Youth and Ecological Restoration

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.

The YER film “Ecology Transforms Youth” follows eight youth as they explore the rivers and estuaries of the Comox Valley. Created by filmmaker Ed Carswell, the film was shown at the World Community Film Festival on February 2nd, 2020.

Vision

The YER vision is to engage youth in a wider circle of community relationships, in both the human and natural worlds. Involving them with meaningful work and caring adults supports them in building self-esteem and has the ability to transform their lives. In YER, youth travel a journey together with their community and experience a better relationship with the people and place called home.

Wendy Kotilla

Founder and Coordinator

Ecological Inventory of Morrison Creek Headwaters Nature Preserve 2019

Photo by Ed Carswell.

YER GOALS

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.”

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.”

Youth with big leaves

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.”

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.”

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.”

One of the highlights of my term as Area B Director on the Comox Valley Regional District was getting a tour of Goose Spit and learning about the yellow sand verbena and its associated sand verbena moth. The youth that led the tour were engaging and had obviously collected some incredibly valuable data that are helping our staff better manage the area to protect this endangered species. YER is such a fantastic program. Youth benefit from learning leadership and ecological data collection skills. The community benefits from this youth engagement and the information they collect.  It has been an honour to support YER.

Arzeena Hamir

Former Electoral Area Services Committee Chair, Director, Area B, Comox Valley Regional District

The YER program is unique in bringing young people together with the elders of the community to learn and develop appreciation for our natural environment. Youth work hand in hand with people who have demonstrated a lifetime of care and responsibility for our natural systems. They have much wisdom and such a fine example of service to impart, and these are transformative experiences for the young people who have been involved. Congratulations on all the accomplishments of ten years and all the best for the continuing success of the program.

Doug Hillian

Former BC Ministry of Children and Family Development Manager, Councillor, City of Courtenay

Background photo by Ed Brooks, Backdoor Gallery.

YER PROGRAMS

Teacher and student sitting in a stream.  Photo Credit Ed Carswell

YER Phase I

YER I is a 20-hour program providing one-on-one work experience, training and support for youth aged twelve to eighteen who are experiencing challenges connecting with school, community and employment.

YER Phase II

The focus is on a specific environmental project for advanced learning about ecological information, research techniques, and collaboration and communication skills.

YER Phase III

YER III is more advanced with an increased teaching responsibility. The initial YER III project occurred in 2015 with Comox Valley Project Watershed Society to restore salt marsh grass ecosystems in the K’omoks Estuary.

You will learn about

Salmon enhancement

Wildlife rehabilitation

Forest restoration

Research techniques

YER News

Youth Lead Eagle and Heron Tour – Royston Seaside Trail – June 9th, 2023 at 1pm

Youth Lead Eagle and Heron Tour – Royston Seaside Trail – June 9th, 2023 at 1pm

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.

YER Receives Funding from School District #71

YER Receives Funding from School District #71

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 Lead Eagle and Heron Tour – Royston Seaside Trail – June 9th, 2023 at 1pm

Youth Lead Eagle and Heron Tour – Royston Seaside Trail – June 9th, 2023 at 1pm

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.

YER Receives Funding from School District #71

YER Receives Funding from School District #71

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.

FUNDING FOR YER
GENEROUSLY
PROVIDED BY: