Menu

Welcome Back Braedon!

Braedon Youth Summer Intern Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Braedon is back! We're so happy to welcome him for a second summer as our Youth Intern. After joining the CBT team last year, he's spending his college break with us again, continuing to learn, contribute to local projects, and connect with the community. 

When asked what inspired him to return, Braedon shared: 

The reason I wanted to come back and work with the CBT was to learn more about the West Coast and its history through the archival work I started last year, while also being able to support local organizations and community initiatives.

Over the past few weeks, Braedon has been keeping busy, surfing and skateboarding with the Mułaa Rising Tide camp, helping the Warriors build a clam garden, and even planting garlic at the CBT office that we'll share as gifts later this year.

This summer, he's looking forward to continuing his work on the CBT's Archive Project and deepening his understanding of local ecosystems before returning to college to pursue Environmental Sciences studies. 

We're stoked to have you back on the team, Braedon!  

Charles McDiarmid Clayoquot sound Biosphere Centre Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Michael Becker

Donor Spotlight: Charles McDiarmid

July 24, 2026
The Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Centre is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to the support of donors who believe in the power of community, learning, and stewardship. We're proud to spotlight Charles McDiarmid, owner of the Wickaninnish Inn, whose generosity is helping bring this vision to life. 
Wild West Coast Adrian Dorst

Book Launch: The Wild West Coast by Adrian Dorst

July 8, 2026
Join acclaimed author, photographer, and naturalist Adrian Dorst for the launch of his new book, The Wild West Coast. Through a collection of compelling photographs, Adrian provides a window into Clayoquot Sound's mysterious rainforest and its wild valleys, as well as an elusive glimpse of many of its secretive inhabitants.

Celebrating Community Leadership and Looking Ahead

March 5, 2026
We’re proud to share some wonderful news! At the 2025 Tofino Business Excellence Awards, hosted by the Tofino Chamber of Commerce, the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust was honoured as the 2025 Non-Profit of the Year, and our Executive Director, Rebecca Hurwitz, was recognized as Business Leader of the Year.

Announcing the Fall 2025 Neighbourhood Small Grants

February 3, 2026
We’re excited to share this list of grassroots community projects that received a Culture Neighbourhood Small Grants during the 2025 fall cycle. A total of 23 projects were funded in the region!

Five Years of Giving: Celebrating Community Through the Holiday Giving Catalogue

January 21, 2026
The 2025 Holiday Giving Catalogue highlighted what is possible when a community comes together with shared purpose. Now in its fifth year, this was our most successful Holiday Giving Campaign to date. A total of $37,616 was raised for 22 local charities and over 10 community funds, which range from youth empowerment, food security, and environmental protection.

Food Highlights: Fall 2025 Eat West Coast Updates

November 7, 2025
Eat West Coast (EWC), is a CBT initiative that supports food security and sovereignty on the west coast. EWC bridges the biosphere and community foundation mandates by supporting local community-based responses to food system challenges.

Preserving the Past: The Clayoquot Archive Digitization Project

November 5, 2025
Deep down in the basement of the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust office, you can find an archive containing hundreds of documents collected throughout the “war in the woods” era from the 1980s into the early 2000s. Think of it like the “paper-trail” of a nationally and globally significant regime shift from the colonial resource economy into the modern era. It’s an invaluable reference to a time when nuučaan̓uł (Nuu-chah-nulth) communities, tiny logging and fishing towns, municipal, provincial, and federal governments were all trying to figure out a sustainable way forward.

Coming Together in Fundy: Connecting with Canada’s Biosphere Regions

November 3, 2025
This past October, the Canadian Biosphere Regions Association (CBRA) and the Fundy Biosphere Region hosted a gathering to bring together representatives from Canada’s 19 Biosphere Regions. CBT was represented by Rebecca Hurwitz (Executive Director) and Janessa Dornstauder (Conservation Partnerships Coordinator).

Celebrating 25 Years Working Together in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region

September 25, 2025
On September 20th, we gathered to recognize a milestone: 25 years of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Region. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us, community members, Elders, families, youth, and visitors. Your presence, spirit, and thoughtful attention brought the celebration to life and made it truly unforgettable. The energy on the school field was inspiring. It was a day filled with appreciation, reflection, and joy as everyone came together to honour Indigenous knowledge and leadership, highlight 25 years of collaborative conservation and sustainable development, and look ahead with hope for the future.

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!