Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre Burger & Beer Night a Great Success

Cowichan Bay, B.C. – The Cowichan Land Trust’s Burger & Beer Night July 17^th at the Cowichan Bay Marine Pub was a great success, raising over $4600 for the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre!! Those who came out to support the fundraiser event enjoyed a great meal, good company, and wonderful entertainment by folk artist and singer songwriter Cara McCandless. Guests also had the chance to bid on dozens of fantastic items in both a silent auction and exciting live auction! A special thank you to the Cowichan Bay Marine Pub, all the businesses and individuals who donated items for the auction, and to those who volunteered their time for such a great cause – auctioneer Ray Demarchi, and folk artist and singer songwriter Cara McCandless. The Cowichan Land Trust is working with a local group of energetic volunteers to create an Interpretive Nature Centre overlooking the Cowichan Estuary in Cowichan Bay. The Nature Centre will have both indoor and outdoor classrooms and provide interactive opportunities for children and adults to learn about our amazing estuary, its watershed, marine life, and natural and cultural history. We also expect an Estuary Nature Centre to be an economic benefit for Cowichan Bay, drawing a significant number of new tourists to our region. In order to be eligible for $300,000 in grant funding from West Coast Community Adjustment Program and Island Coastal Economic Trust for the Nature Centre, we need to raise at least $35,000 by August 15^th, 2011. As of July 20^ththe Cowichan Land Trust has raised $21,000 and has just over $13,000 more to raise! The next fundraising event will be a moonlight paddle on Wednesday August 3^rd at 8:00 pm at Cowichan Bay Kayak and Outfitters. Join our nature guides for a three hour paddle in the estuary. To book your spot call 250-748-2333. Cost is $55 per person, payable by cash or cheque made out to the Cowichan Land Trust, limited spaces available. No experience necessary. If you are interested in making a donation towards the Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre please contact the Cowichan Land Trust directly by phone 250-746-0227 or via email at info@cowichanlandtrust.ca. The first forty donations of $1000 or more will receive recognition on the Founding Donors wall at the Nature Centre. A Big THANK YOU to the following donors for their contribution! Auction Items: Dinter's Nursery, Chariteas, Rembrandt’s Chocolates, Local Artist Herb Rice, Ms. Peggy Smith, Cobbleccino’s Café, Peninsula Co-op Duncan, Duncan Auto Parts, Mr. John Scull, Rock Cod Café, South Cowichan Eyecare, Local Artist Brian Clark, Volume One Bookstore, Forever Fit – Fitness for Life, Pacific Water Sports, Mr. Mikes Steakhouse & Bar, Ms. Marilyn Rummel, Safeway, Drumroaster Coffee, Cherry Point Estate Wines, Local Artist Nan Goodship, Mark’s Work Wearhouse, Radway Studio, The Brick, Local Artist Peter Spohn, Local Artist Chris Brayton, Local Artist Jennifer Lawson, McCandless Family Band, Ms. Mari Brown, Ms. Jane Kilthei & Mr. Larry Lenske, Local Artist Robert Cerins Ticket Sales: Volume One Bookstore, Cowichan Bay Kayak & Outfitters Others: Cowichan Bay Marine Pub, Cara McCandless, Ray Demarchi