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Last Broom pull of the season along the Trans Canada Trail behind Berkey’s Corner! (except for Memory Island with CVRD on Memory Island in Shawnigan Lake on Wednesday).  There will be seed pods, so we will drag the branches to my truck along Skinner Road for delivery to Bings Depot.

Come out early to beat the heat, but if you can’t make if for 8:00am thats OK, come when you can.  Bring loppers and succateurs if you have them, gloves and a hat full of water.

Meet at the office at 55 Station Street, Duncan at 9:00am and we’ll head out from there.

Join us in the Nitnat Room for an evening of community, connection, and a little wildlife wonder! We’re excited about the Raptors Centre coming to share some fascinating insights into Screech Owl ecology—and might even bring one along!

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or just curious to learn more, everyone is welcome. Come be part of the conversation and help shape the future of our organization.

The documentary (part of the earlier film festival) looks at Vancouver Island’s first Community Supported Fishery (CSF), by following the life of a west coast fisherman and seeing how he works to have a positive impact on the marine environment that sustains him. The CSF is a way to reduce the carbon footprint of his catch, increase local food security and counteract climate change. The film weaves together scientists, researchers, community members and fishers of the BC coast.

WHAT: Pulling and bagging invasive Scotch broom seedlings

WHEN:  Wednesday June 11, 2025, from 10:00am to 12:00pm

WHERE: Meet at Memory Island on beautiful Shawnigan Lake. (map) You must make your own way to the island, which is only accessible by water. Boat launches are available at Recreation Road, Shawnigan Wharf Park and West Shawnigan Lake Park.

WHAT to BRING: Remember to wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Please dress for the weather as the event will go on as long as conditions remain safe and workable. Bring drinking water and any snacks or lunch you would like. Light refreshments will be provided for the break. Tools and gloves will be provided. 

ACCESSIBILITY:There is a porta-potty available at this event. We will be working on uneven ground. Moderate physical fitness is required for this activity. 

PLEASE RSVP:  parks.volunteers@cvrd.bc.ca – 250.746.2649 or sign up online!

Photo: Ladyslipper orchid, Memory Island, April 2025

Meet at the Somenos Marsh office and we’ll all head out together. Please bring personal water, weather appropriate clothing, and sturdy work shoes. We will supply gloves, tools and snacks.We will be tree planting along the banks of Bings Creek for a resident as part of our Streamside Stewardship Partners Program!

Cowichan Lake and River Stewardship Society will hold its 2025 Annual General Meeting. The business will be done 1:00-2:45pm, then 3:00-3:45pm, Board member and local biologist Christoph Steeger will speak about “The Cowichan Watershed – A Natural History Perspective for Environmental Stewardship”.  You do not have to be a member in order to attend either portions of the event.

Christoph has been working as a wildlife and habitat biologist for 35 years in BC. His primary experience is on forest and riparian habitats, especially conservation of wildlife trees and species at risk. Over the past decade, he has gained experience on local ecosystem conservation issues and some understanding of key cultural needs of the Quw’utsun Mustimuhw (Cowichan People). As a resident within the Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ riparian zone, Christoph is deeply connected to the natural environment of the valley. Christoph’s AGM presentation intends to draw attention to the important values of the Cowichan Watershed and how environmental stewardship can help to restore and maintain watershed health.

Shawnigan Basin Society Fundraiser: silent auction and dinner at Unsworth Vinyards 2915 Cameron Taggart Road

Come on out and play in the mud!  A newly carved “Salmon Rattle” will be unveiled and Genevieve Singleton will explore the plants along Hecate Park while the Herons provide a cacophony of cackles overhead. A free, family event.

We’ll meet at 1:00pm at the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society Office, then head out together from there. Please bring personal water, weather appropriate clothing, and sturdy work shoes. We will supply gloves, tools and snacks. We will be removing ivy from the banks of Bings Creek for a resident as part of our Streamside Stewardship Partners Program! Please be aware, the work area is quite steep.

Transfer Beach: Meet in the Kinsman Hut to have coffee (BYO) with Friends of Holland Creek. We will be tending the native plant beds and doing broom busting and invasive work along the park edges and towards the Dogpatch and then the Waterfront.

Holland Creek. Meet in the Info Hut on Methuen and 6 avenue to join Friends of Holland Creek to clear broom from the patch cleared last year and along the trail up towards the Rotary Lookout. On the way we will clear Colonia bridge embankments if we have access.

Hwy/rail corridor north. Meet on Ludlow Road near the Home Hardware and work south along the highway/rail towards Transfer Beach access.