NatureKidsBC

VANCOUVER
2020-02-15 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Vancouver)
Tackling Waste in our Food Systems

Ever wonder how you can bring a waste-free lunch to school, how a food store can function without using packages, or how your eating habits can have less impact on the environment? Our next Explorer Day will be a little different than usual – we will take a tour of Nada, a package-free grocery store in east Vancouver. Nada’s mission is to cultivate a better world by inspiring people to change the way they shop for groceries. One of the Nada team members will show us how Nada, and other package free grocery stores, are tackling the waste issue in our food system today. Come with your questions about food and waste! Also, bring a grocery bag or other containers in case you want to shop afterwards.

Meeting location: Nada – Just Foods, 675 East Broadway at Fraser St. (street parking available, mostly on side streets, Bus # 9 and 99.

RSVP here.

RIDGE MEADOWS
2020-02-16 13:00 - 16:00
Ravenous Raptors

We are excited about an upcoming event February 16th. We will be partnering with KEEPS for an informative afternoon of Ravenous Raptors. Ever wonder why raptors are such great hunters? Find out at this Family Day event by chatting with naturalists around displays and a campfire at the Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Center.

Date: February 16, 2020
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Location: Kanaka Creek Watershed Stewardship Centre – 11450 256th Street, Maple Ridge

VICTORIA
2020-02-22 09:30 - 11:30
Migratory Bird Sanctuaries with Eagle Wing Tours
We are super excited to offer this Explorer Day to join the award winning Eagle Wing Tours to view and learn about the diverse marine bird and mammal life in the coast around Victoria. We will have a two-hour guided tour around the migratory bird sanctuaries in the harbour. We will have a knowledgeable and enthusiastic naturalist guide on the boat from Eagle Wing Tours.
(Please note that this tour is not a whale watch per se; we will focus on marine life that we discover in our near shore waters.)
Our “floating classroom” -the luxury catamaran 4Ever Wild- has indoor and outdoor viewing areas and two bathrooms.
Eagle Wing is generously offering us this opportunity at a basic cost that covers their fuel charges (approx $28 per person— instead of the cost to the public of $100).
Because we can have a maximum of 50 people on the boat, we will offer this Explorer Day to MEMBERS ONLY (children aged 5-12 and parent/guardian; no younger or older siblings). Sign up will be first come first served and advance payment will hold your spot (payment will likely be by e-transfer.) I will be in touch to confirm with those who sign up (via the RSVP form) and to detail further logistics (after Feb. 3rd).
WHEN: Saturday, February 22nd, 9:30am – 11:30am. We will depart at 9:30am. Arrive no later than 8:45am to get ready. There will be online waivers to sign in advance to make sign in go more smoothly the day of the excursion. We will have a safety meeting with our guide before the tour to ensure that everyone is aware of any rules and stays safe!
COST: ~$28 per person (including children) if all 50 spots on the boat are filled. Advance payment will be required to hold your spot and more details will follow once you are registered on this form.
WHERE: Meet at the Eagle Wings Tour office at 12 Erie Street at Fisherman’s Wharf in Victoria (it is on the water; down the ramp and to the right).

KAMLOOPS
2020-02-23 08:00 - 17:00
Snowshoe at Stake Lake

More details coming soon!

KELOWNA
2020-02-23 10:00 - 13:00
Snowshoeing at the Nordic Centre
Rick Gee of the Central Okanagan Naturalists’ Club has again agreed to lead our group on a snowshoe adventure. We will explore the winter landscape while looking for animal tracks and learning about winter safety and survival. After we get back to the cabin, we will have a hot dog roast and marshmallows!
Please ensure to bring:
1. Donation to Nordic Centre for use of the facilities
2. Snowshoes (they are not available to rent at the site, please make arrangements before you come)
3. Dress warmly and according to the weather
4. Water (the cabin has not running water)
5. Optional snack to share with our hot dogs
Also, please note the different time than our usual Explorer Days!
Keep in mind as well, that it will take you longer than you think to get to the Nordic Centre. It is past the Big White turn-off on Hwy 33.

NORTH VANCOUVER
2020-02-23 13:00 - 14:30
Connecting with Local Plants
Explore late winter plants of the temperate rainforest and discover their edible and medicinal value with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss. Cease is a Coast Salish ethnobotonist. She’s also an emerging cedar and wool weaver, an art practice that includes plant and other natural dyes.

COWICHAN VALLEY HL
2020-02-24 10:00 - 12:00
Bird Watching and Nature Journaling
This Tuesday is our Explorer day and we are meeting at the Somenos Marsh ( parking lot is heading north on the Trans Canada highway just before the discovery forestry centre) to do some bird watching and nature journaling! Please bring any bird indentification books, binoculars, and your nature journals to draw any birds we may find! We are trying to collaborate with the Great Canadian Backyard Bird Count that happens this month!
We meet the 4th Tuesday of the month from 10am-12pm. Come join us! cowichanhl@naturekidsbc.ca

OTTER HL
2020-02-28 10:00 - 11:30
Signs of Spring

We will dig through the snow if we have to, as we search for signs of spring! Join us to see what signs of spring are emerging from the winter blahs!

Location: Tynehead Regional Park. Come dressed for the weather.

RSVP here by February 21st.

SOUTH OKANAGAN
2020-02-29 17:00 - 19:00
Exploring the winter night sky, snowshoe, and campfire wiener roast
I’ve checked the night stars and it looks like a spectacular evening with Venus, a crescent moon, the constellations of Orion, Casseopeia, and the little dipper, and a confirmation that it takes 365.25 days for our earth to travel around the sun. We’ll also get a lesson for the kids in how to start a fire safely. Join us for a Leap Year Adventure!

Location: Garnet Fire Lookout (Up Carmi in Penticton).

Dress with snow pants, snow jacket, toques, gloves, snowboots or/and snowshoes.
Bring headlamps or flashlights.
Bring a lawn chair, weiner sticks, plates, cups, napkins.
Bring your own warm drinks in thermos.
I will bring wood, fire starting materials, marshmallows, hot dogs and condiments.

Feel free to bring:
* any other campfire food you’d like to share.
* If you want veggie dogs please bring some.

VANCOUVER
2020-03-01 11:00 - 13:00
Forest Discoveries
Vancouver is situated in land area dominated by the coastal temperate forest. On this Explorer Day, we’ll learn about the forest of Pacific Spirit Park with forest educator Laura Cottle. We’ll look at the forest as a big – or macro level – ecosystem and the various mini to micro ecosystems within the forest. Through the use of games, stories and other place-based learning tools, we’ll examine tree and plant species, as well as the animals that call this habitat home. We’ll find signs that tell us something about the history of this forest, and consider what it might look like in the future.

Laura Cottle has formal university education in Forestry and in Education. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of the forest with others as well as learning from others. She has worked as a Naturalist for many years at the Greenheart TreeWalk located in the UBC Botanical Garden and as a Naturalist leading “ecowalks” for Pacific Spirit Park Society.

Location: Meet at the entrance to Pacific Spirit Park at 4915 W. 16th Ave., Vancouver, at 10:50 AM. We’ll explore the park from 11 AM to 1 PM.
Dress for the weather and wear good shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty or a bit wet.

RSVP here.

OTTER HL
2020-03-03 10:00 - 11:30
Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery and Visitor Centre

This will include a hatchery tour, a pollution soup demo, stream mapping at the salmon streams and a scavenger hunt all related to fish and their habitats.

Tuesday, March 3rd. Tentatively set for 10:00 a.m.

Please note that there will be a fee associated with this Explorer Day (likely $5-7.50/child depending on how many are enrolled).

RSVP here by Sunday February 9th

NANAIMO
2020-03-08 08:00 - 17:00
CANCELLED
Mason Bees!
We are still sorting out a lot of the details, but at this point it looks like our Mason Bee Explorer day will be held Sunday March 8th. We will be meeting at the Bowen Park complex again, the lower picnic area off of Wall Street.

Save the date! More details coming soon.

NICOMEKL
2020-03-08 10:00 - 12:00
Farm Visit to the Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch

A behind the scenes farm visit to meet the goats, pigs, ducks, rabbits, and chickens of Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch Farm. We’ll meet Farmer Shari and learn how to take care of them all and the chores needed to keep the farm running. There might even be a new baby goat! Dress for the weather and wear your boots. $5.00 per child (accompanying adults are free).
Location: Hazelmere Pumpkin Patch Farm – 18401 20 Ave Surrey.

COMOX VALLEY
2020-03-08 11:00 - 13:00
Seaside Treasures
We will be going on a beach walk at Goose Spit Park to find & identify different beach items. Note the time will be earlier than usual (11am to 1pm) to match with low tide times. More details will be sent out closer to the date.

SALMON ARM
2020-03-08 13:00 - 15:00
Tracks, Skulls, and Furs/Predator-Prey

Come learn about different local animals by exploring their skulls and furs. Our very own Christy Wright will lead us. She has tons of experience and some wonderful activities planned including some fun predator-prey games.

Please dress for the weather and bring water and snacks if needed.

Date: March 8, 2020
Place: South Canoe Elementary School
Time: 1-3pm

DELTA HL
2020-03-12 10:00 - 11:30
Bird Walk at Centennial Beach

Our mentor will be Graham Sorenson, BC projects coordinator for Birds Canada. He will guide us on a birding walk with binoculars, identification guides and a spotting scope! We will learn about eagles, herons, ducks and shorebirds!

We will meet at the Centennial beach parking lot.

RSVP to deltahl@naturekidsbc.ca

OTTER HL
2020-03-13 10:00 - 12:00
Gem Finding!
Join us as we search for jasper and agate alongside the Chilliwack River. Our Nature Mentor, Trevor Christie, is an enthusiastic rockhound who leads people from all over the world on rock-finding adventures. Time TBA.

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY
2020-03-14 10:00 - 11:30
Bird House Building

Join us for a morning of building bird houses for barn owls with local owl expert Dick Clegg.

NORTH VANCOUVER
2020-03-14 13:00 - 15:00
Restore the Outdoors
Visit the Seymour River Heritage Park to remove invasive plants and plant native species. More hands make light work and increase biodiversity. Learn about efforts to restore local plants, and connect with District of North Vancouver’s Trail and Habitat Coordinator.
Please bring work gloves if you have them.
The Seymour River Heritage Park is accessible through a trail behind the Thrive Family Centre across from Maplewood Farm.
Event attendees should be members of the Lynn Valley NatureKids club – sign up at naturekids.bc.ca. You are also welcome to try out one NatureKids event before you become a member.

VICTORIA
2020-03-14 13:00 - 15:00
Birding Bonanza at Uplands Park/Cattle Point

The weather is changing again, buds are sprouting and birds are chirping! Come learn all about birds as we meet our local bird expert Geoffrey who is a young, avid birder and a member of the Victoria Natural History Society. He will take us on a walk around Cattle Point/Uplands Park to hear and identify some of our local birds. Please RSVP here.
WHEN: Saturday, March 14th, 2020, 1pm – 3pm,
WHERE: 2900 Beach Drive, Cattle Point, Victoria. Meet by the signage in the Parking Lot.
HOW TO GET THERE: If coming from the North on Highway 17, Take a left on Hillside Avenue and head east until Hillside Ave. turns into Lansdowne Road. Continue on Lansdowne Rd. through the Uplands neighbourhood until you reach Beach Drive. Take a right on Beach Drive and head south until you get to a parking lot along the water. Cattle Point is north of Willows Beach.
MAP PAGE:
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1xvBWGl-ZOY12AxNAVkWd287lVkgEDbm7&ll=48.43777482189117%2C-123.29405699867249&z=16
BRING: Bring binoculars if you have them and be prepared for weather close to the water. Sometimes it can be windy and exposed!
PREPARATION: If you are interested in getting a head start, here is a list of birds in Uplands Park that was compiled by Geoffre and his dad. https://friendsofuplandspark.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/common-birds-of-upland.pdf

BULKLEY VALLEY
2020-03-15 13:20 - 14:20
Snowshoeing with Special Olympics Team
We have been invited to celebrate with the Special Olympics team by joining them for a special practice and race. They have worked really hard this year, travelled across BC and done great in competitions. This is a little different focus then most Explorer Days events but we think it is a great way to learn about another community organization, have fun outside with our families, and promote building an inclusive community, so we hope many of you can come out to learn some new skills from the team.
Sunday March 15th from 1;20-2;20 we are to meet them at the field behind Walnut park school beside the big Christian reformed church. Please wear out door gear, bring your snow shoes (if you don’t have any ask us and we can try and source some extras), water proof pants would be a great asset.
Please RVSP as Sandra would like to know how many to expect in her planning.

PRINCE GEORGE - Cancelled
2020-03-28 10:30 - 12:30
Art and Nature
Spring is near and nature is blooming into a new incredible canvas. Everywhere we looks there are amazing colours, intricate patterns, thousands of shapes, and unique textures.
Join Nature Mentor and local artist, Sebastian Nicholson for a morning of creativity. Embrace your inner artist and explore nature in a new way. Learn more about Sebastian and his art (https://www.sebastiannicholson.com)
All supplies will be provided. Please dress for the weather and come ready to wander, observe and create!

KAMLOOPS - Cancelled
2020-03-29 08:00 - 17:00
Owl Pellet Investigation

At the new Big Little Science Centre location.

More details coming soon!

RIDGE MEADOWS - Cancelled
2020-03-29 10:30 - 12:30
Allouette River Clean-up with Wild Play!

We are excited for our next Nature Kids Explorer Day with Wild Play! We have planned a nature walk and garbage pick up along our beautiful Allouette River and have partnered with ARMS and their Adopt A Block Program for garbage tongs and receptacles for the clean up. We suggest to dress appropriately for the weather and wear gloves.

This is going to be an great afternoon and we hope you can join us!

Please RSVP for your families attendance. This is a free event so please feel free to bring other family and friends.

Frogs Are Awesome! (Virtual Explorer Day - open to all)
2020-04-05 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for a virtual Explorer Day on April 5 at 1pm. The event is hosted by our North Vancouver Club and is open to all NatureKids. David Wong, Vancouver’s “the frog guy,” will tell us all about amazing amphibians. Get to know amphibians, learn why they are important to local and global ecosystems, and discover how you can help frogs in the world and in our bioregion. David will also do a show and tell of some of the frogs that he has at home!
No registration required.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/901591768
Meeting ID: 901 591 768

MARINE MAMMALS (VIRTUAL EXPLORER DAY - OPEN TO ALL)
2020-05-03 13:00 - 14:00
Marine Mammals of the Salish Sea

Join us for another virtual Explorer Day. We will look of the marine mammals of the Salish Sea with Nature Mentor Joan Lopez.

When most of us think of mammals, what usually comes to mind first are land mammals – like our pets, or maybe the squirrels and raccoons we see around neighbourhoods and parks. But there are other types of mammals that are specially adapted to spend most, or all of their life in the ocean. Join in to learn about some of these amazing creatures that are found in the Salish Sea.

Joan is a Marine Biologist and Marine Educator who has been working as a guide with a local whale watching company since 2003. She is also the Chair of the Marine Biology Committee of Nature Vancouver.

No registration required.
Join us via: https://zoom.us/j/94853281927?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 948 5328 1927
Password: [REDACTED]

Meet the Wolves (Virtual Explorer Day - Open to All)
2020-05-12 18:30 - 19:30
Join us and nature mentor Gary R. Allan from the Tundra Speaks Society for a special evening Explorer Day on wolves. Evening is the best time to hear them howl. Come for a (virtual) walk with Gary to meet the wolves and better understand and appreciate how we can learn from wolves and First Nation peoples and become better stewards and guardians of the environment. Gary has been conducting wolf education for the past 12 years to schools, community groups and many First Nations schools and organizations.

Tuesday, May 12 @ 630pm.
https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 818-5127-0448
Passcode: [REDACTED]

Virtual Birding! (Virtual Explorer Day)
2020-06-02 11:00 - 12:00
Virtual Birding!

Join us for a virtual Explorer Day with our friends from Birds Canada. Graham Sorenson and Caroline Biel will lead us in a virtual birding experience to learn about some of our local birds, explore local bird habitat by video, and ask a bird expert questions about British Columbia birds.

If you missed the live session you can find the recorded one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5NlXM6L4Hg&t=1s

Bats of BC (Virtual Explorer Day)
2020-06-07 11:00 - 12:00
Get to know the bats of BC!
Join us for and our mentor Ella Braden from the Okanagan Community Bat Program as we get to know the bats of BC.
Flying mammals? Did you know the Okanagan has more species of bat than anywhere else in Canada? This explorer day will introduce you to the bats who call British Columbia home and investigate the ways in which people can help these bug-devouring flying friends thrive. Bring your curiosity and get ready to fly!
If you missed the live session you can find the recorded one here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZKMGNyzoh8&t=2s

What Bug Is That? (Virtual Explorer Day)
2020-06-16 11:00 - 11:45
What bug is that?
Join us and North Vancouver Club leader Tricia Edgar for a virtual bug hunt. We’ll examine the world of forest invertebrates, sometimes known as bugs! How are they well-adapted to the coastal temperate rainforest, and what invertebrates can you expect to find in the areas around your home? We’ll have a quick introduction to invertebrates, then we’ll head out into the forest on a live bug search so that you can see some of our local invertebrates close up.

Join us here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84290080009?pwd=[REDACTED]
Meeting ID: 842 9008 0009
Password: [REDACTED]
By phone: +1 778 907 2071
