Announcing the Spring 2023 Neighbourhood Small Grants!

Spring 2024 Youth/Green Neighbourhood Small Grants

We are excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received Neighbourhood Small Grants this past spring cycle. 

As usual, we want to extend our thanks to the West Coast Community Resources Society, our community partner for creating the cheques for community members. 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. 

2023 Spring NSG Projects

Cedar bark weaving, canning, and cooking workshop – Maria Desnoyer, Hesquiaht

I want to host a few workshops to share skills on food preservation, baking, and cedar weaving. I will invite an elder to bring language and knowledge sharing during the event as well. I will use seasonal berries and run the workshops accordingly.

Traditional Foods and Medicine - Bernard Charleson, Hesquiaht

Gather youth and elders from our small village to bring back some traditional teachings which help our remote community as it is expensive and far to travel to Tofino for food and medicine. I want to pay elders to share knowledge on when and how to harvest traditional foods and medicine. We will have a knowledge walk to gather the food and medicines and then a workshop to process and preserve them.

Cedar Bark Workshop - Dolores Bayne, Hesquiaht

Using the leftover cedar, we have harvested in previous years, I would like to host a few workshops in the community. I will host them in the old hall and invite anyone in the community who is interested in participating. I will let the community choose what they want to weave but will suggest that they start with a laundry basket which they will be able to complete over 2-3 sessions. 

Harvesting cedar bark - Beverly Martin, Ucluelet

Creating an educational video for children and youth about the protocols around harvesting cedar bark. It will be taught by a Nuu-chah-nulth knowledge keeper from Hitacu. It will teach language and practices for harvesting cedar with respect, and reciprocity, take only what is needed, and use what you have harvested. Never to waste. It will incorporate the practices and teachings of the Nuu-chah-nulth people to be preserved and passed on. 

Tuff City Vegan Dinner - Jordan Linley, Tofino

The goal of this dinner is to spread awareness and education about vegan foods and the impacts of non-vegan foods while bringing people together in a fun safe space. I live in staff accommodation at Pacific Sands and am hoping to grow my connections in the local communities.

Ocean Inclusive, a West Coast Adaptive Surf Clinic - Jess McGarry, Tofino

Surfing is more than just a sport. It can be therapy. We will be organizing an event that provides accessible surfing instruction to people of all abilities. The clinic is open to individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities, regardless of their surfing experience. The plan will be to run a 1- or 2-day clinic “try-it-out” day at the beach. Our adaptive surf clinic will provide an opportunity to experience not just the therapeutic qualities of the ocean but also the pure joy that surfing can bring without compromising safety.

Community Beach Sports Library - Keegan Mccoll, Tofino

Our objective is to offer recreation opportunities for families and residents to encourage community building and a healthy lifestyle. The Community Beach Sports Library will be located at South Chesterman Beach and will include a community logbook, a beach volleyball net, volleyballs, a pump, and instructions/guidelines which will be enclosed in a waterproof locked cargo tote.

Seed Bombing Raincoast Commons - Todd Smith, Ucluelet

Gardening & food cultivation in the area is thought to be difficult because of our humid and rainy climate. This project aims to disprove that myth by teaching people about gardening, soil fertility, and indigenous plant life, while proactively solving the possibility of soil erosion in a new neighborhood development. By hosting a gardening block party, we can increase knowledge about plant life that thrives in our region while also welcoming adjacent streets to mingle and converse over a shared activity.

The Hongos Domum Project - Colin Steven, Tofino

This project aims to plant edible gourmet mushroom gardens for local community members by providing laboratory-grown mushroom cultures and installation of gardens with full instruction for new growers. This project seeks to complete the complicated and sterile preparation of mushroom cultures at my home laboratory, then plant the gardens for community members in a simple "set it, forget it "style of cultivation. The garden will provide gourmet mushrooms for eating as well as serve to introduce and inspire new mushroom gardeners.

Grade 7 Team Building and Transition Trip - Miranda McIver, Tofino

We are planning a celebration trip for our Grade 7's as they transition from Wickaninnish Community School to Ucluelet Secondary School. To celebrate their successes of this year as they move on together and take them on a trip to Fast Time Amusements for a day of games, bonding, laughs, and community building. After we will have a celebratory meal together. In fostering a common lived experience, we hope to deepen the relationship and provide common ground to extend friendships further as they transition into high school.

West Coast Summer Swim Team - Shannon Summersides, Ucluelet

I would like to start a summer swimming club for the West Coast youth. The swim team would connect the communities on the Peninsula and provide an additional athletic opportunity for our youth/kids; allowing them to reap all the benefits of being on an athletic team (sportsmanship, comradery, discipline, hard work, inclusion, etc.). The program would also instill valuable water skills in an ocean environment. These skills would translate to increased water safety/confidence in the ocean amongst our youth and an overall positive effect on ocean safety.

Plant Technology for Kids- Identifying & Harvesting the plants in our back yard - Kimberly Johnston, Tofino

Children ages 7-10 will be welcome in our backyard to attend a workshop where they will learn about local medicinal and edible plants, harvest them, and then make tea, salve, and a poultice from the plants. We will go on a local plan scavenger hunt, play games, do some art, and work in teams to learn as much as possible about the local medicinal plants in our region.

Sound & Media - Ernest Adusei, Ucluelet

Sound & Media's first project will be a workshop followed by an exhibition. The plan is for 6 individuals in our community to be given disposable cameras to capture the things they care about to understand framing a shot to tell a story. We will reconnect to drop the cameras off for development, discuss what we have learned, and make selections for the exhibition. The workshop will be composed of individuals with marginalized identities across race, gender, age, and sexuality. This workshop aims to have a platform that helps create and promote more diverse and representative media within our community.

Tales from life in Clayoquot Sound - Carly Steven, Tofino

My project/vision is to create a podcast that captures actual tales from life in Clayoquot Sound. This would include stories from when the area was pioneered up to the present day. I am hoping to do interviews with long-time locals and Indigenous community members to include first-person perspectives. I see this project connecting the community by providing entertainment, preserving the community's history, and teaching newcomers about the area’s past and how much it has changed.

Baby and Mom Gatherings - Megan Cameron, Ucluelet

This group is intended to connect new moms with other women going through the same experiences. It's a chance for our children to make friendships and connections to their community.

Caregiver Meet-up and Swap - Caitlin O'Connell, Tofino

Raising a baby on the west coast comes with a lot of challenges. It can be difficult to find clothes or baby/toddler supplies that aren't for a tourist market. It can also be hard to meet other parents when there are very few events for young children.  I'd like to host a swap meet for caregivers of children 6 or under, where people could bring clothes or toys that have been outgrown, find new treasures, and meet new caregivers at the same time.

Fostering Collaboration: BC's UNESCO Biospheres Gather in the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region

October 9, 2024
In early October, the three BC-based UNESCO Biosphere Regions gathered for knowledge sharing within the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. Each Biosphere Regions works together on shared priorities including biodiversity conservation and climate action. By leveraging our unique strengths and priorities, we are able to collaborate and support each other’s efforts.  

Collaboration and Conservation: Highlights from Our Gathering at the Waterton Biosphere Region

October 9, 2024
Earlier this month, Janessa (Conservation Partnerships Coordinator) and Rebecca (Executive Director), joined colleagues from across Canada’s 19 UNESCO Biosphere Regions for a knowledge-sharing event within the Waterton Biosphere Region. This gathering was made possible thanks to support from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association. 

Koyah's Journey: From receiving CBT's Education Award to Studying Science at UBC

October 1, 2024
Koyah Morgan-Banke a Toquaht student who received CBT's Central Region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Education Award in 2023 and is currently studying Sciences at the University of British Columbia to pursue a career in medicine. She has recently gotten in touch to share an update on her academic journey as well as her personal growth since receiving the award. 

Insights from our 2024 Intern: A Summer with the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

September 25, 2024
This summer, we had the privilege of welcoming Zahur as CBT's 2024 summer intern, where they played a key role in supporting a variety of initiatives across the organization. Zahur brought fresh perspectives and a strong work ethic, making a meaningful impact on numerous projects. We’re incredibly grateful for their hard work and dedication! To learn more about Zahur's experience, read their blog post below.

New Signage: Welcoming You to the Haḥuułi of the Five Central Nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations

September 9, 2024
If you’ve driven from Port Alberni to the coast recently, you may have noticed a new sign 2km before you arrive at “the junction.” The sign welcomes you to the ḥaḥuułi of the five central region nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) Nations — hiškʷiiʔatḥ (Hesquiaht), ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht), ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht) Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ (Ucluelet), and tukʷaaʔatḥ (Toquaht) — where the biosphere region is designated. 

Announcing the 2024 Vital Grants

September 5, 2024
We are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Vital Grants. This year, the CBT awarded $80,000 in funding to three 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.

Announcing the Community Prosperity Fund Recipients

September 3, 2024
We are pleased to announce that $125,000 in funding was distributed to support three projects in the region through the Government of British Columbia’s Community Prosperity Fund. The Community Prosperity Fund is a $25 million investment from the Government of B.C. that advances poverty reduction and social inclusion. This fund is part of the Government of B.C.’s commitment to supporting the non-profit sector and empowering local communities to make decisions about what would most benefit them and their communities.

Announcing the 2024 Biosphere Research Award

August 29, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Biosphere Research Award. This year, the CBT awarded $20,000 in funding to Ha’oom Fisheries Society for their Coho Vitality Project.

Join our Team!

August 27, 2024
*This position has been filled!  The construction of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre creates an opportunity to exemplify the richness of the region’s cultures in a physical space, providing opportunities for all local artists to preserve culture and traditional knowledge, while creating accessible economic opportunities through art. The Art Program Coordinator engages community members and partners with the goal to plan, gather, and supervise the creation and installation of art in the future building in scale with available funding.

Newsletter Feature: World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions

August 26, 2024
We’re honored to have been featured in the World Network of Island and Coastal Biosphere Reserves/Regions newsletter! This spotlight highlights the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Center and the ongoing efforts in the region to reduce plastic pollution, alongside our collaborative stewardship initiatives. Read more!

Announcing the 2024 Arts & Culture Grants

August 20, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Arts and Culture grants. This year, eleven inspiring projects in our region have been awarded a total of $30,000 in funding. These grants focus on supporting arts and cultural activities that encourage inter-generational participation. They aim to promote cross-community and cross-cultural engagement, facilitate learning and teaching opportunities, and strengthen arts capacity through workshops, collaborations, and education. Additionally, these grants prioritize equity-seeking initiatives that address barriers to equal access and participation in the arts, focusing on BIPOC communities, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and other marginalized groups. 

Announcing the 2024 Youth & Education Grants

August 9, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Youth and Education grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $52,000 in funding to eleven inspiring projects in the region. These grants aim to address urgent needs for youth, as highlighted in CBT's 2023 Vital Signs report. They focus on building capacity, providing education and training opportunities, and fostering connections among youth across communities in the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region. Additionally, the grants support youth-driven projects and promote education and discussion around multiculturalism, inclusiveness, and diversity.

Join our Team!

July 24, 2024
*This position has been filled!  We’re looking for an Executive and Finance Assistant to 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, hosting events, 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 Executive and Finance Assistant will work across the CBT to support our programs and events. Apply now!

Announcing the 2024 Community Development Grants

July 23, 2024
We are excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Community Development grants. This year, five outstanding projects in our region have been awarded a total of $24,000 in funding. These grants are dedicated to fostering accessible, inclusive, healthy, supportive, equitable, and sustainable communities, helping to build a stronger and more united region.

Announcing the 2024 Research & Environment Grants

July 17, 2024
We're excited to announce the recipients of the 2024 Research and Environment grants. This year, the CBT awarded over $36,000 in funding to six inspiring 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.

Welcoming our 2024 Summer Intern

July 15, 2024
We're excited to welcome Zahur Ashrafuzzaman (she/he/they), our new summer intern who is already making valuable contributions to a variety of projects across the organization!

Our Team's Experience at EuroMAB 2024

June 11, 2024
In early June 2024, two members of the CBT team, Colin Robinson and Janessa Dornstauder had the opportunity to attend EuroMAB 2024 in the Elbe River Landscape, Germany – a UNESCO Biosphere. Because there are so few countries in North America, Canada, and the USA participate in the European network, while Mexico participates in the Latin network. Read more about their experience!