We are excited to announce the lucky winner of Ecofish’s Generate Conference draw prize, Yuho Okada of the Barkley Project Group! The package includes an unforgettable 3-night getaway at the stunning Clayoquot Wilderness Resort (CWR) located off the West Coast of British Columbia, in the very center of the Clayoquot Sound Biosphere Reserve. Surrounded by temperate rainforest and deep-water fjords, this retreat offers a myriad of outdoor activities suited to every age and athletic ability. For the less adventurous, visit the spa for the ultimate pampering session and wind down in the evening with delicious creations strategically paired with tasty libations, all the while knowing that CWR has the best interests of you and the environment at heart.
Much like Ecofish, the enthusiastic team at Clayoquot Wilderness Resort is passionate about the environment, raising awareness and, contributing funds for various conservation and restoration projects. Employing a number of Ahousaht and local men and women, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort also promotes capacity building within First Nations and creates jobs for the community.
Since the Outpost opened it’s doors in 2000, the Genovese Family Trust (started by the founding owner), has invested over 3 million dollars in the Environmental Legacy Program at CWR, focused primarily on restoring salmon spawning habitat in the Bedwell River System. The program has also supported many other environmental initiatives over the years:
- Raptor Rehabilitation
- Roosevelt Elk winter feeding
- A hydrophone research project with the Pacific Marine Science Centre to identify and track resident cetaceans
- Motion-caption projects for local biologists studying black bear
winter denning habitats
CWR’s most notable project to date was spearheaded in 2001 in consultation with the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Nuu-chah-nulth First Nation of Ahousaht. As mentioned on the website, the collaborators “embarked on a 20-year plan to mitigate and repair historic, human-caused environmental damage and habitat depletion [from logging, mining and commercial fishing] with a focus on creating new salmon spawning habitat and supporting organizations committed to restoring native stocks to river systems on and around resort property.” Ecofish Senior Advisor Cedric Robert remembers this project well, having had the pleasure of being involved in an environmental compensation construction capacity. As well, the Ecofish team has worked on many other successful spawning habitat restoration projects throughout the lower mainland including Alena Creek in Pemberton and Mossom Creek in Port Moody to which our pro bono contributions have now exceeded $70,000!
We would like to extend a big thank you to the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort for partnering with us to offer this once in a lifetime opportunity and more importantly, for the steps that they continue to take to preserve our environment. Lastly, congratulations once again to our draw prizewinner, Yuho! We sincerely hope you enjoy your time at the magical Clayoquot Wilderness Resort.
Aerial Shot of the Resort’s Waterfront En-suites
New Spawning Habitat
Ahousaht Guardians – Partners in Conservation