Author: IT Services

Water Conservation in the Koksilah Watershed – Responding to Climate Disruption

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Salvaging salmon fry in the Koksilah River. (photo Genevieve Singleton)

On July 17th, the Nature Centre is partnering with the Cowichan Watershed Board to host an evening on Water Conservation in the increasingly drought challenged Koksilah Watershed. Join us for a solutions-focused community conversation from 6 pm to 9 pm at the Hub in Cowichan Station.

Sierra Robinson, Permaculture Teacher

Speakers Tom Rutherford, fish biologist and Watershed Board Executive Director, and David Slade, Watershed Board member and former President of the BC Groundwater Association, will be joined by 17-year old Sierra Robinson, permaculture teacher, farmer, film-maker and crew-lead for the Cowichan Valley Earth Guardians. Together they will talk about the severe drought conditions in the watershed, the ongoing challenge of climate change and real, on-the-ground water conservation solutions.

“Water conservation is everybody’s responsibility,” says Rutherford, “While it’s easy to point fingers at the big agricultural users, we all have to step up.  We can all be better water stewards.”

A world-café style community conversation will follow the presentations to give residents a chance to share what water conservation efforts are working, what is worth trying and what kind of support is needed to better address the growing water challenges in the Koksilah.

During the evening local gardeners and hobby farmers in the Koksilah Watershed will also have a chance to apply to win one of six free permaculture water conservation garden audits on their property. These will be conducted by local permaculturists Jason Greenwood and Sierra Robinson in August. Those householders participating in garden audits will receive a report with specific water conservation recommendations for their property.

Permaculture is an ecological approach to gardening and food production and one of its most exciting aspects is its approach to water. Permaculture designers use landscape design to conserve and store water while building topsoil. Some permaculture projects have been so successful that they even recharge groundwater supplies.

One of the gardens selected for an audit will also be chosen for a Permaculture Blitz implementing water conservation solutions. This includes both design support from our permaculture experts and a day of hands-on help from a team of young volunteers to work on a water conservation garden transformation this fall.  The team will bring tools and willing hands. The property owner will cover the hard costs, such as the purchase of trees or shrubs.

 

Click HERE to enter to Win A Permaculture Water Conservation Audit

 

ENTER to WIN a FREE Permaculture Water Conservation Garden Audit on your property

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ENTER TO WIN a FREE 

Permaculture Water Conservation Garden Audit on your property (Open to Gardeners and Hobby Farmers in the Koksilah Watershed)

Six lucky home owners will receive a water conservation audit of their property this August, 2019. From this group of 6, one homeowner will have the chance to transform their property this summer through a one day Water Conservation Permaculture Blitz.

These water conservation audits will be conducted by local permaculturists Jason Greenwood and Sierra Robinson in August. Those householders participating in garden audits will receive a report with specific water conservation recommendations for their property.

One of the gardens selected for an audit will also be chosen for a Permaculture Blitz implementing water conservation solutions. This includes both design support from our permaculture experts and a day of hands-on help from a team of young volunteers to work on a water conservation garden transformation this fall.  The team will bring tools and willing hands. The property owner will cover the hard costs, such as the purchase of trees or shrubs or drip irrigation materials.

Permaculture is an ecological approach to gardening and food production and one of its most exciting aspects is its approach to water. Permaculture designers use landscape design to conserve and store water while building topsoil. Some permaculture projects have been so successful that they even recharge groundwater supplies.

To complete the application please fill out the form below and submit to info@cowichanestuary.ca  Deadline for applications: Midnight July 31st!

For questions, email info@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250.597.2288

To confirm if you are in the Koksilah Watershed

Koksilah Watershed map

Koksilah Watershed map streets 1 of 2

Koksilah Watershed map streets 2 of 2

Application to Enter to Win A Permaculture Water Conservation Garden Audit

 

July 25/26th LakeKeepers Workshop – Buy your tickets soon!

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The wonderful Cowichan Land Trust is hosting a LakeKeepers Workshop
Together with the British Columbia Lake Stewardship Society (BCLSS) and the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society, The Cowichan Land Trust is running a two-day LakeKeepers workshop for citizens to learn how to care for, monitor, and manage our beautiful BC lakes.
Facilitated by Dr. Rick Nordin of BCLSS, this workshop will take place on July 25th from 9-4pm and July 26th from 9-noon at the Duncan Community Lodge on Quamichan Lake.
Check out the poster below for more info on the lessons and information covered in the course!
It is available to everyone 14+, and is free for students and $25 for adults.

Eelgrass Transplanting June 2019, over 5000 plants were transplanted!

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Eelgrass Transplanting June 2019, over 5000 plants were transplanted!

We send out a HUGE Thank you to all the volunteers who assisted in the eelgrass restoration project this week

We had an amazing 4 days of participating in the restoration of eel grass beds. BIG thanks Cheri Ayers and Cowichan Tribes, Sea Change and to all the volunteers including Alistair MacGregor MP and Chief Seymour for their participation and love of the estuary.

Over 5000 eelgrass rhizomes were transplanted

Cowichan Tribes, with support from the Federal Coastal Restoration Fund, teamed up with the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre to re-plant over 5000 eelgrass plants in the Cowichan Estuary.  Eelgrass restoration was being overseen by biologist Cheri Ayers and a team of experts from SeaChange Marine Conservation Society who worked with divers and many volunteers to restore eelgrass meadows in the estuary.

“For many years the northern side of the estuary has been lacking eelgrass while the southern side near Hecate Park has continued to thrive” said Chief Seymour of Cowichan Tribes. “In historic times the elders tell of fields of eelgrass across the whole estuary where they raked crabs and harvested seafood. When the tide was out the table was set”.  The team re-planted two pilot areas – one on the extreme northern edge of the estuary and one with the Western Stevedoring lease area along the WesCan Terminal Causeway. The pilot areas will be monitored in 6 months and if successful additional planting will take place over the next two years.

Email alicia@cowichanestuary.ca to add your name to the restoration list for future projects

 

July 17th 6-9pm: Water Conservation in the Koksilah Watershed, a Community Conversation @ the HUB – free

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SAVE THE DATE: July 17th 6-9pm

Join us for an evening on Water Conservation in the Koksilah Watershed –
 Responding to our Changing Climate: A Community Conversation at the HUB in Cowichan Station

With speakers David Slade & Tom Rutherford from the Cowichan Watershed Board, and 16 year-old Sierra Robinson, permaculture teacher

AND a chance for Gardeners  and Hobby Farmers in the Koksilah Watershed to apply to have a permaculture water conservation garden audit on their property and win a one-day permaculture water conservation garden Perma-Blitz transformation.  

Volunteer Position – Nature Interpreter – Now inviting new volunteers

IT Services Volunteers

The Nature Centre is a heart beat in the Estuary, with a flow of students, visitors, and soon to be camp attendees, all exploring the magic of  hands on exploration of life from the estuary. The vitality of the centre is upheld by our volunteers, individuals with a love for nature, a curiosity to learn and a delight in sharing discoveries with visitors. Its a pretty perfect place to spend two hours a week or a month, and a great way to connect with nature and community.

With the busy summer ahead we are now inviting new volunteers to join our community. And we welcome individuals and pairs of volunteers – couples, friends, grandparents/grandchild.

To begin your exploration of volunteering at the nature centre call 250.597.2288 or fill out our  contact form

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“For three years my granddaughter and I were volunteers for two hours on Sunday afternoons at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.  We did this from when she was 10 until she was 13. These were wonderful times for both of us, meeting people when the centre was busy and working together or just hanging out and talking during the quiet times.  For her, it was an opportunity to show off her amazing abilities with technology while developing excellent customer service, child management, and retail sales skills. Together, we learned a great deal from researching answers to visitors’ questions.  She describes it as our quality time together.” J. Scull. Volunteer at the Nature Centre

 

Volunteer Position – Nature Interpreter – Now inviting new volunteers

IT Services Volunteers

The Nature Centre is a heart beat in the Estuary, with a flow of students, visitors, and soon to be camp attendees, all exploring the magic of  hands on exploration of life from the estuary. The vitality of the centre is upheld by our volunteers, individuals with a love for nature, a curiosity to learn and a delight in sharing discoveries with visitors. Its a pretty perfect place to spend two hours a week or a month, and a great way to connect with nature and community.

With the busy summer ahead we are now inviting new volunteers to join our community. And we welcome individuals and pairs of volunteers – couples, friends, grandparents/grandchild.

To begin your exploration of volunteering at the nature centre call 250.597.2288 or fill out our  contact form

————————————————————————————–

“For three years my granddaughter and I were volunteers for two hours on Sunday afternoons at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.  We did this from when she was 10 until she was 13. These were wonderful times for both of us, meeting people when the centre was busy and working together or just hanging out and talking during the quiet times.  For her, it was an opportunity to show off her amazing abilities with technology while developing excellent customer service, child management, and retail sales skills. Together, we learned a great deal from researching answers to visitors’ questions.  She describes it as our quality time together.” J. Scull. Volunteer at the Nature Centre

 

July 2nd – Natural Leaders – Youth Leadership Training

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2019 Youth Leadership and Team Building Training

On Tuesday, July 2nd, we will be hosting our annual Youth Leadership and Team Building Training for youth ages 14-18. Training will take place at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre from 9-4pm. Lunch is included. The cost is $25-$45 (sliding scale).

This day-long interactive workshop for budding change-makers will provide lots of opportunities to learn and practice leadership and team building skills. Our focus this year is “engagement for healthy watersheds and climate action.” The day will include First Nations perspectives and stories from elders. There will be opportunities to explore and practice group leadership and team-building skills in a natural setting. Our facilitation team includes Laura Cuthbert from Organize BC and Kim Lagimodiere, Cowichan Watershed Board educator and Cowichan Tribes biologist.  It’s going to be an amazing interactive day.

There will also be pre and post-workshop opportunities to put leadership and team building skills into action on water conservation and watershed restoration projects in the Cowichan and Koksilah Watershed.

How to Register

If you would like to pay $45 on the sliding scale, you can pay online through Eventbrite (to choose another amount on the sliding scale or ask for a bursary, see below):

  • Please indicate your preferred payment method on the application form below and email the completed form to Karlie at camps@cowichanestuary.ca, drop it off in person at the Nature Centre, or mail it to:                     Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, Box 5Cowichan Bay, British Columbia, Canada V0R 1N0
  • You can pay online here through the Eventbrite page  or pay in person at the Nature Centre by debit or cash, or by cheque made payable to Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.
  • Eventbrite doesn’t offer a sliding scale option, so to pay less that $45 on the sliding scale you’ll need to mail your application or come into the Centre to register (or ask us about an e-transfer).

If you would like to apply for a bursary it’s easy:

  • Please check “yes” when you fill out the application form below to apply for a bursary. Tell us in a sentence or two why a bursary would be helpful to you.  We want this workshop to be accessible, so please ask, and get your application to us as described above!!

Application Form: Youth Leadership Training Application