Coming Events – Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

Humpback Comeback – Nov 21, 7-9 pm – with Eric Marshall

Jane Kilthei Coming Events November 20, 2018November 20, 2018 0 Comment

Humpback Comeback – Humpback whales in the North Pacific
Come hear a FREE Public talk by retired marine biologist Eric Marshall Wednesday, Nov 21st from 7 to 9 pm at the Nature Centre. (Doors open at 6:30.)

Whaling in BC waters had reduced the humpback whale population by almost 90%.

Now their numbers in the North Pacific are close to the level they were before whaling started! Humpbacks are even being seen regularly in the Salish Sea for the first time for many years.

Come learn about this important species, as well as the science behind the story of how Humpbacks in the North Pacific have recovered.

Donations always gratefully accepted.
Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, 1845 Cowichan Bay Road (at Hecate Park) , Cowichan Bay

Nature Centre Fundraiser on World Rivers Day

Haley Coming Events September 6, 2018September 7, 2018 0 Comment

Cowichan Estuary World Rivers Day Celebration 2018 – support our rivers and the Estuary Nature Centre with an evening of songs, stories, and memories about rivers – 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 Rogue Wave AND storytelling from local naturalists and nature lovers about our Cowichan and Koksilah Rivers in celebration of World and BC Rivers Day!

Do you have a local river story to share? It can be personal, epic or amusing – email haley@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 at Volume One Books, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, and on Eventbrite here.

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.

Happy B’Earth Day at the Nature Centre!

Haley Coming Events April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 0 Comment

Did you know that this Earth Day (April 22) the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre will be turning 6 years old?! To mark this occasion, we are having a Spring benefit concert, “Sounds of Springtime” by the Camerata String Orchestra at 7pm at Sylvan United Church. Tickets are $15 in advance, or $20 at the door. Kids under 12 are FREE! Tickets available online here or at the Nature Centre during open hours (or contact me directly). Poster attached.

Earlier that day, from 12pm-3pm, we’re hosting a “6th B’Earth Day Party” at the Nature Centre, complete with FREE cake, nature activities for kids, and music from the Muddy Buddies! Schedule for the music etc to be posted on our website shortly.

I sincerely hope that you are able to join us in some way on April 22nd to mark 6 years of nature education, stewardship, and community through the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre. Although I’ve only been a part of this community since the Fall, I’ve seen how hard everybody works together for nature, and I think celebrating that hard work is important! With cake!

Summer Science Day Camps 2018

Jane Kilthei Coming Events March 26, 2018April 2, 2018 0 Comment

March Break is over, the kids are back in school, and it’s time to think about summer, and all the learning and fun that happens at our Summer Science Day Camps! For more information and registration, go to: http://www.cowichanestuary.ca/programs/camps/

Spring Break at the Nature Centre

Haley Coming Events March 7, 2018 0 Comment

This Spring Break, head down to the Nature Centre for events, activities, and as always – lots of learning and love for our estuary.

Click here for the full schedule of events!

We are open to the public from Thursday to Sunday, 12pm-4pm.

Nature Centre Fundraiser Feb 25th – ‘For the Love of Nature: Beer & Burger

Haley Coming Events February 14, 2018 0 Comment

At the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, it’s our job to spread the love of nature. Now, we’re gearing up for a busy season of nature education and need YOUR help.

Join us for a Beer & Burger fundraiser at Cow Bay Pub – with a twist. This evening will feature great food, a silent auction, fantastic live music from Paul Ruszel AND storytelling from local naturalists and nature lovers!

Do you have a nature story to share? Email haley@cowichanestuary.ca before February 21.

Don’t miss our silent auction featuring local art, gift cards, and more.

All proceeds support nature education at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.

Tickets include a meal with choice of burgers, sides, and drink. $25 per ticket, available at Volume One Books, the Cowichan Land Trust, the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre, and Eventbrite.

Click here to get your ticket!

An evening of stories, music, a silent auction, and delicious food – all for a good cause! Hope to see you there!

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

Jane Kilthei Coming Events January 19, 2018February 14, 2018 0 Comment

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

Weekend Workshop/Retreat Feb 10-11^th, 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 10^th-11^th 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

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

Jane Kilthei Coming Events January 1, 2018 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

Jane Kilthei Coming Events December 20, 2017December 20, 2017 0 Comment

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!