Youth and Ecological Restoration
Helping vulnerable youth build healthy community relationships with both the human and natural worlds. Through restoring local watersheds with community members,
youth gain a sense of worth, belonging and place.

YER provides youth aged twelve to eighteen with one-on-one work experience through ecological restoration methods, ecotherapy practices and mentoring support. Youth learn social, practical and communication skills to motivate them in becoming confident, respectful and productive members of our society.
Wendy Kotilla created YER in 2004 based on her own youth experiences of being constantly outdoors, surrounded by the healing powers of nature. She has a Restoration of Natural Systems Diploma from University of Victoria, and Negotiation and Mediation Certificates from the Justice Institute of BC. Her experience includes thirty years in Ecological Restoration and Restorative Justice. She received the UVic 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award for the YER program.
*Image by Seadance Photography.

SALMON ENHANCEMENT

WILDLIFE REHABILITATION

FOREST RESTORATION
LATEST NEWS & EVENTS AT YER
YER Transitioning to New Blood
The Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) is going through changes this fall. After sixteen years of YER being operated by one person, it is time to introduce someone else into the program leadership. This transitioning to new blood has been ongoing for a couple of years with the main goal of ensuring YER continue with its integrity intact.
Fall Start-up 2020 and Covid Plan Notice
The year of 2020 has been challenging for everyone. Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) suspended operations when the COVID pandemic was first realized around the middle of March.
COVID Plan 2020
YER will commence the fall program during the third week of September 2020 with the YER COVID Plan in place.