Meet Tanya, one of our amazing NatureKids BC volunteers that helps provide meaningful moments in nature for families in the TriCities area!
A bit about Tanya!
I am very excited to help out with NatureKids in the Tri Cities! I have a BSc in Biology from Simon Fraser University and currently work in the field of public health. I am passionate about spending time in the outdoors with my children and together we enjoy hiking, geocaching, biking, swimming and recently cross country skiing! We are also involved with Scouts and Girl Guides and being involved in our local community.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you experience nature around you?
By day I work in public health but in my free time I like to explore and enjoy all our beautiful Province has to offer – everything from hiking trails on the coastal mountains, biking the Pitt River Dykes, snow shoeing Grouse Mountain, swimming in the Coquitlam River to kayaking on lakes up in the Caribou. I get outside whenever I can – rain or shine, hot or cold weather. Years ago I discovered the 1,000 hours outside challenge and really enjoyed doing this with my children, I definitely see the impact being outdoors has on our physical and mental wellbeing, and try to incorporate that in our daily family life. I also volunteer for Scouts and Girls Guides, and enjoy organizing outdoor activities, especially introducing children to geocaching!
What do you like about volunteering and what inspired you to join NatureKids BC?
I appreciate how NatureKids is a network of people sharing nature activity ideas, and we are free to join events anywhere. I love exploring neighbouring communities, learning new things about nature and meeting new people. There are an endless amount of unique places to explore in our community and it it wonderful to see smiles on the faces of families experiencing something for the first time!
Do you have a favourite NatureKids moment that you can share with us?
My favourite recent activity was experiencing forest bathing! I have heard about forest bathing, but never experienced it, and we were fortunate enough to have the City of Coquitlam run an event with families and it was so peaceful and relaxing. My favourite moment was lying on a bed of moss, listening to the sounds of the forest around me!
Become a member today and discover Explorer Days in your community!