After creating YER and coordinating it for the past twenty years, Wendy Kotilla will be passing the program on to Graham Hilliar.
![Passing the Torch](https://youthecology.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Wendy-1080x675.jpg)
Since 2004 YER has provided youth aged twelve to eighteen with one-on-one work experience through ecological restoration methods, ecotherapy practices and mentoring support.
YER is funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development, Comox Valley Regional District and Comox Valley School District.
Through restoring local watersheds with community members, youth gain a sense of worth, belonging and place.
After creating YER and coordinating it for the past twenty years, Wendy Kotilla will be passing the program on to Graham Hilliar.
View or download the YER School District #71 Report for 2024.
On August 16th at 12:00 noon, the public is invited to a youth led tour at Goose Spit to learn about the yellow sand verbena plant. This Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER), Phase II project is made possible with funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Parks Department.
On August 2 nd at 12:00 noon, the public is invited to a youth led tour in Millard Nature Park.
On July 1, 2024, Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) achieves a twenty-year milestone of youth service in the Comox Valley. Since 2004, four hundred and seventy-six youth aged twelve to eighteen have benefited from the one-on-one work experience program. Through ecological restoration, ecotherapy and mentoring, they gain a sense of worth, belonging and place.
K’omoks Estuary holds immense ecological value for resident and migrating wildlife, and is essential for K’omoks First Nation. Since 2013, research during spring low tides was conducted to count eagles and herons feeding in the estuary. On June 9th at 1:00 pm at Royston Seaside Trail, two youth from Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a public tour about the eagle and heron surveys.
Beginning in the 2021/2022 school year, Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) was granted funding from Ministry of Education, Mental Health, which came through Comox Valley School District #71. The first year of funding was so successful that YER has been granted funds for the 2022/2023 school year.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2022 – Visit the post to view this report.
The public is invited to a youth led tour of Masters Greenway on July 5th at 12:00 pm. Tour participants will learn about the natural history and human impacts on the park. Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) and Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) have partnered to identify and map sites in the park where overuse and invasive species are causing negative effects. Biologist, Tanis Gower will lead the 2022 YER Phase II research project, guiding the youth and providing a final report for the CVRD.
Millard Creek is located south of the City of Courtenay and extends west into Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Area A. Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards formed a watershed management plan in 2001. Wendy Kotilla has lived in the upper watershed since 1990, and in 2008 started what has become a long-term database on her one acre property, and the adjoining ten acres.
YER Founder, Wendy Kotilla, was featured in the 2022 Project Watershed video, Restoration and Reconnection. She was a founding director of PW in 1993. Wendy shared her perspectives on stewardship, and the value of traditional ecological knowledge and western science. Both are valid sources of data required to care for the Earth and other species we share this planet with.
From 1993 to 1998, Wendy Kotilla was involved with Clayoquot Biosphere Project as one of hundreds of people documenting the natural history of the Clayoquot River watershed. She was one of eight researchers highlighted in the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust Storymap. Her work focussed on longitudinal salmon distribution in the river. Due to this collective database, the watershed remains unlogged today.
“ECOLOGY TRANSFORMS YOUTH”
Mielikki Kotilainen (Wendy Kotilla) has been drawn to nature for shamanistic healing and guidance throughout her life in Canada. Since the age of four, she has gone to rivers for solace. Nature rituals include witnessing eagles bathing and listening to ancient forest wisdom. Mielikki has engaged in Native American sweat lodge, bathing and Sundance ceremonies for over twenty years. Her ancestors came from Kivijarvi and Tampere in Central Finland.
Oyster River Enhancement Society (ORES) has been a dedicated supporter of Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) since the program began in 2004. Youth #6 was the first to come and help ORES volunteers with restoring salmon stocks to the river. In 2005, Youth #20 said that “ORES is a birthplace that brings life to the world. It is a place for fish to mate and we can help them.”
The ecological inventory project was conducted in August 2021 in the Cumberland Community Forest Park through a partnership with the Cumberland Community Forest Society, Village of Cumberland and Youth and Ecological Restoration.
The ecological inventory project was completed in CVRD’s Goose Spit Park during 2021. The work was done by youth participants of the Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) Program , YER program leader (Wendy Kotilla), and a biologist.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2021 – Visit the post to view this report.
Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) and Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) are excited to invite the public to a youth led tour of the Perseverance Creek corridor on Friday, August 20th at 12:00 pm. This section of forest was purchased in 2020 and is 225 acres in size.
The ecological inventory project was completed in CVRD’s Goose Spit Park from July 20-24,2020. The work was done by youth participants of the Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) Program (Iain Petersen and Madelynn Boschman), YER program leader (Wendy Kotilla), and
biologist (Carrina Maslovat).
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.
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.
YER will commence the fall program during the third week of September 2020 with the YER COVID Plan in place.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2020 – Visit the post to view this report.
View the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Follow Up Study Report 2020.
Local organic farmer, Arzeena Hamir, donated $1,000.00 to the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) in December 2019.
In 2019 Youth & Ecological Restoration (YER) produced a tribute to the decade of work that has led to more than 360 youth participants reconnecting with nature. The YER film “Ecology Transforms Youth” was shown at the World Community Film Festival on February 2nd....
I learned that nature is beautiful and sometimes setting aside anything you are doing and going to see nature changes you.
View the Ecological Inventory of Morrison Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve 2019 report.
View the Ecological Inventory of Seal Bay Nature Park and Forest 2019 report.
In October 2019, Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) signed an agreement with McIntyre Media Inc. to distribute the YER film “Ecology Transforms Youth”.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2019 – Visit the post to view this report.
In September 2019, artist Kathleen Urdahl, donated $500.00 to both the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) and Comox Valley Transition Society.
Seal Bay Nature Park is a spectacular Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) park protecting approximately 1,500 acres of maturing second growth forest. It was established in 1975 through regional lobbying efforts.
Morrison Headwaters Nature Preserve is Comox Valley’s newest regional park. Comox Valley Land Trust and Comox Valley Regional District, along with many other groups and individuals recently purchased 55 acres of private property to add to the already protected 24 acre Beecher Linton Conservation Area. This is an incredible environmental victory for our community.
On February 5, 2019 I was incredibly honoured to receive the award for 2018 Distinguished Alumni from the University of Victoria, Division of Continuing Studies. Below you will find a copy of the speech I gave at the event.I acknowledge we are on unceded traditional...
Ecology Transforms Youth 2019 Documentary Film 35 min.Journey with several youth as they explore Comox Valley watersheds and ecosystems. The Youth & Ecological Restoration (YER) program was created by Wendy Kotilla in 2004. Guided by nature, YER engages vulnerable...
Youth & Ecological Restoration (YER) is celebrating three events on February 21st from 7:00 to 9:00 at the Upper Native Sons Hall. YER has now been operating in the Comox Valley for fifteen years; the new YER video will be shown; and YER founder Wendy Kotilla has achieved a University of Victoria (UVic) 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award.
View the Millard Creek Headwaters Long-Term Ecological and Hydrological Study 2018
View the Millard Creek Rearing Channel 2018 Report
I have been nominated to receive an award as 2018 Distinguished Alumni for University of Victoria, Division of Continuing Studies. The attached photo and biography will be published as part of the awards ceremony on February 5, 2019. I am incredibly honoured to be...
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2018 – Visit the post to view this report.
Join us for the Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) youth led fisheries tour at 3300 Fraser Road on August 26th at 12:00 pm. This a YERII project funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development and Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards (MPWS) (www.millardpiercy.org).
The Nymph Falls Nature Park Bio-Inventory – July, 2018 Report. It can be downloaded via the link below.
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.
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...
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.
YER has a new informational brochure created by Kris Trudeau at Halftone Pixel. Please see the YER brochure below, which can be downloaded and distributed to anyone interested in the program.
Restoration of Natural Systems Program alumni, Wendy Kotilla, founded the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) in 2004 based on her own experiences of being surrounded by the healing powers of nature. The highly successful and unique program, located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island, provides vulnerable youth aged twelve to eighteen with one-on-one work experience through ecological restoration methods, Ecotherapy practices, and mentoring support.
Click here to view this report on Google.
Click here to view this report on Google.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2017 – Visit the post to view this report.
On July 23rd at 1:00 pm two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a public tour at Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Trent River Park. During the tour the youth will share details on the ecology, history and their knowledge of...
The K’omoks Estuary holds immense ecological value for resident and migrating wildlife, and is of vital significance for K’omoks First Nation. Since 2013, research during spring low tides has found numbers of eagles and herons feeding in the estuary. On May 28th at...
Click here to view this report on Google.
Click here to view this report on Google.
Two youth will give a public tour on July 31st at 12:00 pm in Bear Creek Nature Park, which is located in Black Creek. This Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER), Phase II project is jointly funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development and Comox...
Two youth will give a public tour on July 16th at 12:00 pm at Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Driftwood Marine Park, which is located near Saratoga Beach. This Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER), Phase II project is jointly funded by Ministry of...
Click here to view this report on Google.
Click here to view this report on Google.
On August 20th at 12:00 pm the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will have two youth lead a tour at Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), Headquarters Townsite Park. This is a YER, Phase II project funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development...
On July 10th at 12:00 pm the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will have two youth, Michelle Burgess and Austin Waskul, lead a tour about Oyster River salmon. This YER, Phase II project is funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) and...
The Youth and Ecological Restoration Program reached a ten year milestone last year. To commemorate this milestone we had a celebration at Zocalo Cafe and prepared a thorough review of the program.
On August 24th at 12:00 pm the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will host the third and final 2014 youth led public tour at Bear Creek Nature Park. This is a YER, Phase II project funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the Comox...
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2014 – Visit the post to view this report.
July 20th at 12:00 pm two youth from Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will give a nature tour through Wildwood Marsh and Forest. This is a YER, Phase II project funded by BC Ministry of Children and Family Development and Comox Valley Regional...
by Renee Andor - Comox Valley Record; posted Jun 18, 2014 at 4:00 PM Ten years ago, Wendy Kotilla started a program merging restorative justice and ecological restoration in the Comox Valley. Now, as Kotilla's Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) program...
On June 25th at 6:00 pm at Zocalo Café, the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) is ecstatic to be celebrating ten years of service with vulnerable youth in the Comox Valley. Youth gain a sense of worth, belonging and place by working with community groups...
On June 15th at Royston Wrecks, two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a public tour about Great Blue Herons. This is a YER, Phase II project made possible with funding from Ministry of Children and Family Development,...
"Through the sharing of oral histories and traditional skills, the goal of the Lake Trail Living History Project is to reawaken our community heritage." During a year of public programs with the Living History Project, young and old joined...
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2013 – Visit the post to view this report.
On Friday, August 16th at 11:00 am two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a guided tour of a mature second growth forest in the headwaters of Millard Creek. The youth will be educating tour participants on the importance of...
Submitted by Wendy Kotilla, Coordinator of Youth and Ecological Restoration Program The Youth and Ecological Restoration Program takes youth out to work with local conservation and enhancement groups to learn about working with people who are helping the environment....
Join us for the third Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) tours at 3300 Fraser Road on August 24, 2012 at 11:30 am. Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards (MPWS) restored a stream channel on Millard Creek to enhance fisheries habitat. MPWS is partnering with...
The recent Youth Led Tour of Seal Bay Nature Park was featured on Shaw TV North Island's Youtube channel and aired on Shaw cable TV. Watch the video below. The Youth and Ecological Restoration Program thanks Shaw TV for their work on the video and for sharing it. Make...
The following article appeared in the Vancouver Sun, July 2012. Wendy Kotilla and the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program would like to extend their appreciation to Mr. Hume for his ongoing support and interest. -------------------- Healing power of troubled...
On Friday, July 27th at 11:30 am two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) (www.youthecology.ca) will lead a guided tour of Melda’s Marsh in Seal Bay Park. This is one of the most important Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) recreational...
On Friday, July 13th at 11:30 am two youth from the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) will lead a guided tour of a sensitive ecosystem in the Millard Creek headwaters. Earlier in the week, the youth will be mapping watercourses and vegetation to better...
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2012 – Visit the post to view this report.
Press Release - 30 May 2012 The Youth and Ecological Restoration Program (YER) has two milestones to celebrate this year. On July 1st the program has been operating in the Comox Valley for eight years and over two hundred youth have participated. Funding is generously...
An e-mail sent out to YER supporters on May 10, 2012: Hi All, I am pleased to announce that the Youth and Ecological Restoration Program website has recently been updated at https://youthecology.ca. Check it out and let me know what you think. There are a...
“Working with different people and learning different things about collecting data and different fish and being a leader instead of a follower. Pretty cool having lots of people listen to you and blow them out of the water. Some of those big words I said on the tour,...
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2011 – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2010 – Visit the post to view this report.
View the YERII 2009 Vancouver Foundation Report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2009 – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2008 – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2007 – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2006 – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2005 (1) – Visit the post to view this report.
Youth and Ecological Restoration Program Annual Report 2005 (2) – Visit the post to view this report.