2024 West Coast Fibre Art Retreat Ucluelet - West Coast NEST

Winter 2024

December 12, 2024

As winter settles in on the rugged West Coast, it offers a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and dream ahead. The shorter days and cooler weather create the perfect backdrop for thoughtful planning and anticipation of what’s to come. While the season may feel quieter, it’s also a time to lay the groundwork for exciting adventures and enriching experiences in the months ahead.

Spring promises to bring a vibrant array of learning opportunities, from hands-on workshops that spark creativity to immersive experiences that deepen your connection to this remarkable region. In this newsletter, we invite you to join us as we look back on the highlights of our recent Fibre Art Retreat, and look forward to the inspiring programs and events on the horizon for the spring.

Happy holidays from the West Coast N.E.S.T. team!

Holiday Giving Catalogue

Looking for a meaningful way to give back to the place you love or searching for the perfect gift idea this holiday season? Donate to the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust's Holiday Giving Catalogue! This online campaign raises essential funds for charities working hard to strengthen local communities and ecosystems. This year, your generosity will go even further, thanks to Pacific Sands Beach Resort, as they are matching all donations up to $10,000. Help support transformative learning experiences on the West Coast by giving to our incredible local partners. Donate by January 1st to make an impact and enjoy 2024 tax credits!

Browse the Giving Catalogue

2024 West Coast Fibre Art Retreat

This past November, we celebrated seven incredible years of the West Coast Fibre Art Retreat! It’s always a joy to welcome both first-time participants and familiar faces who return year after year. Over the course of a few inspiring days, attendees embraced creativity, deepened their skills, and enjoyed the breathtaking ocean views. This annual retreat has become a treasured event for fiber art enthusiasts, drawing not only locals but also guests from across British Columbia, other provinces, and even around the globe!

West Coast Fibre Art Retreat West Coast NEST

Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region StoryMaps West Coast NEST

Keep learning with our StoryMaps!

Looking for engaging winter reading? Explore our captivating collection of StoryMaps, created in collaboration with our local partners. Dive into inspiring stories about marine life, environmental science, sustainability, and conservation in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Plus, we’re currently teaming up with partners to bring you even more StoryMaps—stay tuned for exciting updates in the New Year!

Datum Marine Services Spring Courses West Coast NEST

Small Vessel Marine Training

Datum Marine Services offers a range of courses based out of Tofino, all designed to prepare students for success in the commercial marine industry. As experts in commercial powerboat handling and navigation, they deliver Transport Canada-accredited courses in both classroom and hands-on formats, giving you practical skills for safer, more confident operation on the water. From VHF radio certification to essential safety courses, elevate your marine skills this spring with Datum Marine Services!

Learn More

2025 Pacific Rim Whale Festival

Will you be visiting the region this spring? Don't miss the Pacific Rim Whale Festival—an annual event celebrating the return of Pacific Grey Whales to the west coast of Vancouver Island on their Northern migration route. The week-long festival hosts a number of fun events throughout Tofino, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim National Park. Stay tuned for more details about their educational event schedule!

Learn More

SKILS Sea Kayaking on the West Coast Courses West Coast NEST

SKILS Courses

Are you ready to take your paddling skills to the next level or become a certified sea kayak guide? SKILS (Sea Kayak Instruction and Leadership Systems) has released their 2025 schedule, packed with a variety of educational kayaking courses in Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, starting in the spring! With SKGABC and Paddle Canada certification options, plus a range of experiences from weekend courses to multi-day adventures, there's something for everyone. Will you be joining them for your next paddling adventure?

Learn More

Land-Based Learning at Hiłsyaqƛis, Tranquil Creek Watershed with Redd Fish Restoration West Coast NEST

Looking Back: Meaningful Days of Land-Based Learning at Hiłsyaqƛis, Tranquil Creek Watershed

Earlier this year, local high school students joined us and the team at Redd Fish Restoration Society for two transformative days of land-based learning at Hiłsyaqƛis, the Tranquil Creek watershed. This experience was more than an educational outing—it was a journey into ecological restoration, cultural history, and the power of interconnectedness, guided by the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) principle of hišukʔiš c̓awaak (everything is one). Read the full Story with the link below!