VICTORIA - Orienteering
2022-04-09 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us for an orienteering Explorer Day event with Nature Mentor Chris Ling. We will learn how to use compasses and follow a fun course. Register here.

What would you do if you were lost in the forest without cellphone coverage or someone to ask? Do you know how to find your way “old-school” with a map and compass? Orienteering is an outdoor adventure activity involving navigation by map and a compass. It can be a recreational activity or a competitive sport. Victoria Orienteering (VICO) has been established by a group of outdoor enthusiasts who challenge themselves in rural environments around Victoria. Chris Ling will be joining us at Elk/Beaver Lake to give us the low down on how orienteering works. He will map out an easy course/route and teach us how to navigate our way to the different stations with a map. This time we won’t use a compass, but we WILL test our directional and map reading skills on an easy course. Don’t worry, we won’t let you get lost!
Click here to register. Got questions? Email us victoria@naturekidsbc.ca

WHERE to PARK and MEET: Meet at the Filter Beds parking lot, which is at the southernmost tip of the lake. It is accessed from Beaver Lake Rd on both sides. Here is a map link: https://goo.gl/maps/KdJ666tTV1sNrZgf9. The course will start at the Picnic Shelter.
DIRECTIONS to Elk/Beaver Lake Regional Park:
If coming from downtown Victoria, take Highway 17/Patricia Bay Highway and turn left onto Elk Lake Drive. Next, take a right on Beaver Lake Road to the Filter Beds parking lot.
COME PREPARED: It’s probably a good idea to wear proper hiking shoes and layer up as Spring weather can be unpredictable. It never hurts to bring your own water bottle too.

TRI-CITIES - Critter Care Wildlife Society
2022-04-09 11:00 - 12:00
Meet the Critters of Critter Care Wildlife Society
Join NatureKids BC and Critter Care Wildlife Educator Janice Bolam, as she enlightens us about the wildlife in our own backyards! The program includes awareness, identification, habits, survival, physical abilities, and their contribution to our ecosystem in BC. We will also get the opportunity to meet a critter (or two) that are currently in care.
Location: CRITTER CARE WILDLIFE SOCIETY – 481 216TH STREET – LANGLEY, BC – V2Z 1R6
*Registration is required as we will have a limited number of spots available. Please RSVP t0: tricities@naturekidsbc.ca

Are you able to donate to Critter Care?
The critters have a spring wish list. These are the items that are needed most. If you are able you could bring some of these items with you on the day to donate. You can see the full list here.

Walnuts & Peanuts in the Shell
Eggs
Honey
Peanut Butter
Toilet Paper
Paper Towel
Kleenex
Liquid Hand Soap
Liquid Dish Soap
Various Cleaners
SOS Pads
Bleach
Large Garbage Bags
Baby Receiving Blankets
Towels
Flannel Fabric

NICOMEKL - 20 Shades of Green Walk
2022-04-10 13:00 - 14:30
20 Shades of Green Walk
Join us for a spring nature walk to search for different shades of green. Can you find them all?

Location: Williams Park in Langley
Register by April 8th to nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca

MERRITT - Earth Day Celebration
2022-04-23 10:00 - 11:30
Join us on Saturday April 23, 2022 to celebrate Earth Day and learn about the Nicola Watershed, water quality and river watching with guest mentor Patrick Farmer.
Location: we will be meeting at Centennial Park (across the bridge from Voght Park in Collettville). From there we will walk to the Coldwater river.
RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY - Wildflower Planting
2022-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
Wildflower Planting at the Blue Heron Nature Reserve
Join NatureKids and volunteers from the Blue Heron Nature Reserve as we take a walk through the reserve to watch the nesting herons and learn about these fascinating birds. We will end the day by planting wildflowers generously donated by West Coast Seeds to encourage pollinators such as bees and butterflies to visit the reserve.
RSVP to efv@naturekidsbc.ca

BULKLEY VALLEY - Riverside Restoration
2022-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
Come plant willows with us! We will be planting willows along the river in an effort to help stabilize the bank, provide habitat for birds, and shade for our salmon friends. We will be partnering with Adam Wrench who is an environmental consultant in the Houston area. He has been working with the Morice Watershed Monitoring Trust on Riparian restoration work on the upper Bulkley. We are excited to have Adam as guest and hope you can join us!
Location: We will be meeting at the Buck Creek Canfor Hatchery and Nature Centre in Houston

VANCOUVER - Critter Care Wildlife Society // Event now FULL
2022-04-23 11:00 - 14:00
Meet the Critters of Critter Care Wildlife Society
Join NatureKids BC and Nature Mentor Janice Bolam, Education Facilitator for Langley’s Critter Care Wildlife Society to Vancouver. In a rare indoor Explorer Day, Janice will share interesting facts about the urban wildlife that we don’t often see, as these animals tend to come out at night or early morning, and are very good at hiding. We’ll learn about identifying native wildlife, their physical abilities, safety issues, and how these critters contribute to the ecosystem. Come with all your questions about our local wildlife!
Janice’s co-presenter for this Explorer Day is a 4-legged creature that you may have seen waddling down the street or in back alleys. Any guesses who this might be? This helper, with black and white colouring, is a rescued animal and cannot be released into the wild. Don’t worry, she has been de-scented!
Please note that we are offering 2 back-to-back workshops to accommodate more families. There is a 15-person limit per workshop. Consequently, there are 2 RSVP forms. Please make sure you use the form with your preferred timing.
Location: Lakewood Room, Trout Lake Community Centre (TLCC), 3390 Victoria Dr., Vancouver.
Transportation and Parking: Parking is available in the TLCC parking lot. As there is a Farmer’s Market that day, give yourself a few extra minutes to find parking.
TLCC is a 10-minute walk from the Broadway Skytrain station. The closest bus stop is the #20 at Commercial Drive and 14th Ave.

Register here for the workshop from 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM.
Register here for the workshop from 1:00 – 2:00 PM.
Current Covid protocols for in-door events will be in place.

The Critter Care Wildlife Society specializes in the treatment, care and release of injured and orphaned native mammals specific to BC. They are also one of 4 bear rehabilitation facilities in B.C. Spring is an especially busy time for the Society. If you would like to help them out, here is their “spring wish list.” Feel free to bring any of these items to the workshop:
Walnuts and peanuts in the shell, Eggs, Honey, Peanut Butter, Toilet paper, Paper Towels, Kleenex, Liquid hand soap, Liquid dish soap, SOS pads, Bleach, Large garbage bags, Baby receiving blankets, Towels, Flannel Fabric. They also accept donations.

SOUTH OKANAGAN - Earth Day Crafts
2022-04-23 13:00 - 15:00
Earth Day Crafts
Come drop in with us from 1 to 3pm at the Oliver Parks and Recreation Centre to have some fun making crafts made from nature and recycled items. Rummage through your recycle bin for tin cans, milk jugs and / or cartons. With those, you can make bug houses, fairy houses and milk jug butterfly magnets! Bring some cardboard and you can make a nature suncatcher. Bring some mason jar lids and you can make some beautiful wind chimes!
We will walk around the park to pick up rocks for rock painting and leaves, twigs and flowers for the nature suncatchers.
I will bring recycled materials to make our crafts and the paint, embellishments and hot glue!
Location: We will be sitting at picnic tables in the park, unless it rains, then we will be inside the Multi Cultural Clubhouse.
RSVP to southokanagan@naturekidsbc.ca

RIDGE MEADOWS - Good-bye Chums!
2022-04-24 11:00 - 14:00
Release salmon fry into the creek where they will start their journey to the sea. Tour the hatchery. Take part in fun activities and games to find out how to help salmon.
Location: Kanaka Creek Regional Park. Meet at 11450 256th St, Maple Ridge
Presented with Kanaka Education & Environmental Partnership Society
Free and open to all. All ages.
Photo credit: Eiko Jones

NORTH VANCOUVER - Edible Plants Walk
2022-04-24 13:00 - 14:30
Edible Plants Walk
Western hemlock, salmonberry, licorice fern: join the Ecology Centre staff to go on a walk through the park looking for edible forest plants.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-person-naturekids-workshop-edible-plants-walk-tickets-231092522957
Suitable for ages 5-13 with an adult.
This is an in-person walk, and program attendees should be members of NatureKids BC – more information on membership can be found here. You can try one NatureKids BC workshop before you become a member.
This program will take place outdoors and in person in Lynn Canyon Park. Masks are recommended. Please stay home if you are sick.

SALMON ARM - Magical Moss and Earth Day Celebration
2022-04-24 13:00 - 15:00
Magical Moss and Earth Day Celebration
Come and explore the magical world of mosses with our nature mentor Mike Simpson. Plant some butterfly and bird friendly flower seeds (donated by West Coast Seeds) to take home for Earth Day in egg cartons.
Where: Salmon Arm Foreshore Trail, meet at the parking lot near CSRD building
Please dress for the weather. Bring a friend.

KAMLOOPS - Earth Day Plant Printing
2022-04-24 13:30 - 15:00
Come on out to explore using plants to dye fabric! We will be pounding flowers into tote bags to create beautiful designs. It’s Earth Day weekend, so what better time make these eco friendly creations?
Please RSVP so I can make sure I have enough bags handy and feel free to bring your own if you have a plain one you would like to print on. Feel free to bring some flowers, if you have any growing in your garden
Location: Peterson Creek Picnic Area, lower entrance – https://goo.gl/maps/BHpiuPNMonkpWkN9A

VIRTUAL EXPLORER DAY - Hive Dive
2022-04-27 18:00 - 19:00
Join Beekeeper Cassie as we learn all about different types of bees, lifecycle, beekeeping and the relationship between pollinators and plants. Following a fun, short but informative presentation we will jump into a working honey bee hive so you can see our bees up close and personal… from your own home!
This virtual program is FREE but required pre-registration is required. Click here to register and join us.

VANCOUVER - UnBEElievable Honey Bees - CANCELLED
2022-04-30 10:00 - 12:00
Unfortunately, we will have to cancel tomorrow’s Explorer Day and reschedule to another date. With the forecast for rain in the morning, Cassie won’t be able to bring her bees out (and it won’t be very much fun sitting on the uncovered grass for 2 hours!).
We will let you know when we decide on a new date.
__________________________
Join Beekeeper Cassie as we learn all about different types of bees, lifecycle, beekeeping and the relationship between pollinators and plants. Cassie will bring real live working honey bee hives so you can see our bees up close and personal.
Register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/honey-bee-centre-explorer-day-vancouver-club-tickets-318501495547
Location: Oak Meadows Park at the bug hotel on 37th Ave just east of Oak Street
The Honey Bee Centre is a small family business, commercial honey farm, country store, educational facility, CFIA registered packing facility, visitor attraction and so much more. Honey Bee Centre is committed to providing an unBEElievable experience whether it’s in their store, at a program or out in the community, the goal is to educate about bees!
Please note that since we will be working with bees, we may have to cancel due to unfavourable weather conditions.
We will have a tent set up so please bring chairs if you do not want to be sitting on the ground during Cassie’s talk.
Photo credit: Erin Udal

SURREY - Party for the Planet!
2022-04-30 11:00 - 19:00
Join us this Saturday – April 30th at Surrey’s Party for the Planet to celebrate Earth Week! 🌎
Drop by the NatureKids BC booth and say hi. Enjoy performances and learn new ways to take action for our environment!
Located at the Surrey Civic Plaza from 11am-7pm, admission is FREE! See you there!
More info: https://www.surrey.ca/partyfortheplanet

NICOMEKL - City Nature Challenge Bioblitz
2022-05-01 10:00 - 12:00
City Nature Challenge with Nicomekl Naturekids
Join us for a Bioblitz – a citizen science collection event at Elgin Heritage Park in Surrey. We will use the iNaturalist app to upload observations of plants and animals at the event location. There will be volunteers and nature mentors onsite to help with identification and to take questions. It is a great way to learn about nearby nature and contribute to local citizen science. The data that is collected will also be used in the 2022 City Nature Challenge, a global bioblitz event.
Location: Elgin Heritage Park in Surrey
Time: Choose 10am or 10:30am start time
Register: nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca.

Nicomekl Naturekids is taking part in the City Nature Challenge, a global competition to make and record observations of plants and wildlife in your city. Take photos, practise your identification skills, and learn how to use iNaturalist and Seek Apps. There will be lots to see in Elgin Heritage Park’s many habitats!

We are inviting families from outside the club to participate in this event by pre-registration. If you know of a family that might be interested in attending, please have them register by emailing nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca.

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY - Foraging Foray
2022-05-07 11:00 - 13:00
Join NatureKids and local foraging expert Raeanne, chef and owner of Foraging with You. We’ll learn to identify local edible plants and how to prepare them for eating or for medicinal purposes.
Location: Chilliwack River Valley
RSVP to efv@naturekidsbc.ca

SOUTH OKANAGAN - Map Making
2022-05-07 13:00 - 15:00
Come join us at 1pm at the Oliver Parks & Recreation Centre to learn a little bit about map making.
Which way should we go? Where is the treasure hidden? A map and compass can be helpful in telling you where to go and how to get there. We will learn a little bit about the various parts of a map and then create our very own map of the park. To end the day, we will use a map and simple directions to find some treasure!
RSVP to southokanagan@naturekidsbc.ca

NANAIMO - Pond Dipping
2022-05-14 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for our next event as we explore all the invertebrates (BUGS!) that live in our local freshwater resources, and do some simple but meaningful water quality testing to find out how healthy our streams and marshes are.

For the older kids, we will have some data sheets to record what we observed, and which invertebrates are bio-indicators of freshwater ecosystem health. For the younger kids, it is just fun to put on the boots dip, and get a really close up look at what we find (we have microboxes, which are awesome!). We will be setting traps to hopefully catch some interesting bugs for everyone to look at.

Where: Linley Valley Park, meet at the Rock City Road entrance to the park.
When: Saturday May 14 10:00 – 11:30
What to bring: appropriate gear for the weather, and boots (or waders if you have them).

Please RSVP to nanaimo@naturekidsbc.ca to let us know if you can make it.

VANCOUVER - Leaf in the Sun with EYA
2022-05-15 11:00 - 12:30
Join us for our next Explorer Day hosted by the Environmental Youth Alliance Society (EYA). We will be going to the Strathcona Community Garden. During our Leaf in the Sun workshop, we will learn about plant leaf shapes and why diversity is important. We will collect leaves from native and invasive plants in the gardens and use sun-sensitive paper to create our own nature-based art to take home!
Register here to sign up for this Explorer Day!
The EYA is a registered charity supporting BIPOC youth to connect with nature, community, and skills to become environmental stewards and community leaders.
This workshop is intended for children school-aged K-3 so please keep that in mind when registering. There will be a limit of 15 children (parents not included in this count) to this Explorer Day so we will accept families on a first come first serve basis as usual.
Date and Time: Sunday, May 15th 11:00AM – 12:30PM
Location: Strathcona Community Garden (759 Malkin Ave.) in the Eco Pavilion. See attached image of location.
Transportation and Parking: The #22 bus stops at Strathcona Community Garden and there is free street parking available along Hawks Ave.
Please let us know if you have any questions – vancouver@naturekidsbc.ca

NORTH VANCOUVER - Super Seeds
2022-05-15 13:00 - 14:30
Super Seeds
Join Cindy Wei of the Edible Garden Project to learn more about seeds! Learn what seeds are and how they grow, and learn how to start seeds of locally-adapted garden plants.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/in-person-naturekids-super-seeds-tickets-226010161477
Suitable for ages 5-13, with adult participation.
This program will take place outdoors in Lynn Canyon Park. Masks are recommended for adults. Please stay home if you’re sick.

SURREY - Forest Walk at Sunnyside Acres
2022-05-18 18:30 - 19:30
Animals that Live in the Forest
Join us for a walk to learn about the animals the live in the forest as co-hosted walk with Sunnyside Acres.
All part of the Surrey Environmental Extravaganza

VIRTUAL EXPLORER DAY- Wolf Howl
2022-05-20 10:30 - 11:30
Join us for a virtual wolf visit as we get up close with these amazing creatures. Meet Tundra and learn about the importance of wolves in creating and maintaining healthy ecosystems, and promoting biodiversity. We’ll also have an chance to better understand and appreciate how we can learn from wolves, and First Nation peoples, and become better stewards and guardians of the environment.
Gary R. Allan from Tundra Speaks and The Swell Wolf Education Centre in Nanaimo will be our guide.
Special time – 10:30am on Friday, May 20
This is event is now full. Please email debbie.jiang@onlineschool.ca to be added to the wait-list.

TRI-CITIES - Mossom Creek Hatchery Visit
2022-05-21 09:30 - 10:30
We will be meeting at Mossom Creek hatchery to learn about stream and pond insects. The Explorer Day will be led by an amazing nature mentor, Cleone Todgham, representing both Burke Mountain Naturalists and Mossom Creek Hatchery.

To RSVP, please email tricities@naturekidsbc.ca with the number of children attending from your family.

https://www.mossomcreek.org/ – The directions are listed in the contact section of the link.

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

RIDGE MEADOWS - Turtle Time
2022-05-22 11:00 - 13:00
Join us and Nature Mentor Andrea Gielens from the Wildlife Preservation Society for some Turtle Time. We’ll start with a Turtle Talk presentation for about an hour, followed by some questions, games and of course meeting a few painted turtles. This is an amazing opportunity to find out about our own local turtles in B.C. and how they have ended up on the endangered species list! Plus families can take advantage of this amazing park afterwards and explore the local river and waterfalls.

Location: Kanaka Creek Fish Hatchery Parking Lot – 11450 256th Street

Here is the info page: https://wildlifepreservation.ca/western-painted-turtle/

Please RSVP to ridgemeadows@naturekidsbc.ca to register your attendance for that day.

BURNABY - Nature + Art at Deer Lake Park
2022-05-26 10:00 - 11:00
Join us for our inaugural event on May 26. We’ll meet in Deer Lake Park and check out the boardwalks, see eco art installations, and get a mini art lesson from one of the featured eco artist, Nickie Lewis.
The event is on a Thursday morning so aimed at home school families – all are welcome.
The trails are flat and smooth and are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
RSVP to burnaby@naturekidsbc.ca

MERRITT - Spring Tree Planting
2022-05-28 10:00 - 12:00
Please join us for some tree planting and a guided forest walk to Secret Lake. We will be tree planting at Harmon Lake Rec Site close to Merritt and learning about the importance of reforestation.

Location: Harmon Lake Rec Site. We will be meeting at the far end parking lot at the interpretive trailhead at 10am. Click here to see map and location details.

RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

Please let us know if you are planning to attend. We want to make sure we have enough hard hats, planter bags and trees for each kid. Remember to pack clothes for all seasons (this spring has been unpredictable!), lunch/snacks, water etc.

SOUTH OKANAGAN - Salamander and Toads, Oh my
2022-05-28 10:30 - 11:30
Join us to learn about our incredible local amphibians and find out how you can help them.
RSVP to southokanagan@naturekidsbc.ca

KAMLOOPS - Learn to Fish (Part 1)
2022-05-29 09:00 - 12:00
Come on out for part one of our learn to fish series with the Fresh Water Fisheries Society of BC! All supplies will be provided. Bring snacks and warm layers. We will be at a higher elevation than Kamloops, so it might still be a little chilly.
Check out this link for more details about the program https://www.gofishbc.com/How-to-Fish.aspx#fishing-programs
RSVP to kamloops@naturekidsbc.ca
If you can’t make it on May 29 – we’ll have a second event on June 11. Or join for both! We will be doing some water quality sampling and learning about aquatic life, so there will be lots to discover at both events.
We are just sorting out the location, but will keep you posted here.
Photo credit: Jenni Stol

VANCOUVER - Hiking into Summer with Stephen Hui
2022-05-29 10:00 - 11:30
We have another Explorer Day coming up that we are very excited about! If you weren’t able to make it to the fall hike at Whyte Lake with author of “105 Hikes In and Around Southwestern British Columbia”, Stephen Hui – you are in luck! Stephen will be bringing us on another hike on Sunday, May 29th at 10AM. We will be hiking around the Capilano Canyon Loop which is a 4km hike where we will see old-growth trees, cliffs & rapids!
Please note: The path has some uphill areas, with an elevation gain of roughly 60 meters so this hike may be difficult for some of our younger members. That being said, the whole family is welcome!
Weather: We will go rain or shine, but will cancel in the case of torrential rain.
What to Wear/Bring: Hikers should have hiking boots or shoes, or sturdy footwear. Bring warm layers, snacks and plenty of water, and possibly rain gear.
Meeting Place: Capilano River Hatchery parking lot.
Register here.
Stephen’s newest book, “Best Hikes and Nature Walks with Kids In and Around Southwestern British Columbia”, will be out on May 17th 2022. This hike is #5 in his new book. More information about Stephen’s latest book can be found here.
