News

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.

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 (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

It takes a village to maintain the Nature Centre, and all it’s programs, interpretive displays, fundraising and and and…

Which is why it was so wonderful to have the incredibly focused, dedicated energy of the Rotary Club of Duncan to come stain our building in a morning.

We are deeply grateful.

Some photos from the day!

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is a charitable non-profit. Our purposes are: To advance education by providing programs and classes to children, youth, and the public on the subjects of the Cowichan Estuary, its marine and bird life, its natural and cultural history, the Cowichan and Koksilah Watersheds, and other natural ecosystems, and to protect, restore and enhance the quality of the natural environment in the Cowichan Estuary and its adjacent watersheds.

The Nature Centre, located on the traditional and unceded territory of the Quw’utsun’ People, engages people of all ages in hands-on learning and watershed restoration opportunities in the Cowichan estuary, and the Cowichan and Koksilah watersheds, creating opportunities for children and adults alike to fall in love with this special ecosystem and feel interconnected with the natural world. We believe these experiences motivate people to share their love and knowledge of nature, and act to care for and protect natural ecosystems here and throughout the Cowichan Valley.  

The Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre is looking for an Administrative Coordinator (Coordinator) with strong communication and administrative skills and a passion for supporting nature education, conservation and restoration.

The Coordinator is accountable to and works under the direction of the Centre’s Executive Director and with the support of the Board and our team of volunteers. 

This position is 25 – 30 hours a week.  Salary range is $25 to $30 per hour, based on skills and experience. This could be a full-time position at 37.5 hrs/week for a candidate who also has experience as an educator in developing and leading nature-based education programs.

Please submit applications by August 12th at midnight to admin@cowichanestuary.ca.
Anticipated start date: August 29, 2022.
 

CENC Administrative Coordinator Job Description July 2022

We are delighted to recognize long-time Nature Centre Volunteer Eric Marshall who was selected as an Outstanding Volunteer to receive the Island Savings #SimpleGenerosity Award.

“Eric’s contributions to the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre and the community in general are significant.” says Nature Centre Coordinator Haley Guest. “He generously gives his time as a volunteer nature interpreter, works with our school programs, and also works on the Operations Committee. I’ve learned so much from Eric and am grateful for his wisdom and commitment to our little Nature Centre!”

Eric received $1500 to give to a charity of his choice – and we are grateful that he kindly donated the funds to the Nature Centre.

#SimpleGenerosity was a year-long campaign of Island Savings and other divisions of First West Credit Union as part of an effort to celebrate the Canadians who make communities great by recognizing local volunteers, non-profit organizations and charities that are making meaningful contributions in our communities.

In 2017, they recognized 52 outstanding volunteers or volunteer teams – one individual or group every week from communities throughout British Columbia. They believe that every act of kindness and every volunteer hour make our communities strong and vibrant.

2016-2017 Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Annual Report

For earlier annual reports, visit https://www.cowichanestuary.ca/about/about-the-nature-centre/

We are pleased to welcome Haley Guest as the Estuary Nature Centre’s new Coordinator. Over the next ten months Haley will be taking a lead role in coordinating our Eco-Action Project: Adapting to Climate Change: Community Workshops and Volunteer Restoration Action Days in and around the estuary.  She’s keen to get to know our community partners in this work and to support and grow our volunteers who are the backbone of the Centre. She’s now our go-to person if you are interested in volunteering or otherwise supporting the Nature Centre’s work. haley@cowichanestuary.ca

Haley has a solid background in environmental education, including a degree in Environmental Science and Ecology from Dalhousie University. She is currently completing her Masters in Environmental Education and Communication at Royal Roads. Haley comes to us with years of volunteer and event coordination experience, and a passion to contribute to community resilience. For the past four years she has worked at Dalhousie leading an ocean literacy research project and coordinating the development of the innovative education program ‘Ocean School’, while also working as the Marine Conservation Biology Lab Manager.

Haley is keen to dive into the climate adaptation project saying, “The shoreline and eelgrass restoration work really interests me; I believe that time spent restoring natural spaces can empower people to feel a sense of agency and a greater connection with their human and non-human communities – building both ecological and community resilience.”

Welcome aboard Haley!