Team WaterSmart

Welcome to the Team WaterSmart Get Involved RDN page!

Check out all of the great upcoming initiatives being offered throughout the Regional District of Nanaimo. We will keep our community calendar up-to-date with where to find Team WaterSmart - whether it's fun community events, educational workshops, or adventurous outdoor activities.

Water conservation and environmental protection are values shared by all of us so come get involved and help to appreciate our water...because every drop counts!

Fall / Winter 2025:

Have you entered our Water Saver Contest yet? Tell us about your water conservation habits for the chance to win a rain barrel! Click here to learn more.
Team WaterSmart in your community - Check out our events calendar to see when Team WaterSmart will be in your community with our interactive booth. Ask us for information and resources on water stewardship rebates, irrigation advice, water saving techniques, water restrictions, and more!
Go on a self-guided tour of Rain Gardens in your community! Do you want to learn more about Raingardens and visit some in your community? Check out this brochure and then go and see some in action!
WellSmart Workshops - The next in-person WellSmart workshop will be held on October 30, 2025 at the Beban Centre: register here. Representatives from the Province of BC's Water and Natural Resource department and Island Health can teach you about rural groundwater stewardship and how to best protect your well. If you missed these in-person workshops, check out the recording at rdn.bc.ca/wellsmart and submit any questions to watersmart@rdn.bc.ca.
Fall Outdoor Water Conservation - Ensure you are aware of watering restrictions in your area. Every drop counts! Click here to learn more.
Water Stewardship Rebates- rebates are nearing the deadline to apply and close December 15 2025. Do not miss out and get pre-approved today!
For all RDN residents (electoral area and municipal residents) new for 2025 the Irrigation and Soil rebate is now open to Strata groups
- Irrigation Upgrades and Soil Improvements - up to $875
- Rainwater Harvesting - up to $1,000
- Wellhead Upgrades - up to $650
- Well Water Testing - up to $300
Students! Do you have water-friendly landscape design ideas to share? Check out our ideas board.
Grade 4 and 5 teachers in SD 68&69- Watershed Field Trips are back this year and have already been filled! Email us to get first pick of Spring Field Trip Dates! Also, check out Freshwater Connections - Water Where We Live school modules for Grades K-7.

Welcome to the Team WaterSmart Get Involved RDN page!

Water conservation and environmental protection are values shared by all of us so come get involved and help to appreciate our water...because every drop counts!

Fall / Winter 2025:

Have you entered our Water Saver Contest yet? Tell us about your water conservation habits for the chance to win a rain barrel! Click here to learn more.
Team WaterSmart in your community - Check out our events calendar to see when Team WaterSmart will be in your community with our interactive booth. Ask us for information and resources on water stewardship rebates, irrigation advice, water saving techniques, water restrictions, and more!
Go on a self-guided tour of Rain Gardens in your community! Do you want to learn more about Raingardens and visit some in your community? Check out this brochure and then go and see some in action!
WellSmart Workshops - The next in-person WellSmart workshop will be held on October 30, 2025 at the Beban Centre: register here. Representatives from the Province of BC's Water and Natural Resource department and Island Health can teach you about rural groundwater stewardship and how to best protect your well. If you missed these in-person workshops, check out the recording at rdn.bc.ca/wellsmart and submit any questions to watersmart@rdn.bc.ca.
Fall Outdoor Water Conservation - Ensure you are aware of watering restrictions in your area. Every drop counts! Click here to learn more.
Water Stewardship Rebates- rebates are nearing the deadline to apply and close December 15 2025. Do not miss out and get pre-approved today!
For all RDN residents (electoral area and municipal residents) new for 2025 the Irrigation and Soil rebate is now open to Strata groups
- Irrigation Upgrades and Soil Improvements - up to $875
- Rainwater Harvesting - up to $1,000
- Wellhead Upgrades - up to $650
- Well Water Testing - up to $300
Students! Do you have water-friendly landscape design ideas to share? Check out our ideas board.
Grade 4 and 5 teachers in SD 68&69- Watershed Field Trips are back this year and have already been filled! Email us to get first pick of Spring Field Trip Dates! Also, check out Freshwater Connections - Water Where We Live school modules for Grades K-7.

W2E Video Series Quiz Contest

Ready to win some great environmentally themed prizes during Water to Earth month? Check out our new short video series and answer a quiz and you could win. Prizes include a rainbarrel, native plants and seeds, reusable coffee and water containers, an umbrella and zero waste kits.

Plus, you get to learn about water in our region!

1. Just click on the link to start the quiz. The videos are part of the quiz so you don't need to watch them separately.

START QUIZ HERE

2. Answer all the questions and be sure to enter your email so we know how to contact you for the draw.

3. The quiz is open until April 18th and we will draw for the prizes on Earth Day, April 22nd.

Check out the RDN Social Media throughout the month for more ways to win!

Share Improving wetland function while providing a home for native animals on Facebook Share Improving wetland function while providing a home for native animals on Twitter Share Improving wetland function while providing a home for native animals on Linkedin Email Improving wetland function while providing a home for native animals link

Improving wetland function while providing a home for native animals

by jsenka, over 3 years ago

We have a wetland pond which empties into the Chase River via an ephemeral Creek on our 5 acre condo property. This is part of the Chase River watershed and serves to help filter run-off before it enters the Chase. Approximately 1/3 has been left natural. This area became overcome with Himalayan Blackberries. We removed virtually all of this invasive species, and with the help of the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund and the Nanaimo & Area Land Trust as well as 25 volunteers planted over 200 native plants which are now beginning to bud out - providing a natural habitat... Continue reading