SALMON ARM - Pond dipping and Water Sampling
2022-05-29 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Come and investigate what lives in our local pond. Learn how to do a water sample with our new kits from Water Rangers and understand what makes a healthy pond enviroment. We’ll be joined by local biologist Christy Wright. Bring your binoculars if you have as you may see some birds as well.

Where: Salmon Arm Marine park. Meet in front of the Prestige Hotel.

Dress for the weather and feel free to bring a friend.

Email salmonarm@naturekidsbc.ca to register.

OCEANSIDE - Intertidal Exploration
2022-05-29 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for an exploration of our local beach and inter-tidal zone. We’ll learn about all the interesting creatures that call this zone home.
We’ll meet at the shoreline near the mouth of Little Qualicum River.
Email oceanside@naturekidsbc.ca for location details and to RSVP.

NELSON - Archery and Indigenous Games
2022-05-30 10:00 - 12:00
We are so excited to welcome back Liam Fitzpatrick from Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS), who will teach us some archery skills and lead us in some indigenous games, as well as tell us some stories and lead us in song.

Location: Near Six Mile (Directions and Address to be sent after registration)

This event is free and open to members of NatureKids BC. Non members are welcome to attend one free Explorer Day if there is space. Please RSVP to nelson@naturekidsbc.ca

VANCOUVER - Digging with Fresh Roots
2022-06-01 18:00 - 19:30
Join us as we check-out what’s growing in an urban farm in east Vancouver. Andrea from Fresh Roots will be our guide as we learn about farming through games and activities, digging in the soil, and, of course, tasting some delicious fresh veggies! Please dress for this participatory activity and the weather, such as wearing closed-toed shoes and clothes that can get dirty and wet. As farmers for an hour and a half, light rain will not stop us, but we will cancel in the case of heavy rain.
This Explorer Day is limited to 15 children and approx. 8 adults. Please use this form to register your interest and we will contact you as soon as possible to let you know if you are in.
Registered families will be sent added information about clothing, weather, and safety features, and will be asked to complete an Informed Consent form from Fresh Roots.
Location: The farm is on the Van Tech Secondary School property at 2600 E Broadway, between Penticton St. and Slocan St. We will meet on the north side of the tennis courts (on the school property) that border Slocan St. See black arrow on attached map.
Transportation: The #9 and #16 buses stop close by, and the location is a short walk from the Renfrew SkyTrain station. There is ample street parking along Slocan St.
Fresh Roots is a non-profit organization working with school communities towards “Good Food For All.” They transform urban spaces to create thriving neighbourhood gathering places for learning, sharing, and connecting. They are hosting a “Before Sunset” fundraiser on July 7, 4:30 to 7:30 at their farm at David Thompson Secondary School, 1755 E 55th Ave, in south Vancouver, on the southwest corner of the schoolyard. There will be food and drinks, music and activities. Funds raised will go towards their youth programs.

TEXADA - Painted Turtles
2022-06-03 17:00 - 18:00
Join us and our friends at the Coastal Partners in Conservation Society to learn about painted turtles. Aimee Mitchell will be our nature mentor.
Location: Priest Lake, Texada Island
RSVP to texada@naturekidsbc.ca

MERRITT - Bluebird Banding
2022-06-05 10:00 - 11:00
We have been invited out with Vancouver Avian Research Centre (VARC) to help them with bluebird banding and monitoring. Kerry Kenwood from VARC will be in Merritt next week to work on the bluebird monitoring project. Kerry will teach us the importance of monitoring wildlife like bluebirds, how they monitor the nesting boxes. Kerry will also show us how they band the birds.
We will be meeting Sunday at 10am on the old highway (that runs parallel to the connector) by the visitors center.
Please let us know if your family is interested in attending. We do have to cap this event at 20 participants. So please tell us soon if you would like to join! RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca or if you have any questions.
Check out https://www.birdvancouver.com/ if you want to learn more about their work.

TRI-CITIES - Bird Banding at Colony Farm
2022-06-11 07:00 - 09:00
Bird Banding at Colony Farm
Join the Vancouver Avian Research Centre for a morning of learning about the science behind bird banding. Watch them as they band the migratory birds at Colony Farm.
Please note: We will meet at the banding station at Colony Farm – click here for more information and a map.
Please consider bringing a donation for VARC.
RSVP to tricities@naturekidsbc.ca

KAMLOOPS - Learn to Fish (Part 2)
2022-06-11 09:00 - 11:00
Come on out for part 2 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.

For this second event, we booked a Saturday so that any kids that can’t make Sunday mornings will still get a chance to join. Feel free to come for both part 1 and 2! 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.
Check out this link for more details about the program https://www.gofishbc.com/How-to-Fish.aspx#fishing-programs
Photo credit: Jenni Stol

SALT SPRING ISLAND - Muddy Buddies
2022-06-11 11:30 - 14:30
Muddy Buddies – Pond Studies for Families with Children
Join us for an exploration of what lives in our local lakes. Kathleen Maser and Jean Wilkinson will be our guides. We’ll have dip nets and all the fun tools we need to look up close at life in Blackburn Lake.
Location: SSIC Blackburn Lake
RSVP to saltspring@naturekidsbc.ca
This is part of Nature Salt Spring June Launch Extravaganza taking place June 11-13. Check out the full weekend of activities here.

SALT SPRING ISLAND - Bonkers about Birds
2022-06-12 08:00 - 09:00
Bonkers about Birds! Birding for Families with Children
Come learn all about birds with Kathleen Maser and Jean Wilkinson. We will take us on a walk around Blackburn Lake to hear and identify some of our local birds.
RSVP to saltspring@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Family Bee Safari
2022-06-12 10:00 - 14:00
Do you hear a buzZzing in the air? We will be exploring the gardens and meeting the bees at Elk Root Conservation at our Family Bee Safari! The farm is located in the Slocan Valley at Vallican. We are meeting at to learn about the fascinating lives of bees! We will tour the pollinator gardens, play games, enjoy a picnic lunch, and suit up in bee suits to visit the bee barn. We will start at 10am and finish up around 2-230pm.
Welcome to the magical gardens at Elk Root Conservation where kiddos have the opportunity to meet new little fuzzy friends: bees! The bees at Elk Root Conservation love spending the day making new friends and teaching them about the role they play in our food security and pollinating our flower beds. Children will have a chance to interact with both native bees and honey bees while on safari. Participants will also get a chance to put on a bee suit to get an up close look inside our bee hives and the Elk Root Conservation Bee Barn.

Check out this short video for a tour of the farm and their programs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMhuDOy7hbU

Location: Elk Root Farm, Vallican

Learn more: www.elkrootconservation.org

This will be a longer event, around 4 hours. Please bring a lunch.

RSVP to nelson@naturekidsbc.ca

OCEANSIDE - Hamilton Marsh Explorations
2022-06-12 13:00 - 14:30
Join us to learn all about fresh water critters. We have a very special person coming to show us life in the marsh and how we can help save our wetlands.

Location: Hamilton Marsh. From downtown Qualicum Beach drive up Memorial Ave., passing under Highway 19 and turn right on Hilliers Road. Park on the road where there are huge rocks on the left side and beyond them a clearing where we will meet and walk down to the marsh together.

Please RSVP by Thursday, June 9 to oceanside@naturekidsbc.ca

RIDGE MEADOWS - Bear Necessities
2022-06-12 13:00 - 16:00
What would you do if you encountered a bear? Do you know how to make your property bear smart and bear safe? Join us and Kanaka Education & Environmental Partnership Society (KEEPS) at Kanaka Creek Regional Park for an open house and bear aware session. Volunteers will be on hand to answer questions and explain about these intelligent, beautiful animals.

RSVP to ridgemeadows@naturekidsbc.ca or visit the KEEPS FB page for more details.

TEXADA - Plant a Butterfly Boat
2022-06-17 16:00 - 17:00
Join us for a Butterflyway Boat planting. We’ll plant some native species to help our local pollinators and we can make some Father’s Day cards too.
Location: Lafarge Park, Texada Island
RSVP to texada@naturekidsbc.ca

VICTORIA - Birding Bonanza
2022-06-18 09:30 - 10:30
Come learn all about birds as we meet our local bird expert Geoffrey Newell who is a young, avid birder and a member of the Victoria Natural History Society. He will take us on a walk around Panama Flats to hear and identify some of our local birds.

Please RSVP here before Friday, June 17th at 4 pm.

WHERE to PARK and MEET: Panama Flats, Saanich.
There is some parking along Baker Street near Carey Road on the east side of the flats.
Meet by the large metal building at the corner of Carey Rd and Baker St.
HOW TO GET THERE: If coming from Downtown Victoria, head north on Trans Canada Highway/BC1 -N, turn right onto Carey Road after Uptown. Follow Carey Road past Mackenzie Road and continue straight until you reach Baker Road and turn right to find parking.
MAP PAGE: https://goo.gl/maps/nHmPAiBQHTAQWtxd9
BRING: Bring binoculars and any bird Identification books/cards if you have them.

NICOMEKL - A Rocha Explorer Day
2022-06-18 09:30 - 11:30
A Rocha Explorer Day

Join A Rocha for an afternoon of exploring. We’ll start with a tour of the farm followed by pond dipping and activities in the garden. Minimum age of 5 to sign up.

Location: A Rocha, 1620 192 St in Surrey
Registration: nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca

PRINCE GEORGE - Precious Pollinators
2022-06-18 10:30 - 12:00
Join Vanessa and Natasha as we explore and collect data from the precious pollinators of Prince George! As spring rounds the corner into summer, we will see many of our pollinator friends. From bees to butterflies, there are many mighty minis to admire.

Location: Meet at the Exploration Place. We will walk towards the Hudson Bay Wetland.

RSVP to princegeorge@naturekidsbc.ca

RIDGE MEADOWS - Salmon Release
2022-06-19 11:00 - 13:00
Join us for a fry release hosted by the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS) at Maple Ridge Park. There will be some fun activities for families and face painting. Adopt-a-Block will be there and WildSafe BC will be there as well.
Location: Maple Ridge Park – 13180 232 Street
RSVP to ridgemeadows@naturekidsbc.ca

NORTH VANCOUVER - Bird Banding at Colony Farm
2022-06-25 07:00 - 09:00
Bird Banding at Colony Farm
Join the Vancouver Avian Research Centre for a morning of learning about the science behind bird banding. Watch them as they band the migratory birds at Colony Farm.
Please note: We will meet at the banding station at Colony Farm – click here for more information and a map.
Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/naturekids-bird-banding-at-colony-farm-tickets-249528555627
Please consider bringing a donation for VARC.
This event will be canceled if the Probability of Precipitation is too high, as rain is stressful for the birds. Our rain date is June 26th.
Suitable for children ages 5-13, with an adult.
Event attendees should be members of the NatureKids club – sign up at naturekidsbc.ca. You are also welcome to try out one NatureKids event before you become a member.

SOUTH OKANAGAN - Learn to Fish
2022-06-25 11:00 - 12:30
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 are just sorting out the time and location, but will keep you posted here. Save the date!
Check out this link for more details about the program https://www.gofishbc.com/How-to-Fish.aspx#fishing-programs
RSVP to southokanagan@naturekidsbc.ca
Photo credit: Jenni Stol

MERRITT - Learn to Fish
2022-06-25 11:00 - 12:30
Come on out for our learn to fish series with the Fresh Water Fisheries Society of BC! All supplies will be provided.
Check out this link for more details about the program https://www.gofishbc.com/How-to-Fish.aspx#fishing-programs
Save the date! Confirmed time coming soon!
Location: Kentucky Alleyne kids pond.
To RSVP – merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

Photo credit: Jenni Stol

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY - Learn to Fish!
2022-06-26 10:00 - 12:30
Come on out for our learn to fish series with the Fresh Water Fisheries Society of BC! We’ll learn how to ID fish, how to handle them, learn about basic tackle, partake in a casting lesson and learn about safety and fishing. All supplies will be provided.
Location: Fraser Valley Trout Hatchery (34345 Vye Road, Abbotsford)
RSVP to efv@naturekidsbc.ca

WILLIAMS LAKE - Cariboo Fire Centre Tour
2022-06-30 10:30 - 12:30
Join us in collaboration with Scout Island Nature Centre to tour the Cariboo Fire Centre. We will learn about fire safety, suppression and how to keep our forests safe. This wonderful opportunity is open to everyone! So bring a friend, pack a lunch, and come learn with us!

Location: Cariboo Fire Centre – 3020 Airport Rd

RSVP to martinkruus@shaw.ca

SALMON ARM - Scavenger Hunt
2022-06-30 13:00 - 15:00
Join us and our nature mentor, Melissa LaRiviere, for a nature walk. Two scavenger hunts will be held in the Salmon Arm Bay area. Walk with us as we hunt for different trees and birds, and earn prizes along the way! Remember to dress for the weather, bring water, binoculars, and snacks. Friends are welcome (free of charge), as we are always happy to have new members.
Location: Brighouse Nature Centre
RSVP to salmonarm@naturekidsbc.ca

TRI-CITIES - Turtle Time
2022-07-02 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!

Location: Como Lake Park

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

BURNABY - Explore All Things Green
2022-07-04 10:30 - 13:30
Join us as we explore the protected wetland habitat of Minnekhada Regional Park. We’ll be looking for all things green and if we’re lucky spot one (or many) very special guest(s). Flat, accessible trails with minimal elevation gain will be stuck to.
Location: Minnekhada Regional Park – 4000 Quarry Rd
RSVP to burnaby@naturekidsbc.ca

MERRITT - Weed Warriors
2022-07-09 09:00 - 12:00
Join us for our annual knapweed blitz and knapweed biocontrol bug collection demonstration! Lunch, refreshments and prizes will be provided. Everyone is welcome to help us protect our rare grassland ecosystems.

Location: Lundbom Commonage

RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

BULKLEY VALLEY - Pond Dipping at Tyhee
2022-07-09 10:00 - 12:00
Join us in partnership with A Rocha Houston for a fun morning of pond dipping at Tyhee Lake and discover the bugs that enjoy the water just as much as us! Meet by the playground, and don’t forget to bring a picnic lunch to enjoy after our activities.
Location: Tyhee Lake – Tyhee Rd, Telkwa, V0J 2X0
RSVP: bulkleyvalley@naturekidsbc.ca

NORTH VANCOUVER - The Story of Herring - Interactive Puppet Show
2022-07-09 11:00 - 12:00
The Story of Herring – With Hope the Humpback Whale ~ An interactive, musical program with puppets, procession and herring props.
We will become the “herring school” and go on a journey out to sea, then play “musical fish” to learn about the importance of Pacific Herring in the ocean food web. Also learn about the importance of Provincial Marine Parks and Protected Areas for Sponge Glass Reef protection, wildlife habitat and conservation.

Sponsored by the Elders Council for Parks in BC
Glass Sponge Reef educational material donated by Nature Kids BC
CD Music by the North Shore Celtic Ensemble

* Suitable for children age 5- 7 years or K-Gr.2. Younger and older siblings welcome.
Location: Parkgate Library (3675 Banff Ct, North Vancouver)
Register here: https://nvdpl.ca/node/5507/register

VICTORIA - Wall Lizard Hunting with Dr. Gavin Hanke
2022-07-09 13:00 - 14:00
Did you know that lizards don’t only live in hot, arid places like the desert? In BC, we have lizards in our backyards! Join our Nature Mentor Dr. Gavin Hanke, the curator of vertebrate zoology at the BC Museum, as we learn about wall lizards! Gavin will share his knowledge of wall lizards with us by teaching us about their habitat, biology and favourite hiding places. Don’t forget good hiking shoes, and let’s go lizard hunting!

Location: Mount Tolmie – Meet at the top parking lot
RSVP: HERE
To learn more about Gavin’s fantastic work at the BC Museum, check out this link!
https://staff.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/author/rbcm_ghanke/
