The Friends Of Cortes Island

By Roy L Hales

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Max Thaysen described FOCI as a support group for local inhabitants confronting the environmental challenges in the Cortes Island area.  Helen Hall described the society’s role of both monitoring and protecting, as well as educating the  public. They are the President and Executive Director of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), respectively.

The Friends Of Cortes Island

Monitoring the lake - courtesy Friends of Cortes Island
Monitoring Hague lake – courtesy Friends of Cortes Island

“FOCI is an amazing little organization that has been running now on Cortes for near 25 years. It’s (mandate) is twofold…. One side (of the organization) is environmental, the other is engaging the community,”  explained Hall.

In the course of our 40 minute interview, they described the Friends of Cortes Island’s projects on local streams, lakes, trails, and reefs.

We also talked about larger issues, like the effects of our planet’s rising average temperature.

Easier To Start With Your Own Backyard

Marine foreshore transect monitoring - courtesy Friends of Cortes Island
Marine foreshore transect monitoring – courtesy Friends of Cortes Island

“It’s always easier to start with your own life in your backyard and expand to your community and the people who live around you. Then expand right out to the edges of the community which for us is the intertidal reaches of Cortes Island. But every place needs the kind of care and awareness that we are trying to bring,” said Thaysen.

Both described the particular lure of this remote island, two ferry trips east of Campbell River. Thaysen said he was initially drawn by the myth of Cortes’  being a place of sustainability. Hall came out of of the United Kingdom’s environmental movement and said she was “amazed and delighted” to find FOCI.

25 Years Of FOCI

Reef point reef at low - Courtesy Friends of Cortes Island
Reef point reef at low – Courtesy Friends of Cortes Island

In honour of their 25th anniversary,  FOCI launched a fund raiser to raise $25,000 in seed money so they can get new projects going.

Listen to the podcast above to find out more, or visit FOCI’s website.

The Friends of Cortes Island’s AGM will be held on Sunday , November 13, from 3-5 pm in Mansons Hall, Cortes Island.

It will be followed by a local food buffet and a screening of Daniel J Pierce’s documentary film “Stories from the Coast”

Click on this link to access more articles mentioning FOCI on the ECOreport.

Top Photo Credit: A low tide walk – one of our summer events – Courtesy Friends of Cortes Island