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
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.)
We’ll explore the clam beds, eelgrass mudflats, and the beaches at Hecate Park. Campers will use scopes on the observation tower, beach seines, plankton tows, shovels and buckets to find out who lives here. They’ll get to know the region’s intertidal and sea creature in our water and up close in our touch tank, and have an opportunity to get acquainted with young Coho salmon in our fresh water aquarium. There will also be other fun age-appropriate hands-on science activities, games, hikes, and crafts, as well as a chance to explore our microscope stations, giant maps, interactive exhibits and ecology library.
Camp fees are $215 per child for a total of five days. Single Day Attendance: $40 per day per child only if the camp is not fully booked. Please register by phone or in-person for single days.
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.
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.
