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The Somenos Marsh Open Air Classroom

Have you ever visited the Somenos Marsh Open Air Classroom, affectionately known to its friends as the OAC? Since it is located within
Quw’utsun lands we have incorporated our thankfulness for this privilege by making sure that this acknowledgement is present through-
out the OAC.

We accomplished this by including Hul’q’umi’num language wherever we could. The work started back in 2008 when the first phase of the
elevated wildlife watching boardwalk was built and Luschiim (Arvid Charlie) with the help of some other respected elders, provided a
translation for our boardwalk entrance welcome sign, as well as names of the birds, plants and animals featured on our small interpretive
signs scattered along the boardwalk. Where specific translations were not known, generic Hul’q’umi’num words were used like Ma’uqw
for some species of ducks.

Qwustenuxun (Jared Williams) was kind enough to make a video of the signs while offering how to say the Hul’q’umi’num words. You can
find that video on our website at https://www.somenosmarsh.com/oac. Scroll down to the video, and afterwards check out the rest of the
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society’s website.

The main parking lot is easily accessed from the Trans-Canada Highway just a couple of minutes north of Beverly Street. The entrance is
tricky due to vehicles at highway speed behind you, but safety improvements are in the works soon. Some braver hearts park at the Bev-
erly Street dog park and then walk the S’amunu Trail to the OAC. It is a shorter walk to park at the end of York Road (beside the Hamlets)
and join the S’amunu Trail there.

The S’amunu Trail acknowledges the history of the Quw’utsun People by providing some of the stories, and information about the past, on
trail markers at every entrance point to the trail. The Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society put forth the idea of naming the S’amunu Trail, after
receiving permission from Cowichan Tribes to use this name. The S’amunu Trail starts/ends at Tzouhalem Road where the dike begins and
goes all the way to the Open Air Classroom. It will eventually be extended from the OAC to Drinkwater Road.

The OAC site has nice flat gravel trails that lead out to an elevated boardwalk that extends into the fields and provides access year round
for wildlife and nature watching, even when the seasonal flooding is happening. The boardwalk is named Watts Walk in memory of Syd
and Emily Watts, who argued many years ago for the preservation of Somenos. Handrails are installed on both sides of the boardwalk for
seniors and created a safe ‘habitat’ for children. There are four platforms with benches and four wheelchair ‘pullouts’ with benches as the
entire facility, apart from the viewing tower, is considered accessible. Over 1,000 of the boardwalk planks are engraved with the names of
supporters, friends of supporters, and those long gone from us making Watts Walk a memorial for those who visit loved ones remem-
bered on the boardwalk or benches.

Other OAC amenities include the Peninsula Coop Talking Circle, picnic tables, and the Anniversary Wildlife Viewing Tower built to provide
views of the overall S’amunu Conservation Area, as well as awesome views of Swuq’us and Pi-Paam.

We welcome you to come visit us and enjoy.

Huy ch q'u
Paul Fletcher
Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society