West Coast NEST Winter Newsletter

Winter 2026

March 13, 2026

It's hard to believe we are already over two months into the new year. Time truly flies! We hope that winter has allowed you some opportunities to slow down, reflect, and make space for learning. At the West Coast NEST, we see this season as a time of possibility, a chance to gather new skills, spark fresh ideas, and connect more deeply with the people and places that inspire us. As the days begin to stretch a little longer and the first signs of spring emerge, there is a quiet sense of renewal in the air. The herring have begun to spawn along our shores, and some daffodils have already started to flower in the region, a lovely reminder that spring is just around the corner and new growth is on the horizon.

We are excited to see spring programming begin to roll out, with new events and courses designed to inspire and engage. Summer offerings are also starting to become available from multiple partners across the region, opening up even more ways to learn, create, and connect in the months ahead. Whether you are planning your next workshop or mapping out your summer adventures, we cannot wait to share what is in store.

West Coast Fibre Art Retreat
Save the Date!
Our 2026 West Coast Fibre Art retreat will take place on November 4-6 at the beautiful Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet. Will you join us? You’ll have opportunities to deepen your knitting practice, explore additional fibre art techniques, walk the Wild Pacific Trail with a naturalist, and browse our evening marketplace featuring local vendors. There will also be free time for you to relax and explore the region. Tickets will be on sale this spring. Stay tuned!
Learn more
Have you seen our newest StoryMap?
Learn all about amphibian underpasses on the Pacific Rim Highway with Barbara Beasley of the Association of Wetland Stewards for Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. See what is being done to help migrating frogs and salamanders survive road crossings. Dive into the details of the SLPAT (Society for the Prevention of Little Amphibian Tragedies) project!
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Board Governance Workshop
Board Governance Workshop with Michael Blatchford
This session will explore the legal and governance requirements for charities and non-profit organizations and their boards of directors, with a focus on the practical issues that regularly lead to larger problems. Topics will include: the regulatory difference between a charity and non-profit, the role of members vs. directors, fiduciary duties of directors, conflict of interest, confidentiality and governance models vs. operational management.
Register Now
Pacific Rim Whale Festival March 14-21
The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is 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.
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Drawing What You Sea March 15
Join the Tofino Arts Council his ocean-focused workshop for a morning of drawing marine creatures with Natasha van Netten! Learn observational techniques, complete short projects, and sketch marine creatures from life at the Ucluelet Aquarium.
Register Now
Monarch Butterfly Migrations April 2
Raincoast Education Society is excited to host their 2026 Speaker Series, Incredible Journeys, featuring guest speakers exploring the science behind some of the planet’s most remarkable migrations. Join them in April for this free session on the spectacular Monarch Butterfly fall migration!
Register Now
This past November, we hosted the 8th West Coast Fibre Art Retreat at the Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet. The event brought together fibre enthusiasts from near and far for three days of creativity, connection, and inspiration. Located on the edge of Big Beach, with waves crashing just outside our windows, the retreat offered the perfect backdrop for making art, sharing skills, and enjoying the West Coast’s natural beauty.