Xutl’nutstun

Shts’um’inus
z
o
420
À
450
321 W
201
The
z
327

Hwkwumluhwuthun
Community
À
Thuq’mi’n
457

2 v
113 314
Green Map
z
328

f
z
325 Puneluxutth’ of the
401

Yuxwala’us Cowichan Valley

z
324

® o x
‰ p 5 421 331
352
363 211

Welcome
262
p
212
The Cowichan Valley Green Map is the first "Green Map" of the
 Cowichan Valley bioregion. With funding from the Canada-B.C.
390 Labour Market Development Agreement, the Cowichan Land
Hwlumelhtsu Trust conducted community mapping workshops around the
Valley asking residents to map their local knowledge about
z ecological features, wildlife habitat, important land uses and
320
P’atth’us special places in the Valley.
g Ó
g 371 253 Hul’qumi’num placenames point to just some of the thousands
372 Sun’uw’nets of locations known to First Peoples of the Cowichan Valley,

to the
What you told us demonstrating their historic and ongoing relationship to the
g À land and sea. Herb Rice, a local Coast Salish artist, generously
In community mapping workshops, people expressed great 373 452
passion for the land and unique spaces in the Cowichan Valley. provided the First Nations illustrations of the Wolf, the
Xwaaqw’um Smeent À
Under the themes of “Food,” “Land” and “People,” we have created 451 Hummingbird, the Salmon and the Orca. His work has also been
® Xulelthw featured in the book Islands in the Salish Sea.
a map which is a collective expression of what is important to S
355 ila www.coastsalishjourney.com
people in the Cowichan Valley. Concerns were expressed about Kw’ikw’uws qw
development pressures, habitat loss and poor land stewardship a’u
lh z We hope this map will inspire residents and visitors to renewed
practices. However, many are committed to preserving the 329
ecological integrity of the Cowichan Valley and want to learn Stl’eluqum z connection, discovery and stewardship of our bioregion. The
map is organized with icons from the international Green Map

Cowichan Valley
ways to become better stewards. 323
ª ® 353 A Hwts’usi System. Each icon identifies a site, along with a number that can
Xatsu 431 223
As community mapping participants have expressed, the Xwaaqw’um 354 ® be looked up for more detail. You can learn about our Valley on
À 459
stewardship and protection of Cowichan Valley’s special places Xulelthw the ‘Story Side’ of the map.
Snishutsum For more information and map copies, visit:
and natural spaces is not only for their intrinsic value, but for the
vital roles these natural systems play toward healthy and liveable www.cowichanlandtrust.ca
communities. p Drinking Water Source Skw’aakw’unus z
210 Ashburnham Creek Honeymoon Bay 326
Our land and ecosystems: 211 Stocking Creek Ladysmith  g Sthixum
410 376
♦ Regulate our climate and clean the air 212 Holland Lake Ladysmith
♦ Sustain and clean our water Hw’t’eshutsun
♦ Clean and recycle nutrients in our soils
A Environmental Education
220 Cowichan Lake Education Centre Lakeview Park Rd.
♦ Provide homes for native species, and wildlife corridors g
250-749-6213
♦ Maintain genetic diversity and pollinate our crops 370
221 Ministry of Forests Education Centre 7060 Forestry Rd.
♦ Bring nature into communities and provide discovery 5 c
222 OUR Ecovillage 1565 Baldy Mtn Rd. 250-743-3067 ª/2
opportunities 261
Swuq’us W 441
O.U.R. (One United Resource) Ecovillage is a 25 acre sustainable learning É 2
♦ Provide recreational opportunities and create economic community and demonstration site located near Shawnigan Lake. The 282 200 117
384
benefits registered nonprofit society is dedicated to the promotion of sustainable Á Xeeltl’ Á
A Shhw’imqun
♦ Support life for us all… community living rooted in social, ecological, and economic well being. 386
A Ó
221
223 Herb Wise Farms 3060 Mt. Sicker Rd. 250-246-3606 220 252
Member of World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) c
Food 8 Green School
x
300 Musetsi
440 ª
430 Hwtl’upnets
There is a growing realization of the importance of growing
230 Evergreen Independent School 3515 Watson Ave. 210
‰ 2
organic and eating locally-produced food. Some of the many
250-743-2433 p 360 111
benefits include: better food quality, healthy lifestyle, fossil fuel
231 Sunrise Waldorf School 4344 Peters Rd. 250-743-7253 S’amuna’
reduction, value-added land use, and community building. The v Bird & Wildlife Watching 381 Cowichan River ÀgoÉÈ®xAp 5 v Xatsa’ 342

film “lsland on the Edge” (a DV Cuisine production) highlights the T Historical Feature 310 Drinkwater viewing platform end of Drinkwater Rd.
Flowing from Cowichan Lake to Cowichan Bay, the 47 km Cowichan
260
ç
Ó 310
need for greater food-growing self-reliance on Vancouver Island. 240 Butter Church end of Lemo Rd. 311 Chisholm Island Maple Bay Marina River is recognized as both a British Columbia Heritage River and a 271 250 Sheshuq’um
241 McGee Creek Trestle access off trail at West Shawnigan 312 Dougan's Lake off TCH À
‰
Canadian Heritage River. The Cowichan River watershed provides Á 2 364
Lake Rd. 313 Merrilees' Pond Merrilees Nature Park habitat for many native wildlife species, including salmon and trout 385  460
The Green Map features a sampling of local growing initiatives 112 343 115 v
that uphold land stewardship with quality food production, for 242 Kinsol Trestle access off trail at end of Glen Eagles Rd. 314 Coffin Point- Intertidal pools spawning. It is a recreational treasure with a 20 km footpath in the Á 311
Cowichan River Provincial Park. Also enjoyed are fishing, camping, 2 387
example, community gardens, Certified Organic farms, farms 243 Holt Creek Trestle access off trail at Glenora Trailhead T
z Coastal Habitat swimming, tubing and canoeing. Skwuts ® À 100 j
 ç 130
with protected habitat status, such as the TLC’s Conservation 244 Cowichan Station Village Koksilah Rd. near Bench Rd. 320 Askew Creek Estuary Chemainus 382 Pearson College & Lot 31 The Land Conservancy of BC,  350 458 j 102
392 272
Á 101 j
Partners. Ó Museum 321 Bush Creek Estuary Ladysmith Riverbottom Rd. Àg Á 413 Ó 251 Kwamutsun
382 2
143 É
383 Belvedere Property The Land Conservancy of BC 
j Community Gardens 250 BC Forest Discovery Centre 2892 Drinkwater Rd. Duncan 322 Cherry Point Beach Cobble Hill À® É 283  412
Qw’umiyequn
341 Quyxuletse’ 116
S’amunu PRIEST MARSH

100 St. Andrew’s Church Community Garden 531 Herbert St. 250-715-1113 {
250-746-7413
101 Jubilee Community Gardens in Centennial Park, end of 250-746-6612 {
Third St. 250-748-0580
102 Kinsmen Community Gardens in Kinsmen Park,
Alderlea St. 250-748-8506
2 Certified Organic Farms
110 Alderlea Bio-dynamic Farm 3390 Glenora Rd.
250-715-0799
111 Springfield Farm 1246 Bazett Rd. 250-748-0463
112 Red Nettle Farm 6000 Heger Rd. 250-749-4321
113 Kingcott Farm 11887 Allison Way 250-245-0324
114 Organic Fair Farm & Garden 1935 Doran Rd. 250-733-2035
115 Cowichan Valley Organic Farm 6182 Lakes Rd.
250-748-8089
116 Glen Eden Farm 4690 Old Cowichan Lake Rd.
250-746-6954
117 Kismet Farm 7530 Richard’s Trail 250-746-3236
118 Sungold Meadows 4164 Telegraph Rd. 250-743-1042
T Historical Farm
130 Bird’s Eye Cove Farm 5881 Genoa Bay Rd.
Á Protected Habitat
The following properties are protected in some way, either through
acquisition by a Land Trust, or through participation in The Conservation
Partners Program. This program is an initiative of The Land Conservancy
of BC with the purpose of protecting and enhancing important habitat
on privately owned agricultural lands. They provide recognition,
incentive and assistance to growers who are committed to conservation
of natural habitat on their farm. The butterfly label shows these
Conservation partners are protecting soil and water health by using
natural methods to fertilize and control pests and weeds.
140 Keating Farm Estate The Land Conservancy of BC,
5250 Miller Rd. 250-737-1401 T
141 Manley Farm The Northwest Preservation Society challenges. There are self-guided tours, a Farm Store and Nursery for fresh Treffery Creek Streamkeepers, Cowichan Bay
142 Shincliffe Enterprises TLC Conservation Partner,
3080 Wilkinson Rd. 250-743-3706
143 Valhalla Herbs & Things TLC Conservation Partner,
3693 Gibbins Rd. 250-748-1741
144 Fairburn Farm TLC Conservation Partner, 3310 Jackson Rd. 282 Forestry Pools access off Hillcrest Rd. in Chemainus River 362 Old Growth Trees Mill Bay o Water Feature
250-746-4637
145 Merridale Cidery TLC Conservation Partner,
1230 Merridale Rd. 250-743-9310 {
146 Godfrey-Brownell Vineyard TLC Conservation Partner,
4911 Marshall Rd. 250-715-0504
People
The Cowichan Valley is called – “sun warming your back” in
Hul’qumi’num, the language of the Cowichan First Nations.
Those living here for generations and those who have moved
here recently would agree that the Cowichan Valley is one of
the sunniest places around. Residents are privileged to be just
steps from beautiful vistas, natural spaces and countless outdoor
recreation opportunities. According to residents, the area boasts
some of the best swimming, the tastiest water, the biggest
wooden train trestle, the most scenic vistas atop local mountains.
Locate your special place on the green map.
W Cultural Site
200 Cowichan Exhibition Grounds Mays & TCH, Duncan
201 Xeel's Footprint Left by the legendary Transformer from Dyke trail is an excellent, family-friendly walk into the estuary, and 458 Elk Habitat Sahtlam
Coast Salish oral tradition as he stepped across the Islands includes a viewing platform, to watch the birds and wildlife in this 459 Elk winter grazing Youbou
to Thetis and beyond
The beach is one of the only in the region where you can find sand Riverbottom Rd. Àg 281 Shquw’utsun
 Á T
251 Cowichan Valley Museum 130 Canada Ave. Duncan dollars in the intertidal, as well as several large boulders that have 384 Oswald Bass Conservation Area The Nature Trust of BC, Á 391
been deposited by glaciers. Nearby Garnet Creek is a site of ongoing in Cowichan River Provincial Park ÀgÈ 
381
240 Xinupsum
383
restoration works, and has been recently inhabited by a beaver.
385 Somenos Marsh The Nature Trust of BC, Trans Canada 340 É Hwtumulhum
252 Kaatza Station Museum South Shore Rd. Lake Cowichan Á 140
323 Shoal Islands & marshes Crofton
Hwy Àªvl{ ® 280 Lhumlhumuluts’ f
250-749-6142 { 324 Stocking Creek Estuary Saltair v Ts’alha’um 400
351 T 2 Xwulqw’selu x Kwikwthathun
253 Chemainus Valley Museum 9299 Waterwheel Cresc. 325 Kuper Island Intertidal Wetland Kuper Island
The Somenos Marsh is an important wetland in the Duncan region,
243 110 Á
as it is home to several species of rare birds, amphibians and other 330
Chemainus 250-416-2465 { 326 Osborne Bay & Beach Crofton  380
animals. Restoration works have occurred along Bings
394  À
5 Recycling 327 Woods Islands Ladysmith Creek, and a boardwalk was built (2008) out into the marsh to a Á 411
455
For more information about CVRD recycling centres, contact Recycling & 328 Holland Creek Estuary Ladysmith platform for bird and wildlife viewing. 146
Waste Management at 250-746-2530 329 Chemainus River Estuary Chemainus v 386 Honeymoon Bay Ecological Reserve BC Parks gv{ Thiq Snustsu
ç À
260 CVRD Bings Creek Solid Waste Management Complex 387 Mt. Tzouhalem Ecological Reserve BC Parks, parking at Tl’ulpalus
x
Eelgrass Habitat 270 453
3900 Drinkwater Rd. Duncan end of Kaspa Rd gvÀQ Á
330 Cowichan Bay eelgrass transplants off Cowichan Bay Rd.
261 CVRD Meade Creek Recycling Drop-off Depot This site is home to many species of native plants, including Garry 144
331 Boulder Beach access off South Oyster Rd. oaks. It is also a refuge for birds and wildlife, and has spectacular T
8855 Youbou Rd. Lake Cowichan 244
332 Shawnigan Creek Estuary Mill Bay views of the region.
262 CVRD Peerless Road Recycling Drop-off Depot
10830 Peerless Rd. Ladysmith  Garry Oak Meadow  Salmon Habitat S À
454
340 Garry oak grove end of Irvine Rd. 390 Porter Creek 231
ç Special Site
341 Garry oak with wildflower bluffs In Cowichan River 391 Cowichan Tribes Hatchery 2380 Hatchery Rd 2
These are places that people have identified as having many food,
392 Quamichan Creek v Quli’lum
118
Provincial Park
ecology and cultural values, and are therefore, vital hubs of stewardship,
393 Handysen Creek Campbell River
education and empowerment in the community. 342 Cowichan Garry Oak Preserve The Nature Conservancy of 312 z
Canada, Maple Bay Rd. 394 Holt Creek À 322
270 Glenora Farm 4766 Waters Rd. 250-715-1559 e
343 Somenos Garry Oak Protected Area BC Parks, g 456
Glenora (golden valley) is a farm community where care givers and f Special Tree 374
people with developmental disabilities live, learn and work York Rd. 400 Old growth Garry oak tree, Cowichan Bay Rd.
together, sharing in a culturally rich and productive environment. An Courtenay
® Geological Feature 401 Biggest arbutus tree in Canada Foster Point Rd. Á
acre and a half of land is farmed with Bio-dynamic and certified organic 2
growing principles to feed the community and to sell locally. 350 Stoltz Bluff Stoltz Rd.  Stream Restoration Project 114 141
271 Hope Farm 3504 Drinkwater Rd. 250-748-4479 351 Skutz Falls Caves Skutz Falls Forest Service Road Many streams have histories of fish spawning, but due to development Parksville S
Hope Farm, the latest project of the Mustard Seed Street Church ministry, 352 El Capitan & Landale climbing sites Youbou Hwtse’hwum
is a 32-acre former dairy farm on Drinkwater Road, near Duncan. Here
and negative impacts, are in need of restoration and rehabilitation. Port Alberni Nanaimo 230 v
353 Christopher Rock off Hemlock St. near dam, Youbou Stewards, such as the Cowichan Land Trust Streamkeeper volunteers, 313
participants learn how to produce and handle vegetables and fruit which Tofino
354 Sandstone Cliffs Halalt Reserve, Chemainus do stream restoration, cleanup and monitoring to restore the ecological
will be distributed free to food banks on Vancouver Island. Quarry Pond
355 Rockhounding site Holyoak Lake, Chemainus health of streams. Ladysmith
272 Providence Farm 1843 Tzouhalem Rd. 250-746-4204j
410 Bonsall Creek Restoration Project Cowichan Valley Duncan
“Where care for the individual and care for the land come together”. ‰ Habitat at Risk Naturalists Society & Halalt First Nation, Westholme
Providence is a 400-acre therapeutic organic farm dedicated to restoring T
These are places where people have identified threatened flora, fauna
the spirit and skills of those with physical, mental and emotional 411 Treffery Creek Restoration Project 242 Á
and natural habitats. These highlight the need for stewardship and
Á 142
protection of natural values. In all development we must remember 145
vegetables, fruits, eggs, bedding plants, shrubs. 412 Five Fingers Fish Habitat Restoration Project DFO
We Are Here
that nature knows no boundaries, and that conservation is about Victoria
É Swimming stewardship, not ownership. Canada & Ministry of Transportation, Duncan x
332
280 Trail off Sunrise Rd. to Cowichan River Regional Park 360 Old Growth Trees Norcross Rd, Duncan 413 Stolz Bluff Restoration Project Living Rivers Trust Fund g 
375 393 + 290
281 River access off Gibbins Rd near Hydro Right-of-Way 361 Mature Second Growth Spectacle Lake and DFO Canada, Sahtlam
Sunanuqun
Provincial Park 363 Old Growth Trees Holland Lake, Ladysmith 420 Waterfalls on Bush Creek
283 Paradise Pools river access off Cliffs Rd. 364 Octopus Point off Genoa Bay Rd. 421 Waterfalls on Stocking Creek v A
+ Water Energy Site g Native Forest/Plants This is also an excellent site for bird and wildlife viewing, as American
LAKES RIVERS 222
Dippers have been sighted in the pools below the waterfalls. T
290 Brentwood College School 2735 Mt. Baker Rd. 370 Meades Creek Forest Research Site Meades Creek Rd. 241
TRANS CANADA TRAIL
250-743-5521 371 Askew Wilderness Park Oak & Chemainus Rd. vÈ ª Wetland (Seasonal) MARSH
372 Echo Heights Echo Heights Rd. vl‰AÈ 430 Herd Road Farm Duncan
Land
This 54 acre forest is valued for recreation, wildlife viewing and
education. It is also home to the blue listed red-legged frog, however
431 Cottonwood Creek Flats Youbou
PARKS
HIGHWAYS Me’luxulh
The Cowichan First Nations express that we are the land. In there are development pressures on this site. c Wildlife Centre/Rehabilitation
Hul’qumi’num, the Cowichan language, the law of snuw’ey’uth 440 Pacific Northwest Raptors 1877 Herd Rd. 250-746-0372 { ROADS
373 Chemainus Lake Park River Rd. vo
teaches that we all have responsibility to respect and care for 441 BC SPCA Cowichan Branch 7550 Bell McKinnon Rd.
374 Manzanita Site Koksilah Ridge, off Mines Rd.
the living world around us. Many have expressed that the 375 Eagle Heights Grasslands 250-746-4646 { FOREST RESERVES
E & N RAILWAY
Cowichan Valley is a very special place with unique landscapes 376 Eves Provincial Park Little Mountain Rd. À Wildlife Habitat
and features. In community mapping workshops, people shared
INDIAN RESERVES ‰
their local knowledge such as natural habitats, geological
Á Protected Habitat 450 Beaver dam Bush Creek ABANDONED RAILWAY 362
These are special places under active stewardship by conservation 451 Beaver Matthew Creek
features and habitats at risk where greater conservation efforts agencies such as Cowichan Land Trust covenants, The Land
452 Wildlife Tree- Eagles Nests off Saunders Rd
are needed. They also proudly spoke of positive examples of land Conservancy, Nature Trust of BC, Nature Conservancy, BC Parks
453 Heron Rookery Cowichan Bay
stewardship such as stream restoration and habitat protection Ecological Reserves.
454 Wildlife Tree- Eagles Nest Cowichan Bay
areas. 380 Cowichan River Estuary Properties The Nature Trust of BC, 455 Osprey Nesting Platform off Dock Rd {
x Aquatic Habitat off Cowichan Bay Rd. vÀÈ{ ‰
456 Elk Habitat Cowichan Station 361
The estuary is an important coastal habitat as the Cowichan River is 457 Purple Martin colony Ladysmith Maritime Society Marina
300 Lamprey spawning grounds Hummingbird Creek the largest salmon bearing river in the region. The Cowichan River Sources: Hul'qum'inum Place Names from Hul'qum'inum Dictionary 2007, Place-Names of the Island Halkomelem Indian People 1985 D. Rozen.
Base data for the map was generously supplied by the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Municipality of North Cowichan, Town of Ladysmith, and
Cowichan Tribes. Green Mapping Icons are from the Green Map System (a registered trade mark) and are used with permission.
ecosystem. 460 Marshy Island Quamichan Lake Pictures and art work provided by: S. Bent, A. Hiscock, C. Hiscock, J. Morgen, J. Nygaard, S. Paridaen-VanVeen, H. Rice, J. Scull, J. Williams, S. Willmott.
The Community Green Map of the Cowichan Valley © Cowichan Land Trust This map is for illustrative purposes only and may not be suitable for navigation. Produced September 2009.