Courtenay Annual Report 2025 draft

Seasonal yard waste drop-off program

Youth Climate Corps BC – Courtenay program

In 2025, Youth Climate Corps BC (YCCBC) supported a broad range of local climate-action and environmental restoration initiatives in partnership with community organizations and the City of Courtenay. Mobilizers worked across parks, riversides and neighbourhoods, contributing to ecosystem restoration, invasive species removal, native planting, water and wildlife monitoring and food-security programs. Work took place at sites including Kus-kus-sum, Courtenay Airpark, Glen Urquhart, Mallard, Piercy and Millard Creeks, and the Morrison Creek Headwaters. Community partners such as LUSH Valley Food Action Society, Lake Trail Community Education Society, Project Watershed and the BC Parks Foundation reported significant benefits, noting expanded capacity for gleaning programs, garden restoration, youth engagement and ecological monitoring. 2025 highlights: • 270 kg of broom removed in a single morning. • 107 kg of backyard cherries and 57 kg of farm produce gleaned. • 175 days of climate-action activity completed. • Three wildlife trail cameras deployed. The program also provided meaningful career-building opportunities for youth, strengthening local climate resilience while supporting hands-on learning and community partnerships.

To manage peak fall volumes, the City offered a free seasonal yard waste drop-off site for Courtenay residents from November 1 to 28. Located at the end of McKenzie Avenue near the Operations Centre, the site provided additional capacity for residents whose yard waste exceeded their curbside organics carts. Accepted materials included leaves, grass clippings, plants and small branches. Staff monitored the site to ensure clean material, which was directed to composting facilities. The program supported organics diversion and helped maintain reliable curbside collection during high-volume periods. In 2025, the City collected 4,464 tonnes of organics, reflecting sustained participation in diversion programs. The seasonal drop-off site complements year-round curbside services. Residents who require additional capacity outside seasonal programs can request an extra organics cart for an annual fee. Fast facts: • 4,464 tonnes of organics collected in 2025. • 2,148 tonnes of garbage collected in 2025. • 5,813 households using the Courtenay Collects app.

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