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Coming up in Cowichan: Orangutan expert, youth leadership workshop, Wooden Boat Festival

Youth Leadership and Team-Building workshop in Cowichan Bay
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Leif Cocks, a world-renowned expert on orangutans, is headed to the area on Sunday, June 30. (submitted)

Youth Leadership and Team-Building workshop in Cowichan Bay

On July 2 a diverse group of young people will gather at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre for a day of Youth Leadership and Team-Building.

“If you are a young person between the ages of 14 to 18 who wants to make a positive difference for the planet,” organizer Jane Kilthei says, “this may be just what you’re looking for.”

This day-long, interactive training for young change-makers runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Nature Centre and outdoors on the shores of the Cowichan Estuary in Hecate Park in Cowichan Bay. Participants will be in nature, hear the stories and wisdom of Cowichan elders, and have opportunities to explore and practice group leadership and team-building skills with others in a natural setting. Lunch is included.

This year’s youth leadership day is focused on “engagement for healthy watersheds and climate action”. The facilitation team includes Kim Lagimodiere, Cowichan Watershed Board educator and Cowichan Tribes biologist, and Laura Cuthbert, a leadership and community organizing trainer from Organize BC.

At the end of the day, youth will leave empowered and ready to use their unique skills and voices to engage others. This could be in learning about and restoring our watersheds, addressing the challenges of climate disruption in our communities, or working together or with a local non-profit in advocating for social or environmental justice.

Throughout the summer there will also be opportunities for these young leaders to put their team-building skills into action working together on water conservation and watershed restoration projects in the Cowichan and Koksilah Watersheds — and to get school credit for volunteering.

Cost for the workshop is on a sliding scale between $25 and $45, including lunch.

A number of full bursaries are available for youth to attend the July 2 Leadership Day. So there is no reason to miss out because of the cost. Organizers encourage young people to not hesitate to ask for that support. For additional information or registration go to: http://www.cowichanestuary.ca/2019-youth-leadership-and-team-building-training/ or contact Karlie at camps@cowichanestuary.ca, Alicia at alicia@cowichanestuary.ca or call 250-597-2288.

Meet world-renowned orangutan expert in the Cowichan Valley

Cowichan Valley residents are invited to enjoy a full day with Leif Cocks, a world-renowned expert on orangutans, on Sunday, June 30.

Cocks is working to secure the survival of orangutans from extinction. A very important aspect of this work is working with people and governments to protect the forests where the orangutans live. This issue is shared worldwide.

Cocks is going to be taking part in a walk in Wildwood, an opportunity to be in a sustainably logged forest while discussing and sharing common forestry issues. He will also be giving a presentation at his book launch at The HUB, exploring the topic of “Finding Our Humanity”. In the evening, there will be vegan dinner with music and dancing; an opportunity for further discussion, but also to celebrate our efforts in making this world a better place.

Tickets to the join Cocks in the Wildwood walk, which runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. are $20. Participants should bring their own bagged lunch.

Tickets to the presentation and book launch, which runs from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. are $11.

Tickets to the evening dinner and dance, which runs from 5 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., are $85.

All tickets are available at https://www.orangutans.ca/get-involved/events/.

34th Annual Wooden Boat Festival

On July 6 and 7 the Cowichan Bay Maritime Centre will host its 34th Annual Wooden Boat Festival.

The 34th Annual Wooden Boat Festival will attract wooden boats up to 40 feet in length from throughout the Pacific Northwest to the waters of Cowichan Bay. The boats will be displayed along the docks in Cowichan Bay as well as at Bluenose Marina. Festival goers will have the chance to view the boats and vote for their favourite.

This is a family friendly festival expected to attract 1,500-plus attendees. Events planned for the festival include children’s boat building and fishing derby, a children’s RC boat pond, a People’s Choice Awards, Salmon BBQ dinner on Saturday evening, a pancake breakfast on Sunday morning, a variety of marine demonstrations, a ‘Best of the Bay’ chowder contest, plein air art challenge, brown bag dinghy races, and more.

For more, check out www.classicboats.org