The Peninsula Co op recently donated $5000 to our school programs at the Nature Centre! 
That means over 350 students from the Valley will learn about their watershed and its marine residents through hands on activities based in Cowichan Bay. We thank the Co op for their dedication to building a solid future for our kids by giving back to their community!
Author: IT Services
Volunteer of the Month
Volunteer of the Month GAIL MITCHELL says “If you are interested in doing some volunteer work in the community, the Estuary Nature Centre is a wonderful place to spend a couple of hours a week.” An impressive building with a 180 degree view of the Estuary, Gail encourages anyone interested in our natural environment to join the team and enjoy the Centre. As a life-long nature lover, Gail knows the importance of this Estuary ecosystem. She finds it rewarding to share this with weekend visitors and to learn more always.
Sponsor of the Month COW BAY PUB
Sponsor of the Month: COW BAY PUB
Restaurants serving seafood understand the need for a healthy estuary. That’s why our local watering hole has donated $300 towards the renovation of our Coho Salmon exhibit in the Nature Centre. Thank you to Chris Killam and staff for hosting our Beer and Burger fundraiser on June 18th (Father’s Day!). If you love the Pub, please write a comment below. http://baypub.ca/
CEDAR and SALMON concert. Duncan United Church, 12:30 Saturday, June 10
LOW TIDE DAY, SATURDAY MAY 27
At Kil-pah-las beach at the other end of Cowichan Bay Village past the hotel. The shoreline cleanup and biological surveys begin at 10:30 with lunch and music at 12:30. Free, fun, useful, educational, and open to everyone. Click here for information about earlier Low Tide Days and a short CBC documentary.
Thomas at PHARMASAVE Duncan
Pharm
acists know about health care so Thomas at Pharmasave knows that the Cowichan Estuary also needs health care. Our first Nature Centre sponsor of the year, Thomas will help Cowichan Valley students to learn how to help nature help us. Thanks, Pharmasave! http://pharmasave.com
If you too want to sponsor kids in nature, please call Centre Manager Todd Carnahan at 250 746 0227.
International Migratory Bird Day – Sat, May 14th
Join us in celebrating International Migratory Bird this Saturday afternoon, May 13th at the Estuary Nature Centre. The Cowichan Estuary is a designated International Important Bird Area (IBA) and an important stop on the Pacific Flyway for migratory birds. At 12:30pm Eric Marshall and Gail Mitchell will be at the Centre to talk about some of the migratory birds we find in the estuary and take you up the view platform to have a look through scopes at our nesting ospreys & purple martins. Ryan Hetschko will also drop by and give us a brief update on the western bluebird project.
NATASHA AYERS
People like NATASHA AYERS keep your nature centre open to the public. Volunteer of the Month Award goes to Natasha for co ordinating a two-month yoga flight at the Centre, raising $500 for our school programs! THANK YOU to all the yoga instructors that shared their time and expertise! Our volunteer teachers are: Sadie Bartram, Asrael Zemenick, Emma Jane, Sheri Glenwright, Leah Gough, Maureen Briglio, Annika VanHell, Paulina Kee, and Lilian Bianchi. Volunteers make the world go round!
Ma
Guy Johnston and the Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery
Guy Johnston is the head of a fishing family, skipper of the Michelle Rose, and creator of the Michelle Rose Community Supported Fishery. Guy has been a supporter of the Nature Centre from the beginning of construction to the present. Learn about their innovative community supported fishery on their website at https://michellerosecsf.com/about-us/
Neville Townsend — woodworker
Neville Townsend recently volunteered his woodworking skills and workshop to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. Here Neville is pictured with his first project, a much-needed display rack for community brochures. It is only through the cotributions of skilled volunteers that the Nature Centre is able to thrive. A huge “thank you” to Neville.