On July 1, 2024, Youth and Ecological Restoration (YER) achieved a 20-year milestone of youth service in the Comox Valley. 

Since 2004, 476 youth aged 12 to 18 have benefited from the one-on-one work experience program.  They gain a sense of worth, belonging and place through ecological restoration, ecotherapy and mentoring.

YER is funded by Ministry of Children and Family Development, Comox Valley Regional District and Comox Valley School District.  Youth are involved with organizations like MARS Wildlife Rescue, Millard Piercy Watershed Stewards, Morrison Creek Streamkeepers. Oyster River Enhancement Society and Tsolum River Restoration Society.  For program completion, they become educators, giving speeches about local ecosystems for community groups.

YER has been an incredible 20-year journey of teaching and learning about ecological and human relationships.  Graham Hilliar joined the program in 2015, first as volunteer, then as a youth support worker. Later this year, Hilliar will become the co-ordinator to carry YER forward. 

For several months Pod Creative and YER have been working diligently to update the website. YER is grateful to the Comox Valley community for all the support over the past two decades;  there will be a celebration in the fall.  View the new website at