Announcements
Quw’utsun Sta’lo’ Skweyul (Cowichan River Day) 2025 was a great success! We look forward to seeing you Sunday, September 20, 2026, 10-3 at Black Bridge Beach on the sacred ancestral lands of Cowichan Tribes, our co-hosts. You can see all the fun from previous years on our River Day page and in our gallery.
We’re still meeting (roughly) once a month! You can find more details, and notes from previous meetings, on our Meetings page.
Who we are
First and foremost, we are grateful to be living and working on the unceded traditional territory of the Quw’utsun People.
The Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable is an open and collaborative group based in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island, BC. Our work is focused on protecting our water and watersheds, now and for generations to come.
For over two decades, the Stewardship Roundtable has proven its ability to act quickly and effectively in a time of crisis, as well as plan for the long term. The roundtable approach allows local residents, industry, government and stewardship groups to address issues and take advantage of limited funding, to create the greatest good for the greatest number.
When a drought hit the Cowichan Basin in 2003, Roundtable participants worked together to ensure that our basic water needs would continue to be met. When low river flows threatened our Chinook salmon population in 2006, group members acted quickly to relocate spawning fish and protect this fragile species. When the Cowichan River was being clouded by fine clay from Stoltz Bluff, the Roundtable remediated the area and stopped the equivalent of 9 dumptruck loads per day from sliding into the river and suffocating river life. This project won an award for its efforts, but more importantly it protected an important ecosystem and resource for all who rely on it to survive.
As independent groups and individuals we have different interests, but as Roundtable members we share a common understanding: the health of watersheds is key to the health of our families, businesses and environment.
Roundtable Facebook Posts
Quw'utsum Mustimuhw, there are two ways you can help guide the development of the Xwulqw'selu Water and Watershed Sustainability Plan (the Plan)!
Take the Survey:
Shape long-term solutions for water supply and ecosystem health and ensure our snuw'uy'ulh and values are reflected in the Plan.
Take the Survey here: https://survey.alchemer-ca.com/s3/50428843/XWSP-Community-Survey-2025
Attend the Community Open House:
You can also learn more and share your ideas at the upcoming XWWSP Community Open House
Wednesday March 11, 2026
3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
The HUB at Cowichan Station
2375 Koksilah Rd, Duncan
The purpose of the Open House is to:
• Increase awareness of the Xwulqw'selu Watershed and Water Sustainability planning process (XWWSP);
• Provide clear information about what the XWWSP and the scope of actions being considered; and
• Provide an opportunity for public input on actions being considered for the Plan
For more information about the planning process, visit: https://www.koksilahwater.ca
If you have any questions, please reach out to Rae at rfailing@compassrm.com
We learned a great deal in a most interesting presentation. Up to $4000 in rebates are available for you to firesmart your property. We were encouraged to have a FireSmart Home Assessment done and to encourage neighbours to do the same. Myths were busted and solutions were provided.
Unfortunately, North Cowichan, where I live, is not part of this programme. However, the good news is that the rest of the CVRD is. I am looking into whether there are other options for North Cowichan residents and I will get back to you on that.
Thank you Todd and Cole. A super presentation.
https://emcowichan.ca/programs-resources/fire-smart/
The Cowichan Stewardship Roundtable meets monthly 9-noon on the third Tuesday of the month (except July and August) at the Fish Health Building, 1080 Wharncliffe, Duncan. Everyone welcome. Zoom available.
Business and round the table updates 9-10:45. Speaker at 11. This month our speaker will be Todd Carnahan of FireSmart speaking on "How our Community is Preparing for Wildfire."
Our meetings are always held in a respectful kind manner.
Zoom available. Email cowichanstewardshiproundtable@gmail.com for the link.
Photo by G.R.Singleton
huy ch q'u Darin George for letting us know