When youB次元官网网址檙e visiting a new city or place, much is often made of getting the B次元官网网址渓ocals-onlyB次元官网网址� experience B次元官网网址� avoiding the tourist traps and seeing what makes the place truly special to those who live there.

Getting a more genuine experience of a placeB次元官网网址檚 true gems can take years to glean, but luckily, a new movement of community mapping is emerging to share the wonders of local places with residents and tourists alike.

B次元官网网址淐ommunity mapping is a picture about a place created by community members,B次元官网网址� says Maeve Lydon, Associate Director of Programs with UVicB次元官网网址檚 Institute for Studies and Innovation in Community University Engagement.

B次元官网网址淲hen communities are involved in making the map, it represents them, their landscape, their stories, what they care about and what they think is important in their community.B次元官网网址�

The Institute is one of the partners in a team called the Community Mapping Collaboratory, which oversaw the creation of series of community maps that includes Colwood and Highlands here on the West Shore.

To create these maps, community members from across all walks of life identify sites that are important to them B次元官网网址揻rom apple orchards to carving sheds to wheelchair-accessible beaches B次元官网网址� as a way to learn more about their community from each other.

These days, the Community Mapping Collaboratory is seeking submissions from the community for their Capital Regional District Green Map, an online mapping project that showcases important sites in the region. If you have sites and stories to share from the West Shore, visit for information on how to contribute.

The District of Metchosin has also developed its own community map that showcases the communityB次元官网网址檚 sites and historical highlights. You can find copies of the Colwood, Highlands and Metchosin maps on the West Shore Arts CouncilB次元官网网址檚 Website: .

WhatB次元官网网址檚 coming up?

Here are some of the great events coming up on the West Shore:

B次元官网网址� The Luxton Fall Fair kicks off today (Sept. 12) and continues Saturday and Sunday. Arts lovers will want to check out Arts in the Barn, sponsored by the Vancouver Island Blacksmiths Association, and the lineup of live bands including Dave Cormier, Jake McFadden and Sombrio.

B次元官网网址� Sept. 13 marks the artistsB次元官网网址� reception for the Island Invitational: Clay, Paint, and Metal, happening at Coast Collective, 3221 Heatherbell Rd. in Colwood. Drop by from 1 to 5 p.m. to meet the artists, or check out their work during the run of the show from Sept. 10 to 21.

Johanna Henderson is a volunteer with the West Shore Arts Council and principal with Shelter Creative Services.