with low enforcement capacity, he says. “Where governance is poor, crime will flourish.”

Times Colonist, July 2, 2020

Comment: Let’s reimagine our streets, and give pedestrians priority

Join us in encouraging your mayor and council to reimagine our streets and public spaces to give pedestrians priority. Let’s take this chance to re-animate our public spaces and breathe new life into our cities and towns.

China Dialogue, June 10, 2020

Why are porpoise deaths on the rise in Hong Kong?

It is unlikely that the population can sustain such high levels of mortality, says Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research for Oceans Asia, a non-profit based in Hong Kong.

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“The last population survey in 2002 identified 220 porpoises. We’ve had more than that many die since then,” says Phelps Bondaroff, author of the new report. “The fact that we have a high percentage of the population potentially being killed each year is alarming.”

Times Colonist, April 14, 2020

Ocean advocate raises alarm as masks wash up on beaches

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in the widespread use of face masks in South East Asia, some of which have been improperly discarded, says Teale Phelps Bondaroff, director of research for OceansAsia, which investigates wildlife crimes with the aim of bringing those who destroy and pollute marine ecosystems to justice. “It really highlights the fact we are treating our oceans like garbage dumps.”

Saanich News, February 13, 2020

Saanich man pitches road safety initiative to raise awareness of unmarked crosswalks

The Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s (GVPN) newest initiative is a road safety signage project reminding drivers to yield at all crosswalks.

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“All intersections are crosswalks,” said Saanich-based researcher and GVPN board member Teale Phelps Bondaroff.

Victoria News, January 29, 2020

Victoria becomes first municipality to endorse campaign for provincially-funded contraception

In a committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 23, Couns. Sarah Potts and Jeremy Loveday presented council with a motion to support AccessBC, a Saanich-based campaign calling on the provincial government to include provisions for free prescription birth control for all residents in the 2020 provincial budget.

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​Council passed the motion unanimously and will now call on the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities to demonstrate support for the campaign as well.

Victoria News, January 11, 2020

Saanich resident pushes for colourful road murals, cites traffic-calming benefits

Colourful road murals may make an appearance on Saanich streets in 2020. Through the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network, Saanich resident and researcher Teale Phelps Bondaroff has been working to introduce artwork to the surface of roads as a way to calm traffic, beautify the District, highlight local artists and create community.

CTV News, December 18, 2019

Victoria cycling group working to measure air, noise pollution

According to Burger, air and noise pollution collected on street level has shown that separated bike lanes are a valuable resource to cyclists, not only as a safety measure, but also because it provides a barrier from the pollutions that vehicles emit, including exhaust and tire dust. The closer someone is to the source of an air pollutant, like an exhaust pipe, the worse it is for the health of that person.