Author: IT Services

The Work that Reconnects – Renew, Re-engage & Reconnect to Life – A Transformative Process for Difficult Times – Feb 10th-11th

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment
The Work that Reconnects – Renew, Re-engage & Reconnect to Life – A Transformative Process for Difficult Times – Feb 10th-11th

A “Work that Reconnects” Retreat – Feb 10th -11th, 2018 at Providence Farm

Weekend Workshop/Retreat Feb 10-11th, 9–5 pm, Providence Farm (on the traditional and unceded territory of the Quw’utsun People), St. Anne’s Building.

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and Transition Cowichan and are pleased to bring Jackie Larkin and Maggie Ziegler back to the Cowichan Valley to lead a two-day “Work That Reconnects – Reconnecting to Life” Retreat February 10th – 11th.  Maggie and Jackie – educators, activists and facilitators who trained with eco-Buddhist philosopher Joanna Macy — have co-facilitated this experiential process for over sixteen years.

Rooted in a pioneering form of group work developed by Joanna Macy, this workshop/retreat will integrate a wide range of ideas and experiential processes, as well as time in nature. Participants will be supported to engage heart, mind and spirit in the task of renewing our connection to ourselves, our community and all life on earth.  “The Work that Reconnects” emerges from the historical movements for social justice and for environmental sustainability as well as from spiritual traditions that honour the earth as sacred. It draws on the ideas and processes of deep ecology, systems theory and modern science.

If you’ve been overwhelmed by the unraveling of our world over the past year (..or years) – the climate crisis, environmental destruction, species extinction, violent conflict, increasing inequality  – this is a time for connection and renewal. Through experiencing our full range of feelings about our planetary crisis and deepening our understanding about our connection to all life, we can find courage and resilience to support ourselves and each other through these challenging times – and find meaningful and nourishing ways to continue to engage in the work that is needed.

We hope you will join us.

This two-day non-residential retreat on Feb 10th-11th is $140 per person. Some partial bursaries (up to 50%) are available.  Space is limited so registration is required. We ask that participants bring their lunches. Coffee, tea and healthy snacks will be provided. For information and registration contact: info@transitioncowichan.org.

If you need a place to stay in the Cowichan Valley, billeting can be arranged.

For more information about Jackie and Maggie and their work see: www.reconnectingtolife.org

True Grain Bread

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment

We are pleased to recognize True Grain Bread’s recent donation of $200 to support marine education and outreach at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre!

True Grain Bread is located in Cowichan Bay Village.

True Grain is truly a community landmark in Cowichan Bay. On any day of the week you can find residents sipping coffees and relaxing, local leaders and entrepreneurs holding meetings, and visitors taking in the beauty of the Bay while delighting in the loaves and pastries made from local BC grains. Stop by and see for yourself!

We are so grateful to operate in a community full of support for one another.

Many thanks True Grain Bread!

New Volunteer Spotlight: Julia Saurazas

IT Services Volunteers 0 Comment

Happy New Year! To celebrate this new year, we’d like to recognize one of our new volunteers to join the Nature Centre family. Julia Saurazas is originally from Windsor, ON, but moved to Duncan this Fall. Julia is as adventurous as she is curious, working and volunteering abroad for over 25 years, now doing humanitarian work with ‘Doctors Without Borders’.

Julia also plays flute and loves baking cheesecakes!
A life-long volunteer, Julia thinks volunteering is an important way to give back to the community in which you live – and admits it’s a good way to make new friends, too! She loves wildlife, nature, and being near the water, so naturally the Nature Centre drew her in.

 

Her favourite holidays now include going into jungles, and although she appreciates the large animals, she also goes in search of smaller creatures such as bats, frogs, chameleons, and more.

We’re so happy to have you join the Nature Centre team, Julia! Thank you for bringing your enthusiasm and love of nature.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Nature Centre, contact us here or email us!

“The Wisdom to Survive” – Film & Discussion – Thurs, Jan 18th, 7pm

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment

Join us on Thursday January 18th at 7pm at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Cowichan Bay to watch and discuss this film on climate change and adaptation.
It asks the thought provoking question “Will we have the wisdom to survive?”

The film features breath-taking photography and inspiring activists and thought leaders from science, economics and spirituality, including eco-philosopher Joanna Macy who developed “The Work that Reconnects” – a pioneering form of group work that engages heart, mind and spirit in such questions.

This moving film sets the stage to discuss how we can take action, locally and globally in the face of climate disruption, while also opening ourselves to connecting with each other and the beauty that surrounds us.

Admission by donation to support the work of both the Nature Centre & Transition Cowichan.

Movie Night: “Christmas in Yellowstone” – Dec 28th, 4:30 – 5:30 pm

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment
Movie Night: “Christmas in Yellowstone” – Dec 28th, 4:30 – 5:30 pm

On Thursday December 28th, join us for a festive late afternoon/ early evening at the Nature Centre for the documentary ‘Christmas at Yellowstone’, which follows in the snowy footprints of Yellowstone’s red foxes, spies on the predatory warfare of wolves and elk, and climbs into the den of a grizzly bear that gives birth to two cubs while deep in hibernation.
This event is family-friendly and BYOP: Bring Your Own Popcorn!

Admission by donation. Children free! All donations support our ongoing environmental education and stewardship work!

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/christmas-in-yellowstone-introduction/4292/

Jan Dwyer – Volunteer of the Month

IT Services Volunteers 0 Comment

Jan Dwyer must be feeling pretty good, because she attended not one, not two, but all four of our ‘Feel Good Friday’ events in November! Every Friday, Jan showed up with a smile and dove into habitat restoration work – whether it was removing invasive blackberries, planting along creek banks, or hauling native plants through muddy marshland. For this reason we’d like to recognize her generosity and spirit as our ‘Volunteer of the Month’.

Jan Dwyer (center) at a “Feel Good Fridays” habitat restoration work party.
Jan is from the Cowichan Valley and started volunteering in early 2016. She sees volunteering as an essential part of living in the community, and especially enjoys working under the expanse of sky in Cowichan Bay.
Thank you Jan for your hard work and contribution to the community!

If you are interested in volunteering at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, contact us here or email info@cowichanestuary.ca.

Sea Level Rise & the Shoreline – Still space to register for FREE Workshop – Sat, Dec 2nd, 9-5pm

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment
There are still a few spots left in this Saturday’s Free Sea Level Rise and the Shoreline workshop led by local environmental restoration ecologist David Polster – 9-5 at the Nature Centre. A great opportunity to learn more about building local resilience. Opportunity for hands-on follow-up on Sunday. To register email info@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250.597.2288

Western Stevedoring – Donor Recognition

IT Services Fundraiser 0 Comment

We are pleased to recognize Western Stevedoring’s recent donation of $400 to support marine education and outreach at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre!  This corporate donation will go toward a new freshwater aquarium at the Centre which will be home to our Coho fry as a part of our “Salmon in the Classroom Program” in 2018.

Nature Centre Volunteer Connie Harris takes her kayak through the newly breached causeway to help salmon move in the estuary.

Terminal Manager Rob James and his team at Western Stevedoring in Cowichan Bay are experienced hands-on contributors to environmental education and restoration in the Cowichan Estuary. They’ve worked in partnership with the Cowichan Estuary Restoration and Conservation Association, Cowichan Tribes, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and other local industries like Pacific Industrial Marine, to breach the causeway in the estuary and help young salmon more easily find their way to protection and nourishment in the estuary’s eelgrass meadows on their journey to the sea.

Removing derelict vessels from the estuary

This past June Western Stevedoring also joined Brian Thacker and his crew at Pacific Industrial Marine, plus a team from Western Forest Products, to remove derelict boats from the estuary that posed a risk to the environment. These three local companies shared the cost —estimated at between $40,000 and $50,000 — of removing six derelict boats from the Bay. A helicopter lifted two wrecks from the water, where it was too shallow to tow the vessels without damaging the estuary, and four boats were towed to the Western Stevedoring terminal dock and lifted out the water with a crane in preparation for dismantling.

Many thanks Western Stevedoring!

Ron Wall – Volunteer of the Month

IT Services Volunteers 1 Comment

Although he has lived and traveled all over Canada, volunteer Ron Wall has called Cowichan home for many years – and we are lucky he has! This month, we’d like to recognize Ron for his dedication to environmental learning.

Ron Wall and summer student Miranda at a Volunteer BBQ this summer.

Ron has been volunteering at the Nature Centre for over a year. Like many of our volunteers, Ron is an inquisitive soul and a life-long learner. When we asked him what motivates him to volunteer, he responded:

“I have a desire to give back something to the community and better understand the estuary ecosystems, especially the upstream activities that profoundly affect them.”

Thank-you Ron! We are grateful for your dedication and love for this beautiful estuary!

If you are interested in volunteering at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, contact us here or email info@cowichanestuary.ca.