CERCA and Royal BC Museum Present Mobile Estuary Exhibition
The Ecological, Historic-Cultural, and Economic Importance of Estuary Ecosystems as
Exemplified by the Cowichan Estuary
A mobile exhibition designed and assembled by the Royal BC Museum in cooperation with the Cowichan Estuary Restoration and Conservation Association
Inauguration 13th of June inside the Duncan Mall at 11am on display until June 29
Open to the public free of charge
Rationale: The ultimate rationale of the mobile exhibit is to raise the level of environmental awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the ecological, cultural and economic importance of estuaries, and the expected effects of climate change on estuaries and their floodplains. Due to the educational nature of the exhibit CERCA expects to gain improved support by local Corporations, CVRD and North Cowichan Municipality for its restoration and conservation efforts aimed at the Cowichan Estuary.
Objectives: The generic information on estuaries provided by the exhibit and its mobility are expected to facilitate its use by other groups on Vancouver Island and beyond involved in estuary restoration activities. Materials specific to the Cowichan Estuary will be handed over to appropriate local educational facilities when moving the exhibit to a different venue.
Use of the Exhibition: The mobile exhibit will first be on display inside the Duncan Mall for approximately two weeks. The Mall traditionally has served as a meeting place for Cowichan Tribe members and the public. Due to its strategic location and diversity of shops, banking facilities and proximity to one of the major Duncan area shopping centers etc., the mall is highly popular amongst Cowichan Valley residents and therefore ideally suited for this project. On closure of the exhibit in the Duncan Mall it is planned to move the exhibit to other locations within the Cowichan Valley in order to reach as large an audience as possible maximizing the use of this highly educational tool.
Cooperation: CERCA envisions Cowichan Tribes, and the CVRD Key partners in this event, reflecting the historic and future importance of the estuary for Cowichan Tribes, and the Cowichan Valley at large.
Inauguration of the Exhibit: The exhibition is expected to be officially opened by Cowichan Tribes, BC Royal Museum, the CVRD, and CERCA. The opening of the exhibition will be at 11am of June 13th 2014 in tandem with the one-day Symposium on “Effects of Climate Change on Coastal Communities and Estuaries” to be hosted by CERCA at the VIU in Duncan on June 14th. The Symposium will also serve as a venue to formalize a “Vancouver Island Estuary Alliance” involving eight confirmed citizen groups and NGOs dedicated to estuary restoration on Vancouver Island.
Expected Outcome and Impacts of the Exhibit: A raised level of public awareness (all age classes are targeted) of the ecological functions, ecological, socio-cultural and economic importance of an estuary, threats to the ecological integrity and potential for rehabilitation measures with focus on the Cowichan Estuary. It is hoped that an informed public will increase the understanding and appreciation of the importance of and threats to estuaries in support of CERCA’s lobbying and advocacy efforts for a healthy estuary.
Five Main Messages of the Exhibit:
1 Estuary one of the most productive ecosystems on earth
2 Complexity of estuary food web
3 Historic colonization and use of the Cowichan Estuary by First Nations
4 Threats to the ecological integrity of estuaries
5 Expected impacts from rising sea-levels on Cowichan estuary, marshes, floodplain and settlements (1 m rise in sea level)
Goetz Schuerholz
Chair