The public should use extra caution when using the Nanaimo River for recreation next week, due to increased water flows.

The Regional District of Nanaimo received $24,500 from the wood stove exchange program to encourage residents to trade in their smoky old wood stoves for a high-efficiency model or other clean-burning appliance, Environment Minister Terry Lake announced today.

Thanks to more than $97,000 in provincial Brownfield Renewal funding two brownfield sites in Nanaimo can begin the process of redevelopment.