I came to the Cedar Coast Field Station as a stranger; I had just finished my Geography degree at the University of Victoria and did not know where to go and what to do. I knew I wanted to do something with my free time, away from the city, go to a new place, learn, and volunteer. Cedar Coast was that perfect opportunity. It was a quick decision and before I knew it I got off the boat on Vargas Island. The team welcomed me with open arms, and immediately I felt part of the community. I quickly adapted and learned how things worked at this off-grid field station.

I found that time flows differently on Vargas Island than most places. Time slowed, days became longer, soon enough I slowed to the pace of the island time. I felt in tune with the full swing of seasonal changes: the sequence of blooming plants and the ebb and flow of the tides. Few people live here, the weather is temperamental, and while I know the cities always hustle and bustle, I felt like the world had slowed.

As a volunteer, I had to opportunity to help out with many projects, and learn lots. First I learned what it is like to live off-grid and on a small island. I assisted in the regular maintenance of the place, including some gardening. I also assisted with research and discovered the rich intertidal life of the area by exploring the rocks at low tide, and conducting intertidal surveys. I learned the tricks of collecting and pressing plants for the station’s herbarium and worked on the island’s species checklist. I even got to take part in sea lice surveys in the area. Just like a small community, Cedar Coast staff and volunteers gather for delicious home-cooked meals most nights, sharing many smiles and laughs.

During my free time, I got to thoroughly enjoy the area. I enjoyed hiking and kayaking, but sometimes even simple and daily happenings would be enough. I would wake up to the Rufous Hummingbirds buzzing around the volunteer wall tent (my home for 6 weeks), as they fed on the Evergreen Huckleberry flowers. In the evenings, I heard the Swainson’s Thrushes and Hermit Thrushes singing their fluty songs. This is a place where seeing wolf tracks on the beach and trails is common, and even hearing the occasional chorus of wolves howling early in the morning or late at night is not unheard of.

Thank you Cedar Coast Field Station for this incredible opportunity!