 Summer 2025August 13, 2025 Summer’s in full swing here in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. The long days and sunshine invite us outside to explore, connect and create – whether that means exploring local wildlife and ecosystems, joining in on community activities or getting a new course certification! Summer is a time for curiosity and adventure, offering countless ways to engage with nature, culture, and learning. Join a hands-on workshop, take part in a beach clean-up, or learn things you’ve never known about the forest with a guided walk along the trail. In this newsletter, you’ll find a look into some events happening later this year, a few upcoming courses and experiences designed to help you make the most of summer on the West Coast. |
| About the Instructor: Megan & Robin | |
Join Megan and Robin at our upcoming West Coast Fibre Art Retreat this November for two inspiring workshops. Megan is a seasoned knitwear designer from Abbotsford, BC, with a welcoming teaching style and an expert in garment construction. With over 15 years of experience, she’s passionate about helping knitters create sweaters they’ll love to wear, customized to fit and flatter. Robin is the owner of Sooke Yarn & Fibre, a cozy shop specializing in ethically sourced, small-batch yarns from local farms and mills. A dedicated knitter, spinner, and natural dyer, Robin brings her love of local materials and sustainability into her eco-printing workshop! Megan and Robin’s workshops offer a welcoming space to learn, connect, and create.
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| | About the Instructor: Rose, Brian & Faye | |
We’re excited to welcome back three returning instructors to this year’s Fibre Art Retreat! Rose is a Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ cedar weaver from Hitacu whose work blends self-taught skill with traditional teachings passed down from Elders, using red and yellow cedar bark and specific grasses to create clothing, hats, and baskets rich in cultural meaning. Rose and her son Brian bring generations of knowledge to their workshops. Faye Kennington has been part of our fibre retreats since the beginning. Based on Vancouver Island, she’s known for her thoughtful, nature-inspired designs and her ability to help knitters build skills with confidence. Her patterns reflect the textures and calm of the West Coast, inviting makers to slow down and enjoy the rhythm of their craft.
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| Look back at our 2024 Fibre Art Retreat | |
The 2024 West Coast Fibre Art Retreat brought together fibre artists from across the region for three days of creativity, learning, and community. Held at Black Rock Oceanfront Resort in Ucluelet, the event featured workshops in cedar weaving, marine debris macrame, thrum knitting and mitten construction. Participants connected over shared skills, explored new techniques and created pieces that reflected both tradition and innovation. The group explored the Wild Pacific Trail with the knowledgeable Barb Beasley of the Wetland Stewards to appreciate the rugged coastline and rainforest. They also enjoyed the vendor marketplace for an opportunity to mingle, enjoy wine, cheese and desserts, as well as discover unique, locally crafted items.
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| | Yoga History & Philosophy with Tofino Yoga | |
This enriching module from Tofino Yoga invites teachers and enthusiasts to explore the 8 limbs of yoga as a living, embodied practice. Through guided study of the Yamas & Niyamas, Ayurveda, chakras, subtle body, mantras, and kirtan, participants will deepen their understanding of yoga’s philosophical roots. Led by Dede Monette, Dawn Batenchuk, Jane Good, and Ricardo Allen, this YACEP-accredited course counts toward the 300hr Yoga Alliance certification when completed as part of Tofino Yoga School’s full program.
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| | ISA Surf Level 1 Instructor Course | |
This internationally recognized surf instructor certification offers aspiring coaches the tools and techniques needed to lead lessons with confidence and safety. Delivered online and open to students worldwide, the ISA Level 1 course covers beginner to early-intermediate instruction, emphasizing practical skills, communication and safety leadership. Accredited by the ISA and widely required for professional employment, this foundational course sets the standard for surf schools globally and serves as a key stepping stone in surf education.
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| | SKGABC Level 1 Day Guide Course | |
This immersive course prepares participants for guiding day trips on coastal waters through hands-on training in boat handling, rescue techniques, navigation, and group leadership. Offered by SKILS and accredited by the Sea Kayak Guides Alliance of BC, the program includes the Level 1 Guide Exam and offers a pathway to Assistant Overnight Guide certification. Training modules include Coastal Guide Leadership, Coastal Planning & Navigation, and Sea Kayak Fundamentals Level 1.
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West Coast N.E.S.T. (Nature. Education. Sustainability. Transformation.), a program of the
Clayoquot Biosphere Trust, is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Curriculum Developer to
lead the creation of high-quality, engaging, and accessible learning experiences. The successful candidate will work closely with program staff, subject matter experts, and community partners to create curriculum and educational resources that align with our goals and reflect the needs of diverse learners.
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