Summer 2022

June 23, 2022

Usually, summer is the time to unwind. It’s the time to take a few extra days off from work or slip away early on a Friday afternoon; it’s the time to organize those family reunions and neighbourhood barbeques; it’s the time to pack the kids up in the car or on a plane without looking back.

Except the last few summers haven’t felt like that. Instead, they’ve been almost as dark and stormy as the long winter months. And while we tried to make the most of it— we explored our own backyards when roundtrips to Europe weren’t allowed and met friends virtually for coffee dates—we’re looking forward to a summer that’s just a little bit closer to normal.

This summer it’s all about getting back to life in person. It’s about fostering those bonds we have with each other through physical contact and conversations that don’t begin with “I can’t see you—turn on your camera!” This summer is all about exploring and learning by physically connecting with the land we inhabit, with the tools we share and, most importantly, with each other.

Teacher Professional Development Workshop

Workshops at Cedar Coast Field Station are back! The three-day Teacher Professional Development Workshop help teachers develop the knowledge and skills to get their students out of the classroom and into the real world. Teachers will learn about the research being done at Cedar Coast as they create networks and strategies for connecting the curriculum with the land they are learning on.

Carving on the Edge Festival

This year, the annual Carving on the Edge Festival will once again be held in person from September 8 to 13 to honour the tradition of coastal carving. This year’s theme, mułmunčʔałuk: Taking Care of the Roots, serves as a reminder to give back to those who share and pass on their knowledge. This complements the new location of the festival, which will be held at the new Na’Waya’Sum Coastal Indigenous Gardens, which is named for the Nuu-chah-nulth term meaning “the transfer of knowledge from one generation to another.”

Safety Courses

As we get back to in-person exploration and soaking up the sun on beaches and in the ocean, we must remember to respect and be mindful of the dangers posed by nature and wildlife. Between the Bear Safety courses offered by SafeWildBC and the SKILS courses on boating and water safety, Clayoquot Sound Region offers plenty of resources to keep you educated and safe before heading out to explore this summer!

Interpretive Walks

This summer, explore and learn all about the history, wildlife, and ecosystems of Clayoquot Sound Region with the return of guided walks. Take a stroll through Ucluelet’s Wild Pacific Trails and learn about everything from sea wolves to tidepools. Or, explore Pacific Rim National Park Reserve and learn about sand dunes, coastal creatures, and how to identify animal tracks.

Art on the Edge Course

This four-day workshop at the Ucluelet Community Centre provides the opportunity for painters of all skill levels to learn from an award-winning artist. Carole Finn will share her love for the landscapes of the Pacific West by teaching modern impressionism, landscape art and how to use Photoshop.

Edible Garden Tour

Looking to spend some time in your garden this year, but not sure where to start? Get inspired by some of the most creative (and delicious!) home gardens with the Edible Garden Tours hosted by Tofino Community Food Initiative. The tour takes place July 22nd in Tofino and August 4th in Ucluelet.

Welcoming Tamagawa University for Place-Based Learning

This month, West Coast NEST welcomed Agriculture students from Tamagawa University for a personalized education program. These students come all the way from Japan to spend a semester studying at the school's satellite campus in Nanaimo, and now they've made their way to Tofino and Ucluelet. Over the course of three days, the students got to connect with great organizations in Clayoquot Sound Region to explore and learn all about the forests, coast, and Indigenous culture found in the region. Read the full story through the link below!