Working on the unceded territory of the K’ómoks First Nation .

Working with the K’ómoks Nation towards Q’waq’wala7owkw on their unceded territory.

First Plants in the Ground at Kus-kus-sum

Drone Footage of Planting ~ Rickskopter

K’omoks First Nation Welcome by Elder Donna Mitchell and Councillor Katherine Frank ~ Graeme Robetson

Planting and watering  ~ Caila Holbrook

I wanted to give a big, heart-felt thank you to all the volunteers who came out to help us with our very first planting at Kus-kus-sum. It was a testament to the commitment of this community, and for us at Project Watershed it marked a significant step in restoring and rematriating this important place within our estuary. It was an absolute pleasure to get to connect with so many of you as we work together towards making this project happen. This project has always represented something shared, collective, and collaborative, and last week’s planting was a testament to that. ~ Caitlin Pierzchalski, Executive Director, Project Watershed

With the help of K’ómoks Milestone Joint Venture and 30 Project Watershed volunteers, approximately 400 plants were planted this spring at Kus-kus-sum. After more than six years of planning and fundraising, it was very exciting to put the first plants in the ground.

The plants were a mix of native shrubs and trees that included red flowering currant, Nootka rose, salmonberry, willow, alder and Douglas fir. We want to thank Streamside Native Plants for providing beautiful, healthy native vegetation. These plants will help blend the north end of the site in with the existing vegetation that lines the 17th Street Bridge. Thanks to generous donations by Chinook Forest Products and Grow Tree Care, all the plants have a layer of mulch around them for protection.

We had enormous response to our call for volunteers and filled all volunteer spots within 24 hours. Unfortunately, this meant we had to turn some people away. However, we would like to remind everyone that this was just a teaser. We will be doing much more planting in the fall and will need all the volunteers we can get!

The Kus-kus-sum site is an active work zone. Please DO NOT enter the site without specific permission from Project Watershed staff to do so.

Related Posts

Forage Fish Symposium and CFFN AGM

The Coastal Forage Fish Network is hosting their Annual Spring symposium via zoom on April 23, 2025, from 6:00-8:00 pm. It will be followed by an AGM. This gathering brings together researchers, experts and community science volunteers to share forage fish research highlights and from across Vancouver Island and beyond.

Kus-kus-sum Feature – Spring 2025

As spring kicks off, the first buds are beginning to appear on the newly installed plants down at Kus-kus-sum! Thanks to the efforts of our volunteers this past fall and winter we’ve been able to expand the now thriving tidal marsh and riparian ecosystems to 80% complete.

Spring Invasives Removal at Kus-kus-sum

We are looking for volunteers to assist us with our first weeding event of the spring at Kus-kus-sum to keep the invasives at bay and help our native plants flourish!

How To Report Herring Spawn Sightings on iNaturalist

Want to contribute to community science while walking the beach? Simply snap a photo of Pacific herring eggs or milt (milky-white water) when you come across them and upload your observations to iNaturalist! Keep reading for instructions.