Friends of Carmanah/Walbran and Wilderness Committee are thrilled to announce this year’s 4th Annual Walbran Valley Convergence!

On July 29-30, more than hundred people will gather in the Central Walbran Valley (Kaxi:ks) in the unceded territory of the Pacheedaht Nation.

Scroll down for event itinerary!

This annual event is a recognition and a celebration of the first wave of activism in the Walbran Valley – 26 years ago this summer! – that saw part of the Valley protected from destruction.

It’s also an opportunity for people to come together in one of Canada’s most spectacular ancient rainforests and discuss how to better manage these incredible ecosystems and build a truly sustainable forest industry..

This years’ theme is building unity, and the formal programming will highlight a diversity of voices, including Indigenous leaders, forest sector union leaders, elected officials and biologists.

An opening welcome and keynote speakers will kick off the weekend at 1:30pm on Saturday the 29th.  Speakers include Pacheedaht elder Bill Jones, Arnie Bercov, Presedent of the PPCW, Green MLA Adam Olsen and others

From 2.30pm there we be a number of guided hikes; to the Castle Giant and the Harriett Nahanee Memorial Trail

At 5pm there will be a Salmon Dinner. Tickets available through picatic or are available at Wild Fire Bakery or RSVP through email and pay on the day.  See menu below.

Sunday;

 9am; A Pick your own Berry Pancake breakfast hosted by the Sierra Club; By donation.

10:30; Workshops; Bird song identification: Building diversity: Forestry Reform and more.

Noon; Closing

This weekend is always an inspiring and powerful event and is sure to be one of the highlights of your summer.

TRANSPORTATION

We’re working to make the event as accessible as possible, and are organizing return daytrip transportation on the Community Action Bus on Saturday.

Round trip bus tickets are being offered at a subsidized rate of $30 per person or each or at the full cost of $50.

The bus will be leaving Saturday morning from the Vic High parking lot (on Gladstone & Chambers) at 7:30am with a pick up in Duncan at 8:45am and coming back the same day, leaving the Walbran at 7pm (after dinner). We should arrive back in Victoria by 11pm.

The Forest First Bus (12 seater bus) will be leaving Victoria to the Walbran Vie Sooke and Port Renfrew, Saturday, 7.30am. Please email us for more info.

Please use this page to organize carpooling and other ride shares!

**BUS TICKETS: Available online through Picatic ($5 fee included, $30and $50) or at Wild Fire Bakery (1517 Quadra Street at Mason, $25 and up).
https://www.picatic.com/walbranconvergence

SALMON FEAST MENU:

– Lightly smoked local wild salmon with a Maple/Orange Glaze (GF)

– Citrus and Burberry Slaw (GF, Vegan)

– Taku Baked Beans (GF, Vegan)

– Wild Fire Bread

– Fruit (GF, Vegan)

– BYOB!

**TICKETS: Available online through Picatic ($5 fee included, $20and $40) or at Wild Fire Bakery (1517 Quadra Street at Mason, $15 and up).
https://www.picatic.com/walbranconvergence

VOLUNTEERING

We need a lot of volunteers for set-up, take down, food prep, hosting elders, parking, etc. Please email friendsofcarmanahwalbran@gmail.com if you`re interested in volunteering!

DONATIONS

If you would like to support Friends of Carmanah/Walbran’s campaign to Save the Walbran Valley please feel free to make a donation through Picatic, at Wildfire Bakery, by email transfer to friendsofcarmanahwalbran@gmail.com or bring cash to the event, there will be a donation jar! We really appreciate your support!

We would like to acknowledge that this event will be taking place on the traditional unceded territory of the Pacheedaht First Nation.

Sponsored by: Friends of Carmanah Walbran, Wilderness Committee, Forest First Express Society, Sierra Club, Island Forest Futures ( IFF).