It’s always lovely to reflect on the community that has formed, the action that has been taken and the projects commenced.
2018-2019 Nature Centre Annual Report – Final
To become a member of the nature centre and add your voice to our vision, connect with admin@cowichanestuary.ca
So lovely to spend time with our wonderful volunteers at the Nature Centre yesterday. And a big thanks to Island Poultry for their donation of delicious sausages.
If you didn’t make it out and want to know about our volunteer opportunities coming up check out:
And a few spots left in our salt marsh restoration project August 30th 9-12pm. Email info@cowichanestuary.ca to sign up.
Welcome. Experience. Explore. Delight
What: The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre welcomes thousands of visitors every year. From repeat families, to travelers from afar, all are welcomed into the space to explore their curiosity and questions of the estuary and its inhabitants.
Who: Open to youth (16+) and adults (a child or grandchild is welcome to accompany) who have a love for nature, and a desire to share. No nature interpretation experience necessary, just a desire to learn and share.
We offer two roles in the nature centre:
Length of volunteer shift: 2 hours + 10 mins for open/close (Nature Centre Interpreter role only). Shifts are split from 12-2 & 2-4
Volunteer commitment: The nature centre is open from 12-4 Thursday – Sunday and every holiday Monday. We ask that volunteers sign up as a:
Booking shifts: Shifts are schedule at least one month in advance (often times every couple months).
Interested: email info@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250.597.2288
Renew. Give. Deepen. Share
What: The estuary is a gift and its health is a vital piece of our ecosystem. Every year we work with partnering organizations on restoration projects of the estuary and riparian zones up stream
Who: We are looking for youth (Age 10+) and adults who enjoy getting their hands dirty, love community projects and co-creating a lasting impact. Note this volunteer opportunity is open to school groups
Length of volunteer shift: 2.5 hours (Restoration projects include a 15 minute intro/education, 2 hour restoration work, and 15 minute wrap up and reflection)
Volunteer commitment: Restoration projects occur year round, and most often in the spring or fall but sometimes in the summer.
Booking shifts: Restoration projects are are scheduled at least three weeks in advance. Volunteers can sign up for as few or as many shifts as they like.
Interested: email info@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250.597.2288
Educate. Play. Explore. Share
What: Every year we hosts hundreds of school children at the Nature Centre, and in Hecate Park, guiding them to explore the shore to sea. Our 1.5 hour programs are lead by our amazing Educators, and supporting by our School Program Volunteers.
Who: We are looking for adults with a delight in the outdoors, an interest in sharing nature, and a love for supporting kids/youth learn.
Length of volunteer shift: 2 hours (program runs 1.5 hours, volunteers arrive 15 minutes early and 15 minutes post to help with set up/clean up
Volunteer commitment: School program season runs from September – November and March – June. We ask that volunteers sign up for a fall or spring season.
Booking shifts: Shifts are schedule at least one week in advance (often times one month). Volunteers can sign up for as few or as many shifts as they like.
Interested: email info@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250.597.2288
“The Province is restricting water use by select users on the Koksilah River to protect fish populations, which are under threat due to low water flows in the river.
The Koksilah River is located south of Duncan on Vancouver Island and supports significant aquatic ecosystems and fish species, including steelhead, coho salmon and trout. These fish populations are important to local First Nations and provide economic benefits.
Ministry biologists have determined that current flow levels are so low that habitat conditions are severely degraded and fish populations may be threatened. The flow of water in the Koksilah River has dropped below 180 litres per second (less than 2% of mean annual discharge) and may be trending downward.
From now until Sept. 30, 2019, specified licences that authorize water use directly from the Koksilah River and its tributaries, and users of wells in aquifers that are hydraulically connected to the river, must cease all diversion and use of water for industrial purposes and for irrigation of forage crops, such as hay and corn.
Ministry staff will be conducting compliance checks in the Koksilah River watershed for the duration of the fish population protection order.
By restricting water use for irrigation of forage crops, such as hay and corn, but allowing water use for stock watering and irrigation of perennial crops and vegetables, water flows should be restored to a level sufficient to maintain fish populations while minimizing effects on users, such as the agricultural sector.
Steps toward developing a water sustainability plan for the Koksilah River watershed are being taken, which is anticipated to help with overall water management in the area. In the event water flows recover to above 180 litres per second on a sustained basis following any significant precipitation events, the Province may revoke the order.”
Source: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2019FLNR0215-001616
Celebrating WATER- Rejoice together in the gift of Water and support The Work of The Cowichan Nature Centre, with an evening of songs, stories, and memories about Water- plus beer and burgers!
We’re gearing up for a busy fall season of nature education and restoration and need YOUR help.
Join us for a Beer & Burger fundraiser at the Cow Bay Pub featuring great food, a silent auction, fantastic live music from Paul Ruszel AND storytelling from local naturalists and nature lovers all in Celebration of WATER
Do you have a local Water story to share? It can be personal, epic or amusing, poem, song or story – email alicia@cowichanestuary.ca before September 20th and be included in the storytelling circle.
Don’t miss our silent auction featuring local art, gift certificates from local businesses, and more.
Tickets includes a burger (chicken, beef, or veggie), side of fries or salad, and a drink (domestic beer, wine, or cider).
$25 per ticket, available online, or at Volume One Books, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre (1845 Cowichan Bay Road).
An evening of stories, music, a silent auction, and delicious food – all for a good cause! Hope to see you there!
All proceeds will support local nature education and restoration at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.
Volunteer commitment: 2 hours (can come to more than one)
This August 21st we are having an Open House BBQ for past, present and potential Volunteers.
Ever considered helping guide students as they explore the shorelines, hand out binoculars to community members so they can watch Osprey nesting, participate in watershed restoration projects? Well, this August might be your chance to learn more about how to get started.
Invite is by RSVP, if you are interested in joining us for a Volunteer BBQ and learning about volunteering at the Nature Centre, email info@cowichanestuary.ca for details.
Sign the petition to double protected areas across Canada and save wildlife now!
Help us support our allies at Nature Canada protect wildlife across Canada by Signing their Petition.
“A new UN report says that unless we change, humans are driving close to 1 million species to extinction.
Canada has close to a quarter of the world’s wild forests and wetlands so has a critical role to play. Scientists say we have the potential to be a conservation superpower. But our track record is abysmal.
Currently, 89% of Canada’s nature is unprotected and half our monitored wildlife species are suffering severe population declines. Animals in trouble include the Polar Bear, the Piping Plover, the Southern Resident Orca, the Woodland Caribou and the Swift Fox.
Canadians care deeply for the health and well-being of wildlife and are passionate about protecting nature for the benefit of all life and future generations. We also support Indigenous-led conservation in these efforts.
It is time for the federal government to fulfill Canada’s commitment to double the amount of protected areas across Canada. Please join others in adding your name to the petition below asking for more protections for nature. Time is short.”