From Learning to Leading: Leadership Vancouver Island's Impactful Community Projects

Leadership Vancouver Island (LVI) is a community-focused, values-based leadership development program that aims to inspire and build capacity for outstanding leadership, learning, and service. The West Coast chapter is focused on the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Region and its communities. The purpose of LVI is to foster leadership development, raise community awareness, and build innovative communities. 

LVI is a regional program coordinated and administered by the CBT and guided by a special committee composed of representatives from across the region. LVI is a program recognized by Vancouver Island University and guided by local leaders in government, business, and non-profit organizations.

Since 2012, LVI has evolved to become a unique and effective leadership development experience, and the West Coast chapter has tailored a unique approach for West Coast communities. The CBT coordinates and administers LVI on behalf of the region to grow local leaders, provide local educational opportunities, and develop cross-community and cross-cultural connections. 

A cornerstone of the program is the applied community leadership projects. Over the course of nine months, participants collaborate in teams to design and implement real-world projects that align with the program’s core leadership development areas. These hands-on experiences allow participants to apply their skills in a meaningful way while addressing local needs. Each team identifies a focus area, connects with a community partner, and develops a proposal, often seeking sponsorship or additional support to bring their ideas to life.

Below, you’ll find the community projects developed by the 2024–2025 cohort. Take a look and be inspired by the leadership in action across our region.

Team ʔiisaak

Leadership Vancouver Island Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Coming Together Forum

The Coastal Family Resource Coalition will host its 11th Coming Together Forum on May 7, 2025, at the Ucluelet Community Centre. Held every two years, this regional event unites service providers, decision-makers, and community members to plan collaboratively around child, youth, senior, Elder, and family health services. The forum includes keynote speakers, panels, and breakout sessions focused on improving health services on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Register for this FREE event: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/coming-together-forum-tickets-1294036280349

To learn more, visit coastalfamilyresources.ca or contact coordinator@coastalcoalition.ca

Team Driftwood Dreamers

Leadership Vancouver Island LVI Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Youth Spring Activity Day

We are the Driftwood Dreamers, a group formed through Leadership Vancouver Island in partnership with the Ucluelet Aquarium, Ucluelet Secondary School, Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation, Redd Fish Society and the Historical Society.

Driftwood Dreamers Vision:

To engage local youth in a springtime activity day. We invite youth to join us for an inclusive wonder quest that sends them to four diverse stations with local Knowledge Keepers and organizations as we host a fun and inspiring activity! Stations will be located in central Ucluelet, and we will finish off together with a traditional Salmon BBQ by Jason Sam under the Gazebo at Big Beach.

Team Ripple Makers

Leadership Vancouver Island LVI Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

It Takes a Village

A team of four students in the Leadership Vancouver Island program – a leadership skill-building program facilitated through the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT) and Vancouver Island University (VIU) – are working in conjunction with the Tofino Chamber of Commerce to bridge the data gap around volunteerism and the barriers that exist between non-profit organizations and potential volunteers (i.e.: the general public).

Through research and tailored questionnaires developed with local organizations in Tofino and Ucluelet with the Outer Coast network (a group of art & culture-based non-profit organizations collaborating), the team, dubbed the Ripple Makers, aims to uncover what drives and deters volunteerism and engagement in the Pacific Rim. These findings will address key concerns and enhance volunteer culture in the community. The hope is that this data will also be used to inform a new volunteering position board through the Tofino Chamber of Commerce platform, Chamber Master, and enhance grant application credibility with qualitative data.

Team Four1

Leadership Vancouver Island LVI Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Mini Mariners Learning Package

Four1, a team from Leadership Vancouver Island, is excited to announce progress on the Mini Mariners Learning Package, a community-based project focused on empowering youth with marine safety, local biology, and cultural knowledge.

We are currently on track with our planning and have been actively engaging community partners to shape a meaningful and impactful program. While we have not yet begun creating the learning materials, strong partnerships and planning efforts are setting the foundation for success.

Stay tuned for more updates as we dive into development!

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.

Join the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! (PDF) 11.38 MB

January 9, 2025
Join the Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! We are actively seeking local contractors and tradespeople for various aspects of construction, with a strong emphasis on mass timber construction, sustainable building practices, local material procurement, Indigenous engagement and participation and workforce development and training. Collaborate on this project to make a lasting community impact by contributing to a transformative facility that honors local First Nations and prioritizes sustainable building practices. Click here for more details!

Announcing the Fall 2024 Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants

January 9, 2025
We’re excited to share this list of grass-roots community projects that received a Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) this past fall cycle. A total of 19 projects were funded in the region! Read more about the projects below from the Clayoquot Sound NSG program.

Giving Season is Here: Join the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust in Making a Difference

December 9, 2024
As the holiday season draws near, the spirit of generosity and compassion invites us to embrace the timeless tradition of giving. For those of us living on the beautiful west coast, this time of year serves as a reminder of the supportive communities and vibrant ecosystems we cherish. While we often celebrate the visible aspects of our region, we must also recognize the passionate social and environmental charities tirelessly working to uphold the vitality of the local landscapes and communities. 

Ucluelet Co-op and FCL Donate $300,000 to the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre

December 3, 2024
Ucluelet Co-op and Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) are pleased to announce a joint donation of $300,000 to the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre in Tofino, British Columbia. Ucluelet Co-op and FCL will each contribute $150,000 to this groundbreaking and innovative community project that will see the establishment of the Co-op Community Teaching Kitchen within the Centre.

What does the Living Wage mean to you?

November 19, 2024
With help from Living Wage BC, we’ve calculated the west coast’s living wage for 2024. Across the province and the country, living wages have increased in recent years, mainly because of the costs of rent and food.

Join the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! (PDF) 7.72 MB

November 15, 2024
Join the Biosphere Centre Local Trades Fair! We are actively seeking local contractors and tradespeople for various aspects of construction, with a strong emphasis on mass timber construction, sustainable building practices, local material procurement, Indigenous engagement and participation and workforce development and training. Collaborate on this project to make a lasting community impact by contributing to a transformative facility that honors local First Nations and prioritizes sustainable building practices. Click here for more details!

The Clayoquot Biosphere Trust's Regional Forum: Highlights and Insights from October 2024

November 4, 2024
On October 24, 2024, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust brought together a mix of participants for a gathering on ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ (Tla-o-qui-aht First Nations) territory at TinWis. This gathering was all about fostering connections, sharing knowledge, and building strong, collaborative relationships. Attendees included representatives from First Nations, local governments, and organizations involved in environmental research, stewardship, restoration, and sustainable development.

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.