On Aug. 18 at noon, the public is invited to a youth-led tour of a Spike Road property, which was purchased by Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD) in 2022.

This Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER), Phase II project is made possible with funding from the Ministry of Children and Family Development and a CVRD Rural Community Grant.

CVRD plans for the 30-hectare Spike Road property include converting it into parkland, integrating it with the One Spot Trail and protecting wildlife habitat. It is an ecologically sensitive area that contains two expansive wetlands, maturing second-growth forest and a significant number of wildlife trees.

Tour participants will learn about the natural history and human impacts on the property. CVRD and YER have partnered to identify and map disturbed sites in the park that can be restored to their natural state. Biologist Tanis Gower will lead the 2023 YER Phase II research project, guiding the youth and providing a final report for the CVRD.

Two youth will lead a public tour of the site, sharing the knowledge they have acquired. People wanting to attend will meet at 1893 Spike Road off Railway Avenue in Merville. For more information, contact YER youth support worker Graham Hilliar at grahamhilliar@gmail.com or 250-334-7566; visit the YER website at .