Carolyn’s Blog

Two Eagles Certified By Canadian Wildlife Federation–one of 74 in British Columbia

Union Bay, BC–Two Eagles Lodge, a waterfront B&B/vacation rental in the Comox Valley, just received certification by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) through their Backyard Habitat Certification Program. Certification is valid for five years.

Two Eagles is one of 74 properties in British Columbia, and 939 in Canada, to be certified by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) for proactive efforts to create “backyard habitat”, as of February 11, 2016.

According to the CWF website, “Our Backyard Habitat Certification Program, which started in 1999, recognizes the amazing efforts Canadians are taking to meet the habitat needs of wildlife. The program encourages Canadians to take action on behalf of wildlife by creating habitat that is pesticide-free and meets the four needs of wildlife: food, water, shelter and space.”

When Carolyn and Steve Touhey built Two Eagles in 2006, they worked with their contractors to maintain areas on their 12-acre property that would be wildlife friendly, including keeping heavily treed areas, select stumps, and seasonal streams that run through the property.

As part of their development, they added features, such as a large pond, fruit trees, and many gardens with carefully selected feeders, shrubs, and perennials that attract birds and butterflies. There are two resident eagles just off the property line, which grab sticks and branches from trees at Two Eagles to fortress their nest each year.

Each year, they also hang more than 40 flowering baskets around the porches to help with pollen. Raising honey bees is on the agenda for the coming year.

Ms. Touhey says, “We love nature and wildlife, so doing our little bit on our own property to help wild creatures live safely, while also creating a setting that is appealing to our guests, just makes sense. To receive recognition from such a respected organization for that effort is really cool and very rewarding.”

She adds, “Our feeders consistently attract more than 20 hummingbirds. They’re so crazy at sunset, we even posted their ‘Feeding Frenzy’ on the YouTube channel for Two Eagles Lodge. Our guests are often amazed by them, they sit by the feeders and snap, snap, snap—hoping to get the perfect photo.”

Since inception in 1962, the Canadian Wildlife Federation has “worked diligently to foster this Canadian way of life. We deliver programs that encourage people to experience the great outdoors, learn about the wonders of nature and the trials it faces. We also challenge government and industry to improve legislation and practices that negatively impact wildlife and habitat.”

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is recipient of the designation as “1 of the top 25” charities in Canada; there are more than 86,000 charities in this country. They have more than 300,000 supporters.

Two Eagles Lodge was built for purpose by the Touheys in 2006. Since that time, they have received numerous awards, including the 2015 induction into the TripAdvisor Hall of Fame for five consecutive years of five-star ratings, two Vancouver Island BBB Torch awards, and 2011 Vancouver Island Business Excellence–Tourism/Hospitality Business of the Year (and finalist status this year). The property has also evolved into a popular venue for events—from retreats and business parties to house concerts and weddings. # # #