Coming Events

July 2nd – Natural Leaders – Youth Leadership Training

Alicia Taylor Coming Events 0 Comment

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 5

    Cowichan 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

We are hiring! Summer Camp Leader – extended deadline June 5th

Alicia Taylor Coming Events, News 0 Comment

Spend a summer immersed in nature on the shorelines of the inspiring Cowichan Estuary located in Cowichan Bay, BC.

Science and Nature Summer Camp Leader – extended deadline – June 5th, 2019

Summer break is special, and the next best thing to being a summer camp attendee is being a summer camp leader. Envision your days immersed in nature, play and discovery. Gather your love and knowledge of the sea and science and build on your skills of sharing, facilitating and children development. We have two 10 week positions ready for 2 youth (age 15-30) keen to take their appreciation for the natural world and awareness of how to lead and support others to the next level.

Detailed job description and application process

NEW Program! Sea Squirts: Stories & Activities 11:00-12:00pm Feb 7 – Mar 7,

Cowichan Estuary Coming Events 0 Comment

The Nature Centre is so happy to announce our new nature program, funded in part by Our Cowichan Communities Health Network!

Sea Squirts is a FREE, drop-in nature program where parents and their pre-school aged children and infants can come together to connect with each other, learn about nature in fun and engaging ways, and support the development of early literacy skills.

Lead by our amazing, superstar Nature Centre volunteer Kerrie Talbot, a retired Early Childhood Educator and Library Assistant. It’s grounded in nature stories and learning with a strong social and emotional health component.

Hope to see you there!

Happy B’Earth Day at the Nature Centre!

Cowichan Estuary Coming Events, Uncategorised 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!

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

Jane Kilthei Coming Events, Uncategorised 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

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