Build Better Birding Skills Program

Recognizing the need for skilled birders to monitor over-wintering waterfowl and migrating shorebirds, the Build Better Birding Skills Program trains and inspires local residents to conduct B.C. Costal Waterbird Surveys. Join a local naturalist weekly to learn more about the birds of Clayoquot Sound. Click here for a PDF summary of the program.

More Than Just Mud Stewardship Contests!

For the past 3 years, The Habitat Conservation Trust Fund has provided the Raincoast Education Society with funding to host a stewardship contest that excites residents and visitors in exploring the Tofino Mudflats WMA.

'More Than Just Mud' MiNiFLICK Contest 2009

Our latest contest, a maximum 3-minute film inspired by the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area. Entries were publicly shown over an evening of margaritas and tapas at SOBO Restaurant. Click here for details on the MiNiFLICK Contest

'More Than Just Mud' Contest of Words 2008
People broke out pen and paper and wrote some great poems and stories about the Tofino Mudflats. These are just a few of the creative entries we received for the Contest Of Words. To read more please contact the Raincoast Education Society.

Sweet Shoe by Beck Hiscock

Squish! Instantly I,
Have regret of my first steps,
Bye, sweet shoe, goodbye

Miracle at the Mudflats by Rif Kamil

All day long I sat by the mudflats in prayer,
my untended coffee growing cold:

I was awaiting a miracle.

And so, I joined in the kinship of the Faithful
(marine worms, crabs and ghost shrimp):
And together we intoned:
blessed are the meek,
for theirs' is the Eco-Kingdom of Heaven.

As the dying sun sank behind Meares Island,
the waters parted and the Multitude of Shorebirds
was fed with invertebrate loaves and fishes.
(I was there so I can attest to this)

By the light of the evening's last embers
extinguishing themselves in the west,
I swear I glimpsed Him walking,
imperious, across the water.
Some said it was a Great Blue Heron; I know otherwise...

Returning to my cabin
I drank from my cup
and tasted that my coffee had turned to wine.

A Loon in a Storm by Maddie O’Neil Johns

lighting boom
sssshhh,
the loon is frightful from the air
the air is quiet in loons hair
the loon does not care that the air is so quiet in the loons hair
but, when the time is right
lightening strikes again!

'More Than Just Mud' Photo Contest 2007
The first of the "More Than Just Mud" Contests had locals and visitors getting outside to snap all kinds of fantastic photos.
Click here for the slideshow of the photo contest