Cortes Island Museum & Archives Annual General Meeting

 957 Beasley Road Box 422 Mansons Landing  BC V0P 1K0 cimas@twincomm.ca 250-935-6340 cortesmuseum.com

George has travelled to Costa Rica for 48 years. His trips include overland by Land Rover in 1970 for 5 months, working as naturalist guide 6 months in the 1990s, 2 casual visits, and a 4-week adventure with wife Kim – all giving him a unique perspective of changes this tropical gem has endured.

With 918 species of birds, 112 species of bats, 174 amphibians, 1300 orchids, 9000 flowering plants, over 2500 trees and 200 mammals, it has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. For comparison, all of North America has 915 species of birds. Yet, Costa Rica is only one and a half times bigger than Vancouver Island!

Why is tiny Costa Rica a stupendous natural wonder? If you visit, what should you expect to see? What is the impact of global warming, or as George puts it, global overheating? This illustrated talk will attempt to answer these questions.

Refreshments provided. Everyone welcome. Donations appreciated.

George Sirk’s newest radio program comes from a lifelong passion for nature studies. He became a specialist in tropical ecology, in such places as Australia, Papua New Guinea and tropical America, and later as a naturalist in the Arctic, specializing in Polar bear biology and birds. He first brought his experiences to the airwaves for CFUV in Victoria. George also produced seven-minute clips for the CBC’s On the Island. Additionally, he has produced for CBC’s Outfront and Spark. He returned to Cortes in 2016 and became CKTZ’s newest "spoken word" show. His shows are blogged on the CKTZ website if you missed previous episodes. Presently he is featuring his audio-diary of travelling through the NW passage to Greenland. Listen live Thursday’s 2–3:30 pm.

Saturday, June 16, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

This annual fundraising event is seeking gardens, studios and workshops. This year we are seeking tiny-houses to add to our tour.

Do you have a tiny-house you would like to share with visitors?

If you would like to volunteer your Creative Space, please call Lynne Jordan at 250-935-6472, email cimas@twincomm.ca, or leave a message at the Museum: 250-935-6340.

Saturday, May 5. Grab binoculars, pack your lunch and join the Museum’s Spring Birding Event. It’s fun and an opportunity to learn about the birds that live and visit our island. Novices, and children accompanied by an adult are welcome!  

Meet either at the Museum at 9 am or 286 Seavista Road at 9:30 am. We will walk together and have lunch at Gorge Marina patio. A small donation to cover expenses is appreciated.

The CIMAS Board of Directors is thrilled to announce the awarding of the following BC Arts Council grants for 2018 and 2019:
– An Operating Assistance Grant will allow CIMAS to hire a part-time Managing Director to collaborate with the Board in carrying out the goals and policies laid out in our 5 Year Strategic Plan.  Recognizing the need for succession planning for the volunteer Board, the Managing Director will assist by reducing the workload of the Directors and providing consistency and sustainability in the future.
– The staffing of a part-time Director of Programming has been made possible by an Enhanced Capacity Grant.  This new position will be filled by Brittany Baxter, the current Assistant Programmer, who has done an exceptional job over the last two years in creating engaging outreach programming. 

Partners involved with Wild Cortes: Cortes Island Museum, FOCI, Children’s Forest, DIEM (Discovery Islands Ecological Mapping), Linnaea Farm Education Centre, and three local biologists.

Sunday, May 20 – Sails & Whales – NEW CRUISE

Departs at 10:30 am from Manson’s Landing public dock and heads out to explore the waters around Marina Island and Sutil Channel on the west side of Cortes.  This area is often frequented by humpback whales in the summertime and you will seek them out with friendlier intentions than the Whaling Company schooner Kate of the Dawson which was based in Whaletown in the 1860s.  You will see First Nations pictographs, stop for a low tide walk on a sandy beach, with possible opportunity to raise sail before returning to Manson’s Landing dock at about 4:30 pm for a ferry shuttle.  This cruise runs in conjunction with the Cortes Seafood Festival and the long weekend to give you something to do on Sunday. Price:  $130, GST included.

Saturday, June 9 – Mitlenatch Island Cruise 

Departs Cortes Bay at 10:30 am, returns about 5 pm for ferry shuttles.  Rick Harbo (check your bookshelf – author of many books including Tidepool and Reef and From Whelks to Whales) is joining us as a guest interpreter for our June 9th Mitlenatch trip AND he is happy to do a talk the evening before, June 8, for the community!  Price:  $130, GST included

Sunday, June 17 – Laughing Oyster Father’s Day Cruise

Departs Cortes Bay at 3 pm and returns about 10:30 pm.  Guests will pay for their own meals at the restaurant.  You will need accommodation on Cortes due to late finish.  Price:  $95, GST included.

Friday, July 13 – Low Tide Reef Exploration

Departs Cortes Bay at 10:30 am and heads to explore the extensive reef structure between Hernando and Savary Islands on a 0.3-foot low tide.  The walk will be over a slippery cobble beach at low tide with rocks covered and very slippery with seaweeds.   Participants need to be sure-footed.  Rubber boots are a must.  Walking sticks are also suggested.  Return about 5 pm for ferry shuttles. Price:  $130, GST included.

Thursday, July 19 – Cassel Lake & Waterfall Cruise

Departs Squirrel Cove public dock at 10:30 am and heads north up Lewis Channel to Teakerne Arm.  You will view the waterfall (Captain Vancouver’s “spa”) then anchor off and hike up to the lake.  This hike is a steep, rocky trail and needs sure-footedness.  Along the way are interesting artifacts from early logging.  The swim rocks slope steeply into the lake but are fun.  Up and down Lewis Channel there is good potential for sailing and there may be time to poke into the inner Squirrel Cove before returning to the dock about 5 pm for ferry shuttles. Price:  $130, GST included.

Tuesday, July 31 – ‘Round Maurelle Island Cruise

There are only certain tides in the summer that allow Misty Isles to circumnavigate historic Maurelle Island. Surge Narrow’s Beazley Pass and the Hole-in-the-Wall are famous for their tidal rapids but we will be able to work our way through them on this day at near slack water. Later in the afternoon, the incoming tide will thunder through at almost 10 knots! Eagles, seals and sea lions are often seen fishing in these fast waters. Departs Whaletown at 10 am, returns about 5 pm for ferry shuttles.   Price:  $130, GST included.

Saturday, August 4 – Desolation Sound Cruise.

Departs Cortes Bay at 10:30 am, returns about 5 pm for ferry shuttles.  Price:  $130, GST included.

Thursday, August 9 – Cortes Island Seafood Tour! – NEW CRUISE

Departs Whaletown at 10 am and heads for Marina Island.  You’ll see clam and oyster beaches and then head into Gorge Harbour for a look at the deepwater oyster and mussel rafts.  Next, you’ll head around Sutil Point and join Bill for the famous Hollyhock Oyster BBQ.  Ferry shuttles will leave from Hollyhock about 5 pm.

Friday, August 17 – Desolation Sound Cruise

Departs Cortes Bay at 10:30 am and returns about 5 pm for ferry shuttles. Price:  $130, GST included.

Thursday/Friday, September 2/3 – Blind Channel Dining Cruise

Departs Whaletown at 10 am and heads north to catch the ebb tide through Beazley Passage and the Okisollo Rapids then into Johnstone Strait.  Passing Chatham Point, you’ll head into Mayne Passage between the Thurlow Islands to your overnight destination at Blind Channel Resort.  The Cedar Post Restaurant is well known for its gourmet dining, check www.blindchannel.com/fine-dining.  There are 3 cabins at the resort, each with 2 bedrooms with double beds.   A few trails lead to some nice old growth forest nearby.  The next day you will depart the resort by 9 am and catch the morning flood tide through the Dent and Arran Rapids, returning to Whaletown about 5 pm.  The tidal rapid areas are frequented by dolphins, porpoises and whales, so keep your eyes watching for their “blows.”  Price:  $380 per person double occupancy, $410 per person single occupancy, GST included. Guests pay for their own supper at the restaurant.  Two lunches and a breakfast will be provided.

To register for Misty Isles cruises or for more information email cimas@twincomm.ca, check our website cortesmuseum.com, or phone Museum at 250-935-6340.