NatureKidsBC

VICTORIA - Five Senses Wellness Program
2022-10-22 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Vancouver)
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

NICOMEKL - Search for Salmon
2022-11-13 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a walk through Tynehead Regional Park during the season for spotting salmon! We’ll play salmon-inspired games and have prizes for you to win.

Location: Tynehead Regional Park in Surrey

RSVP to nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca

BURNABY - Byrne Creek Nature Hike
2022-11-15 11:00 - 12:30
Let’s go on a casual hike to Byrne Creek via Ron McLean Park. No nature mentors will be present during this trip, but it will be a great opportunity share our own knowledge, meet each other, and try to spot some salmon before the end of the spawning season.

Ron McLean Park is easily accessible from Edmonds Skytrain Station or by car, parking along Hedley, since the parking lot is under reconstruction at the moment. We would then walk down the trail on the west side. It is about a 25 minute walk down to the best area with 200 stairs to descend and climb back up OR a trail along the east side of the ravine that makes for a nice return trip.

RSVP here to join us.

MERRITT - Hug-a-Tree with Nicola SAR
2022-11-18 10:00 - 12:00
You’re Invited- Hug A Tree Program with Nature Kids BC and Nicola Valley Search and Rescue
Have you ever wondered what to do if you get lost in the woods? Join us and mentors from Nicola Valley Search and Rescue as we learn how to stay safe outdoors in the winter. We’ll learn how not to get lost in the first place, and what to do if it happens. We’ll learn how hugging a tree can keep you safe and help you be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements and keeps you in one location, so it’s easier for searchers to find you. Bring your questions about how to prepare for winter adventures and how to stay safe while doing them.
Register here to join us.
About Hug-a-Tree
The Hug-a-Tree and Survive program is aimed at children aged 5–11 and is an AdventureSmart program that helps lost children survive in the woods. It teaches children how not to become lost in the woods, and what to do should they become lost. If a child should become lost in the woods, hugging a tree can help them stay safe, and be found. Staying near a tree offers some protection from the elements, and keeps lost children in the same place, which makes it easier for searchers to find them.
Hug-A-Tree and Survive was developed in the United States following the search for Jimmy Beveridge in 1981, and was first adapted for Canadian use by the RCMP. It was updated by the National Search and Rescue Secretariat (NSS) and the SAR Volunteer Association of Canada (SARVAC) in 2015.

NANAIMO - Salamander Monitoring and Riparian Restoration
2022-11-19 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for a lovely day out in nature! Help us find and identify salamanders, and work on returning the riparian zone to its natural glory so more salamanders and other organisms can make it their home!

Location: Morningside Park

RSVP to nanaimo@naturekidsbc.ca by Friday noon

VANCOUVER - Birding survey at UBC Farm // EVENT FULL PLEASE JOIN WAITLIST
2022-11-20 09:00 - 11:00
This event is now full, but we do keep a waitlist. Please email us at vancouver@naturekidsbc.ca to be added.
Join us for a birding survey at UBC Farm with expert guides from Nature Vancouver. Over 100 species of birds have been seen at this site throughout the seasons, over the past fifteen years of these monthly surveys . On this November survey, we’ll tally from 20 to 25 species of wintering birds. You may want to become familiar with some of them before our tour, such as the Northern Flicker, Black-capped Chickadee, Song Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Golden-crowed Sparrow, Dark-eyed Junco, Spotted Towhee, House Finch and American Goldfinch. Our approximately 2.0 km walk will take us through farm fields, the children’s garden area, a mature second growth conifer forest, and a young alder forest.
Meeting Location and Time: We’ll meet at 9 AM at the main gate to the UBC Farm, located on South Campus, atl 3461 Ross Drive. The farm gate will be locked, so please aim to be punctual as we will all need to enter together. The walk will be approximately two hours,depending on weather conditions and interest of the group.
Parking: There is paid metered parking at the Farm entrance gate. Some nearby streets (a couple of blocks to walk) do have Sunday free parking as well.
Transit: The #41 and #49 buses take you close to the Farm, about a 10 minute walk. For more accurate transit information from your home, see this link.
What to 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 young birders.
What to wear: Dress for the weather as bird watching often involves some standing around. We will be walking through some grassy areas so please wear waterproof footwear.
Washrooms: There are 2 portable toilets by the front gates of the farm.
Merlin App. You might want to download the Merlin App on your cell phone. It is a free app that identifies birds by their sound, and shows a sonogram (spectrogram) of its sound. See more details and how to download here. Please note that having the App is not necessary to fully participate in this Explorer Day.

NORTH VANCOUVER - Indigenous Plants Walk
2022-11-20 13:00 - 14:30
Learn about local plants with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss on a walk at Stitsma (Maplewood Mudflats).

Walk through Stitsma (Maplewood Mudflats) with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss, learning about local plant ecology and plant connections to Indigenous teachings.
T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss is an Indigenous Matriarch of the Skwxwu7mesh, Sto:lo and Hawaiian people. Through her work as an ethnobotanist, artist, activist and community-based educator, they strive to share Indigenous customs, teachings, and futures and to connect Indigenous peoples. Interweaving their skills as an ethnobotanist and an interdisciplinary artist, Cease maintains a practice to decolonize their life and their art by learning about their culture and using traditions practiced by their ancestors.
Register here.
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 at Maplewood Mudflats Conservation Area, 2649 Dollarton Highway. Please stay home if you are sick.

BURNABY - Cariboo Heights Forest: History + Winter Birds
2022-11-22 13:00 - 15:00
Discover one of Burnaby’s secret forests with Utta Gagel and Aruna Khan, Co-Presidents of the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society. We’ll explore the history of Cariboo Heights and learn to identify some of the winter birds that live here with the Merlin Bird ID app.
Bring water, a snack, binoculars (if you have them), and download the free Merlin Bird ID app in advance.
RSVP here to join us.

VIRTUAL EXPLORER DAY - The Wonders of Water
2022-11-24 18:30 - 19:30
Join us for a virtual Explorer Day with our guests from BC Hydro. We’ll learn how electricity is made, take a tour inside the Stave Falls dam and even do some fun experiments related to the water cycle. As always, there will be opportunities to engage and ask questions.
Alex and Mariam will be our hosts from BC Hydro – they are part of the community outreach team who travel across the province and deliver virtual events, educating British Columbians on energy conservation and electrical safety. We will also be having Stephen Watson from the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project (2007-2020). He will chat to us about the drought conditions near the Campbell River water system and how the crew has been able to maintain the area for fish habitats.
This event is free and open to all families. Pre-registration is required.
Register here to join us.

BULKLEY VALLEY - Into to Bird Watching
2022-11-26 10:00 - 12:00
Come out and learn about bird watching! In preparation for the annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids, we will welcome two experienced bird watchers to share their knowledge with us!
Location: Park at the Canadian Tire in Smithers. Walk south east on 16th ave and meet us at the trail head right by the roundabout on Ambleside Ave.
RSVP: bulkleyvalleynaturekidsbc.ca
Accessibility: the trails are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.

VANCOUVER - Camosun Bog and Forest Walk // EVENT FULL PLEASE JOIN WAITLIST
2022-11-27 13:00 - 14:30
This event is now full, but we do keep a waitlist. Please email us at vancouver@naturekidsbc.ca to be added.

What’s so unique about bogs? They are rare and beautiful wetlands home to special plants, such as Sphagnum moss, as well as many varieties of plants, bushes, and small trees. We’ll explore this area with Nature Mentor Anne Leathem, and If we’re very lucky we may see some fungi too!

Camosun Bog is a wonderful place to discover bog life as a boardwalk around the perimeter of the area, built by the Camosun Bog Restoration Group, allows people to visit without damaging this fragile ecosystem. After exploring the bog, we will walk through the forest to discover the many kinds of trees found there.

Our guide, Anne, has always had an interest in wild plants, animals, and mushrooms. She loves the forest and learns something new there on every visit. She’s excited to share her knowledge with us.

Meeting Location: We’ll meet at the corner of Camosun Street and 16th Ave.,Vancouver, and walk to the bog and forest together. See map.
Parking: Street parking is available.
Transit: The 25 &33 bus lines both have routes close to the meeting location.

What to wear: Dress for the weather. We will go in light rain (or snow!), but will cancel in the case of heavy rain (or snow!).

What to bring: Magnifying glass if you have one; we’ll have some to share.

VIRTUAL EXPLORER DAY - Introduction to Birding
2022-12-06 18:00 - 19:00
Birdwatching 101

Birdwatching is a fun and rewarding pastime for all ages. Join us and our friends from the Vancouver Avian Research Centre (VARC) for a virtual introduction to birding. We’ll do some bird identification, hear some birdsong, and play some fun games together.

This is a great primer the our upcoming Christmas Bird Counts for Kids, which are in-person events held in our clubs throughout December and January.
This event is free and open to all families. Pre-registration is required.
Register here to join us.
Image curtesy of VARC

VANCOUVER - Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2022
2022-12-10 10:00 - 12:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2022 – Stanley Park
Calling all young birders! Join us, other families and experts for this annual winter bird survey event. After a quick introduction to bird identification where you’ll learn to tell your Kinglets from Kingfishers, we will split into groups and head into the forest and foreshore for a 45-minute bird counting adventure then regroup to share our findings. Check out the downloadable resources below to enhance your experience!
This program is free for registration and is a collaboration between Birds Canada, NatureKids BC, and the Stanley Park Ecology Society. Registration here to join us.
Location: We will meet at the Stanley Park Dining Pavilion (located at 610 Pipeline Road).  Please try to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance of the program. The whole program will be delivered outdoors, so please dress for the weather.

MERRITT - Winter Hike and Celebration
2022-12-10 10:00 - 12:00
We will be meeting at Gingers Trail off the old Connector highway (a map will be sent out) for a hike, activities, and prizes to celebrate the holiday season. We are excited to have Nlaka’pamux Land Guardian Ariel Swayze as our guest mentor for the morning.

This event is sponsored by the United Way Local Love Fund and is open to all families wanting to connect in the outdoors. So please invite your friends!

Please register in advance as we want to make sure every child gets to go home with a nature-based prize.

RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

KAMLOOPS - Christmas Bird Count for Kids
2022-12-11 10:00 - 12:00
Join us for our annual Bird Count! We will walk around identifying and counting birds as part of a Canada wide study.

We will gather between 9:45 – 10:00am at the Arthur Hatton Elementary School parking lot. Google Map Location We will then walk along the Rivers Trail and Schubert Drive with our binoculars and our tally sheets to gather all our sightings. We will be joined by avid community birder, Richard Doucette, to help guide us in our explorations.

Please dress for the weather and bring along binoculars or any bird books that you might have (and make sure it can all fit into a backpack because we will be walking the entire time). We will have recording sheets and some identification resources on hand as well. Depending on the weather, we hope to be wrapped up by Noon. We’ll have some warm apple juice to share, so please bring a reusable cup.

Check out the Christmas Bird Count for Kids page that Birds Canada has put together before coming out on Sunday, December 11th if your kiddos are curious and keen to have their eyes well practiced!

NORTH VANCOUVER - Inspired by Nature: Felting Animals and Plants
2022-12-11 13:00 - 14:30
Create a felted animal or plant to take home!

Go for a forest walk to find inspiration, then learn how to felt a plant or animal using needle felting techniques. Adults and children will work together to learn more about their plant or animal and develop their creations.
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 at Maplewood Mudflats Conservation Area, 2649 Dollarton Highway. Please stay home if you are sick.

SALMON ARM - Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2022
2022-12-11 13:00 - 15:00
Christmas Bird Count for Kids 2022
Calling all young birders! Join us, other families and experts for this annual winter bird survey event. After a quick introduction to bird identification where you’ll learn to tell your Kinglets from Kingfishers, we will split into groups and head into the forest and foreshore for a 45-minute bird counting adventure then regroup to share our findings. Check out the downloadable resources below to enhance your experience! We’ll be joined by mentor John Woods.

Location: Salmon Arm Bay foreshore (meet at outhouse parking lots, west end, down the road from CSRD)
Please dress warmly. Bring binoculars and bird books if you have them. If you have a thermos bring some hot chocolate or tea whichever you prefer. Might be nice to have something warm afterwards. Feel free to invite friends – all are welcome.
RSVP to salmonarm@naturekidsbc.ca

VICTORIA - Christmas Bird Count for Kids
2022-12-17 13:00 - 15:00
We have been invited to participate in the Christmas Bird Count at Beckwith Park with Rocky Point Bird Observatory. The Christmas Bird Count is a citizen science project and public event which has been going on in one form or another for over 100 years! There will be expert birders there to help us along as we identify and count birds in the park. Even as amateur birders, our contribution is important.
WHEN: Saturday, December 17th, 2022 1PM to 3PM.
WHERE: Meet at Beckwith Park, Saanich. Free parking is located at 857 Beckwith Avenue.
DIRECTIONS to Beckwith Park:
By car from Downtown Victoria: Go North on Blanshard St. (Pat Bay Highway #17) and take exit 9 for Quadra Street toward Saanich Road W, Turn right onto Quadra St, Turn left onto Beckwith Ave, Turn right at Belvedere Rd and the destination will be on the left: 857 Beckwith Avenue.
BRING: Weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear, and binoculars if you have them (there will be some binoculars and a spotting scope there for us to check out!).

LANGLEY - Christmas Bird Count for Kids
2022-12-31 09:00 - 10:30
​Join us for our 5th Annual Christmas Bird Count for Kids! We will walk around Brydon Lagoon identifying and counting birds as part of a Canada wide study. All ages event. It will be on a stroller friendly route. All our data will be submitted to Bird Studies Canada.
Location: Brydon Lagoon
Free and open to all ages. Register here to join us.

MERRITT - Winter Bird Count for Kids
2023-01-14 10:00 - 12:00
Please join us on Saturday January 14th at 10am for our 2nd annual Winter Bird Count for Kids and families. We will walk around Nicola Lake identifying and counting birds as part of a Canada wide study. All ages event. Our data will be submitted to Bird Studies Canada.
Location: We will be driving out towards Nicola Lake for this event but will be meeting at the NVIT lower parking lot.
RSVP to merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

BURNABY - Explore Stoney Creek
2023-01-17 10:00 - 11:30
Did you know there’s a rich ecosystem right in your backyard?
We’ll walk along the creek, learn about the nutrient cycle, and get a unique perspective on the environment from Conner Reid, member of the Stoney Creek Environmental Committee (SCEC), and resources and environmental student at SFU.
