Youth and Ecological Restoration
YER provides youth aged twelve to eighteen with one-on-one work experience through ecological restoration methods, ecotherapy practices and mentoring support.
BC Ministry of Children and Family Development has funded YER since 2004.
Through restoring local watersheds with community members,
youth gain a sense of worth, belonging and place.
Photo taken by Viable Options Photography.
Wendy Kotilla created YER in 2004 based on her own youth experiences of being constantly outdoors, surrounded by the healing powers of nature. In 2020 she was joined by Graham Hilliar.
SALMON ENHANCEMENT
WILDLIFE REHABILITATION
FOREST RESTORATION
YER GOALS
GOAL #1
BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS
Cooperation, Support and Compassion; Positive Role Models and Mentoring; Increased Community Capacity and Caring.
“This program helped me to be a citizen, helped me to work with the community. It was a good experience for me. I loved helping the community and it’s something I’ll never forget. I hope I can give the knowledge to other people.”
GOAL #2
GAINING VALUED WORK EXPERIENCE
Data Collection Methods; Working with Tools; Worksite Safety; Job Variety; Good Work Ethics.
“Skills and experience I gained that I can add to my job resume are: teamwork, communication skills, knowing that I will do the best I can no matter how hard it is going to be and not giving up.”
GOAL #3
IMPROVING ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
Ecosystem Cycles and Interconnections; Identification Techniques for Plants, Animals and Fish; Understanding Environmental Impacts
“Trees depend on the fish and the fish depend on the trees. It’s all a circle, an ecosystem. Fish help the trees with nutrients, the trees grow big and it helps the fish because they give them shade and it keeps the water from heating up.”
GOAL #4
INCREASING PERSONAL AND SOCIAL SKILLS
Meaningful Participation and Empowerment; Commitment, Respect and Responsibility; Patience and Endurance; Accomplishment, Self-confidence and Success
“I found this experience rewarding in the sense that I feel I have been helpful and gained confidence and also can do anything I set my mind to. I feel like a leader in my community.”
GOAL #5
ENHANCING COMMUNICATION
Public Speaking and Leadership; Active Listening and Engagement; Interpersonal Relationships.
“I think that it is something you feel good about because you are giving back to your community. The presentation gives you confidence because when a group of people respond in a positive way it gives you courage and confidence.”
YER PROGRAMS
YER NEWS
Millard Creek Headwaters Youth Tour 2018, August 3rd at 12pm
Two youth from Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) (www.youthecology.ca) will be immersed in a five-day YERII project to learn about Millard Creek headwaters and the long-term water study. Tim Ennis of Latitude Conservation Solutions, Shiva Farjadian from GW Solutions and Wendy Kotilla, YER Coordinator will share knowledge with the youth.
Nymph Falls Nature Park Youth Tour July 6th
On Friday, July 6th at 12:00 pm two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a 60 minute public tour at Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Nymph Falls Nature Park. This YER, Phase II project is funded by BC Ministry of Children and...
Wendy Kotilla Presented with Cheque by the Courtenay and District Fish & Game Protective Association
In 2018 YER will have Carswell Film carswellfilm.ca create a video about the program. This video will need to be filmed during the spring, summer and fall to follow the youth participants through their seasonal work. YER is fundraising to cover the video costs of $5,000.00. The first $1,000.00 contribution came from Courtenay & District Fish and Game Protective Association courtenayfishandgame.org at their April 9th monthly meeting when a cheque was presented to Wendy Kotilla.