• Riparian Restoration – Streamside Stewardship Partners Program

    SMWS Office 55 Station Street, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Join us for an afternoon of restoring the riparian area along Bings and Menzies Creeks. Through our Streamside Stewardship Partners Program we are working with private landowners along our watersheds creeks to help restore and enhance riparian function through invasive removal and native species planting. You can expect to learn about riparian areas, invasive and...

  • Garry Oak volunteers

    Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve AitkenRoad, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Spend time in this rare ecosystem before the snow flies..... Pull some weeds and plant some lovely wild flowers for next spring.  Please let Laura (and Larry) know in advance if you can by emailing info@cowichanlandtrust.ca

  • Salmon Watch Survey

    Somenos Marsh Head Office #3-55 Station Street, Duncan, BC, Canada

    The SMWS salmon watch annual surveys have begun with the salmon returning to the watershed. Join us, on Wednesday mornings to complete salmon spawning surveys in the Somenos Watershed creeks. We will be walking up the watershed creeks to count spawning salmon so be prepared for difficult terrain and some scrambling. Please bring water, weather...

  • Swan and Goose Count

    Somenos Creek Dog Park Somenos Creek Dog Park, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Once a week over the winter a crew of people head out to a few spots around the Cowichan Valley to monitor and count swans and geese. Whether your new to birding or an expert your bound to learn something from the awesome crew of people who have been dedicated to this count for many...

  • Maple Mountain Broom Bashing

    Andy Hutchins Park 964 Herd Road, Maple Bay, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

    Part of the "Special Places" project. Meet near Maple Bay at Andy Hutchins park about 9:50am. We will take a short hike uphill to the location. Tools and gloves available, but please bring your favourites (cleaned prior to the session).  We need at least 3 people each session (2 volunteers and Laura) to go ahead,...

  • Night Tracking:Western Screech Owls with Megan Buers

    North Oyster Community Center 13467 Cedar Rd, Ladysmith, BC, Canada

    Megan writes: “I’ve spent the better part of a decade chasing the quiet mysteries of the natural world, often favouring the nocturnal. My work as a biologist has always been about listening - to the land, and the wildlife that inhabits it, trapping, tagging, and tracking owls to learn where conservation efforts matter most. At the...

  • Maple Mountain Broom Bashing

    Andy Hutchins Park 964 Herd Road, Maple Bay, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

    Part of the "Special Places" project. Meet near Maple Bay at Andy Hutchins park about 9:50am. We will take a short hike uphill to the location. Tools and gloves available, but please bring your favourites (cleaned prior to the session).  We need at least 3 people each session (2 volunteers and Laura) to go ahead,...

  • Forum on Forest Management

    HUB-Cowichan Station 2375 Koksilah Road, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Examining how clearcuts affect watersheds. View the film "Trouble in the Headwaters" and then discuss the implications with Younes Alila (Hydrologist - UBC Forestry Faculty), Daniel J. Pierce (film maker) and Heather Pritchard (Local R.P.F.). Hosted by the Shawnigan Basin Society and the Koksilah Watershed Working Group.

  • Nature Cowichan Speaker – Tanzania

    Fish Health Building 1080 Wharncliffe Road, Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

    Hilary Emberton will speak and show slides of their recent trip to Tanzania. In-person at Fish Health building or on zoom (email cvns@naturecowichan.net for the link).

  • Riparian Restoration – Streamside Stewardship Partners Program

    Somenos Marsh Head Office #3-55 Station Street, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Join us for an afternoon of restoring the riparian area along Bings and Menzies Creeks. Through our Streamside Stewardship Partners Program we are working with private landowners along our watersheds creeks to help restore and enhance riparian function through invasive removal and native species planting. You can expect to learn about riparian areas, invasive and...

  • Invasive Plant Removal – Garry Oak Protected Area

    York Road End End of York Road off of Trillium Terrace, Duncan, BC, Canada

    Join us to pull invasive hawthorn, blackberry, and broom from the Somenos Garry Oak Protected Area. Learn about different removal methods and the uniqueness of the Garry oak ecosystems. You can expect to do some digging, cutting and moving of invasive plant material. Bring weather appropriate clothing and water, SMWS will provide tools, snacks, and...