Annual Lower Cowichan River Cleanup 2026
August 23 @ 9:30 am - 2:30 pm
FREE
The Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ (Cowichan River) is the heart of our valley. With everything the sta’lo’ gives us, it’s our turn to give back.
Join the Cowichan Watershed Board, Cowichan Tribes, and the Cowichan Valley Regional District for the 16th annual Lower Cowichan River Cleanup on Sunday, August 23rd! All are welcome and no experience is necessary!
9:30AM – Sign-in and meet your team leader
10:00AM – Welcome
10:30AM – Cleanup begins
12:00PM – Volunteer BBQ begins
10:00AM – Welcome
10:30AM – Cleanup begins
12:00PM – Volunteer BBQ begins
What to bring? Sturdy shoes that are okay to get wet, sunscreen and a hat, a water bottle, and gloves (if you have them). You may also bring swimwear, a snorkel, and/or flotation!
At the Cleanup, we come together to learn and work as a community. With opportunities to swim, wade, walk, or paddle, you get to choose your own fun and adventure! And by joining us, you can help make our river a safer and healthier place for creatures and people alike. Afterwards, enjoy a free BBQ lunch with neighbours, friends, and connections new and old.
Summer low flows in the sta’lo’ call for a community-wide push to protect our watershed. Our annual Cleanup helps to remove staggering amounts of garbage from more than 15-kilometres of the river before fall rains can carry it downstream. Working together, we can make a big difference!
The Cowichan Watershed Board is a partnership between Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Valley Regional District. It exists to provide leadership for sustainable water management and to protect and enhance the environmental quality and quality of life in the Cowichan and Koksilah watersheds and adjoining areas.
Questions? Contact our River Cleanup Coordinator, Katia Bannister (she/her) at rivercleanup@cowichanwatershedboard.ca.