The Raincoast Speaker Series is a long-running social and educational phenomenon! Each winter season, we invite the community to brave the rain and join a panel of experts for in-depth discussions about locally, regionally, and globally relevant issues. New this year we will be offering the series in parallel in Ucluelet and Tofino - that means two opportunities to see each speaker! Attend all 5 topics for your chance to win a prize.

This year’s theme is “Charismatic Microfauna”. Whether you are into bugs that break down decaying forest debris and turn over soil or sea butterflies that help us monitor ocean acidification, there is something to capture your heart in this year’s Raincoast Speaker Series.

Cost: $5 at the door.

The Raincoast Speaker Series is a long-running social and educational phenomenon! Each winter season, we invite the community to brave the rain and join a panel of experts for in-depth discussions about locally, regionally, and globally relevant issues. New this year we will be offering the series in parallel in Ucluelet and Tofino - that means two opportunities to see each speaker! Attend all 5 topics for your chance to win a prize.

This year’s theme is “Charismatic Microfauna”. Whether you are into bugs that break down decaying forest debris and turn over soil or sea butterflies that help us monitor ocean acidification, there is something to capture your heart in this year’s Raincoast Speaker Series.

For their size, barnacles possess the longest penis of any animal (up to eight times their body length). A necessity when you’re an animal stuck to a rock during your reproductive phase. Dr. Chris Neufeld will be speaking about the fascinating life history of barnacles. From a free-floating larvae to a very well-endowed adult, barnacles are more interesting than you would expect from something that kind of looks like a tiny bump on a rock.

Cost: $5 at the door.

The Raincoast Speaker Series is a long-running social and educational phenomenon! Each winter season, we invite the community to brave the rain and join a panel of experts for in-depth discussions about locally, regionally, and globally relevant issues. New this year we will be offering the series in parallel in Ucluelet and Tofino - that means two opportunities to see each speaker! Attend all 5 topics for your chance to win a prize.

This year’s theme is “Charismatic Microfauna”. Whether you are into bugs that break down decaying forest debris and turn over soil or sea butterflies that help us monitor ocean acidification, there is something to capture your heart in this year’s Raincoast Speaker Series.

For their size, barnacles possess the longest penis of any animal (up to eight times their body length). A necessity when you’re an animal stuck to a rock during your reproductive phase. Dr. Chris Neufeld will be speaking about the fascinating life history of barnacles. From a free-floating larvae to a very well-endowed adult, barnacles are more interesting than you would expect from something that kind of looks like a tiny bump on a rock.

Cost: $5 at the door.

Eating local is not only delicious, but it also reduces our carbon footprint and helps support farmers in our neighbouring communities. With spring planting just around the corner, let's gather together to celebrate the craftsmanship of local food growing. There'll be something for everyone from the backyard grower to the seasoned agriculturist, food lovers, and families.

This year’s feature events will focus on the future of creating community-scale food systems on the west coast. This year's programme is being developed in response to recommendations set out in the Coastal Addendum to the Alberni Agriculture Plan in 2018.

A complete list of workshops and events can be found here.

The Tofino Community Food Initiative is a non-profit community group dedicated to fostering food security on the west coast through gardening workshops, community gardens, and food literacy programs.

To volunteer sign-up here.

Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of food waste from farm, through retail, all the way to the back of their own fridge. After catching a glimpse of the billions of dollars of good food that is tossed each year in North America, they pledge to quit grocery shopping and survive only on discarded food. What they find is truly shocking.

Tickets $10 (not included in weekend workshop pass). Purchase online or at the door.

Pacific coastal food brings to mind the vast bounty of foods that are plentiful in the forest and ocean. While many consider these foods ‘wild’, First Nations have been in deep relationship with flora and fauna over generations. Join Gisele Martin on a walking tour of the Tofino Botanical Gardens and learn about cultural lifeways that continue to protect Indigenous family gardens.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass).

Kelby of Surfrider Pacific Rim will be demonstrating how to make your own reusable beeswax wrap. Using beeswax wraps keeps food fresh while replacing wasteful single-use plastic wrap.

By donation

Learn the ins and outs of keeping chickens on the coast. Topics will include choosing breeds, using chickens to increase the compost supply for your farm and garden and to diversify your farm income.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Saturday or weekend workshop pass)

Learn to safely preserve seasonal produce with local PRESERVESafe certified trainers. This information session will focus on the principles of drying, boiling water bath canning, and pressure canning for both home preservation and for agriculturalists looking to reduce food waste and expand their business through the sale of preserved food products.

By donation to Eat West Coast / Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Teach the next generation of food growers on how to grow food in our unique climate.  Learn what grows best on the coast, how to grow it and manage it with the entire family.

By donation

An overview of the processes involved in mushroom cultivation (from inception to harvest). Learn about the challenges faced by a start-up mushroom farm.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass)

Learn about using agricultural innovation to increase small community resilience with local and visiting experts. Professional agrologist and ethnobotanist, Hannah Roesler, will present on education-based initiatives that are currently underway to bolster local food growing around Vancouver Island.  Louise Rodgers will talk about innovations in agricultural systems as they relate to organic waste management. Lastly, the Tofino Community Food Initiative will discuss the current and future agricultural initiatives they are working on locally.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass)

There are numerous potential synergies between agriculture and tourism. Join this session to understand the full spectrum of agri-tourism opportunities available to BC farms and to identify useful strategies to diversify farm revenue through agri-tourism. Participants will learn about BC’s manual “Farm Diversification through Agri-Tourism” and leave with ideas and better insight about what is involved to successfully design and deliver exceptional experiences to BC visitors on our diverse farms.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass)

Kelby of Surfrider Pacific Rim will be demonstrating how to make your own produce bags. Using produce bags from repurposed materials eliminates the use of single-use plastic bags in the grocery store.

By donation

Chad Jeremy Young’s practice of beekeeping is guided by his respect for all living species that contribute to the vitality of our west coast ecosystems and food production. His approach views the entire system as one: alders, mushrooms, ducks - they all have a role. During this forum, Chad will be taking questions and facilitating discussion about beekeeping on the coast. All points of view are welcome on this varied topic - expect to learn tips to start and maintain a healthy hive and more!

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass)

Learn to safely preserve seasonal produce with local PRESERVESafe certified trainers. This information session will focus on the principles of drying, boiling water bath canning, and pressure canning for both home preservation and for agriculturalists looking to reduce food waste and expand their business through the sale of preserved food products.

By donation to Eat West Coast / Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

With our unique temperate climate, we are able to grow food year-round. Connie Kuramoto will go through the basics of crop planning for a coastal garden and participants will have the opportunity to break into small groups to work on their garden plan.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass).

The lush rainforest ecosystem of the west coast has infamously provided nutrient-poor soils for agricultural growing. How can we build and sustain rich soils in our region and create a viable environment for growing food? Compost! Join local composting expert, Georgina Valk, to learn how to make your own wildlife proof composter. 

By donation

The benefits of small-scale community focused farming extend way beyond the provision of fresh, local and nutritious food. Residents gain knowledge about local food systems, increase their food literacy and connection to seasonality. Moreover, a community-based farm offers opportunities for volunteerism, for skills sharing between generations and to connect with your neighbours. Come and learn from some successful models of small-scale growing initiatives on the island.

Tickets $10 at the door (included in Sunday or weekend workshop pass).

photo: Workshop presenter Anna Lewis in 2019 from Hupacasath Community Farm.

Seaweed isn't just for sushi! Come learn about this nutrient-rich ocean plant.

This unique event series offers nourishment for the mind and belly! Raincoast Education Society and Long Beach Lodge Resort are collaborating to offer a collection of ‘Discover & Dine’ experiences that include a hands-on, coastline-focused workshop followed by a themed feast in honour of the daily lesson.

Time: All Day (starts at 10am in the field ending with dinner at 6pm)

Location: Long Beach Lodge Resort, with field excursions to the beach

Cost: $89/per person (+ taxes and gratuity, includes 3-course dinner)

Limited space available so be sure to reserve your spot today by emailing events@longbeachlodgeresort.com or call 1 250 725 2442