Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre

10/23/2026

Did you know that we have the largest Heron rockery on Vancouver Island. Located right across the road from the Nature Center! Stop in and we will let you know the best spots for viewing and the best times to see nesting birds.

It’s already less than a month away until our November Speakers Night! 📆 At our upcoming talk, we’re learning about the majestic Great Blue Heron! Did you know that the Quw’utsun/Cowichan Watershed is home to the largest Great Blue Heron nesting colony on Vancouver Island? 🪺 Even beyond the Cowichan Bay heronry, these statuesque birds are a familiar sight in our watershed, whether wading along the shores of local lakes, marshes, or in the estuary, or soaring through the sky like a present-day pterodactyl.

However, as much as we see them so frequently, smuqw’a’ (Great Blue Heron) have been listed as a Species-of-Special-Concern in BC for almost 30 years. Why is this? And what does it mean for the health of our watershed?

Join the Cowichan Watershed Board, semi-retired Endangered Species Biologist Trudy Chatwin, and her fellow heronophiles Connie Haist and Madelaine Greey to learn more on Monday, November 16th for Great Blue Herons on the Edge: An Indicator of Quw’utsun/Cowichan Watershed Health! Together, we’ll explore the significance, biology, and life history of the Great Blue Heron—with a special focus on the population that calls the our watershed home!

We hope to see you then! 👋

📅 Monday, November 16th
⏰ 7-8:30pm
📍 VIU Cowichan - Lecture Hall 140, 2011 University Way, Duncan
💲 FREE

10/20/2026

The salmon have travelled past the Nature Centre in the estuary and are now making their way up the Cowichan River! 🐟

We raise our hands to the staff at the Cowichan River Hatchery for their important work collecting broodstock to help enhance Chinook salmon populations. Thank you for the work you do to support these incredible fish!

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1VWQmpzr3V/?mibextid=wwXIfr

10/06/2026

🌿 Nature Seekers is back! 🌿

A six-week nature discovery program for home-learning families with children ages 6–12.

Starting Friday, October 16, 2026, young nature seekers will have opportunities to learn, observe, and connect while exploring the fascinating ecosystems of the Cowichan Estuary.

Through guided, kinetic, creative, analytical, cultural, and sensorial activities, children can discover the estuary in a variety of hands-on and engaging ways. 🌊🍂🔎

📍 Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre
📅 Fridays | Six-week program
💰 $150 per child
👧 Sibling discount available

For more information or to register, contact [email protected]

A place to learn about, connect with, and appreciate nature.

10/06/2026

🦀 Barnacle Buddies is back! 🌊

Our parent & tot playgroup has restarted at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre in Hecate Park!

👶 For ages 0–5 and their caregivers
📅 Tuesdays
⏰ 10:30–11:30 AM
📍 Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre
💲 $10/drop-in

Come explore, connect and play together! Drop in when you can, or register by emailing [email protected].

A great chance for little ones to play and parents/caregivers to connect. 🐚🌿

A place to learn about, connect with, and appreciate nature.

10/06/2026

🪵 Kindling for a Good Cause! 🌿

Our kindling bundles are back! A huge thank you to all of our wonderful volunteers who came out to cut, bundle, and prepare the kindling for sale. We’re so grateful for all the time and hard work that went into making this fundraiser happen! 💚

And a very special thank you to Edward and Joyce, for generously donating the wood for our kindling again this year! They have supported this fundraiser by donating wood in previous years as well, and we are incredibly grateful for their continued generosity and support of the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre ❤️

A special thank you as well to Don, our carpenter friend, for lending his skills and helping make this project possible. We truly appreciate your time and generosity!

🔥 Kindling bundles are available for a $15 donation, with all proceeds going directly toward supporting the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.

📍 Pick-up at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre
🗓️ Saturdays & Sundays
🕚 11 am–3 pm during centre hours

Want to order a bundle? You can also text Jane at (250)710-2879 to place an order and make arrangements for pickup.

Thank you to everyone who helps make these community fundraisers possible! 🌿💚

09/23/2026

🌿 An Intimate afternoon with Geraldine Manson 🌿

Join us at the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre for a special afternoon with author Geraldine Manson, sharing "Plant Teachings from My Auntie"🌱

🗓️Sunday, October 18
⏰3–5 p.m

🎟️ $30 | Register through Eventbrite

This is a CENC fundraising event, with proceeds supporting the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre.

We hope you’ll join us for this special afternoon of connection, learning, and plant teachings. 💚

A place to learn about, connect with, and appreciate nature.

09/21/2026

🌊Quw'utsun Sta'lo' Skweyul | Cowichan River Days🌊

A big thank you to all the groups and volunteers who came out to share their knowledge, and to everyone who took the time to join us today and learn more about our community and the Cowichan River 🌿💚

We were lucky to enjoy opening and closing performances by the Cowichan Tribes Tzinquaw Dancers, meet a couple of raptors, watch a net demonstration by the river, enjoy a nature, and of course, some amazing food!

Thank you to Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable for bringing everyone together for such a special day. 🌊

09/14/2026

🌙What goes on in the estuary after the sun goes down?

🦇Come find out on September 22 as Bernie Juurlink leads an evening bat walk. We’ll head out around dusk to learn more about these often-overlooked nocturnal residents and see who we can spot overhead.

🗓️ September 22
⏰ 6:30 PM
📍 Meet at the Westcan Terminal Rd kiosk
💲 FREE

🖤Bring your curiosity and your evening-walk shoes, and join us for a different look at the estuary after dark.

No need to RSVP

09/09/2026

🌊 Celebrate the Cowichan River with us! 🌊

Join Cowichan Tribes and the Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable for Qw’utsun Stal’o’ Skweyul (Cowichan River Day) on Sunday, September 20!

Come learn, connect, create, and celebrate the river and watershed through Qw’utsun teachings, performances, art, and more. 💙

📍 Black Bridge Beach
🕙 10 AM–3 PM
🎟️ Free & everyone welcome!

Wear an orange shirt and bring your water bottle! 🧡