Unpaving paradise: Returning industrial spaces to nature on Vancouver Island
CBC News | Posted: March 16, 2024 3:00 PM | Last Updated: March 16
A rewilding project could provide lessons for other communities looking to do the same
Right now on Vancouver Island, there are several projects underway to turn urban or industrial spaces back into natural places or parks.
In Victoria, the city has bought two commercial properties so it can build a park downtown.
In Port Alberni, the redevelopment of a former mill site will include park space.
And in Courtenay, a multi-year project is underway to turn a former sawmill site into the estuary land it once was, and then give it back to the K'ómoks First Nation.
But what does it take to go from asphalt and buildings to water and plants? In this episode of the CBC podcast This is Vancouver Island, host Kathryn Marlow dives deep into Kus-kus-sum, the project in Courtenay.
Kus-kus-sum is a partnership between the non-profit Project Watershed, the K'ómoks First Nation, and the City of Courtenay.
While it's a much bigger project than an urban park, Project Watershed executive director Caitlin Pierzchalski tells Kathryn Marlow there are ways even smaller additions of nature can help with adapting to climate change.
Islanders — this is a podcast for you. Life on Vancouver Island isn't all sunset strolls and forest bathing — it can be frustrating, isolating and expensive. We're going to talk about the good, the bad and everything in between. Hosted by Kathryn Marlow, every Tuesday.
Got a question? You can reach us at thisisvi@cbc.ca.
Tune into This is Vancouver Island every Tuesday on CBC Listen or wherever you get your podcasts.