Fall Neighbourhood Small Grants: community members taking care of each other during uncertain times

We are thrilled to announce the fall round of Neighbourhood Small Grants, a diverse range of inspiring and compassionate project ideas enabling west coasters to take care of each other while protecting the health and safety of all community members. Magic happens when neighbours connect—even if we must be physically apart. It forms friendships, makes our communities safer and more vibrant. The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program helps residents of any age, experience, or background take part in building community.

This round of funding includes a special contribution from the District of Tofino to support Tofino-based projects, as well as contributions from MakeWay (previously Tides Canada) to support project applications taking a grassroots approach to food security. As always, we're grateful for our partner Westcoast Community Resources Society for helping us deliver this initiative.

Check out the creative ideas of the 23 successful applicants below!  

Leader: Margaret Thomas
Project: Ginger Bread Houses in Opitsaht – brightening the holidays for the 56 kids of Opitsaht by hosting three covid-safe bubble evenings of ginger bread house making

Leader: Leanne Charlie
Project: Ginger Bread Houses in Ty Histanis and Esowista - giving as many families as possible Ginger Bread kits to due in the safety of there own homes

Leader: Catherine Thicke and Alysson Thicke
Project: Helping our Health Care Heroes at Tofino General Hospital - help refresh the healthcare worker’s break room at the Tofino General Hospital, which hasn’t been revamped in 15 years

Leader: John Sweeney and Selena Rogalski
Project: Pacific Rim Queer Alliance - Art night that would allow for people to come together in a safe space as initial step in furthering the representation and involvement of queer people in our communities

Leader: Katherine Loiselle
Project: Christmas Cheer Baskets – local kids create "cheer" packages for some of the seniors in Ucluelet that include decorations, cards and notes, Christmas centrepieces, cookies, and other small gifts

Leader: Kevin Bradshaw
Project: Ucluelet Harbour Marine Debris Removal - organizing and moving the debris sea plane base where Surfrider Pac Rim Youth Club will organize, collect data and load it into volunteer trucks and taken to the local landfill where Surfrider can recycle as much as possible

Leader: Mark Frank-Perry
Project: Learning about Ahousaht Traditional Territory and sign refurbish - youth and young adults will go into traditional territory to learn bout where we come from and refurbish some of our traditional territory signage that was placed many years ago

Leader: Laurie Filgiano
Project: Ucluetian or Ukeeleles - short, light hearted 5 min video to lift the spirit of the town and bring people together via social media, embracing our mutual love for Ucluelet

Leader: Zoe Ludwig
Project: CHRISTMAS CHEER – Zoe will be spreading some Christmas cheer in her neighbourhood this holiday season by decorating all the lamp posts on her street with Christmas wreaths and ribbon

Leader: April Robson
Project: For the Love of Bees – building local bee-keeping capacity through training and purchasing of bee-keeping equipment in Tofino while nurturing local bees and filming the process for sharing via the Tofino Community Food Initiative YouTube and social media pages

Leader: Sophie L'Homme
Project: Tofino Christmas Singing Quartet - 4 local female professional singers that will gather once or twice a week to rehearse a cappella Christmas songs then go around town and sing our carols with masks on ... and respecting social distancing

Leader: Lauren Howard-Tripp
Project: Community Children's Poetry Book- printing of a poetry book created by Ukee kids to be shared with vulnerable, isolated, or lonely community members as well as neighbours, family and friends

Leader: Faye Missar
Project: Bring in the light - Candle-making for kids – a “crafternoon” for six kids in the same class in Ukee to make beeswax candles that they will share with and older adult in their lives (e.g. parent, older neighbour)

Leader: Johanna Dahl
Project: Cookie Exchange – adaptation of Johanna’s popular Ukee holiday cookie exchange (open to any community member) to make sure ukee residents can bake and share holiday treats in a Covid-safe way

Leader: Jennifer Price-Francis and Kimi Henderson
Project: Early Learners Food Security Garden - help kids understand where food comes from, how incredible nature is and set the roots for understanding food security as our little gardeners grow into the next generation of growers

Leader: Paula Robertson
Project: Language in our Garden – create a story book that celebrates the seasons of harvesting traditional and settler foods in the Clayoquot Sound area with words in both Nuu-chah-nulth and English

Leader: Cindy Hutchison
Project: Piecing Together A Holiday Gift - piecing together a holiday gift from the heart to all the students at the Wickaninnish Community school and wider community in general

Leader: Erin Kostashuk
Project: Goals & Productivity Workshop – answering questions like: Where does she find the time?  How does he do it all?  How can I motivate myself?  What should I be doing with my life?

Leader: Elizabeth and Annie George
Project: Dream catchers – Elizabeth and Annie will be leading workshops to make dream catchers earring again (she did it in the past and it was a total hit), this time with an online offering

Leader: Leah Austin
Project: Hatching Chicks, the essentials – purchasing an incubator, brooder, lights, food and water dispensers, as well as provide an instructional video on how to use it for west coasters wanting to hatch their own chicks from eggs

Leader: Loesha Newmeyer
Project: Cards, Chakras & Crystals Made Fun for Kids - This is an introductory level of Chakras, Crystals and cards for children ages 5-12 years old

Leader: Marlo Firme and Trina Mattson
Project: Wlidflower/ Pollination Seed Sowing in Ahousaht - spread wildflower/pollination seeds around the high school and elementary school fields and common areas outside to encourage our bee and butterfly populations, help the school gardens, food plants, and home gardens in the community

Leader: Markus Klann and Mike Collyer
Project: Kvarno community emergency preparedness – establish an emergency plan and build a shelter on the high ground of Kvarno Island, a small boat access community that is currently highly vulnerable to Tsunami risk

Grant Writing Workshop

January 26, 2024
Join this half-day workshop hosted in partnership with the West Coast N.E.S.T. (CBT's regional education tourism initiative) to learn effective grant writing and fundraising strategies.

Good News for the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Project!

January 17, 2024
In a remarkable display of commitment to community and environmental stewardship, the Wickaninnish Inn has pledged an astounding $150,000 over the course of five years to support the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre. In a generous gesture, they have already contributed $40,000 as their inaugural installment.

Announcing the fall 2023 Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants!

December 6, 2023
We are excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past fall cycle. This has been our most successful cycle to date, with a total of 33 projects in the region, 15 projects for Clayoquot Sound NGS and 18 for Ahousaht NSG!

Holiday Giving Unites Communities

December 4, 2023
As the holiday season draws near, the timeless tradition of holiday giving beckons, transcending cultures and religions, and embodying the spirit of generosity and compassion. In the heart of this global tradition lies an opportunity to make a positive impact on local organizations that sustain our region to help advance their mission far beyond the holiday season.

Truth, Honour & the Way Forward

November 20, 2023
In partnership with Ucluelet Secondary School (USS), the Legacy of Hope Foundation, and Canadian Heritage, the CBT hosted an exhibit to honor the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Take a look at the video to learn more about the event.

CBT's Youth Intern, Reflects on her Beach Cleanup Experience

August 28, 2023
This summer, CBT's Youth Intern, Janessa, has been supporting us in a wide range of projects across the organization and also participated in initiatives hosted by other local non-profits. One of our goals was to offer her the opportunity to experience diverse types of work as well as acquire skills and knowledge in many different fields. Learn about her time with Surfrider Pacific Rim where she helped remove debris from a local beach.

Join our team as Administrative Assistant

August 18, 2023
PLEASE NOTE: Applications are now closed for this position.  The Administrative Assistant will support the CBT across all program areas. The successful candidate will coordinate the day-to-day administration and operations of the CBT office, creating a welcoming space, updating administrative practices, and maintaining records. They will work closely with the Executive Director to support the Board of Directors, as well as work closely with the Finance Coordinator to assist with bookkeeping processes. The Administrative Assistant will work across the CBT to support our programs and events.

Announcing the Spring 2023 Neighbourhood Small Grants!

June 27, 2023
We are excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received Neighbourhood Small Grants this past spring cycle. NSG makes empowering, accessible opportunities for residents from all demographics to make their communities more inclusive, and vibrant places to live. Check out the projects below and reach out to marianne@clayoquotbiosphere.org if you want to connect to a project leader and participate.

National Truth and Reconciliation Exhibit

June 13, 2023
Here is a video that was created last year in partnership with the Ucluelet Secondary School, the Legacy of Hope Foundation, and Canadian Heritage to honor the second annual day for Truth and Reconciliation. We have partnered again this year to bring this impactful youth-led learning opportunity for our third annual exhibit.

Hišinq – “All Together”

June 12, 2023
Have you heard that the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) is building a Biosphere Center? You might have read about it online or in local print media, maybe you heard it on the radio, or perhaps you joined us for the open house that took place at the current CBT office. However, you might not be aware that the CBT has been working on this project for over a decade and has taken many steps to create a space that will serve and reflect the values held by each community in the region.

We're looking for a new team member! (PDF) 221.42 KB

April 21, 2023
PLEASE NOTE: This position has been filled. The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust is seeking an intern to provide support for a range of projects across the organization. This position will provide opportunities to work alongside and be mentored by different team members, learning about and providing administrative support for projects aligned with the candidate's skills and interests.

Vital Grants - Looking Back & Looking Forward

January 18, 2023
Five years ago, CBT launched Vital Grants: a stream of partnership funding to address regional priorities and complex challenges that influence sustainability in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Vital Grants were launched in response to grantee feedback that small grants (e.g. $5000) and short timelines make it difficult to address larger issues

Join our team as Director of Partnerships for Conservation

January 9, 2023
Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Partnerships for Conservation will build out a new role collaborating with partners on conservation projects, as well as leading research, planning, and engagement activities linked to the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere designation and Canada Target 1. The individual participates in relevant networks and committees aligned with key projects and contributes to the objectives of the Canada Fund Agreement, the MAB Statutory Framework and the MAB Lima Action Plan.