The Cortes Island Academy (CIA) is a pilot program of School District 72 in collaboration with Cortes Island Community Foundation, Folk University, and the people of Cortes Island. The CIA pilot program will begin with the school year in September of 2022 and end with the term in late January of 2023. The CIA will offer two quarters (10 weeks each) of immersive, experiential, project-based learning on Cortes Island in its first year, with the intention of continuing with unique annual offerings. These offerings will be overseen by SD72 teachers and staff with local facilitators, mentors, and knowledge holders to ensure that the program truly represents the unique talents, opportunities, and natural offerings of Cortes Island. Students from throughout the school district, including international education students registered with SD72, will be available to register for either one of the 10-weeks or the entire 20-weeks of offerings. (Priority given to Cortes Island students.)
Continue reading High School Programming on Cortes?!*$ It’s true….Tag Archives: Cortes Environment
Tools for Citizen Science on FolkU Radio @89.5FM
Islanders make great observers of the natural world and are helping create meaningful scientific inquiry into what is happening on and around the islands. This week on Folk U Radio, Helen Hall from Friends of Cortes Island and Kelly Fretwell from the Hakai Institute join host Manda Aufochs Gillespie to learn more about the roles of citizen scientists, the tools to help them succeed, and how FOCI and Hakai are helping to make meaningful use of data collected (and how they hope to do even more.) Join us live this Friday at 1 p.m. on 89.5FM or livestream from cortesradio.ca.
Continue reading Tools for Citizen Science on FolkU Radio @89.5FM
SRD Board votes against funding local community climate action planning
How our local government works – Last in a series of 5 articles from the Feb 9 SRD Board Meetings
At their February 9th meeting, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) Board voted against setting aside $50,000 to support community climate action planning initiatives.
The motion was brought forward by Cortes Island Regional Director Noba Anderson, who suggested the project fit into their strategic objectives for 2022. (See page 43 of linked budget document)
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Dillon Creek wetland planted with water-loving native species
CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
Around 20 volunteers of all ages gathered at Linnaea Farm for the latest workbee on the Dillon Creek Wetland Restoration Project on Feb. 12.
Continue reading Dillon Creek wetland planted with water-loving native species
Cash rebates encourage residents to switch from wood stoves, reducing air pollution
By Greg Osoba, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
Vancouver Island’s Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in partnership with the BC Lung Association, has evolved its wood stove exchange program. It now offers rebates, ranging from $300-$750, for upgrading stoves to less polluting, more efficient models and converting to natural gas or pellet sources—or to heat pumps—in an effort to reduce air pollution. The program is underway and runs through until the end of 2022.
Continue reading Cash rebates encourage residents to switch from wood stoves, reducing air pollution