Join Us In Creating A
Legacy at Kus-kus-sum
Kaylee Duckmanton Photography
As part of our estuary stewardship, Project Watershed has committed to the restoration of the Field Sawmill site in partnership with the K’ómoks First Nation and City of Courtenay. We have been given a name for the site by the K’ómoks First Nation and are calling it Kus-kus-sum.
Once restored Kus-kus-sum will create 8.3 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, provide recreational and educational opportunities, help mitigate climate change, attenuate localized flooding and put indigenous reconciliation into action.
Funders
Fundraising Details
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Sponsor A Salmon
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RAISED FOR RESTORATION
Kus-kus-sum News and Events
Kus-kus-sum Spixls – Restoration Time-lapse
Luke Phillips from LSP Media has helped us create what he is calling Spixls – crowd sourced time lapse photo documentation of a site.
Shifting Focus at Kus-kus-sum
The Kus-kus-sum project is not without its challenges. The biggest challenge at present is soil quality.
Kus-kus-sum Progression
The Kus-kus-sum project has been flourishing with significant strides in recent times, evoking a sense of hope and admiration among all those involved. The vision of revitalizing the once degraded site into a thriving habitat is now becoming a tangible reality.
Earthworks Continue at Kus-kus-sum
While the Kus-kus-sum site is already beginning to come into its own, there is still much work to be done. Just over one third of the area was recontoured and planted last year in 2022. Project Watershed aims to recontour and replant the remainder of the site this summer and fall, if funding allows. The key works you will see on site this year include recontouring and regrading, habitat complexing, and native species planting.
Kus-kus-sum Videos
Kus-kus-sum Helps Tackle Climate Change – Unpave Paradise
A variety of native plants, shrubs and trees will be established at Kus-kus-sum as part of the restoration process. This will not only provide food, shelter and habitat for fish and wildlife but also help mitigate climate change. Check out this video to find out more.
Kus-kus-sum Supports the Salish Sea – Unpave Paradise
Project Watershed’s Kus-kus-sum project is important for supporting the broader Salish Sea Ecosystem. The project will restore habitat for fish and wildlife, attenuate flooding, and create habitat connectivity to adjacent conservation lands in the estuary. Kus-kus-sum provides habitat for mobile species, such as salmon, that utilize the broader Salish Sea ecosystem in their lives.
Kus-kus-sum Morphing Video
Project Watershed worked with local artist Robert Lundquist to create this video which outlines how nature will be restored at Kus-kus-sum.
Fundraising Details
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RAISED OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE PROJECT
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RAISED FOR RESTORATION
Kus-kus-sum is located along a major fish bearing stream at the mouth of a class one estuary in the heart of the Comox Valley. It will cost approximately $8.5M to purchase and restore the site to a natural state. Once restored the site will create 8.3 acres of fish and wildlife habitat, provide recreational and educational opportunities, help mitigate climate change, attenuate localized flooding and put indigenous reconciliation into action.
To help fund the purchase and restoration of Kus-kus-sum you can donate individually or join with your neighbours, co-workers, church or sports team and pool your funds as a group. If you or your group wish to be recognized for your support please let us know – your name/affiliation will be listed on our website, our Facebook page and at some point on the restored site itself.
For donations over $25 you will receive a tax receipt and may choose an art poster. For donations over $100 you may also choose a limited edition paper art print and donations over $1,000 a print on canvas (please note that approx 15% is taken off your tax receipt if you do choose an art work). Check out the Keeping It Living artwork to see if there is a piece that interests you. Various sizes of painted wooden salmon can be sponsored to go up on the fence that lines the property and Comox Road for $25, $500, $1,500 and $4,500. This is a high traffic area with approximately 20,000 cars passing the fence daily.
While donations from businesses, groups, families and individuals make a large portion of our fundraising we are writing grants to all levels of governments, as well as local, national and international organizations to raise the balance of the funds.