March 22 → April 22 2024

Water to Earth Month

March 20 2024

WellSmart Workshop in Errington

We will be hosting one in-person WellSmart Workshop this spring, during Water to Earth Month: 

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, from 6-8 p.m. at Errington Hall, 1390 Errington Road

This event is FREE but registration is required - REGISTER HERE or by calling 250-248-3252


With representatives from Island Health and the Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resource Stewardship

Learn about:

  • Well Maintenance and operation
  • Protecting your water source
  • Water testing and treatment
  • Water treatment options
  • Drought management
April 24 2024

Raingardens Presentation

Wednesday, April 24, 2024, 1:00- 2:30 p.m.

Nanoose Place Community Centre


INTRODUCING RAIN GARDENS
“Rain gardens” are sprouting up everywhere. But surely every garden in our area is a rain garden, given the heavy rains we get? Not quite! Learn exactly what rain gardens are, the many benefits they provide and why they’re essential for climate resilience. Take a photo tour of a few North Delta rain gardens, then learn how to create your own -- whether quick 'n' easy, or larger and a bit more ambitious.

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

She and husband Ib Nielsen joined the volunteer group Cougar Creek Streamkeepers in 2004, after noticing illegal tree-cutting on the banks of the most productive salmon stream in North Delta. They put their gardening experience to work on a restoration planting project along that streambank. One project led to another, and then another, and then another ….

Deb now serves as volunteer Rain Gardens Coordinator for Cougar Creek Streamkeepers. She oversees the maintenance of 30+ 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.


April 09 2024

Septic Smart Workshop (Cedar)

Cedar Community Hall
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
2388 Cedar Road
Click here to register

April 11 2024

Septic Smart Workshop (Coombs)

Bradley Centre
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
975 Shearme Road, Coombs
Click here to register

April 20 2024

Open House: Greater Nanaimo Pollution Control Centre

11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
4600 Hammond Bay Road
(access is off McGuffie Road)

Facility tours will be offered at 11:15 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. 

Each tour is limited to 10 people. Call 250-390-6560 to reserve a space.

March 21 2024

Vernal Seeps and Pools- The Hydrology of Harewood Plains

Activity Room 1 Bowen Park Complex, 500 Bowen Road. 

7 pm 

Vernal Seeps and Pools – The Hydrology of the Harewood Plains. 

A presentation by Scott Black, hosted by the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust (NALT). FREE admission.

March 23 → March 24 2024

Streamkeepers Course hosted by NALT

April 05 2024

Brant Childrens Festival

Team WaterSmart and many other community partners and groups will be attending the Brant Childrens Festival hosted at Arrowview Elementary. 

Open to the public from 2:30-4:30p.m. 

April 05 → April 08 2024

Brant Wildlife Festival

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/

The Brant Wildlife Festival aims to connect community with the spectacular migratory return of Brant geese to raise awareness for the biological diversity within the region and highlight the importance of protecting critical habitat and minimizing disturbance to wildlife. The Brant Wildlife Festival takes place during a time where wildlife is extremely active, with Brant Geese preparing for their migration and herring spawning, many other species are attracted to the shores and waters. Beaches within the MABR and surrounding areas provide an abundant food source for the Brant geese in the midst of their migration.

The Brant Wildlife Festival brings together thousands of people each year to celebrate nature. The festival hosts a multitude of events in the Spring that connect people with nature, educate people of all ages on topics of conservation, and celebrate the incredible biodiversity our region has to offer. The Brant Wildlife Festival is the only one of its kind on Vancouver Island.

The 2024 Brant Wildlife Festival is taking place from April 5th – 8th. Stay tuned for updates on our schedule of events! Interested in hosting an event? Want to become a sponsor? We want to hear from you! Contact us at coordinator@brantfestival.bc.ca

April 06 2024

MABR Bio Blitz at Milner Gardens and Woodland

https://brantfestival.bc.ca/events/mabr-bio-blitz-at-milner-garden-and-woodland/

April 6, 9:30 am- 1:30pm

The annual MABR BioBlitz is coming back to Milner Gardens & Woodland in Qualicum Beach! This event is intended for beginner BioBlitzers who wish to learn how to identify plant, animal, and insect species alongside local knowledge holders with expertise in various fields of natural science. Registration is free and all are welcome to attend.

April 23 2024

NALT Western Painted Turtle Ambassador Program

https://nalt.bc.ca/western-painted-turtle/

NALT is excited to share a new Western Painted Turtle project that we are launching this year with our partners in the City of Nanaimo’s Parks, Recreation and Culture department, the provincial ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship and Nature Trust. Our Western Painted Turtle Ambassador program will get community members involved in stewardship of this threatened species, while at the same time helping us to collect valuable data on turtle population dynamics and nesting at Buttertubs Marsh. 

NALT's Ambassador program is eager to recruit more volunteers. Please email the Stewardship Manager if you would like to get involved!

The program will have volunteers to walk Buttertubs Marsh during the nesting season (mid-May to late July) at peak nesting hours (approximately 6:30 – 8:30pm), collect data on any nesting activities that are observed, and place caging to prevent predators like raccoons and crows from getting to the nest.

A training session will be held on Sunday, April 23.

April 15 → April 17 2024

MABR Wetland Monitoring

In partnership with the Regional District of Nanaimo's (RDN) Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program, the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI) conducts seasonal monitoring of wetlands throughout the RDN. 

This project aims to reduce existing data gaps pertaining to where wetlands are located, how wetlands are classified, and what role wetlands play in local groundwater recharge. MABRRI has established numerous priority sites in the region for long-term monitoring, and these sites are visited on a seasonal basis to gain an understanding of wetland health, water fluctuations throughout the year and how these wetlands function. 

 

Seasonal wetland site visits will be occurring between April 15th – 17th. If you would like to learn more or participate in this project, please contact Jacob.frankel@viu.ca.

April 19 2024

MABR Marine Debris Survey

Marine Debris Monitoring in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

This project is part of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) initiative, which aims to monitor, remove, and collect data regarding the movement and accumulation of marine debris across the globe. This research provides information that is critical to the development of prevention and mitigation strategies against plastic pollution and debris. NOAA is a leader in marine debris monitoring through their global database, the Marine Debris Monitoring and Assessment Program (MDMAP). The MDMAP consists of a global citizen science network that conducts marine debris surveys using the same methods that are used to monitor beaches in the MABR. MABRRI has 4 beach sites, spanning from Nanoose Bay to Qualicum Bay, which are monitored seasonally with the help of our amazing volunteers. All the debris found is recorded and (where possible) removed.

A training session and seasonal survey for this project will be held in French Creek on April 19th. If you would like to learn more or participate in this project, please contact Jacob.frankel@viu.ca.

April 19 2024

Nanaimo River Watershed and Treatment Plant Tour

https://cityofnanaimo.perfectmind.com/23733/Clients/BookMe4LandingPages/CoursesLandingPage?widgetId=9ffdc6c6-dfd5-45f4-9745-def901d20e55&redirectedFromEmbededMode=True&courseId=7d323506-b690-4425-b79e-eef84ac33eec

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!   Meet at the lower Bowen Parking Lot off Wall Street. Bring a lunch and wear suitable clothing and footwear for rugged ground and weather.

April 20 2024

Earth Day Celebration at Bowen Park

The City of Nanaimo and the RDN's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program along with community partners are 'celebrating local' this year for our Earth Day celebration.

Enjoy an interactive workshop, check out vendors and informative booths, go for a nature walk and try out a nature demo!

More details to come.

These workshops require a pre-registration:

Intro to Local Plant ID - presentation and forest walk part of Earth Day Event  - with Alicia Meek

Join us during our Earth Day Celebration event for an introduction to our local plants, how to ID them and what they have been traditionally used for.  Following this 30 min. presentation, we will take a walk through Bowen Park to discover what local plants make this park their home (walk will be approximately an hour long)

Saving Seeds   - with Connie Kuramoto

Plan now to save seeds this summer and fall.  By knowing what varieties to grow, which plants to save seeds from, and which ones are more difficult you can set yourself up with an abundance of your own seeds for the following year that are locally adapted to your garden.  Learn about the difference between open pollinated, and hybrid seeds, and which seeds are best and easiest to save and grow on the following year.  Also covered will be seed viability and germination tests.   This workshop is part of our Earth Day Celebration at Bowen.  

April 22 2024

Earth Day Invasive Plant Workparty

Register Here


Join like minded individuals and tackle invasive plants during one of our work parties. All necessary equipment and training provided.   Work parties are fun but physically taxing and best suited to those with a basic level of fitness and agility.  Wear sturdy shoes and bring gloves and loppers if you have them.

Event location: meet near upper picnic shelter
April 21 2024

Mosaic Tree Planting

Date: April 21 from 9am-2pm

Location: Harewood Mines Road (near the junction with Nanaimo Lakes Road), opposite the Nanaimo Animal Control building. 

What: Tree planting. Learn more about reforestation, plant trees and enjoy a hot dog.

 

April 17 2024

Qualicum Beach Committee of the Whole WaterSmart presentation

Come join the RDN's Drinking Water and Watershed Protection Program (DWWP) which includes Team WaterSmart to learn more about water protection and conservation in your community and how you can be watersmart at your home! 

Qualicum Beach Town Hall, #201 - 660 Primrose St 

4-5:30 p.m.- Team WaterSmart booth in foyer

6:00 p.m. WaterSmart presentation followed by Q&A