Jane Sterk declares her retirement with effect from August 24. The B.C. Green Party leader tweeted earlier saying that she had a successful tenure. However, she would be looking for new adventures in life.

Sterk has been the leader of the party since 2007. She had an unsuccessful run at the B.C. election recently. On the other hand, despite her failure to win the election, the party was successful in electing Andrew Weaver, the climate scientist. The breakthrough is considered historic as the riding was held by one cabinet minister from the province.

Sterk's involvement with Green Party started after she had visited Mexico. She witnessed social and environment damage due to rapid development and ocean pollution. She had the realisation that the damage could be avoided with responsible and sustainable development. It was the first time she decided to become a part of a political party.

It was 2001 when Sterk joined the party and, only in 2004, she ran as a candidate of the party at the federal election (for Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca). She had 9.2% votes in her favour as she finished 4th among 6 candidates. In 2005, she finished 3rd with 10.4% votes in her favour at the B.C. provincial election.

The causes Sterk fought for include the usage of bio-fuels in city vehicles, urban farming and pedestrian rights among other environmental issues. She had 3-year tenure as a councillor. During those days, she used to teach business administration at University Canada West as well.

Sterk rigorously worked for increasing the number of members in the party. She placed it among the top priorities of the party. She worked equally hard on raising funds for the provincial election in 2009. It was her initiative in Victoria to open one party office as well.

Her retirement plans have apparently been an effort to end it on a positive note since it coincided with the successful election of the first legislature member of the Green Party in the recent provincial election.