Kathy joined the EIS Board in 2014 and was part of the core legal team that fought to keep Wildwood in the public domain rather than being sold to a private buyer. EIS won a BC Supreme Court decision in 2016, becoming the trustees and stewards of Wildwood in perpetuity. She became part of the team co-managing the restoration of the Homestead, renovating it from top to bottom to become the successful ecotourist accommodation so well loved by many regular and new guests. In June 2023, she became the EIS Chair and is proud to work with such a diverse and dedicated Board of Directors. Kathy retired from the BC Provincial Government as an economic development policy analyst in 2017 and is pleased to use her skills and knowledge on behalf of the Wildwood and EIS community.

Important: The Zoom link will be sent to your registration email on the day of the presentation.

If you’d like to make a small contribution to help fund further education opportunities at Wildwood please click the link below!

Adult $20 - Child $10

Join a Wildwood Ecoforest naturalist for a 1.5-2 hour guided tour and learn why old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems like Wildwood are so important. This guided walk will bring you through the heart of the forest where you will learn about the practice of ecoforestry, the history of Wildwood and its founder Merv Wilkinson and the signs of a healthy forest.

Sign up and choose from a start time of 1:00pm to come experience the magic forests have to offer!

Please keep in mind that even though the actual distance walked is less than 2 km, it is a forest trail with a steep hill up a gravel road and you will be on your feet for the entire duration. This tour is more suitable for adults and kids who can walk and stand for up to 2 hours. For shorter kid friendly events, please check out our events calendar.

Do you have accessibility needs? Please contact us at education@ecoforestry.ca to see how we can facilitate your visit. We have a TrailRider available and would be happy to discuss any other ways in which we could make this visit accessible for you.

We also offer private tours. Register here.

$20 per person

Celebrate the season with a festive winter bird walk as part of the Ladysmith Christmas Bird Count! Immerse yourself in the magical old-growth forest of Wildwood, where ancient trees and tranquil lakes provide a sanctuary for diverse bird species.

Guided by our Naturalist team, you'll learn how sustainable ecoforestry practices safeguard these vital habitats, supporting birdlife and promoting biodiversity. From the charming golden-crowned kinglet to the majestic great horned owl, bring your binoculars and bird book as we search for these native splendors, along with overwintering species along forest trails and the lakeside.

After the walk, gather fireside to enjoy a warm cup of our signature Woodland Tea and reflect on the importance of protecting these remarkable ecosystems.

Adult $20 - Child $10

Join a Wildwood Ecoforest naturalist for a 1.5-2 hour guided tour and learn why old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems like Wildwood are so important. This guided walk will bring you through the heart of the forest where you will learn about the practice of ecoforestry, the history of Wildwood and its founder Merv Wilkinson and the signs of a healthy forest.

Sign up and choose from a start time of 1:00pm to come experience the magic forests have to offer!

Please keep in mind that even though the actual distance walked is less than 2 km, it is a forest trail with a steep hill up a gravel road and you will be on your feet for the entire duration. This tour is more suitable for adults and kids who can walk and stand for up to 2 hours. For shorter kid friendly events, please check out our events calendar.

Do you have accessibility needs? Please contact us at education@ecoforestry.ca to see how we can facilitate your visit. We have a TrailRider available and would be happy to discuss any other ways in which we could make this visit accessible for you.

We also offer private tours. Register here.

This year we will hold our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the heritage Homestead in Wildwood, located in Yellow Point at 2929 Crane Road. (south of Cedar). For those who can’t attend in person, we will also provide a Zoom link.

EIS is proud to present our 2024 AGM speaker Ben Parfitt!

Ben is a long-time journalist who first started covering forestry and environmental issues in British Columbia as a reporter with the Vancouver Sun in the late 1980s and early '90s. He has written or co-written two books on forestry - Forestopia: A Practical Guide to the New Forest Economy (with Michael M'Gonigle) and Forest Follies: Adventures and Misadventures in the Great Canadian Forest. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his journalism. For 20 years, he worked as a public policy analyst for The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, where his focus was natural resources, including forests, water, natural gas, agriculture and mining. In 2024 he retired from the CCPA and is currently working part-time as a journalist with The Tyee.

The Case for Rezoning British Columbia's Forestlands

Ben will focus on the current crisis confronting our forests - rampant and unsustainable logging - and what we as a society are collectively inheriting: tree plantations with radically less biodiversity than the primary forests they replaced. What should we be doing with these lands? Should all of them be treated as fibre farms, there solely for the production of timber? And if this is not the desired outcome, which Ben believes most people would say is the case, then what should we as a society be doing instead?

Past proposals to zone the province's forestlands have been met with skepticism at best and outright hostility/opposition, particularly from more conservation-oriented citizens. But as the years go by and more and more primary forest is cut down, the need for some kind of rethinking of what we are doing is desperately needed.

As things now stand, we effectively have just two zones in the province: protected areas and resource development zones. Is this sufficient given the myriad challenges we face after nearly two centuries of industrial exploitation of our forests?

For Members Only

AGM - 11:00AM at the Homestead (Members only Meeting starts at 11am, Pacific time. )

Membership is annual, from January 1 - December 31. If you are not yet a member and would like to participate in the AGM, there is still time to become a member and register. We’ll accept registration until midnight, November 1, 2024.

Come to the AGM and hear about some impressive accomplishments in the past year, and what we have planned for 2025!

Afraid of spiders? Worried about bats getting tangled in your hair? Feel like owls are watching your every move? Do not fear! Join us for a family-friendly, self-guided Halloween adventure where you'll debunk myths and uncover the real facts about owls, raccoons, bats, and other not-so-spooky nocturnal creatures of the forest!

At each stop, you'll solve a new "Myth-tery," working to restore harmony in the woods before Hallowe'en arrives. With start times spaced 10 minutes apart, you’ll have plenty of time to embark on your own woodland journey at your own pace.

Find tickets and more information at the link above!

Trail is approximately 1.5km and hilly so bring snacks, water, and sturdy shoes for walking. 

• Family friendly. Ages 6+. (max. 6 people/family unit)

• Length: 90 mins

Arrival and Amenities: 

Please arrive 5-10 minutes before the walk begins.

There are 2 outhouses, one being accessible to wheelchairs. There is no running water onsite. You will be outdoors for the entire duration, and will be walking on forest trails. There’s a small downhill slope in the forest and a bigger slope up the gravel path.

What to bring:

• Sturdy footwear

• Clothing layers (Keep in mind it is always few degrees cooler in the forest)

• Water and snacks (no running water on site)

• Reading glasses if you need them

We look forward to receiving any questions at education@ecoforestry.ca and to welcoming you to Wildwood for this hallowed Myth-tery event!

Adult $20 - Child $10

Join a Wildwood Ecoforest naturalist for a 1.5-2 hour guided tour and learn why old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems like Wildwood are so important. This guided walk will bring you through the heart of the forest where you will learn about the practice of ecoforestry, the history of Wildwood and its founder Merv Wilkinson and the signs of a healthy forest.

Sign up and choose from a start time of 1:00pm to come experience the magic forests have to offer!

Please keep in mind that even though the actual distance walked is less than 2 km, it is a forest trail with a steep hill up a gravel road and you will be on your feet for the entire duration. This tour is more suitable for adults and kids who can walk and stand for up to 2 hours. For shorter kid friendly events, please check out our events calendar.

Do you have accessibility needs? Please contact us at education@ecoforestry.ca to see how we can facilitate your visit. We have a TrailRider available and would be happy to discuss any other ways in which we could make this visit accessible for you.

We also offer private tours. Register here.

$25 per person

Join us for an enlightening journey through Wildwood ecoforest, where you'll uncover the secrets of mushroom identification with experts Andy Mackinnon and Kem Luther. Both renowned naturalists, Andy and Kem have passionately collaborated on the seminal guide, "Mushrooms of British Columbia". Dive into the forest's mysteries and discover where these fascinating fungi flourish.

Andy and Kem will be selling copies of their incredible book “Mushrooms of British Columbia” for $30. So don’t forget to bring extra cash if you’re interested in snapping one of these up!

Join us in a vibrant celebration of our incredible journey as Trustees of Wildwood!

October 12, Saturday. 10:00am-4:00pm

Get ready for an exhilarating day at our open house event where you'll have the chance to embark on a magical adventure through Wildwood's enchanting coastal Douglas-fir forest, adorned with majestic old-growth trees that whisper tales of time.

As you arrive, you'll be faced with a delightful decision. You can opt for a self-guided stroll, allowing you to soak in the serene beauty of the forest at your own leisurely pace. Or join one of our exhilarating free guided tours, led by our passionate naturalists and enthusiastic board members. These 30-minute walks promise a wealth of fascinating insights into the wonders of Wildwood—just inquire for more details!

After your enchanting forest adventure, we'll whisk you away to our charming homestead, offering captivating vistas of the tranquil Lake Quennel. Here, you can unwind and revel in the company of fellow nature enthusiasts while savoring Wildwood-inspired tea and delectable homemade treats that will surely tantalize your taste buds.

Bringing young ones? Come on over to our wonderful nature table full of forest treasures and games!

Don't miss out on this unforgettable day filled with natural wonders, community spirit, and the joy of Wildwood's successes. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

All ages are welcome!

The trail is approximately 1.5km and is hilly.

Please bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the weather.

We look forward to receiving any questions at education@ecoforestry.ca and to welcoming you to Wildwood for this celebration of success!

Adult $20 - Child $10

Join a Wildwood Ecoforest naturalist for a 1.5-2 hour guided tour and learn why old-growth Coastal Douglas-fir ecosystems like Wildwood are so important. This guided walk will bring you through the heart of the forest where you will learn about the practice of ecoforestry, the history of Wildwood and its founder Merv Wilkinson and the signs of a healthy forest.

Sign up and choose from a start time of 1:00pm to come experience the magic forests have to offer!

Please keep in mind that even though the actual distance walked is less than 2 km, it is a forest trail with a steep hill up a gravel road and you will be on your feet for the entire duration. This tour is more suitable for adults and kids who can walk and stand for up to 2 hours. For shorter kid friendly events, please check out our events calendar.

Do you have accessibility needs? Please contact us at education@ecoforestry.ca to see how we can facilitate your visit. We have a TrailRider available and would be happy to discuss any other ways in which we could make this visit accessible for you.

We also offer private tours. Register here.

Join us at the legendary Wildwood for a day of tea, tours and goodies. Come tour the 21 acres and help us purchase this parcel of biodiversity that used to belong to Wildwood. Also tours by the renowned Nancy Turner and Geraldine Manson, our naturalist Alex and one of our ecoforesters Peter Jungwirth.

Come experience the gifts of this intact ecosystem. All are welcome.

Click on the image below to RSVP for the Open House Event.

RSVP by CLICKING HERE

Learn how to identify mushrooms and where to find them on this guided walk through Wildwood ecoforest, with Andy Mackinnon and Kem Luther.

Take your family on a journey through Wildwood Ecoforest, engaging in land-based teachings that show you how to work, learn, and live with the land in mutual benefit. You'll learn how the forest can provide medicinal, nutritional, and practical assistance - and what you can give in return.

On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1pm, guided tours of Wildwood Ecoforest are open to the public. Come and learn about ecoforestry, a practice that preserves forest ecosystems while providing for ecologically appropriate levels of harvest.

Cost: $20/adult; $10/child

Registration is required.

Only 150 tickets are available to come and hear this amazing international artist. Her only concert in Canada was in Victoria, and was sold out!

Concert begins at 1:00pm in the Wildwood orchard beside Quennell Lake.

Please bring a chair or blanket to sit on, water bottle, and wear appropriate shoes for uneven ground as you will be walking about 15 minutes from the parking area to the orchard.

Carpool if possible because we have limited parking.

On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1pm, guided tours of Wildwood Ecoforest are open to the public. Come and learn about ecoforestry, a practice that preserves forest ecosystems while providing for ecologically appropriate levels of harvest.

Cost: $20/adult; $10/child

Registration is required.

On the 3rd Sunday of each month at 1pm, guided tours of Wildwood Ecoforest are open to the public. Come and learn about ecoforestry, a practice that preserves forest ecosystems while providing for ecologically appropriate levels of harvest.

Cost: $20/adult; $10/child

Registration is required.