RES Stewardship Programs

Environmental stewardship refers to our responsibility to care for the environment for future generations. The term 'stewardship' originates in the theological belief that humans are responsible for the world and should take care of it, but today the term is widely applied to various fields such as environmental stewardship, land stewardship, and community stewardship.

Stewardship programs are a core area of work for the Raincoast Education Society. We partner with governments, businesses, local organizations, school and individuals on outreach and education about a wide variety of topics with a key objective of inspiring people to protect and conserve the natural environment, to use it responsibly, and to ensure an environmentally sound future. At any time, our stewardship activities are typically focused within two or three specific initiatives. Scroll down for more information about our stewardship activities for 2009-2012..

Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Stewardship Program

In 1997, the Tofino Mudflats were designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The WMA consists of approximately 1770 ha of mudflat and intertidal habitat and 338 ha of terrestrial lands. The area includes a wide variety of habitats - from mudflats to estuarine habitats to forest - that support a huge diversity of wildlife - from crabs and clams to waterfowl and carnivores. An are aof long-standing cultural importance, the Tofino Mudflats are also one of the ten most critical wetland areas for migratory birds on Canada’s West Coast and have been designated an Important Bird Area of Canada. As well, they have been nominated as a potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve and are included as part of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

In 2003, the Raincoast Education Society initiated "Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Steawrdship Program," designed to increase awareness about the ecological and cultural importance of the Tofino Mudflats, assit in biological and recreational monitoring, and promote responsible use of the Mudflats amongst local residents and visitors. To do this, we work with the BC Ministry of Environment, BC Parks, the BC Nature Trust Parks Canada and local organizations and individuals to increase awareness about the spectacular Tofino Mudflats. You can learn more about the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Stewardship Program at our comprehensive Mudflats website!

2004-2010 funding provided by the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, the Habitat Stewardship Program, and the Raincoast Education Society.

Raincoast Sustainable Living Program New for 2009!

Can old VHS tapes be recycled? What about plastic wine bottle corks? Where in Tofino and Ucluelet can you take compact fluorescent lighbulbs for recycling? Can we build bear-free composters on the west coast? New for 2009, the major goal of the Raincoast Sustainable Living Program is to build awareness and understanding of issues related to sustainable living, and to strengthen capacity among local communities to take action to improve the local environment. Through a variety of mediums, such as a website, public speakers, workshops, newpapers and more, we'll be delivering well-researched, locally relevant, and practical information about sustainable living in the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound area. all of which will increase understanding of priority environmental issues and provide tangible actions that people can take to make a difference. To date some of the priority issues that have been identified by community stakeholders include recycling, bear-smart composting, water conservation, reducing the use of toxins in the home, and sustainable transportation. Watch this space for more information!

2009 funding provided by the Raincoast Education Society and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.

Raincoast Host

Almost a million visitors come to the Pacific Rim each year, and front-line staff in hotels, restaurants, t-shirt shops, and countless other stores are asked questions about the natural and cultural history of the area. "Why does it rain so much here? What makes the tide go in and out? Where can I go to see the old-growth rainforest?" As local ambassadors of the area, we should be able to correctly and confidently answer these questions!

Raincoast Host is a fun and informative one-day 'crash course' about the local environment and cultural history of the Clayoquot Sound and northwestern Barkley Sound area. Whether this is your first or fifth season working in the area, or even if you're just an interested local resident, we guarantee that you will learn something new. Raincoast Host is usually offered in May and June each year, in both Tofino and Ucluelet.

Click here for more information about our 2010 Raincoast Host program and to learn how to register for a course.





			RES Stewardship Programs Environmental stewardship refers to our responsibility to care for the environment for future generations. The term 'stewardship' originates in the theological belief that humans are responsible for the world and should take care of it, but today the term is widely applied to various fields such as environmental stewardship, land stewardship, and community stewardship. Stewardship programs are a core area of work for the Raincoast Education Society. We partner with governments, businesses, local organizations, school and individuals on outreach and education about a wide variety of topics with a key objective of inspiring people to protect and conserve the natural environment, to use it responsibly, and to ensure an environmentally sound future. At any time, our stewardship activities are typically focused within two or three specific initiatives. Scroll down for more information about our stewardship activities for 2009-2012.. Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Stewardship Program In 1997, the Tofino Mudflats were designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). The WMA consists of approximately 1770 ha of mudflat and intertidal habitat and 338 ha of terrestrial lands. The area includes a wide variety of habitats - from mudflats to estuarine habitats to forest - that support a huge diversity of wildlife - from crabs and clams to waterfowl and carnivores. An are aof long-standing cultural importance, the Tofino Mudflats are also one of the ten most critical wetland areas for migratory birds on Canada’s West Coast and have been designated an Important Bird Area of Canada. As well, they have been nominated as a potential Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve and are included as part of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. In 2003, the Raincoast Education Society initiated "Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Steawrdship Program," designed to increase awareness about the ecological and cultural importance of the Tofino Mudflats, assit in biological and recreational monitoring, and promote responsible use of the Mudflats amongst local residents and visitors. To do this, we work with the BC Ministry of Environment, BC Parks, the BC Nature Trust Parks Canada and local organizations and individuals to increase awareness about the spectacular Tofino Mudflats. You can learn more about the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Stewardship Program at our comprehensive Mudflats website! 2004-2010 funding provided by the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund, the Habitat Stewardship Program, and the Raincoast Education Society. Raincoast Sustainable Living Program New for 2009! Can old VHS tapes be recycled? What about plastic wine bottle corks? Where in Tofino and Ucluelet can you take compact fluorescent lighbulbs for recycling? Can we build bear-free composters on the west coast? New for 2009, the major goal of the Raincoast Sustainable Living Program is to build awareness and understanding of issues related to sustainable living, and to strengthen capacity among local communities to take action to improve the local environment. Through a variety of mediums, such as a website, public speakers, workshops, newpapers and more, we'll be delivering well-researched, locally relevant, and practical information about sustainable living in the Clayoquot and Barkley Sound area. all of which will increase understanding of priority environmental issues and provide tangible actions that people can take to make a difference. To date some of the priority issues that have been identified by community stakeholders include recycling, bear-smart composting, water conservation, reducing the use of toxins in the home, and sustainable transportation. Watch this space for more information! 2009 funding provided by the Raincoast Education Society and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust. Raincoast Host Almost a million visitors come to the Pacific Rim each year, and front-line staff in hotels, restaurants, t-shirt shops, and countless other stores are asked questions about the natural and cultural history of the area. "Why does it rain so much here? What makes the tide go in and out? Where can I go to see the old-growth rainforest?" As local ambassadors of the area, we should be able to correctly and confidently answer these questions! Raincoast Host is a fun and informative one-day 'crash course' about the local environment and cultural history of the Clayoquot Sound and northwestern Barkley Sound area. Whether this is your first or fifth season working in the area, or even if you're just an interested local resident, we guarantee that you will learn something new. Raincoast Host is usually offered in May and June each year, in both Tofino and Ucluelet. Click here for more information about our 2010 Raincoast Host program and to learn how to register for a course.