TEXADA - Forest Forage
2022-09-03 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us as we explore Emily Lake Trails with Lizetta and learn about local foraging opportunities, mushrooms and more!
Location: Emily Lake Trail, Texada Island
RSVP to texada@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Explore Kokanee Creek
2022-09-10 10:00 - 12:00
Join us as we explore the Kokanee Creek Nature Centre and we learn from the naturalists about spawning channels, kokanee, and all the other local animals. from identification to what makes the life-cycle of Kokanee so special, this day is bound to be filled with fun!
Location: Kokanee Creek Nature Centre
RSVP here or contact nelson@naturekidsbc.ca for more info.

VANCOUVER - Helping out an Orchard
2022-09-10 10:00 - 12:00
Helping out at Copley Community Orchard
We’ll meet at the Copley Community Orchard, a 1.2 acre organic orchard in east Vancouver. The orchard is a haven of fruit trees, berry bushes and other perennial plants, as well as having a Seed Pantry and Library and mason bee houses, that all create a beautiful and productive community hub. Volunteers maintain the orchard and provide educational workshops. Our guide, Tanya, will take us for a tour of the property and then we’ll do some light weeding to help keep the orchard healthy. We’ll also be able to take some fruit home with us!
Copley Community Orchard is a non-profit society run 100% by volunteers.
Meeting location: The orchard is situated between Walker St. and Copley St, and Vanness Ave. and East 19th Ave. See map. Parking is available on Walker St.
Transit: The Nanaimo skytrain station is close by. The #7 Nanaimo St. bus stops close by as well.
Washrooms can be found at the Trout Lake Concession at E. 19th and Marshall St, about a 5 to 7 minute walk. See map.
What you’ll need:
* Wear clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty.
* Dress for the weather – we’ll go in light rain.
* Wear closed-toed shoes.
* Although there are gardening gloves for adults available at the orchard, there are none for children, so pls bring your own if you have some, and some to share if you have more than you need.
* A yoghurt size container for your fruit.
Register here.

Also, the orchard has a food sharing box. Feel free to bring some food, either packaged or fresh (nothing that needs to be refrigerated), for people in the neighbourhood who use this community service.

RIDGE MEADOWS - Bear Aware // CANCELLED
2022-09-11 11:00 - 12:30
Due to some unforeseen scheduling conflicts we need to cancel the event this weekend. We appreciate your understanding for the last minute cancellation. We will reschedule for a later date – so stay tuned!
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Join us and learn all about bears – and especially how to minimize both bear attractants as well as negative interactions with our furry friends.
Location: Albion Park – 24460 104th Ave
RSVP to ridgemeadows@naturekidsbc.ca

ELDER'S COUNCIL FOR PARKS - Grandparent's Day Craft & Scavenger Hunt
2022-09-11 13:00 - 15:00
You are invited to join the Elder’s Council for Parks in BC for a special event to celebrate Grandparent’s Day. Join mentor and storyteller Christine Kobel as we make some nature inspired crafts. We will also enjoy an interpretive walk in the woods with a scavenger hunt for the kids. Bring your imagination!
This event will be held outside on the grounds at the Heritage Centre. In honour of Grandparent’s Day, we encourage child/adult teams but everyone is welcome.
Christine is the host of Blackfeather, Everything Tribal on Vancouver Co-op Radio.
Email Heather at hfowler604@gmail.com to register for this FREE event.
MEETING PLACE : In front of Heritage Centre (1620 Mt. Seymour Road, North Vancouver)
www.elderscouncilforparks.ca

VANCOUVER - Yew Lake Trail Explorations
2022-09-17 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a hike of the Yew Lake Trail in West Vancouver. The approximately 2 km, predominantly level, trail passes through meadows, wetlands and old-growth forests. We’ll stop to identify some of the main trees and plants along the path, and search for some very unusual plants! Fortunately we have Nature Mentors Gail Ross and Lyn Grants to help us discover the many unique features of this beautiful area.
Register here.
Gail and Lyn are both Board of Directors members of the Friends of Cypress Provincial Park. Gail worked for 33 years for BC Parks, predominantly in the field of interpretation. She also ran the Prince George NatureKids club for over 10 years. Lyn Grants is the Past President of the Friends of Cypress, has been a teacher, and is a Friend and active member of the UBC Botanical Garden.
Meeting Location and Parking: Black Mountain Lodge at Cypress Provincial Park, where there is (free) parking lot. See maps below.
Transit: Unfortunately, there is no public transit to our meeting spot at Cypress Provincial Park.
What to wear:
Layered clothing
Sturdy, close toed walking shoes
Dress for the weather.
What to bring:
Water
Snacks
Camera

MERRITT - Spius Creek Fish Hatchery Tour
2022-09-17 10:00 - 12:30
Join us for a tour of the Spius Creek Fish Hatchery. We will learn about the differences between coho and chinook salmon and what it takes to produce hatchery fish. This event only has space for 15 kids, so make sure to register in advance!

Location: Spius Creek Fish Hatchery – 2857 Prospect Creek Road

RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

We will have a limit of 15 kids for this event. Please register in advance.

KAMLOOPS - Children's Art Festival // Swing by and say hi!
2022-09-17 10:00 - 15:00
We will have a booth at the Children’s Art Festival. We’ll be at a table along with the Kamloops Naturalists Club and the Thompson-Nicola Conservation Collaborative. Feel free to come by and say hi! And let your littles ones colour a mask to celebrate the theme of Rivers and Rainbows!
Full event program: https://kamloopsarts.ca/program/childrens-art-festival/
Location: Riverside Park (100 Lorne St, Kamloops)

NORTH VANCOUVER - Shoreline Clean-up // OPEN INVITATION TO ALL CLUBS!
2022-09-18 13:00 - 15:00
Help clean up Lynn Creek! Learn about local streams and help clean up the park.

Participate in this national cleanup event to keep shorelines clean! We will go for a walk to 30 Foot Pool, learning about local plants and streams along the way. We will also be cleaning up the park and collecting garbage and recyclables. Please bring work gloves if you have them.
Register here. We’ll meet at the entrance to the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre.
This program will take place outdoors and in person in Lynn Canyon Park. We will meet at the front of the Ecology Centre. Please stay home if you are sick. Please note there is pay parking, $3/hour for a maximum of 4 hours, payable only by credit card at the kiosk.

EASTERN FRASER VALLEY - Forest to River Bear & Salmon Education
2022-09-24 10:00 - 12:00
Join NatureKids BC and Bear Educator Lydia Koot from Hope Mountain Black Bear Committee as we discover the wonders of spawning salmon in our local rivers and the bears that rely on these fish to survive. We will also have a presentation on bear awareness and how we can co-exist with these beautiful creatures.
Location: Vedder River Spawning Channel – Lickman Road Entrance
RSVP to efv@naturekidsbc.ca

TRI-CITIES - RiverFest Quayside Festival // Swing by and say hi!
2022-09-24 10:00 - 16:00
2022 RiverFest Quayside Festival

Swing by our demonstration table and say hi. And check out the full schedule of events here for our annual RiverFest festival along the New Westminster quay.

Admission is free all weekend at the FRDC in our Family Fun Zone presented by Loren Nancke. Play your way through the river with games, demonstrations and crafts!
Catch live musical performances throughout the day and marvel at the Lucille Johnstone Workboat Parade
Stroll along the boardwalk for our Exhibitor Expo and Arts Council of New West market where exhibitors will share their expertise, skills, and wares.
Take a free guided Quayside Tour presented by Parkland to learn about the biodiversity, commerce, and culture going on around us! For all ages.
Head up to Sapperton Park where The Vancouver Wooden Boat Society will have an open house with activities and wooden boat display.

KELOWNA - Trees of the Okanagan
2022-09-24 11:00 - 12:00
We will explore the significance of trees and forests and learn how trees contribute beyond their living years.
We’ll meet at the Environmental Education Centre for the Okanagan’s outdoor classroom. And then we will go for a walk to and find materials to make wands and crowns.
Bring snacks and water. And dress for the weather. This program will be held outside rain or shine.

RIDGE MEADOWS - Rivers Day Celebration
2022-09-25 10:30 - 14:30
Ridge Meadows Rivers Day Celebration
Join us to celebrate BC River’s Day at ALLCO Park in partnership with the Alouette River Management Society (ARMS). We’ll have a demonstration table and there will be live entertainment, carnival games, face painting, food and much more!
Location: ALLCO Park –13255 Alouette Rd, Maple Ridge

SALMON ARM - BC Rivers Day Celebration and Tree Planting
2022-09-25 13:00 - 15:00
Join us as we learn about salmon at the Adams River from local experts with The Adams River Salmon Society. We will contribute to helping salmon by planting trees for BC Rivers Day this year. Get ready for a great day out celebrating all things salmon!
Location: Tsútswecw Provincial Park, meet at The Adams River Salmon Society Interpretive cabin
RSVP to salmonarm@naturekidsbc.ca
Please dress for the weather and bring water and snacks. Be prepared to go hiking, play games and plant trees. Shovels will be provided, but if you have one, please bring it.

KAMLOOPS - McQueen Lake Day! Bus transport provided
2022-10-01 09:30 - 15:30
We have been invited to join the 50th Anniversary Celebration day for McQueen Lake and all of the NatureKids Families and Guests are welcome to join. We will be leading a pond dipping event for the day.
Please RSVP by Sept 16th to claim a spot. Due to lack on parking at the event site, access to the event will only be by bus. The bus will leave from NorKam Secondary at 10am. There will be a return bus at 12:45 and another at 3pm, so you can stay for a half day or the whole event! If there is an emergency, Sonya and I will have personal vehicles there and can get people back into town, if needed.
RSVP here by Sept 16: http://mcqueenlake.com/s/50RSVP
The basic format for the day is as follows, but there will be much socializing and some food 🙂
09:30 Buses arrive NorKam Secondary School South Parking Lot
10:00 Buses depart
10:30 Arrival at the McQueen Lake Centre
11:00 Greetings, Welcome and Remarks from Speakers
12:00 Light Lunch and Refreshments/ Site Tour / Orientation / Static Displays
12:30 Muster for Midday Bus Departure
12:45 Midday Bus Departure
13:30 Choice of Participatory Activities Session 1
14:15 Choice of Participatory Activities Session 2
15:00 Muster for Bus Departures
15:30 Buses depart for NorKam Secondary School Parking Lot
We will provide greater detail and any further information to those confirmed prior to the event.
Please remember that McQueen Lake is a little higher in elevation and you should dress accordingly 🙂

BURNABY - Intertidal Walk with Year of the Salish Sea
2022-10-11 15:00 - 16:00
To celebrate the Year of the Salish Sea, join the initiative’s Project Co-Leads Emma, Simran, and Tasha on a walk along the shore of Barnet Marine Park. We will learn about life in the intertidal zone, our place in the Salish Sea ecosystem, and hopefully spot some sea creatures!
Register here: https://forms.gle/7qsQBVf1bwGLvwX46

BULKLEY VALLEY - Edible Plant Walk
2022-10-15 10:30 - 12:00
Join us at Silverthorn Lake, in Houston, for an edible plant walk! We will be joined by a plant expert who will lead us on our walk. And you are invited to stay for a hotdog roast following the walk.
Location: Silverthorn Lake, in Houston. We will meet at the shelter by the lake.
RSVP to bulkleyvalleynaturekidsbc.ca
Accessibility: the trails are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs

SALT SPRING ISLAND - Marvelous Migration
2022-10-15 13:30 - 14:30
Birds are in the air! We see them gathering in flocks, some small, some very large. Where are they going? How do they know where to go?
We’ll do some bird watching around Blackburn Lake at the SSI Conservancy and try to figure out how birds migrate. We’ll use maps, a compass and look at global flyways. Also, we’ll learn which birds stick around with us through the winter months. Here’s a big question: Could there be some birds that come to Salt Spring Island to pass the winter?
Wear rubber boots and bring binoculars if you have them.
RSVP to khmaser@shaw.ca

OCEANSIDE - Big Qualicum Fish Hatchery
2022-10-16 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for a visit of the Qualicum Fish Hatchery. We’ll get a behind the scenes look at how eggs are collected, sorted and how the fish are raised. We’ll also learn about the amazing lifecycle of the salmon and how they are critical to our ecosystems. And since it’s the middle of the salmon run, we’ll also get so see some of the chinook and pink salmon return.
RSVP to oceanside@naturekidsbc.ca
Directions: From the Inland Island Hwy (19), take the Horne Lake exit (75). Follow Horne Lake Road until you pass the railroad tracks and take the next left (continuing onto Horne Lake Road). On your immediate left (you will see a Big Qualicum Hatchery sign), turn onto the gravel road (River Road). Follow that down to the hatchery parking lot.
From the Island Hwy (19A), take the exit on Horne Lake Road. Take the first right onto a gravel road (River Road) and continue until you reach the hatchery parking lot.

MERRITT - Special Event: Come Walk with Us Presentation
2022-10-21 16:00 - 17:00
Join us and special guests Soyna Richmond and Sean Morton from Come Walk with Us for an evening of photography and storytelling. Sonya and Sean will share tales from the road of their cross-Canada walking adventure and how they are inspiring Canadians of all ages to take action for nature. This is a family friendly show and the content is aimed at kids aged 5-12.
The event is free and open to all families. Feel free to bring friends.
Location: Lecture Theatre of NVIT (Nicola Valley Institute of Technology) on Belshaw Road, Merritt
Come Walk With Us is a 4-year pilgrimage along the 27, 000 km Trans Canada Trail – the world’s longest trail. Dr Sonya Richmond is a biologist and researcher who has worked on many ornithological and conservation projects, and received numerous awards and grants for her work. Sean Morton is an award-winning landscape and nature photographer whose work has been published in numerous magazines. Their goal is to inspire people of all ages, physical abilities, cultural backgrounds, genders, orientations, and identities, and especially youth, to connect to nature through birds and Citizen Science. They are walking west from Cape Spear, NL to Victoria, BC and then north to Tuktoyaktuk, NT, planning to finish in 2023.

VICTORIA - Five Senses Wellness Program
2022-10-22 13:00 - 14:30
Join us at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary for our Five Senses Wellness Program!
On this Explorer day we will join our Nature Mentor Madi, the Community Educator, for a journey of our five senses and discover how we interact with nature using them! We will explore nature through our senses as we listen to, smell, feel, view and taste the world around us.

This is a family friendly program suitable for all ages! Click here to RSVP and join us.

Location: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. Follow the signs to the Swan Hill Sanctuary off McKenzie Avenue and you will get to a parking lot close to the Nature House. We will meet in the Nature House.
Map Link: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/visit-explore/hours-location/
Other Logistics: Dogs are not allowed in the park so please leave your animals at home. Guest passes are available if you would like to introduce your friends to NatureKids.

More info: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/about-us/the-sanctuary/

MERRITT - Bar Farms Pumpkin Patch
2022-10-22 13:30 - 15:00
Our next explorer day will be a trip to the pumpkin patch! On top of regular pumpkin patch things, we will get a quick lesson on the farm operation and how pumpkins, squash, potatoes and garlic are planted and harvested. We will cover the cost of entry and one pumpkin for each child.

Please let us know if you are planning to come!
RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

We’ll send out a reminder email with directions shortly beforehand.

NELSON - How Do Mushrooms Grow?
2022-10-23 13:00 - 14:00
Join us to learn all about mushrooms! Our Nature Mentor for the day will be Rob Macrae, instructor at Selkirk College and local mushroom expert. We will walk together in the forest to discover the different types of mushrooms growing there, and learn about their place in the ecosystem.

Rob also has a keen interest in mushroom cultivation, so after our walk we will learn about simple ways to grow delicious edible mushrooms. We will then prepare our own mushroom logs to take home! Making mushroom logs does require the use of an electric drill. We will have pre-drilled logs available. If older children wish to drill their own they will need to do so under their parent’s direct supervision.

Pre registration is required for this event. CLICK HERE FOR THE SIGN UP FORM.

Our location is the beautiful grounds of Bear Spring Eco Retreat in Beasley. We are very grateful to the owners for hosting us! Participants will be emailed directions as well as parking instructions. Please only park in the areas indicated. You can check out the retreat on their website: www.bearspringeco.ca

NORTH VANCOUVER - Mushroom Walk
2022-10-23 13:00 - 15:00
Discover the fungal connections that make up the forest ecosystem, and learn more about local mushroom identification.

Fungi are an integral part of the forest ecosystem. Discover how plants, animals, and fungi are connected and learn more about local mushroom identification with Willoughby Arevalo.
Willoughby Arevalo is passionate about the ecology of fungi, the ways they shape our world and the ways we shape theirs. His lifelong friendship with fleshy fungi has led him down a mycelial pathway – from his start in field identification and mushroom hunting, branching into cuisine, DIY cultivation, farming, education, writing and eco-arts.
Please note that there are two NatureKids mushroom walks back to back to ensure a smaller group size. The walks have separate registrations:
Register for 1:00pm-2:00pm timeslot
Register for 2:00pm-3:00pm timeslot
NatureKids programs are suitable for families with children ages 5-13. Parents attend with their children. Families should be registered in our NatureKids club. See www.naturekids.bc.ca for details. Families may come for one trial session before registering for a NatureKids membership.
This program will take place outdoors and in person in Lynn Canyon Park. We will meet at the front of the Ecology Centre. Please stay home if you are sick. Please note there is pay parking, $3/hour for a maximum of 4 hours, payable only by credit card at the kiosk.
Photo by Jesse Bauer on Unsplash

SALT SPRING - Be In-Spidered!
2022-10-28 13:30 - 15:00
Be In-Spidered!! Do you like creepy crawly spiders? Do they make you nervous? Don’t be scared – Come and learn about them!
If you look carefully you’ll see lots of spiders in the fall. Some hunt, some jump, some spin webs, some even catch fish! Most won’t hurt you, but some are poisonous, so it’s good to know what these ones look like. We’ll learn about a few different kinds of spiders, the cool things they do, and their place in nature.
We’ll go outside to look for spiders and webs, so please be sure to dress for the weather.
Location: SSI Conservancy, Blackburn Road
For kids up to 13 years old, accompanied by an adult.

NICOMEKL - Fourteen Fungi
2022-10-29 13:00 - 14:30
Join us for a fall nature walk to search for fourteen different types of fungi.

Location: Brae Island Regional Park in Fort Langley. Meet us at the main parking lot (across the bridge and to the left).

BURNABY - Salmon Watch & Creek Tour
2022-11-02 09:30 - 11:00
Join us and the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers for a salmon watch and tour of the creek.
**Date/Time may change: We are watching the conditions closely as we cannot spot fish on heavy rain days. An email will be sent to confirm the event time and meeting location. Backup date is Fri, Nov 4**
Accessibility: Byrne Creek trails are dirt/gravel and generally flat but there are stairs. If you have accessibility needs, please contact us for more information so we can accommodate.
Free and open to all families. Register here to join us.

NELSON - Survival Skills
2022-11-06 10:00 - 14:00
Led by survival skills expert Norm Jelfs, we will learn about outdoor safety, essential gear you should always bring when heading out on a hike, how to navigate and what to do if you’re lost. We’ll learn about different ways to start a fire. We’ll have a break for lunch, and then continue with shelter building in the afternoon. The exact itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather and other factors. We plan to be finished around 2-3pm.
Norman Jelfs is an experienced outdoor survival instructor who has worked with the Alberta Junior Forest Rangers and mentored under well-known bushcraft and survival expert Mors Kochanski. He also taught survival skills to kids at Kokanee Creek Nature Centre this summer.
Registration is now full – but we do keep a waitlist and at our last event everyone on the waitlist was able to attend, so complete the form to be added.

KAMLOOPS - Orienteering
2022-11-06 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for an orienteering Explorer Day event. We will learn how to use compasses and play some games.
RSVP to kamloops@naturekidsbc.ca

VANCOUVER - Finding Fungi in Central Park
2022-11-12 10:00 - 11:30
Ever wondered if mushrooms are plants or animals?? If you answered neither, you’d be right! They are one of the 4 types of fungi, a kingdom all on its own. On Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10:00 to approx. 11:30, we’ll meet up at Central Park in Burnaby with Nature Mentor, mycologist Ludovic LeRenard, who will share his vast knowledge of the fabulous fungi kingdom with us. Some of you may remember Ludo from last year when he guided our mushroom-focused Explorer Day at UBC.
This has been a difficult year for fungi due to the drought that stretched into October, followed by bouts of frosty weather. Fungi don’t like either of these weather conditions. Consequently, you may have noticed that mushrooms aren’t as plentiful as usual. Hopefully we’ll find some good specimens on this Explorer Day, especially as Ludo knows where they like to hide!
Register here.
Pls note that the Sunday, Nov. 27 Fungi Explorer Day is still happening and will be located at Pacific Spirit Park. More info on that to come soon.
Meeting location: Easily accessible via transit as our meeting location is at the entrance to Burnaby’s Central Park on Patterson Ave. and Central Blvd., next to the Patterson SkyTrain station. See map.
Parking: There are several parking lots close to the meeting location. See map.
What to wear: Dress warmly as we will be standing still often to study the mushrooms.
What to bring: Magnifying glass if you have one; we’ll have some to share. Snacks and water are always good.
Washrooms: There are public washrooms in various locations in the park.
We look forward to seeing some of you there. In the meantime, check out this great info page from the Beaty Museum of Biodiversity, Mushrooms Up! Edible and Poisonous of Coastal BC and Pacific Northwest
