Community Calendar

Join local biologist and stream health expert, Dr. Dave Clough and RDN Drinking Water and Watershed Protection staff to learn more about the Nile Creek Watershed and the importance of keeping our natural areas healthy for generations to come. Nile Creek is an important salmon bearing stream, learn more about the ecological importance and what you can do to help maintain our healthy water systems. A native plant starter is included in registration.

Register Here

Do you want to learn about indicators of stream health and stewardship? Contact volunteer@nalt.bc.ca for details and to register.

Pacific Streamkeepers Foundation

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/events/rain-garden-walk-and-talk/

Join Deb Jones for an informative education session on rain gardens at the Qualicum Beach Library and tour a local rain garden within Qualicum Beach.

“Rain gardens” are sprouting up everywhere.  But surely every garden on Vancouver Island is a rain garden, given the amount of rainfall we get?  Not quite!  Learn exactly what rain gardens are, the many benefits they provide and why they’re essential for reducing the triple hazard of drought, wildfire and flood.  We’ll take a photo tour of some of North Delta’s 29 school and community rain gardens, get ideas for creating our own easy rain gardens — then for those who wish, walk or drive to nearby Memorial Ave Rain Garden and discuss how it’s doing.

Deborah Jones has a BA in Urban Studies, a Masters of Library Science, and worked for Vancouver Public Library for over 30 years.

Deb serves as volunteer Rain Gardens Coordinator for the Streamkeepers, overseeing the maintenance of 29 school and community rain gardens created since 2006 in collaboration with the City of Delta, Delta School District, Pacific Salmon Foundation, Nature Trust of BC and others. She also advises the Nature Trust on their rain garden grant program.

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/events/arrowview-elementary-school-brant-wildlife-festival-student-exhibit/

Come and see what SD69 students have created! Their work will be on display alongside educational displays and games by the Qualicum Beach Streamkeepers and other local community groups. Don’t miss this wonderful nature inspired event!

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/events/englishman-river-estuary-tour/

Join the Arrowsmith Naturalists at 10am for a walk through forest and riparian areas of the storied Englishman River.

On this Tour discover how this invaluable river estuary is being restored to its former glory though the dedication of The Nature Trust of BC, the ongoing stewardship work of volunteers such as the Arrowsmith Naturalists, the research of scientists, and the generosity of donors who are devoted to this multi-year recovery effort.

Meet at the Shelly Rd Parking Area – 123A Shelly Road, Parksville, BC

Tour departs from the Shelly Rd parking area.

April 11 from 6-8 p.m.

Cedar Community Hall, 2388 Cedar Road

This workshop is FREE and open to all RDN residents. Register online or by calling 250-248-3252

Help protect the groundwater we share.

The WellSmart education program helps private well owners protect the quality and supply of their drinking water. As a private well owner, you have access to one of nature's most valuable resources - cool, clean groundwater. You rely on this precious resource to supply clean, safe drinking water to your family.

Learn how to keep your well in safe running order! WellSmart Workshops will provide you with an opportunity to ask questions of local well drillers and pump installers, Island Health, Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, and Bureau Veritas Laboratories.

As your own 'water manager', it is your job to be WellSmart and properly care for your well in order protect the health of your family, friends, community, and environment. Your well is the most important asset on your property and without an adequate water supply, your property value may decline. Taking proper care of your well may protect your investment and extend the operational life of your well.

Learn about:

• Well Maintenance and operation
• Protecting your water source
• Water testing and treatment
• Water treatment options
• Drought management

Register Here

https://www.mabr.ca/upcoming-events

The  MABR is pleased to announce the 2023 MABR BioBlitz! This event will  utilize the iNaturalist app (instructions and tips for using the app can be found here). The Biosphere Blitz will span across three days from April 14 through 16. The event is free and open to everyone at all ages and levels of knowledge.

The  Biosphere Blitz will take place within the boundaries of the MABR, which ranges from Nanoose Bay to Qualicum Bay  

This  event is a modification of our Annual MABR BioBlitz, in which we would  take a snapshot of biodiversity from one or two locations within the  Biosphere Region. Observations will be collected from any site within  the MABR’s boundaries from April 14 through 16. 

If you have any questions about the event, please contact Jessica.Pyett@viu.ca or Jacob.Frankel@viu.ca.

Our weather is getting more and unpredictable all the time, and the season we usually garden the most is usually the season with the least amount of rain. Come to this presentation to learn some tips and tricks to build soil that will hold more water, and how to collect and use water more efficiently in your garden.  After a slide show presentation participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and also to tour the Beban Learning Center Community Garden. 

All participants will go home with some native plants and seeds from the NALT native plant nursery.

 Register Here

Garry oak ecosystems (GOEs) are drought-adapted landscapes of cultural and ecological significance to our region. They are one of the most biodiverse, but also one of the most threatened, ecosystems in Canada. Come and find out more about this fascinating ecosystem and VIU’s restoration efforts.

This event is an open house format. Drop in between 1-4 p.m. at the site between buildings 370 and 375.

Please park in lot J for this event, parking is free. 

 Map link https://www.viu.ca/map

 Registration: Free but please email sustainability@viu.ca to let us know you’ll be stopping in.

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/events/hamilton-marsh-tour/

Come visit the largest wetland around – Hamilton Marsh!  Volunteers from the Friends of French Creek Conservation Society, Arrowsmith Naturalists, and the Hamilton Marsh Committee will be on hand to provide guided tours of this amazing wetland.

Tours take place between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., easy walking, dress in layers and don’t wear your good shoes. $5 registration. 

Ducks Unlimited Canada, Oceanside Chapter will be on hand to tell you all about wetlands and also provide draw prizes.

Visit our website and watch our stunning video at hamilton-marsh.com. 

April 21st from 9:30am-4:00 p.m.

Come see the amazing journey our drinking water takes from the mountains to our homes! Enjoy an exclusive guided tour of the Nanaimo River Drinking Watershed followed by a tour of Nanaimo’s innovative Water Treatment Plant. Experts from City of Nanaimo and Mosaic will be on hand to discuss forestry, water quality, future plans and answer questions. Don’t forget your camera! 

Register Here

Discover a new approach to landscaping! Wild and natural landscapes are biodiverse, drought tolerant, and more resilient to climate change. In this workshop, learn how to work with nature, garden with native species and how to incorporate natural design features to create beautiful, multi-functional, outdoor spaces. Participants will go home with a small selection of wild / native plants.

Register here

11:00am - 3:00pm

Kinsmen Park and Kin Hut in Departure Bay Beach, Nanaimo

Join Team WaterSmart at a community event that celebrates local stewardship organizations from across the region who are taking action to restore, protect, and safeguard our environment - from caring for our local waterways, to removing invasive plants, and much more! Check out some interactive activities for all ages and learn how you can get involved.