NatureKidsBC

DELTA HL
2019-11-07 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Vancouver)
Farm Tour
Plans have changed and on this Explorer Day we will be touring a farm with Earthwise mentor Jessica. The kids will get to explore the farm and get their hands dirty with a fun activity.

Please RSVP to deltahl (at) naturekidsbc.ca
Directions to the farm:
The farm is behind Southpointe Academy in Delta. You will enter through the South Delta Baptist Church entrance off of 56 St. Once you enter, turn right and then take the first left to remain in the church parking lot (if you continue into Southpointe Academy’s parking, the entrance to the farm will be blocked by the orange cones I’ve marked on the map). Take a left at the end of the parking lot to head north, and follow the dirt road to the right around the bushes into our parking area. After parking, you’ll see a path through the trees that will lead you right out to the farm. As long as you make it behind the church, we’ll find you! If anyone is having trouble finding their way, have them give me a call at 778-681-0655

NICOMEKL
2019-11-09 10:00 - 12:00
Tree Planting
Come plant trees and shrubs to help grow Surrey’s urban forest. Gloves, tools & training provided. Wear sturdy shoes and be prepared to get muddy! We’ll be lead by Kirin from Surrey Parks.
Location: Chantrell Creek Park, 2451 137A Street, South Surrey

RIDGE MEADOWS
2019-11-09 10:00 - 12:00
Fun with Fungi!
We have planned a nature walk to explore the park and discover and learn about our fungi friends! Please dress appropriately for the weather!
Location: We’ll meet at the Kanaka Creek Fish Hatchery Parking Lot – 11450 256th Street, Maple Ridge.
Please RSVP to ridgemeadows (at) naturekidsbc.ca for your families attendance. This is a free event so please feel free to bring other family and friends.

NANAIMO
2019-11-09 10:00 - 14:00
Riparian Planting

Join us and the Walley Creek Streamkeepers for another one of their Riparian Planting days. First we will explore the area to see how the plants we planted last year have fared, and to think about why they may or may not have done well how and where we planted them. Then we will be planting native plants in special polygons that our biologist has helped us to set up.

We will be meeting at Morningside Park, along Morningside Drive. Bring Shovels and gardening gloves if you’ve got them. If you don’t – No worries, we will have extras. We will have refreshments for afterwards.

Please fill out the RSVP form in the link to let us know if your family plans to attend the explorer day.

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY
2019-11-09 14:00 - 16:00
Bear Aware
It’s that time of year again when all of our furry friends are getting ready to hunker down for a long winters nap and we thought “what better time to learn?”. Thankfully we have our good friend and Nature Mentor Lydia Koot to tell us about what to expect from our bear friends right now and how to keep ourselves “Bear Aware” so that everyone stays safe.
Please join us at 2pm at the Mt.Thom trail head in Ryder Lake where we will go for a short hike and learn about bear activity and other interesting and useful ways to protect ourselves and bears. At the end of the hike we will have some snacks but please remember to bring your own water bottles and dress appropriately for the weather. This event will take place rain or shine so be prepared so that you can enjoy the event and learn lots of new stuff while being comfortable.

NORTH OKANAGAN
2019-11-10 13:00 - 14:30
Creek Walk and Games
We will walk along the creek, by the Rose Garden. We will do some migration games in the open lawn area
Location: Polson Park, Vernon, BC

COMOX VALLEY
2019-11-10 13:00 - 15:00
Rosewall Creek Provincial Park Adventure
Join us for a hike and a few forest and creek based activities! We’ll look for evidence of spawning chum salmon, and we’ll also check out the recent work BC Parks has been doing to restore stream banks and protect them from erosion.
There are some picnic tables, or we might find another spot along the trail for a little snack. Pack a little something and maybe a thermos of hot chocolate and we can enjoy a “year end” snack together as this is the last Explorer Day scheduled for 2019!
Directions: The park is about 30mins south of Courtenay and can be accessed by the Cook Creek interchange off Hwy #19 or from Hwy #19a.
Weather: We typically head out rain or shine – but if the weather is looking “iffy” – I’ll make sure to send out a confirmation email by about 11am on Sunday morning.
RSVP: Please RSVP to comox (at) naturekidsbc.ca if you are planning to attend.
Guests: Guests are welcome to try out an Explorer Day, so feel free to bring along family or friends.

NORTH VANCOUVER
2019-11-16 13:00 - 14:30
Restore the Outdoors
Join us for a fall planting event in Lynn Canyon Park. Bring your strong arms and enthusiasm and plant native plants that local wildlife will enjoy. We will be joined by one of the Trail and Habitat coordinators from the District of North Vancouver.
Register Here

VANCOUVER
2019-11-17 09:00 - 11:00
Birding Survey at UBC Farm
Join us for a birding survey at UBC Farm with Nature Mentors from Nature Vancouver. Over 100 species of birds have been seen at this site during monthly surveys. On this bird focused Explorer Day, we’ll be looking for wintering birds. You may want to become familiar with some of these before our tour, such as the Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, and American Goldfinch. Our approximately 1.5 km walk will take us through farm fields, the children’s garden area, a mature second growth conifer forest, and a young alder forest.
We’ll meet at 9 AM at the main gate to the UBC Farm, located on South Campus, at 3461 Ross Drive. If you are taking the bus, consult Translink for directions from your home. The farm gate is locked so please be punctual, as we will all need to enter together.
Bring binoculars if you have them. We will have some to share. Also, there will be a spotting scope (a small portable high-power telescope) set up at low height to accommodate our kids. Remember to dress for the weather as bird watching often involves some standing around.
RSVP here.

KAMLOOPS
2019-11-17 10:00 - 11:30
Orienteering

Join us for some orienteering fun! We will learn how to use compasses and follow a fun course to find some prizes.

We’ll meet at the main parking lot for Kenna Cartwright Park at 10am.

Please RSVP here to let up know how many supplies to bring.

KELOWNA
2019-11-17 13:00 - 15:00
Migratory Birds
Now that the chill is in the air, many birds are leaving for warmer climates. Don’t you wish you could join them?
We will learn about birds that travel for the different seasons. From ducks and geese, to arctic terns and peregrine falcons; each one has a path it follows as the year progresses. How do they know where and when to go?
Location: Chichester Wetland Park, Rutland
What to Bring: Dress for the weather, pack a snack and water if you want it, and the camera!

OTTER HL
2019-11-22 09:45 - 11:30
Fun in the Forest

We have heard time and time again how it can sometimes feel intimidating or overwhelming to adventure out on a hike with the kids. So, we hope you will join us on Friday, November 29th at 9:45 a.m. for a hiking adventure. There will be an optional Scavenger Hunt for the kiddos to complete along our route.

LANGLEY
2019-11-23 10:30 - 12:00
Families in Nature

Join us for a morning of activities and games learning about families in nature!
To register follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/92427311995261https://form.jotform.com/92427311995261

SALMON ARM
2019-11-24 13:00 - 15:00
Nature Crafts and Animal Puppets!

Join us for an afternoon of nature crafts. We’ll make animal sock puppets and put on a short puppet show “The Flight of the Hummingbird.” After we’ll head outside for a walk around the Gaynor neighborhood, to explore and play some games!
Place: 2772 Schmid Rd. It’s in White Lake, but we are technically considered ‘Sorrento’ on our mailing address if people put it into their GPS.
Time: 1-3pm
What to bring: Dress for going outside, creativity
Please RSVP to salmonarm (at) naturekidsbc.ca

COWICHAN VALLEY HL
2019-11-26 11:00 - 13:00
Salmon Cycle Tour
We will do a stream walk with fisheries and oceans expert Christy Wilson!! She’s amazing! If we don’t find any spawning salmon we will definitely learn about what makes a healthy stream habitat for them!

Please wear proper foot wear and dress warm! Also please bring a nature journal to document stream life as we will do another outing in spring to compare life at the stream in different seasons!

Location: meet at Bright Angel Park in the lower parking lot by washrooms

NICOMEKL
2019-12-01 09:30 - 11:00
Snow Geese
We will look for snow geese and other interesting birds at the sanctuary.
Admission cost is $5 per adult; $3 per child (2 – 14) or senior (60+). BC Waterfowl Society’s members are free. There is a cost of $1 for a bag of seed if you wish to purchase one. Note that no bikes or dogs are allowed.
Location: Reifel Bird Sanctuary, 5191 Robertson Road, Delta

EASTER FRASER VALLEY
2019-12-07 10:00 - 11:30
Christmas Bird Count for Kids
Bring your family for a relaxing outing of exploration and citizen science. This event couples hands on science for older kids and a fun outing to look at birds for younger kids. We’ll be joined by Nature Mentor Janne Perrin.
Meet at the Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve (5200 Sumas Prairie Rd, Chilliwack, BC V2R 4P9)

VANCOUVER
2019-12-07 10:00 - 12:30
Christmas Bird Count for Kids!
Calling all young birders! Join other youth and experts for this annual bird survey in partnership with Stanley Park Ecology Society (SPES) and Birds Canada. After a quick introduction to bird identification, we shall split into groups and head into the forest and foreshore for a 45-minute bird counting adventure then regroup to share our findings.
Snacks and refreshments are provided! For accompanied children ages 5-14.
This program is free, but you must be registered. RSVP here.
Location: Stanley Park Pavilion, 610 Pipeline Road, Vancouver, BC.

SOUTH OKANAGAN
2019-12-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Penticton Museum & Archives, 785 Main Street, Penticton, BC, V2A 5E3, Canada
Bird Identification Skills!
Our next Explorer Day will help us improve our bird identification skills and prepare for the Christmas Bird Count for Kids later in December. We will take an up close look at feathers, see some common bird specimens, and practice our binocular skills.
Please meet at the Penticton Museum & Archives (785 Main Street) on Saturday, December 7, 10:30 am to noon.

Please RSVP to southokanagan@naturekidsbc.ca by November 29, so we know how many Nature Kids to expect.

VICTORIA
2019-12-08 08:00 - 17:00
Esquimalt Lagoon Cleanup
Save the date for our Esquimalt Lagoon Cleanup with Surfrider Foundation on Sunday, December 8th.
Time TBD; details to follow

NORTH VANCOUVER
2019-12-08 13:00 - 14:30
Gifts for the Animals
From frogs homes to bee waterers to bird feeders – learn more about how you can help local wildlife. We’ll go on a search for wildlife habitats, and create items to take home and share with the animals in your garden.
Register Here

DELTA HL
2019-12-12 12:00 - 13:30
Marsh Trail Exploration
We will be walking the Marsh trails at the end of Ferry road, near the boat launch, in Ladner. We will look for wildlife, climb the observation tower, discover all the awesome wooden sculptures that a mystery artist has placed along the trails and have the kids take part in a nature inspired scavenger hunt for some added fun!
Please dress for the weather and RSVP to deltahl@naturekidsbc.ca

OTTER HL
2019-12-13 09:45 - 11:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids

We will do our annual Christmas Bird Count at Crescent Beach. Bring your family for a relaxing outing of exploration and citizen science. This event couples hands on science for older kids and a fun outing to look at birds for younger kids. Data will be submitted to Bird Studies Canada.

PRINCE GEORGE
2019-12-14 10:00 - 11:30
The Christmas Bird Count for Kids (CBC4Kids)!
Join us for a morning of Citizen Science. CBC4Kids engages young birders and nature enthusiasts. Bring your family for a relaxing outing of exploration and citizen science. Meet mentors from the PG Naturalist club to learn birding skills, count winter birds, and contribute our findings to Science. Dress for the weather. We’ll be counting birds snow or shine.
Bring Binoculars if you have them- we will have some to share. Bring your own cup if you want some hot cocoa after.
Location: Cottonwood Park

KAMLOOPS
2019-12-15 10:00 - 12:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids

Come on out and spot some local birds with us! We’ll be counting all of the birds that we see along the way. This is a province wide event, so we’ll be submitting our numbers and adding them to all of the other observations. We’ll have some binoculars and a spotting scope. It will be a slow hike, so dress for the weather.

Location: Airport Trail at the end of Aviation Way

RSVP here if you can join us. 🙂

KELOWNA
2019-12-15 13:00 - 15:00
Prehistoric Holidays
​Does a T-Rex celebrate Hanukkah? Would a plesiosaur decorate a tree? How would an ankylosaur make a snowman? Join us at the EECO to celebrate the holidays in the most prehistoric way: learning about dinosaurs!
​Please bring a snack or treat to share, and I’ll provide hot-chocolate.
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It is also very important to RSVP for this explorer day as I will be giving each child a gift to take home.
Location: EECO Centre (Mission Creek Park)

SALMON ARM
2019-12-15 13:00 - 15:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids!

Come out and look for what birds are here in the winter. We will be joined by nature mentor Geoff Styles.

Please dress warmly. Bring binoculars if you have then. We could borrow some too, just email a request. Bird book if you have them too. Keen interest to look for birds and have fun exploring. Also if you have a thermos bring some hot chocolate or tea whichever you prefer. Might be nice to have something warm afterwards.

Location: Salmon Arm Bay foreshore (meet at outhouse west end, near CSRD)

Follow us on Facebook (NatureKids:Salmon Arm). Invite your friends!

COWICHAN VALLEY HL
2019-12-17 18:00 - 20:00
Solstice Celebration at Bright Angel
Evening time potluck at the covered area and have a fire, potluck dinner and a lantern walk.

BULKLEY VALLEY
2019-12-21 15:30 - 17:00
Winter Solstice Families in Nature Celebration

Join us for a year end solstice celebration.

Location: Tyhee Lake Provincial Park

LANGLEY
2019-12-29 09:00 - 11:00
Christmas Bird Count: 4 kids & youth
Bring your family for a relaxing outing of exploration and citizen science. This event couples hands on science for older kids and a fun outing to look at birds for younger kids. Data will be submitted to Bird Studies Canada. Binoculars provided. Suitable for ages 2+. We’ll meet at Brydon Lagoon.
To register follow this link: https://form.jotform.com/92643992881270
