Project Watershed’s Keeping It Living Award was presented to the Courtenay and District Fish and Game Protective Association on Dec. 3.
The Award, an original painting of the K’ómoks Estuary by noted local artist Bev Byerley, is presented annually to an organization in the Comox Valley in recognition of environmental leadership provided in protecting and restoring the estuary.
The Courtenay and District Fish and Game Association has been chosen in recognition of its contribution in protecting and restoring vital habitat in the Comox Valley. The association is further recognized for contributions made to Project Watershed — supporting fundraising efforts and providing a venue for streamkeeper and wetlandkeeper courses.
Project Watershed especially highlighted the contributions of Ron Watanabe, first vice-president, and Larry Peterson, chair of the conservation committee, of the Association. Both men have been committed and active members of the Estuary Working Group, a sub committee of Project Watershed, created in 2009 to restore and protect the estuary.
Ron and Larry also serve as members of a Steering Committee formed by the Regional District to revise an Estuary Management Plan. The Plan, initially prepared in 2000 by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, was never acted upon.
The revised plan is currently awaiting the approval of local governments. The goal is to establish a partnership of all the agencies concerned with the estuary in order to co-operatively ensure the estuary’s long term restoration and protection.
Previous recipients of the Keeping It Living Award include the Comox Valley Regional District and the City of Courtenay.
— Project Watershed