The Comox Valley Project Watershed Society is hosting a dinner to finish unpaving paradise at the Kus-kus-sum site.
The Keeping It Living dinner will be held at 40 Knots Winery on Sept. 13, catered by LUSH Valley Catering, and will support the completion of the project.
鈥淭his event will be a chance to celebrate how far Kus-kus-sum has come and help us get across the finish line,鈥� said Caitlin Pierzchalski, Project Watershed鈥檚 Executive Director.
The Kus-kus-sum Project is Project Watershed鈥檚 largest restoration undertaking to date. They are restoring the 8.3-acre former industrial sawmill site to a healthy, naturalized tidal ecosystem on behalf of and in partnership with K鈥櫭砿oks First Nation and the City of Courtenay. The restoration began in 2021, after the Society had raised funds for three years to purchase the site from Interfor.
After four years, the project is on the brink of completion. The final regrading and planting of the site is scheduled to take place this summer and fall. The last step, which involves removing the steel wall that separates the site from the river, is planned to occur between November and February.
The Keeping It Living Dinner will kick off the fundraising for these final activities. LUSH Valley Catering will provide delicious appetizers, salads and a main course prepared from locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. These items will be paired with 40 Knots wines and followed by a raspberry pannacotta dessert made by Chef Stephanie Noel of Cheffanie. Mexican-born now Comox Valley resident, Oscar Robles will add a little flamenco flair playing for the event on his acoustic guitar.
鈥淲e hope you can join us as we enjoy food, wine and music from the Comox Valley while celebrating ecological restoration, research and education in our community,鈥� said Caila Holbrook, Project Watershed鈥檚 Manager of Fundraising and Outreach.
In addition to delectable food and music, fundraising activities will include a 50/50 draw and an auction. Tickets for the event are $120 per person until Sept. 1, and $140 thereafter. They can be purchased online at .
