Photo By Viable Options Photography.
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.
YER is funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development, Comox Valley Regional District and Comox Valley School District. Youth are involved with organizations like: MARS Wildlife Rescue, Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards, Morrison Creek Streamkeepers, Oyster River Enhancement Society and Tsolum River Restoration Society. For program completion, they become educators, giving speeches about local ecosystems for community groups.
YER has been an incredible twenty-year journey of teaching and learning about ecological and human relationships. Graham Hilliar joined the program in 2015, first as volunteer, then youth support worker. Succession is a process of change over time in ecological and human systems. Later this year, Graham will become coordinator to carry YER forward. I am honoured to have created this time-tested program and for someone committed to its continuance.
For several months Pod Creative (podcreative.ca) and YER have been working diligently to update the website. A revised online image seems a good way to commemorate twenty years of social service. Gratitude to our Comox Valley community for all the support over the past two decades. There will be a celebration in the fall.