SHAWNIGAN WATER.ORG

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WELCOME TO OUR WATERSHED





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SHAWNIGAN BASIN SOCIETY  




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​​CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION & RECREATION

Working to protect and secure the long-term healTH and safety of the Shawnigan Lake Community Watershed and the drinking water it provides.
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Celebrating 12 years  in community




Established October 2012 


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  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • SHAWNIGAN BASIN SOCIETY
  • Natural Edge Program
  • PROJECTS
    • Past Projects >
      • Foreshore >
        • Foreshore to Forest >
          • Upland Forests
      • Milfoil
      • EBCP
      • Incorporation
      • SOIL DEPOSITS
  • Get Involved
    • WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
    • STEWARDSHIP
  • Events
  • Reports
  • MAPS & RESOURCES
    • SBS MAPPING >
      • COMMUNITY
      • VEGETATION CHANGES >
        • A Tale of Two Watersheds
        • Shawnigan Watershed Changes
  • Contact Us

Art & Eats An Evening at Unsworth
​Fine dining and art fundraiser May 28th 2025

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Purchase Tickets Now
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Silent Auction "Sneak Peek"
​Click on the left side painting to start the Slideshow
​more items to be added weekly

Sharon Stone
Jon Gugin
Chenoa Willow
Click the links above to See more work by our artist direct donors.
Thanks to Chenoa Willow, Jon Gugin, Kyle Kilgour, Roger Carr, & Sharon Stone
Our Fundraising Campaigns are ongoing.
We need your financial support to continue our work and apply for further grants
​and funding opportunities from other sources.
DONATE HERE
SBS MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION - JOIN OR UPDATE
Pay for Membership

Programs, Meetings Activities and more!

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Concerned about activities impacting the environment?  Observe, Record, Report. Keep the file number, share it with allies and the SBS.
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"Observe, Record Report line" at  1-800-465-4336 or at the link below

Federal Reporting
Report a Fisheries or Habitat Violation
Provincial Reporting
rar_complaints_information_for_web_16__003_.pdf
File Size: 154 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

rar-brochure-2016_final_web.pdf
File Size: 2192 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

CVRD Drinking Water & Watershed Protection ​

Your browser does not support viewing this document. Click here to download the document.
More DWWP Info
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Lovin' Lake Life Limited stock is still available

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COLDWATER
EURASIAN MILFOIL REMOVAL PROGRAM 

OBJECTIVE: Maintaining the low productivity oligotrophic status of Shawnigan Lake by removing the invasive Mryiophyllum spicatum (Eurasian watermilfoil) with its accumulated nutrients.
noac_milfoil_2025_0131_to_0301.pdf
File Size: 202 kb
File Type: pdf
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1006032_notice_of_authorized_change.pdf
File Size: 202 kb
File Type: pdf
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2024_cemrp_outline.pdf
File Size: 100 kb
File Type: pdf
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Donate to the Cold Water Milfoil Removal Program

Curious about Milfoil reduction methods?
See our reports section for more information.
Eurasian watermilfoil fragments easily with fragments settling to the lake bottom and rooting, giving rise to new plants. Milfoil fragmentation is the major means by which EM reproduces. Avoid infested areas, try not to break the plants, capture any broken bits of plant you find in or near water, including ditches and creeks. Dispose of EM plant material by drying thoroughly or compost well away from all water sources.
Boaters, please push off, or gently paddle from dock/shore to reduce fragmentation. Disturbing the plant when water temperature is 10° C or higher is known to increase it's spread. Below this temperature, it cannot metabolize, and will die before they can root.

Full Reports
​(click here and scrolldown to Milfoil)
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​Foreshore restoration planning assistance available
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CLICK HERE FOR PROGRAM DETAILS


Canadas First EcoClub now accepting new members

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JOIN SLREC
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What Does The SBS Do?
see the ongoing work document here for details

2024_ongoing_work_of_sbs.pdf
File Size: 417 kb
File Type: pdf
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bylaw_3737_201311201153084300.pdf
File Size: 390 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

488_cvrd_expenditure_program_2018.pdf
File Size: 89 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Make a Charitable Donation with tax receipt
General Meetings are hosted on the 1st Tuesday of each month.
​Please join us!

2025 Events


January 07 2025 - General Meeting 7-9pm
February 02 2025 - World Wetland Day

February 04 2025 - General Meeting 7-9pm
February 15 2025 Volunteer Meet & Great with SLREC & SBS 10am - 2pm @SBS 

February 26 to March 03 - Invasive Species Awareness week
March 03 2025 - World Wildlife Day
March 04 2025 - General Meeting 7-9pm
February 26 to March 03 - Invasive Species Awareness week
March 22 2025 - World Water Day
April 01 2025 -  General Meeting 7-9pm
April 17 - Speaker Series - All About Bats
7pm at SBS
April 26 - 10am - 2pm SBS@ Shawnigan Rotary Eco Club Community Clean Up Day at SL Community Centre
April 17 -  Bat Appreciation Day
April 22  - Earth Day
May 02 - Forestry Tour with Mosaic 9am-1130am meet at SBS RSVP space is limited
May 06  - SBS Annual General Meeting 
​May 22  - International Day for Biological Diversity
May 28 - Unsworth Fundraiser
Gourmet meal & silent auction*

June 05  - World Environment Day
June 07 - Canadas Clean Air Day
June 08 - World Oceans Day
August 23 - SBS@ ​Cobble Hill Fair
See our Events page for past offerings
* event details to be announced when confirmed
NEW SHIRTS HAVE ARRIVED !
​Visit one of Community Supporters where you can donate to SBS for your preferred shirt.
​Island Water Store - 802 Deloume Rd, Mill Bay
Masons Store & Patio - 1885 Renfrew Rd, Shawnigan Lake
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Aquatic Plant Surveys

Volunteer Opportunities

*CVRD advisory panel: participating in CTAG community technical advisory group, SSLWMP South Sector Liquid Waste Management Plan, DWWMP Drinking Water & Watershed Management Planning
*Fundraising / Grant writing Committee
*Invasive Plant Management Program

*Monitoring, Research & Testing Team
*Native Plant Enhancement Program
*Natural Asset Protection Program

*Public Outreach, Education & Engagement Program
*Resource & Development Program (forestry, dumping ,building)
*Riparian Area & Foreshore Protection Program
​*Salmon in Shawnigan - YES THERE ARE

*Technical Advisory/Reporting Team
*Community Outreach Meetings and Presentations
Partner Organizations
BC Lake Stewardship Society
Cowichan Community Land Trust
Invasive Species Council of BC
Living Lakes Canada
​Shawnigan Lake Roatary EcoClub
Watersheds Canada


Salmon in Shawnigan? – YES THERE ARE 
The Shawnigan Basin Society is looking for volunteers to help determine where Coho salmon spawn and develop in the streams that enter Shawnigan Lake. The main streams of interest are Upper Shawnigan Creek, especially in the vicinity of the lake, McGee Creek and West Arm Creek and its tributaries. However, observations of smaller streams would also be much appreciated. 
Additionally, we are participating in The BC Conservation Foundation (BCCF) monitoring program looking to identify what extent a recently identified common tire preservative compound (known as 6PPD-quinone) exists within our local East Coast Vancouver Island waterways.  
If you would like more information and are interested in volunteering, please email [email protected] 

Printable Colouring sheet 

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Share your thoughts about local area planning

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2025 LAP SURVEY May 15 - June 06

CVRD Local Area Plans
LINK TO 2025 DRAFT

CVRD DRAFT LAPP 2025
2025_cvrd_lap_schedule_b_draft.pdf
File Size: 16498 kb
File Type: pdf
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2025_cvrd_lap_bylaw_schedule_a_e8dc44fbe612acf354af6ee52314543b_schedule-a-new.pdf
File Size: 76364 kb
File Type: pdf
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Shawnigan Historical OCP/LAP files

2014__ocp_merged_shawnigan_village_plan_201407141611373012.pdf
File Size: 4344 kb
File Type: pdf
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2022_area_b_shawnigan_lake_local_area_plan.pdf
File Size: 776 kb
File Type: pdf
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Cowichan Valley Water Service Areas
map_cvrd_water-systems4.pdf
File Size: 6519 kb
File Type: pdf
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Is Your Shoreline Healthy?
​Click here to Check
Users’ Guide for Changes In and About A Stream (Includes lakes)
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WATER SUSTAINABILITY ACT ​AND
​RELATED REPORTS

Adult T-shirts

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Youth T-shirts & SPF50 Sun shirts

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Work Hard, Play Hard, Clean Easy
Reduce the amount of toxins in your wastewater. Improve your carbon footprint, reduce your plastic use 

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Purchase TruEarth Here 20% will be donated to SBS

Fish Habitat Enhancement Tools

coho_salmon_in_the_shawnigan_creek_watershed.pdf
File Size: 109 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

fish-habitat-enhancement-toolkit-guide-web.pdf
File Size: 1989 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

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CVRD Zoning  Community Engagement September 24 → November 08 2024

CVRD SURVEY ​One region-wide Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw

CVRD LAP INFORMATION click here

2022 South Cowichan Area Director Candidates Respond to Environmental Questions

Meeting Recording Here
candidates_questions_2022_10_02.pdf
File Size: 101 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

2024_sbs_colouring_sheet_v1_0.jpg
File Size: 272 kb
File Type: jpg
Download File


The Shawnigan Basin Society is Proud to Announce the Launch of their Fundraising Initiative & Regular Community Events!


We, the Shawnigan Basin Society, remain committed to protecting and securing the long-term health and safety of the Shawnigan Lake Community watershed and the drinking water it provides.

The Shawnigan Basin Society experienced the loss of our tax based funding in 2017. Although this loss was significant, we have chosen to continue to uphold our commitment to Shawnigan residents. Doing so entails the launch of community wide fundraising drives, a three-tiered approach of members, donors, and sponsors.
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We very much look forward to working in solidarity with all community members to achieve our goals.
​    1.  $20 Annual Membership * please include your email
  • drop in during office hours
  • mail membership form and cheque to
          PO Box 189
          Shawnigan Basin Society
          Shawnigan Lake, BC
          V0R 2W1
  • email us at [email protected]
Membership FORM
    2.   Donations and Contributions 
  • Online through Canada Helps 
  • On Facebook Page through Fundraising Campaigns 
  • Transfers can be sent to [email protected] 
  • Stop by our office or call us to show your support.
  • Deposit Drop Off - Bottles and cans - Leave your donation on our account at  the Bottle Depot on Fisher Rd.
  • Use our Co-op Membership at a Peninsula Co-op or at Super Save in Shawnigan. #117809​
​3.   Sponsorship
  • Contact Shirley Astleford at 250 216 2896
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**For Members Only**
OFFICE USE
AVAILABLE BY DONATION
subject to availability and SBS approval

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Promoting a holistic approach toward environmental solutions,
community engagement and local stewardship


​WE WELCOME ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. 
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ABOUT

Learn more about our vision of watershed governance, how we operate, what we do, and our
success stories to date
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PROJECTS

Check out what we've been up to.  Research our collection of documents, resources, and maps featuring our Ecosystem Based Conservation Plan
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GET INVOLVED

See what's coming up for the Basin Society including events in the community and membership opportunities

Overcoming Fragmentation:

A Holistic Approach to Watershed Management

Shawnigan Lake, unlike nearby Sooke Lake, is extensively developed. The consequences of historic and recent developments, along with an increasingly volatile climate, have accumulated to affect the capacity of the watershed to provide for both a community water supply and a thriving economy. Scientific trends are showing a steady decline in our drinking water quality, leading many of our citizens to act and advocate for change.
The CVRD electoral area that includes Shawnigan Lake is the largest unincorporated population in the province. It has a mixed economy of forestry, agriculture, mining, tourism, recreation and commerce. The rural community is facing increased pressures and is approaching a tipping point where both the public and private values of water and economy are at risk. Diversity of land ownership and the need to accommodate many competing interests makes the task of restoring watershed functions very complex. The Shawnigan Basin Society (SBS) is committed to working with all basin interests to identify values, define problems, consider the scientific record, and decide on courses of action to protect, conserve, restore, and enhance the environmental and economic values that make up the basin’s natural and human ecology.
Narrated by Georgia Collins
Narrated by Dave Hutchinson

FUNDING & GRANTS

Look here for past financial statements, budgets, and sources of funds
received by external agencies.
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Grants and Funding

WATER QUALITY

Learn more about our vision of watershed governance, how we operate, what we do, and share our success stories.
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WATER QUALITY

STUDIES & REPORTS

Find full details of thesis work, consolidated reports, and
ongoing water studies here.
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STUDIES AND GRANTS


​Having completed an ecosystem-based conservation plan (EBCP), the Basin Society is now moving forward with a full-scale public engagement and consultation initiative.
Determine what sub-basin you live in on the map provided and consider hosting a discussion in your home.
EBCP
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Special Thanks to our Current & Past Contributors & Partners

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 Web Design by VedaWorks and the Shawnigan Basin Society
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  • Home
  • ABOUT
    • SHAWNIGAN BASIN SOCIETY
  • Natural Edge Program
  • PROJECTS
    • Past Projects >
      • Foreshore >
        • Foreshore to Forest >
          • Upland Forests
      • Milfoil
      • EBCP
      • Incorporation
      • SOIL DEPOSITS
  • Get Involved
    • WAYS TO SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
    • STEWARDSHIP
  • Events
  • Reports
  • MAPS & RESOURCES
    • SBS MAPPING >
      • COMMUNITY
      • VEGETATION CHANGES >
        • A Tale of Two Watersheds
        • Shawnigan Watershed Changes
  • Contact Us