The Discourse - Cowichan Valley

A woman with a green hat that reads "Broombusters," bends over next to a shrub with yellow flowers, cutting the plant. She is wearing a white shirt and it is sunny outside.

Scotch broom increases wildfire risk. What can we do about it?

By Madeline Dunnett, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter ● Comox Valley ● July 23, 2025

Invasive species such as Scotch broom can exacerbate wildfires, but communities are working hard to remove these invaders from local ecosystems.

Latest in Cowichan Valley

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.

A river runs through a forest with fallen trees about it.

A ‘death trap’ along the Cowichan River could hold new hope for fish

By Eric Richards ● Cowichan Valley ● May 29, 2025

June will be a critical month for the Cowichan River as water levels drop.

A rainbow Pride Progress flag waves with Pride parade goers in the background

2025 Pride guide for Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley

By The Discourse ● Nanaimo ● May 27, 2025

Check out our local Pride guide for events, plus resources and organizations for 2SLGBTQQIA+ and allies in Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley.

Scotch broom increases wildfire risk. What can we do about it?

Latest in Cowichan Valley

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

A ‘death trap’ along the Cowichan River could hold new hope for fish

2025 Pride guide for Cowichan, Nanaimo and the Comox Valley

Nanaimo’s toxic drug emergency at 10 years

Nanaimo city council votes down proposed drug policy letter

Motion to close Nanaimo’s Overdose Prevention Site withdrawn

‘Like a bomb dropping’: Safer supply changes leave patients struggling for stability

Drop in 2024 Nanaimo overdose deaths still ‘a fraction’ of overall trend upwards

Sudden changes to safer supply program a ‘huge mistake,’ says Nanaimo patient