Thank you to our incredible volunteers

It's #NationalVolunteerWeek and we want to lift up the incredible volunteers who propel CBT forward as a community-driven organization. In addition to our volunteer board of directors, the CBT relies on the advisory of numerous community volunteers who sit on grant evaluation committees and help support various CBT programs. We've organized our thanks below! 

Sustainability Research, Education, and Training

  • Sydney Inlet Remote Listening project - Jim Darling and Adrian Dorst have been long-standing volunteers for the Sydney Inlet Remote listening project (since 2014) and Jim continues to volunteer hours upon hours of expert advice for the Sydney Inlet Acoustic Refugium Monitoring project.
  • Sustainable tourism initiatives: thank you to Cathy Thicke for her ongoing support for the CBT research program and volunteer time for sustainable tourism initiatives (in addition to being CBT Board co-chair)
  • Sustainability in the Biosphere Field Course; Anna Atleo, Arlene Paul, Joe Martin, Moses Martin, and Moy Sutherland all contributed so much to course. While we provided honorariums, each of them generously gave much more of their time and knowledge (well over and above what we provided for). They truly made the course a transformative learning experience.
  • CBT Research and Environment Committee: Thank you to the entire grant evaluation committee, and especially Denise Koshowski, Jenn Yakimishyn and Barb Beasely for being dedicated committee members for over a decade. Arlene Armstrong has also been a long-time dedicated volunteer, previously a CBT Board member. 

Eat West Coast (Food Security Initiative) 

Many thanks to the volunteers who:

  • work at the Farmer's Market booths in Tofino, Ucluelet, and Ahousaht
  • use their own time to bring food to more remote communities and families
  • work in community and school gardens across all communities
  • share their knowledge of west coast food: growing and harvesting sustainability in seas and on land, and preparing, cooking and preserving those foods
  • contribute their knowledge and perspective to the Coastal Agriculture Round Table 

Healthy Communities

Thank you to the volunteers who: 

  • Sit on the Arts & Culture, Youth & Education, and Community Development grant advisory committees 
  • Contribute their invaluable knowledge and language on the Coastal Family Resources Coalition Language Committee
  • Facilitate so many amazing grassroots community projects and gatherings as members of the Neighbourhood Small Grants Committee - a special shout out to Jan McDougall! 

Announcing the 2025 Vital Grants

September 5, 2025
We’re pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Vital Grants. This year, the CBT awarded $60,000 in funding to four inspiring projects in the region. These grants focus on addressing regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. They also aim to support meaningful, longer-term collaboration between organizations, communities, and cultures. Read more!

Announcing the 2025 Research & Environment Grants

September 4, 2025
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Research & Environment grants. This year, the CBT awarded $20K in funding to four projects in the region. These projects address threats to key species and ecosystems and uplift nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) ways of knowing. Efforts also focus on habitat conservation, restoration, and protection for ecologically and culturally important species and ecosystems. Read more!

Announcing the 2025 Community Development Grants

September 4, 2025
We’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Community Development grants. This year, eight inspiring projects in the region have been awarded over $36K in funding. These grants are dedicated to fostering accessible, inclusive, healthy, supportive, equitable, and sustainable communities, helping build a stronger and more united region. Read more!

Announcing the 2025 Biosphere Research Awards

August 26, 2025
We’re excited to announce the recipients of the 2025 Biosphere Research Awards! This year, the CBT has granted $38K to support three amazing projects. This funding stream supports initiatives that address key species or ecosystem threats, focus on reversing degradation trends, and promote conservation actions with broad application. Each program aligns with First Nations priorities and protocols, upholds the spirit of the UNESCO Biosphere designation, and shares research findings publicly. Read more!

CBT's Youth Summer Intern Reflects on his Experience Volunteering with Surfrider

August 26, 2025
This summer, CBT's Youth Intern, Braedon, has been supporting us in a wide range of projects across the organization and has also participated in initiatives hosted by other local non-profits. One of our goals was to offer him the opportunity to experience diverse types of work as well as acquire skills and knowledge in many different fields. Discover Braedon’s experience joining Surfrider Pacific Rim and Tourism Tofino for their “Washed Up Wednesday” beach clean. Read on for his reflections.

An Inspiring Journey: Education Award Recipient Shares Her Story

August 8, 2025
Pani Ayoubizadeh from Ucluelet received the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Education Award in 2022 and is currently studying science at the University of British Columbia, working toward her dream of becoming a cardiac surgeon. She has earned straight A’s every year so far, a testament to her incredible dedication and drive. Recently, Pani reached out to share an update on her academic journey and the personal growth she has experienced since receiving the award. Read more about her story!

Join our Team as an Alternate At-Large Director

August 7, 2025
The CBT is seeking expressions of interest in a 4-year volunteer term as Alternate At-Large Director. The CBT exists to support research, education and programs that advance conservation, the understanding of natural processes in the marine and terrestrial ecosystems and that promote the health of individuals and communities in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. The CBT relies on the vision and strategic direction of a committed Board of Directors representing a diversity of experience, skills and interests supportive of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere designation.

Reflections from Illuminate 2025: A Gathering of Shared Purpose and Bold Ideas

July 3, 2025
This past May, members of our staff and board had the privilege of attending Illuminate 2025, the national biennial conference hosted by Community Foundations of Canada, which was held in Kjipuktuk (Halifax), Nova Scotia, on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq people. More than just a conference, it was a powerful gathering of community foundations from across the country, a space for meaningful connection, shared learning, and lasting inspiration.

Janessa Dornstauder reflects on her community leadership journey

June 19, 2025
Janessa Dornstauder is a settler who is grateful to call Ucluelet her home. Through her work with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT), Janessa builds partnerships between the diverse groups and communities in the region to achieve common biodiversity conservation goals. She recently graduated from the Leadership Vancouver Island West Coast program, and she reflects on her journey in this blog post. Read more!

Announcing the Spring 2025 Green/Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants

June 19, 2025
We’re excited to share this list of grassroots community projects that received a Green/Youth Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past spring cycle. A total of 19 projects were funded in the region! NSG makes empowering, accessible opportunities for residents from all demographics to make their communities more inclusive and vibrant places to live. Check out the blog below to learn more about the projects from the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region NSG program.

Deepening Connections: Reflections on the 2025 BC Biosphere Gathering

June 16, 2025
This past May, the CBT hosted the 4th annual BC Biosphere Gathering in our home region. Each year, this gathering brings together partners from British Columbia’s three UNESCO-designated biosphere regions, Clayoquot Sound, Mount Arrowsmith, and Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound, for a multi-day opportunity to connect, collaborate, and grow stronger together as a network.

Art as Reconciliation: The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre’s Art Program

May 23, 2025
Nestled in the heart of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region, a transformative initiative from the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is redefining the role of public art in cultural renewal, place-making, and reconciliation. The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre (CSBC), currently under development in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations territory, is envisioned as a knowledge hub for education, research, and reconciliation. At the core of this vision is a groundbreaking Arts Program, one that doesn’t just decorate a space but infuses the region with meaning. 

Province of British Columbia Invests $1 Million in Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre to Advance Rural Economic Development

May 22, 2025
he Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is proud to announce a $1 million contribution from the Province of British Columbia through the Rural Economic Diversification and Infrastructure Program (REDIP). This major investment signals provincial confidence in the transformative potential of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre, a $17 million facility now in the construction documentation phase in Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation territory, envisioned as a regional hub for learning, innovation, and sustainable development. 

More Than a Designation: Honouring nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Stewardship

May 14, 2025
We’re celebrating the 25th anniversary of the UNESCO biosphere designation, when the efforts of West Coast residents towards a sustainable future were recognized as being globally significant. However, the vitality of this place and the power of its people long predate the UNESCO designation. This place is exceptional thanks to the enduring nuučaan̓uł advocacy for interconnected rights, title, and environmental stewardship.

Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Receives Transformational $1.2M Gift from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation

February 3, 2025
The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is honored to announce a generous $1.2 million philanthropic investment from the Ronald S. Roadburg Foundation, marking a significant milestone in bringing the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre (CSBC) to life. This remarkable gift highlights our shared commitment to strengthening communities, advancing reconciliation, and fostering environmental stewardship.

Celebrating Community: Our Most Successful Holiday Giving Campaign Yet!

January 14, 2025
This past December, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) collaborated with 23 local charities to promote our shared giving platform, with the goal of standing together to strengthen local communities and ecosystems. Throughout the month, participating charitable organizations helped amplify the initiative by sharing it through their communication channels. Meanwhile, donors explored causes they cared about and supported the region's diverse needs through the Holiday Giving Catalogue.