Sustainability

The mission of the Raincoast Education Society is to help build an environmentally sustainable future for Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. Please read below to learn more about our sustainability programs:

The Tofino Watershed Stewardship Program:

Did you know that, on average, 30% of potable (drinking) water is used to flush toilets? In fact, we habitually waste water doing household tasks like - washing our laundry and dishes with only half a load, using traditional sink faucets instead of aerated ones, using traditional shower heads instead of low flow ones, using traditional toilets instead of dual flush toilets, and using too much water gardening.

In addition, Tofino receives over three meters of rain a year; however, very little of this water is collected for municipal use. In fact, the majority of our water comes from Sharp Creek on Meares Island, which, during our summer months when water demand is highest, can experience extreme water shortages. We need to re-think our relationship with water and build an ethic to reflect a more sustainable and efficient use of this precious resource. The Raincoast Education Society’s (RES) Tofino Water Stewardship Program is here to make that happen! .

Program details:

"The Raincoast Watershed Stewardship Project is a multi-faceted research, education and outreach initiative dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible behaviours within the watersheds of Clayoquot Sound. By challenging conventional perceptions of how we use water and providing people with information to make responsible water-use decisions, we are working to ensure that activities within our communities have a minimal impact on the overall watershed.

We began our project by surveying residents to gauge local knowledge about our water system and other water use topics. Click here for our SURVEY.

Based on the feedback from the survey and other community members, we have focused
the bulk of our efforts on the creation of a website compiling locally-relevant information about:

1) water and energy efficient home appliances, (toilets, laundry machines, dish washers, hot-water heaters, faucets), grey-water systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and contact lists of local suppliers;

2) environmentally-responsible wastewater discharge (recipes for biodegradable cleaning products and other products included in wastewater);

3) disposal of hazardous waste and recyclable materials;

4) environmentally-responsible boat maintenance;

5) the history of Tofino’s water system. It is anticipated that the website will be complete by the end of February, 2012.

In addition to the reference website, we have made a concerted effort to raise the profile of our local watersheds by hosting the 2011 Raincoast Watershed Forum, a public event that brought together 14 local organizations currently working on research, monitoring and stewardship projects in our local watersheds. With over 50 people in attendance, the forum provided a platform for sharing information and discussing local issues. Please stay posted as this project evolves!

If you have any questions about our water stewardship program or if you want to share your water conservation tips, please send us an email (info@raincoasteducation.org), give us a call (250 725-2560) or visit our Facebook page:

We look forward to hearing from you!

Check this link for daily water usage starting July 1st.

Raincoast Sustainable Living Program: 2009-2011

The Raincoast Sustainable Living Program is an initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, with the goal of building more sustainable communities in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Region. To do this, we’re working closely with local residents, businesses, and governments – as well as visitors – to identify and promote tangible actions that we can take in our daily lives that will build toward a more sustainable future.

Funding provided by the Raincoast Education Society and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust.

Click here for the latest local RECYCLING INFORMATION





			Sustainability The mission of the Raincoast Education Society is to help build an environmentally sustainable future for Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds. Please read below to learn more about our sustainability programs: The Tofino Watershed Stewardship Program: Did you know that, on average, 30% of potable (drinking) water is used to flush toilets? In fact, we habitually waste water doing household tasks like - washing our laundry and dishes with only half a load, using traditional sink faucets instead of aerated ones, using traditional shower heads instead of low flow ones, using traditional toilets instead of dual flush toilets, and using too much water gardening. In addition, Tofino receives over three meters of rain a year; however, very little of this water is collected for municipal use. In fact, the majority of our water comes from Sharp Creek on Meares Island, which, during our summer months when water demand is highest, can experience extreme water shortages. We need to re-think our relationship with water and build an ethic to reflect a more sustainable and efficient use of this precious resource. The Raincoast Education Society’s (RES) Tofino Water Stewardship Program is here to make that happen! . Program details: "The Raincoast Watershed Stewardship Project is a multi-faceted research, education and outreach initiative dedicated to promoting environmentally responsible behaviours within the watersheds of Clayoquot Sound. By challenging conventional perceptions of how we use water and providing people with information to make responsible water-use decisions, we are working to ensure that activities within our communities have a minimal impact on the overall watershed. We began our project by surveying residents to gauge local knowledge about our water system and other water use topics. Click here for our SURVEY. Based on the feedback from the survey and other community members, we have focused the bulk of our efforts on the creation of a website compiling locally-relevant information about: 1) water and energy efficient home appliances, (toilets, laundry machines, dish washers, hot-water heaters, faucets), grey-water systems, rainwater harvesting systems, and contact lists of local suppliers; 2) environmentally-responsible wastewater discharge (recipes for biodegradable cleaning products and other products included in wastewater); 3) disposal of hazardous waste and recyclable materials; 4) environmentally-responsible boat maintenance; 5) the history of Tofino’s water system. It is anticipated that the website will be complete by the end of February, 2012. In addition to the reference website, we have made a concerted effort to raise the profile of our local watersheds by hosting the 2011 Raincoast Watershed Forum, a public event that brought together 14 local organizations currently working on research, monitoring and stewardship projects in our local watersheds. With over 50 people in attendance, the forum provided a platform for sharing information and discussing local issues. Please stay posted as this project evolves! If you have any questions about our water stewardship program or if you want to share your water conservation tips, please send us an email (info@raincoasteducation.org), give us a call (250 725-2560) or visit our Facebook page: We look forward to hearing from you! Check this link for daily water usage starting July 1st. Raincoast Sustainable Living Program: 2009-2011 The Raincoast Sustainable Living Program is an initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, with the goal of building more sustainable communities in the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Region. To do this, we’re working closely with local residents, businesses, and governments – as well as visitors – to identify and promote tangible actions that we can take in our daily lives that will build toward a more sustainable future. Funding provided by the Raincoast Education Society and the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust. Click here for the latest local RECYCLING INFORMATION