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
JOURNEY OF KNOWLEDGE (UVic Distinguished Alumni Award Speech)
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...
YER – New Documentary Film
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...
ECOLOGY TRANSFORMS YOUTH February 21, 2019
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.