Editor’s Note: Good morning. Pieter Vorster from Project Watershed and Keeping It Living is on site discussing one of our gorgeous attractions – The Courtenay River Estuary. Here he is:

One of, if not the most significant, attractions, and natural features in the Comox Valley is the Courtenay River Estuary. An estuary is a semi-enclosed coastal body of water with one or more rivers or streams flowing into it, and with a free connection to the open sea. There are no fewer than nine rivers and streams emptying into the Estuary, flowing towards the ocean gateway at Goose Spit.

We are truly blessed to have such a beauty of nature staring at us as we walk, drive or cycle from Goose Spit to Comox to Courtenay and beyond in the Valley. We now know that man has been enjoying and harvesting from this natural wonder for a very long time.

Some amazing statistics associated with our estuary are that 50% of BC’s shellfish industry operates out of Baynes Sound (the estuary comprises a large amount of this area). Estuaries in BC cover less than 3% of the shoreline, but 80% of the species inhabiting the coast use estuaries.

The Courtenay River Estuary has been ranked Class 1 status. Only eight out of the 442 estuaries on the coast of BC have been given this status.

Project Watershed’s Estuary Working Group launched an Estuary Awareness Campaign in January of this year. It was designed to involve and connect all residents of the Comox Valley to this extremely important zone of teaming life and biodiversity.

As part of the effort, a connection is being fostered between research and restorative activities, and the natural beauty and function of the estuary that draws all types of artists to its waters and shores to carve, paint, photograph, write about or make music to honor its many physical and biological wonders.

Furthermore, by drawing attention to the Estuary, individuals, families and organized groups are encouraged to participate in productive activities to learn more about and foster appreciation to our Estuary.

The Estuary Working Group is committed to a number of efforts associated with the Estuary. The Estuary Awareness Campaign is coordinated by the Friends of the Courtenay River Estuary, a community outreach committee dedicated to raising awareness and funding earmarked:

- To ensure the renewal and protection of the estuary,

- To aid in research, monitoring and information gathering, and

- To promote and educate the public on estuarine issues including:

- The ancient fish traps within the estuary – highlighting the significance of the 1300+ years of First Nations association with the estuary, and

- The rich commerce and history of activities on the estuary from the time of European settlement to present and how these activities led to the Comox Valley of today.

To learn about all of the activities sponsored by Project Watershed to foster the Return of Abundance in the estuary, visit Keeping It Living.