Summer 2026 with the Friends of Cortes Island

Roy L Hales / Cortes Currents - The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) is set to run a busy, engaging summer calendar in 2026, beginning with sold-out programming launched Monday, June 28. Early highlights included “Misty Isles” and “The Secret Shelf Exploration,” a guided intertidal snorkel-style visit where participants explore a rich marine environment while learning about local ecosystems. Although that first event is already fully booked, it reflects the organization’s strong community interest in hands-on nature learning. Looking ahead, FOCI’s summer events continue to blend local expertise with conservation-focused education. A “Moss Magic” session on July 4, led by Dan Tucker, introduces the hidden world of mosses, liverworts, and lichens. Later in July, “Gumbooting the Lagoon” returns as a low-tide walk at Manson’s Lagoon, done in partnership with the museum and featuring local history insights from Melanie Boyle. They also aim to try new experiences, including “Moths by Moonlight” (August 15), a moth-trapping event that attracts moths with light traps and allows participants to observe and learn before releasing them unharmed. Beyond events, FOCI’s work in 2026 is equally active on the ground. They recently completed their third annual Big Beach Clean-Up, collecting 2,570 kilograms of garbage through community participation, partnerships with Klahoose Aquaculture and waste management, and sponsorship support. The organization is also collaborating with Cortes Island School on renewable, creative land-based education projects—like willow-based pollinator fencing and the living green willow dragon sculpture. Meanwhile, they maintain and improve regional parks and access points, support habitat restoration with BC Parks (including broom removal on the spit), conduct eelgrass surveys, prepare European green crab trapping with DFO to protect eelgrass and native species, and invite ongoing volunteer and donation support to sustain this breadth of impact.