The Story

Estuaries are found at the mouth of rivers, creeks or streams that lead to the ocean. Known as the cradle of life, estuaries create some of the most productive food webs and ecosystems on earth but over time they have been damaged.

If you travel to the mouth of the Courtenay River you will find the second largest estuary in British Columbia located in the traditional territory of K’ómoks First Nation. Since their ancestors arrived at the end of the ice age in 10,000 BC, they have referred to their traditional territory as the land of plenty. The territory spanned from what is known today as Kelsey Bay in the north, down to Hornby and Denman Island in the south, and included the watershed and estuary of the Puntledge River. They have lived there ever since.

In 1949 a mill was placed at the mouth of the Courtenay River estuary to advantage of the river's upper waterways to transport logs for the mill. In the process of building the mill site the mud flats next to the river were filled in, retaining walls were put in place on the edge of the river and part of the estuary was dredged out for boat traffic. Now that the old mill has been removed, the K’ómoks Guardian Watchmen are trying to protect, preserve, and reclaim this precious area in partnership with a non profit organization called Project Watershed, and working together with various government agencies.

The Location

Traditional territory of K’ómoks First Nation
Traditional territory of K’ómoks First Nation
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beginning January 9, 2025