MERRITT - Winter Hike and Celebration
2022-12-10 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Vancouver)
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.

BULKLEY VALLEY - Tracks in the Snow
2023-01-21 10:00 - 11:30
Who left those tracks? Come join us and our guest leader to learn how to identify different animals by their tracks. There will be hot chocolate to follow at the nature center.

LANGLEY - Nature Story
2023-01-21 13:00 - 14:00
Join us for an afternoon of fun science storytelling.
Come on a journey of imagination and science following an Adventurous Atom! This interactive storytelling show should last about half an hour and is suitable for children aged 2+.
Click here for more details and to register.

KAMLOOPS - Winter Ecology and Crafts
2023-01-22 10:00 - 11:30
As we tend to turn inwards during this time of year – both physically and mentally – we thought it would be an opportunity to gather and create some winter crafts together to remind us of the beauty that these short days bring us.
We’ll get together at Albert McGowan Park to talk about winter ecology, create some winter crafts and play a few games to warm us up and keep our spirits high.

VANCOUVER - Finding Flora and Fauna at Burnaby Lake Park
2023-01-22 10:00 - 12:00
We’d like to start off our 2023 Explorer Days with a trip to Burnaby Lake Park.
We’ll meet at Piper Spit, where we’ll see hundreds of birds, ducks, and geese. Some of the cool birds we’ll see are the brightly coloured wood ducks, red-winged black birds, and the American Coot, described as a plump, chicken-like bird that acts like a duck! Coots also have long, green, jointed toes that allow them to both swim and walk very well. Seagulls can be seen here as well, sometimes dropping golf balls onto the shore (not where we’ll be standing!) as they mistake them for eggs, a common prey. We may even spot Trevor – an escaped Mandarin duck who is often seen here with his mate, a female wood duck.
After visiting the birds, we’ll stroll through the forest and learn how to identify plants and trees in the area. We’ll walk as far as Cariboo Dam beach (2 km), a nesting site of the Coastal Painted Turtle. While we won’t see any turtles—they nest here from May to July—we’ll learn a little bit about these endangered shelled reptiles.
We’ll provide some materials to help you document what you see on this Explorer Day.
Register here.
Meeting location: Piper Spit, in front of the Nature House, 4519 Piper Ave, Burnaby, BC. See map.
Parking is available along Piper St. and in front of the Nature House.
Transit: Lake City Way is the closest SkyTrain station to Piper Spit, and is 1.7 km, an approximately 20 min. walk from the meeting location. Or, from the Sperling-Burnaby Lake Sky train station, you can get the 110 bus, which takes you to Government and Piper Streets, an 11 minute walk to the Nature House.
What to wear: Dress for the weather. You should have good walking shoes, but hiking shoes or boots are not necessary.
What to bring: A clipboard if you have one (no worries if not). Binoculars – we’ll have some to share. Snacks and water.
Weather: We’ll go in light rain, but will cancel in the case of heavy rain.
Washrooms: Available at the Nature House.
Your guides will be our club’s 3 volunteer co-leaders: Jessica, Gemma and Deborah.

NORTH VANCOUVER - Treerific!
2023-01-22 13:00 - 14:30
Join the Ecology Centre staff for a tree exploration! Get to know local tree species and how they help and communicate with each other.
RSVP to northvancouver@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Snowshoe Adventure
2023-01-22 13:30 - 15:30
It’s time again for our annual snowshoeing Explorer Day! Led by environmental educator Shanoon Bennett, we will strap on our snowshoes for an active lesson in winter ecology, how animals adapt to the cold, and how we can keep ourselves safe outdoors in winter. Meet at the Whitewater nordic parking lot. Equipment will be provided.
This event is open to members of the Nelson NatureKids club. Non members may attend if there is space, email for more information nelson@naturekidsbc.ca.

BURNABY - A Secret Forest in Cariboo Heights
2023-01-26 13:00 - 14:30
Discover one of Burnaby’s secret forests located on the traditional and unceded homelands of the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh speaking peoples. Utta Gagel and Aruna Khan, Co-Presidents of the Cariboo Heights Forest Preservation Society will lead the hike as we explore and learn about the trees, ferns, fungi and other living things that live here with the Seek nature app.
Click here to RSVP and join us.
Location is accessible by car and transit (with an 12 min walk). Most of the trail is flat but there is some elevation. There are roots and no stairs, but the
trail is narrow so it is not stroller or wheelchair accessible. Distance is approve 2-3km.

VICTORIA - Collections Exploration at the Royal BC Museum
2023-01-29 10:00 - 11:30
Join us as we get a behind the scenes tour of some of the collections at the BC Museum with Nature Mentor Dr. Gavin Hanke (Curator of Vertebrate Zoology at the BC Museum). You may remember Gavin from our Explorer Day last June when we learned about wall lizards at Mount Tolmie. Gavin will give us a tour of the museums collection, including a look at the lizards we collected with him in the summer!

RSVP here to join us!

Location: Meet in the lobby of the Royal BC Museum located at 675 Belleville Street, Victoria
DIRECTIONS to the Royal BC Museum: Located on Belleville Street at the border between downtown Victoria and James Bay, just steps from the Fairmont Empress Hotel, the BC Legislative Assembly and Victoria’s Inner Harbour. https://royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/visit/plan-your-visit/location-and-accessibility

EXTRA INFO: There is no charge at all for the tour – we meet Gavin at security, and they will issue us visitor tags and we go into the collection building. However, after our tour if you wish to stay and see the public exhibits (like Wildlife Photographer of the Year) you will need to get tickets.

Photo courtesy Royal BC Museum.

Family Day at Reifel Bird Sanctuary // Open to all Clubs // EVENT FULL
2023-02-11 10:00 - 13:00
This event is currently full. Please email christina@naturekidsbc.ca to get added to the waitlist.

Join us as we explore the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Ladner. It is one of the Top 10 best birdwatching sites in Canada and a fun place for the whole family to see birds up close.
We’ll take a guided walk for about an hour around the different areas of the sanctuary and learn from experts about the resident and visiting birds. Meet other families from our community who love nature and discover a new place in your big backyard.
Highlights include the very friendly Mallards and Black-Capped Chickadees which will accept bird seed treats, the pair of resident Sandhill Cranes and the diverse assortment of hawks, eagles and owls. There are plenty of diving ducks, geese, swans, herons and even the occasional river otter.
What’s included:
– guided tour of the bird sanctuary
– admission and bird seed
This event is free and open to all families in the lower mainland on a first come, first served basis. Pre-registration is required.
Please note transportation is not included and participants must find their own way to the sanctuary. You can find directions here. The trails are accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.
Click here to RSVP and register.
Photo credit – Colin McQuillan

TEXADA - Alpacalope Farm and Grill // EVENT FULL
2023-02-11 13:00 - 14:30
Join us to explore Courtney and Travis Scarfe’s Alpacalope Farm & Grill at 3880 Blair Road. Alpacas, emus, many varieties of chickens, rabbits, ducks and more!
Location: Alpacalope Farm & Grill at 3880 Blair Road, Texada Island

What to bring: appropriate farm footwear (boots that can get muddy)

Please email texada@naturekidsbc.ca to be added to the waitlist.

NELSON - Birds in Winter
2023-02-11 13:00 - 15:00
Let’s get to know some local birds!
We will meet at Lakeside Park in Nelson. We will learn how to use binoculars and spotting scopes, how to identify common bird species, and how to record our data and submit it online to contribute to bird science! We’ll also keep warm with some active bird games and finish up by sharing our observations over a cup of hot cocoa.
RSVP to nelson@naturekidsbc.ca

Lakeside Park is flat and very accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, or anything you use to help you get around. We will spend about a half hour walking along the waterfront. Trail condition is weather dependent but is generally well maintained.

BULKLEY VALLEY - Life Under the Ice
2023-02-11 13:00 - 15:00
We will be exploring life under the ice with our special guest: Tasheena England, from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
We will meet at the public beach access area at Lake Kathlyn before starting our activities. Snowfall will determine the accessibility of our event. If there is little snow on the lake strollers should be able to get out on the lake.
RSVP to bulkleyvalley@naturekidsbc.ca

SALT SPRING - The Great Backyard Bird Count
2023-02-17 10:00 - 11:30
Salt Spring Families please join Kathleen and Jean for a birding session on how to count birds. We will practice the bird count protocol along the paths and in the meadows of beautiful Xwaaqw’um, Burgoyne Provincial Park. We’ll be on the look-out for the usual common birds but will especially
keep an eye out for the uncommon ones, lurking in the wings. Winding our way down to the bay, perhaps we’ll be gifted with spotting some waterbirds!
Where: The Outdoor classroom with the displays of indigenous culture, located near the upper parking lot.
What to bring: Warm clothing, boots and binoculars. Kathleen has 3 pairs of cool kids’ binoculars to lend out!
Not yet signed up for NatureKids outings? We’ll have information for you.

LANGLEY - Hearty Fun in Nature GPS Hunt
2023-02-18 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a morning of sleuthing on our GPS family scavenger hunt.
Click here to RSVP.

VICTORIA - Rascally Raccoons
2023-02-19 13:30 - 15:00
Join us and a CRD naturalist at Mill Hill Regional Park to learn all about Raccoons!
Click here to register.

VANCOUVER - Escape from the City
2023-02-19 13:30 - 15:30
Byrne Creek Ravine Park in Burnaby is a place where wildlife can come to rest from the fast pace of the city. This beautiful ravine with a manmade spawning habitat that connects to the Fraser River will be our escape from the city.
Our Nature Mentors from the Byrne Creek Streamkeepers Society will guide us as we explore this watershed area, which is home to many species of fish (chum, coho, cutthroat trout, and stickleback), large trees, plants, mammals, birds, and invertebrates. Usually at this time of year, we would see some fish in the creek; however, due to recent elevated pH levels, there has sadly been a large die off. Our guides will explain the hazards of life in an urban creek, including the impact of invasive species, and how, with efforts from streamkeepers and the general public, recovery is possible.
We will be walking on the trail next to the creek for just over 3 km and will make stops along the way to see and learn about what makes this park unique. The trail is not stroller friendly.
Register here. Please note: by registering on the Google form, you are confirmed. If this Explorer Day is full, a notice will be sent to all NKs families via email, and the registration form will be closed to new registrations.
Questions please contact vancouver@naturekidsbc.ca
Meeting Location: Ron McLean Park, 7820 Hedley Ave, Burnaby
Transit: Ron McLean Park is a short walk from Edmonds Skytrain Station. There are picnic tables and washrooms available there.
What to wear: Dress for the weather. Wear shoes that have a reasonable grip and you don’t mind getting dirty or wet.
What to bring: Snacks, water, and magnifying glass (we’ll have some to share). A pen and paper if you would like to document species.

Weather: We will go in light rain, but will cancel in heavy rain.
Washrooms: At meeting location.
Cancellation: This Explorer Day will be limited to 20 people. Please inform us if you know, in advance, that you are unable to attend. We realize that busy families are not always able to attend at the last minute.

NORTH VANCOUVER - Care for Creeks
2023-02-26 13:00 - 14:30
Learn what stream invertebrates (aka bugs) can tell us about the health of a creek, and do chemistry tests to look at water quality.
RSVP to northvancouver@naturekidsbc.ca

KAMLOOPS - Stake Lake Snowshoe Adventure
2023-02-26 13:00 - 15:00
Come join us for part of the afternoon up at Stake Lake to snowshoe together as a club.
Questions or RSVP to kamloops@naturekidsbc.ca

NICOMEKL - Critter Care Field Trip
2023-03-04 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a special presentation from the Wildlife Education team at Critter Care, a place of refuge for sick and injured wildlife as well as a source of solutions and knowledge to help make a brighter future for wildlife. We will learn about local wildlife and more from Janice Bolam, a longtime volunteer and facilitator. There might even be a chance to meet a critter! Must be 7+ years old to attend.
To register please email nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Circle of Indigenous Nations
2023-03-10 15:00 - 16:00
Our Nature Mentor this month is Liam Fitzpatrick with Circle of Indigenous Nations Society (COINS). Liam will lead us in traditional drumming, singing and storytelling, as well as other fun winter activities.

Open to all club members. Non members can join if there is space, please email us!

Click here to register.

Need more information? Contact nelson@naturekidsbc.ca

MERRITT - Winter Wildlife Tracking
2023-03-11 10:00 - 11:30
Join us as we discover the creatures that live around us in winter using their tracks. We will be meeting with guest mentor Frank Ritcey who will be teaching us all about wildlife tracking at the Laurie Guichon Interpretive site.
We will be meeting in the parking lot located at the Lundbum exit off the Kelowna Connector hwy.
Please let us know if you plan on attending be emailing merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

KAMLOOPS - Owl Pellets
2023-03-12 10:00 - 11:30
Join us for a morning of owl pellet exploration! Susan, at the Big Little Science Centre, will guide us through an educational adventure of pulling apart owl pellets. This event will take place indoors and is wheelchair accessible.

Questions or RSVP to kamloops@naturekidsbc.ca
