 Spring 2021 March 4, 2021 As the days begin to get longer and the weather gets warmer, we are looking forward to a spring full of learning opportunities. Many local organizations and businesses have adapted their upcoming festivals and events to a blend of virtual and in-person programming to ensure visitors and residents alike can continue learning about our amazing ecosystems and communities from the safety and comfort of their homes. This transition online has also been an exciting opportunity for the West Coast NEST to find creative alternatives to some of our initiatives including the recently released PromoScience StoryMaps collection highlighting marine, environmental, and sustainability research and monitoring programs in Clayoquot Sound. We also have been focusing more on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Clayoquot Biosphere Region. We recently hosted a full-day SDG Bootcamp for Ucluelet Secondary School students and we're looking forward to more SDG education opportunities this spring! |
| Pacific Rim Whale Festival | |
Come join the communities of the Clayoquot Biosphere Region as we celebrate the annual migration of the grey whale from Mexican to Alaskan waters from March 15 – 21. The Pacific Rim Whale Festival is in its 34th year of running and aims to raise awareness about the endangered grey whale, the critical habitat and ecosystems of Clayoquot Sound, and our coastal traditions. This year’s week-long festival will be a blend of virtual and in-person events, featuring many amazing educational workshops and events including daily events as part of Maritime Kid’s Week, guest speaker events, interpretive walks, culinary events, cultural workshops, and more!
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| | Carving on the Edge Festival | |
The annual Carving on the Edge Festival celebrates the traditional and contemporary west coast carving arts, the carving artists, and the rich cultural history of our region. This year's Carving on the Edge Festival will be hosted virtually March 26 - 28, and will feature the works of Gordon Dick, Kelly Robinson, and more! Joe Martin will be mentoring apprentices on stewardship and canoe carving, and Hesquiaht elders will be hosting a session about language revitalization efforts. The festival will also include self-guided tours and resources to help participants explore all of the spectacular carvings across Nuu-chah-nulth territory.
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| Magnificent Mollusks Speaker Series | |
Mollusks compose nearly a quarter of all marine species and are extremely diverse, dynamic, and delightful. From their economic value as food and jewellery, to their use in large-scale efforts to renew and recreate healthy ecosystems now and into the future, mollusks play an important role in countless aspects of our day-to-day lives. The speaker series will introduce you to experts from around the world who will take you on a deep dive into the remarkable world of mollusks. Join Raincoast Education Society for the last 2 events of their Magnificent Mollusks virtual speaker series on March 9 and March 23 exploring shellfish aquaculture in Clayoquot Sound with JP Harvey and the environmental benefits of oyster reefs with Professor Melanie Bishop.
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| | Yoga Teacher Training | |
Tofino Yoga will be hosting a 3-week intensive Yoga Teacher Training course from April 12 – May 2 (dates tentative) at the beautiful Tofino Ecolodge, located in the heart of the Tofino Botanical Gardens. Yogis can look forward to learning about the history of yoga, intro to pranayama and meditation, yoga anatomy, yoga philosophy, hatha yoga classes, kirtan, intro to yogi diet, vinyasa yoga and workshops, yoga teacher ethics, the business of yoga, kids yoga, and much more.
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| | Explore Clayoquot Sound Virtually! | |
While it’s not possible to travel to Clayoquot Sound right now, the learning doesn’t have to stop! Many local organizations and businesses have created alternative ways for you to explore the region from the comfort and safety of your home and keep you learning about the amazing ecosystems and communities of the Clayoquot Biosphere Region at a distance. These educational resources range from topics such as marine and terrestrial ecosystems, saving the wild salmon, Nuu-chah-nulth languages, and the arts and crafts.
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| | Seaweed Fest | |
Seaweed Fest is a 3-day food-themed festival that pairs immersive learning and quality dining! The fest brings together many local organizations and businesses to host awesome learning opportunities and workshops all about seaweed. The fest includes speaker events with seaweed experts, seaweed stories, expert-guided beach walks, foraging and culinary workshops, and seaweed-themed meals. The 2021 Seaweed Fest has been postponed until the fall, stay tuned for more details.
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Check out this awesome collection of StoryMaps exploring the diverse marine, environmental, and sustainability research and monitoring projects underway in the Clayoquot Biosphere Region!
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