Our blog

Nitinaht Lake, a world-renowned destination for windsurfers and kiteboarders, will soon be home to new visitor recreation amenities. Developed by the Ditidaht First Nation, the Caycuse Recreation Site project is receiving $237,000 in funding support from the Island Coastal Economic Trust. The Caycuse Recreation Site project will feature the development of new facilities including 52 new campsites and related cultural tourism amenities. The project will also include the development of 5.1 km...

This May, the Chemainus Art Group is proudly celebrating 50 years creating art within their community. The “Big Five Oh” art show is a showcase of the people and communities that have helped the Chemainus Art Group flourish from 1969 to 2019. The group began with 12 artists who started the Chemainus Sketch Group and met at the home of founding member, Edith Harris. Now with 65 members, the group has updated their name to the Chemainus Art Group. True to their original vision, participating...

Nature lovers, native plant gardeners and curious ecologists of all ages are invited to attend the annual In Bloom Wildflower Festival at the Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve (1241 Maple Bay Road) on April 27 . Hosted by local volunteers from the Oak Park Preservation Society, the event offers local residents at chance to tour the nationally renowned site, which is now owned by the Nature Conservancy of Canada.  The preserve is ecologically sensitive, so visitors are asked to leave pets at home for...

artfinds.me is an art show that goes where visitors to the Cowichan region go.  It weaves visual art into the fabric of everyday experiences and connects people and places. Visual artists are incredible storytellers, and artfinds.me is a mobile art gallery that is the brainchild of local writer and arts entrepreneur Jenny Farkas. artfinds.me uses location-tagged original art to helps tourists discover the unique beauty and character of the Cowichan region, while they are planning their trip or...

A newly completed Cowichan Industrial Land Use Strategy has identified the connection between creating and preserving industrial lands in the Cowichan region and creating the jobs of the future. Commissioned by Economic Development Cowichan (EDC), the strategy examines the vital role industrial lands play in shaping the economic future and social health of our region. Working with the consulting firm Urban Systems, EDC launched the strategy in 2018 to engage with current industrial land users,...

A new group is beginning to take shape to explore economic development issues in the Cowichan Lake region.  Known as the LIFT Committee (for Lake Cowichan, Electoral Areas I and F, and the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation) the group has held three informal meetings to share ideas. Initiated by Aaron Hamilton and Chief Georgina Livingstone of the Ts’uubaa-asatx First Nation, the committee meetings have included representation from local government, regional business interests, Economic Development...

The Duncan Cowichan Chamber of Commerce, is delighted to present For the Love of Nonprofits.  This one-day professional development and networking symposium will be held at the Best Western Cowichan Valley Inn on Wednesday, April 10, 2019. Similar to the Small Business BIG DAY symposium held last October, the day will be jam-packed with fantastic speakers and presenters.  Only this time, it's all about the Non-Profits, Registered Charities, Social Enterprises and Community Service...

On Thursday April 4, renowned author and former Canadian politician, Doug Griffiths will be coming to Cowichan as part of the CVRD’s Placemaking Vancouver Island Speaker Series.  The event is being co-hosted by Economic Development Cowichan and various community supporters in Shawnigan Lake, including the newly formed group ThinkShawnigan. Doug Griffiths is renowned throughout Canada for his dynamic keynote presentations. His book, 13 Ways to Kill Your Community delivers witty and revealing...