The Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards were recently honoured as recipients of Project Watershed’s annual ‘Keeping it Living’ award.
The award, an original painting by local artist Bev Byerley, is presented to an organization in the Comox Valley that has made a significant contribution to the restoration and protection of the K’ómoks Estuary and its watersheds.
In the past year, the Millard-Piercy stewards, together with the City of Courtenay staff, organized two major cleanup campaigns of homeless campsites in the watershed after the sites had been evacuated by campers. In addition, the Stewards developed a phased restoration plan for the upper Piercy Creek watershed and launched a public awareness campaign for streamside homeowners to educate them how to protect sensitive streamside ‘riparian’ habitat.
The organization has also been a leader for the development referral process, working closely with the City of Courtenay to address concerns related to the significant amount of development that is occurring in this increasingly urbanized watershed. The group continues to undertake regular water quality monitoring and fish surveys in the watershed.
“We are very honoured to have received this award from Project Watershed,” said Robin Harrison, president of Millard-Piercy Watershed Stewards. “It is good to be recognized for the work our volunteers have undertaken for over 20 years to improve the health of the watershed.”