Eric Richards, Author at The Discourse.

Eric Richards

A recent transplant to the valley, Eric grew up across B.C. and Alberta and obtained his Bachelor of Science at the University of Lethbridge in 2018. He then pursued broadcast journalism at SAIT in Moh’kinstsis (Calgary). His passion for the outdoors and climate issues guides his ongoing work in understanding life in the Cowichan Valley.

Robyn Radcliffe of The Raptors holds an American kestrel.

Sprawling suburbs are the biggest threat to raptors in the Cowichan Valley, experts say

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● August 7, 2025

‘They don’t want human activity.’: Birds of prey are losing ground to human development in the Cowichan Valley, leading to habitat fragmentation and isolated populations.

A group of people stands around a ribbon at the celebration opening the Shawnigan Lake Museum.

‘They’re going home’: Reclaimed Quw’utsun belongings on display at expanded Shawnigan Lake Museum

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● July 31, 2025

The newly expanded Shawnigan Lake Museum now houses dozens of repatriated Quw’utsun belongings, offering a space for education, reflection and celebration of the region’s deeper history.

A sign in a window outlining the closing date of the reFRESH Marketplace.

Cowichan Valley food bank steps up food recovery as reFRESH market closes

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● July 24, 2025

The long-running food recovery program at the reFRESH market is ending, but local organizations are filling the gap and meeting rising community needs.

A sign on a tall metal pole that has the bylaws for overnight sheltering in the City of Duncan.

Where can people shelter overnight in Duncan and North Cowichan? Here’s what you need to know.

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● July 17, 2025

Current sheltering bylaws — and how they are enforced — leave unhoused people feeling confused, frustrated and unsafe, local advocates say.

An image of the St. Ann's Garden Club building. A large timber-frame house-like structure with a green roof. In front is a grassy field with a heritage apple tree.

Reporter’s notebook: How a news story brought ‘a most favourable ending’ for St. Ann’s Garden Club

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● July 4, 2025

St. Anns Garden Club is looking to the future after a story from The Discourse helped raise awareness about its programming and funding challenges.

Jared Qwustenuxun Williams shows children from the Le'lum'uy'lh Daycare Centre examples of native plants from the nursery.

In photos: Inside the project bringing back Indigenous plants and protecting a vital estuary

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● July 2, 2025

Students from Quw’utsun Secondary School and Le’lum’uy’lh Daycare Centre learn how to care for local plants at the Hulitun Spulhxun/Tumuhw native plant nursery.

A girl holding a sign that reads "stand for all queer lives", while marching in the Cowichan Valley Pride march.

‘Standing up for our rights’: Cowichan Valley Pride march and festival in photos

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● June 24, 2025

Nick Neisingh stands in front of a row of growing cucumbers.

How a 150-year-old society is helping to strengthen food security in the Cowichan Valley

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● June 19, 2025

After years of decline, the Cowichan Valley Agricultural Society is uniting farmers to rebuild local food systems from the ground up.

A man holding a smoked salmon in a smokehouse.

Regulations are holding back traditionally prepared Indigenous foods in B.C., one man is working to change that

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● June 12, 2025

Jared Qwustenuxun Williams hopes that a new commercial food processing facility will help Quw’utsun People benefit culturally and economically from their traditional food.

Two people are standing in front of a salmon rattle.

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre welcomes salmon rattle from Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw carver

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● June 5, 2025

Community members gathered to celebrate and meet the artist behind the salmon rattle and honour the Cowichan Estuary.

Eric Richards

Sprawling suburbs are the biggest threat to raptors in the Cowichan Valley, experts say

‘They’re going home’: Reclaimed Quw’utsun belongings on display at expanded Shawnigan Lake Museum

Cowichan Valley food bank steps up food recovery as reFRESH market closes

Where can people shelter overnight in Duncan and North Cowichan? Here’s what you need to know.

Reporter’s notebook: How a news story brought ‘a most favourable ending’ for St. Ann’s Garden Club

In photos: Inside the project bringing back Indigenous plants and protecting a vital estuary

‘Standing up for our rights’: Cowichan Valley Pride march and festival in photos

How a 150-year-old society is helping to strengthen food security in the Cowichan Valley

Regulations are holding back traditionally prepared Indigenous foods in B.C., one man is working to change that

Cowichan Estuary Nature Centre welcomes salmon rattle from Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw carver

Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society name change to Ballenas ‘in discussion’ for years,’ says CEO

10 ways to better support tenants with vulnerabilities due to income, age or disabilities

‘I want it to stop’: Tenants and advocates allege bullying by non-profit housing provider

Q and A: What are vulnerable tenants rights in non-profit housing?

Who will protect low-income seniors from dying in extreme heat?

Seniors left in distress — or dead — for days in Nanaimo Affordable Housing Society units

Eric Richards

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