Father Charles Brandt on the front porch of his Oyster River hermitage | Grant Callegari photos

Father Charles Brandt honored by Canadian Museum of Nature

Sep 23, 2020 | Environment, Special

By Guest Writer

When the Canadian Museum of Nature announced the finalists for its
2020 Nature Inspiration Awards, there was only one name in the Lifetime Achievement category: Father Charles Brandt.

A well-known environmentalist in the Comox Valley and Strathcona regional districts, Father Charles was nominated for the award by the Comox Valley Land Trust.

Father Charles has devoted his life to protecting and preserving natural habitats and has inspired generations of volunteers to work together to protect and preserve forests and rivers.

As a spiritual leader and conservationist, Father Charles helped establish the Tsolum River Task Force, which ultimately became
the Tsolum River Restoration Society. At age 97, he continues to act as one of the society’s directors.

Father Charles Brandt

Father Charles was also instrumental in creating the Oyster River Enhancement Society, contributing to the return of salmon and trout stocks on that also once-decimated river. He served as an ORES director and remained active in the society until 2014 when he was appointed a director emeritus.

Beginning in the early 1990s, he was also part of the Oyster River Watershed Management Committee, a roundtable of
government, industry and citizen representatives advocating for improved forest management activities. Father Charles remained active with the ORMC until it disbanded in 2012.

Father Charles’ home is along the Oyster River. In 2019 he granted a conservation covenant on his 27-acre property to the Comox Valley Land Trust. This action will protect the mature forest and riparian areas in perpetuity. Father Charles intends to donate the land to the Comox Valley Regional District as parkland.

Reacting to news of the Canadian Nature Museum’s award, Father Charles wrote, “With [cultural historian] Thomas Berry I can only say that the human community and the natural world must go into the future as a single sacred community. This is a step in that direction. Thank you.”

“We are pleased to see Father Charles recognized on the national stage for his work here on Vancouver Island,” said Comox Valley Land Trust Executive Director Tim Ennis. “His decision to leave his property to the CVRD as parkland, with a conservation covenant held by the land trust that will protect it forever, sets a strong example for others.”

Father Charles will receive his award when the winners in the other six categories are announced on November 25. Winners in each category receive $5,000 they can designate to a nature-related program of their choice.

FURTHER READING: Father Charles: A Long and Winding Journey

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

More Environment | Special

A grassroots movement to form neighbourhood associations is growing in Comox

Last year’s process to update the Town of Comox’s Official Community Plan has spawned several new neighbourhood associations determined to protect their character and quality of life from inappropriate developments. And it has energized individuals to participate in the current municipal elections

Our recommendations for Cumberland, CVRD and CV Schools trustees

Comox Valley voters started casting their ballots yesterday, the first day of advance voting for the Oct. 17 municipal election. Voting continues today on Denman and Hornby and on Saturday in Comox. Decafnation has published its list of recommended candidates in all jurisdictions of Comox Valley races. Click the banner at the top of this page.

Courtenay challengers finally clam up about city finances

Challengers for City of Courtenay council seats have wailed for months about taxes and over spending. Finally, they clammed up.

Four first-time candidates seek council positions in Comox

From a law firm partner, to the DFO Regional Manager, to a Certified Change Agent to an architectural firm manager, four first-time well-qualified candidates seek council seats in the Town of Comox. These are the new faces hoping to win seats in the Oct. 17 municipal election.

Courtenay, Cumberland candidates respond to our seven-part questionnaire

So many candidates, so little time and opportunity to get to know them. With 47 people seeking mayors’s chairs or council seats, deciding who to vote for can boggle the mind. Don’t worry. The Decafnation traditional candidate questionnaire continues today with the responses from Courtenay and Cumberland candidates.

Municipal candidates hear about Comox Valley’s most pressing social issues

Candidates running in the Oct. 17 local government elections had the opportunity to hear first-hand from Comox Valley organizations on the front line of our most pressing social issues.

What does your vision of Comox look like? Six storey buildings down Comox Avenue?

Citizen concerns about increasing allowable building heights to six storeys are fueling this year’s emerging Town of Comox election issues — growth and community identity. Will the Comox of the future still have a small town feel or will it look like White Rock?

The City of Courtenay has chopped its total debt in half from 2012 to 2026

Here’s yet another way to understand the City of Courtenay’s financial management. The incumbent council has cut the the city’s total debt in half since 2012 and reduced its debt per capital by 64.7 percent during the same period. That’s fewer tax dollars spent on debt payments.

Provincial general election feels imminent — will the writ drop this week?

There are lots of signs pointing to Premier David Ebby calling for a BC general election as early as later this week. MLA Brennan Day will make an announcement in the next few days about whether he’ll run as an independent. And Courtenay Councillor Will Cole-Hamiltion withdrew his municipal re-election bid last Friday.

Courtenay’s controversial Sixth Street Bridge: Whose idea was it?

The idea for a pedestrian and cycling bridge at Sixth Street originated about 40 years ago and followed a roller coaster ride to completion. It might have never been built without the persuasive pleading from Downtown businesses in 2019. An effusive thumbs up from mayoral candidate Manno Theos might have helped, too.