NatureKidsBC

MERRITT - Art at the Lake
2023-05-06 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Vancouver)
Join us and the Nicola Valley Arts Council for art at Marquart Lake! Enjoy outdoor-based art activities and we’ll make animal print t-shirts.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Please let us know if you plan on attending be emailing merritt@naturekidsbc.ca

NORTH VANCOUVER - Forest Sounds
2023-05-07 13:00 - 14:30
Spring into sounds! Take our bat and tree sound monitors out on a visit to the forest and listen to sounds that you can hear with your ears and sounds that are beyond our range of hearing.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Click here to register

BULKLEY VALLEY - Good Morning Willowvale
2023-05-13 08:00 - 12:00
You are invite to join us as we celebrate the book launch of local Smithers authors. These authors have written and illustrated a children’s book about birds at Willowvale Wetlands and their calls. From May 13th-June 10th you can enjoy their book in a StoryWalk format around the wetlands. On May 13th they have organized birdwatchers to be on site from 8:00-noon to share their knowledge with us. Come out and enjoy this local event with us! The story walk starts at the small parking lot on pacific street between 19th and Dahlie Rd.
The trails are accessible to strollers and wheelchairs.
To RSVP to this event please contact bulkleyvalley@naturekidsbc.ca

World Migratory Bird Day
2023-05-13 08:00 - 16:00
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. It has a global outreach and is an effective tool to help raise global awareness of the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
Every year people around the world take action and organize public events such as bird festivals, education programmes, exhibitions and bird-watching excursions to celebrate WMBD. All these activities can also be undertaken at any time on the year because that countries or regions observing the peak of migrations at different times, but the main days for the international celebrations on the second Saturday in May and in October.
Click here to find an event in your area!

VANCOUVER - Art in the Orchard
2023-05-13 10:00 - 12:00
Copley Community Orchard, in east Vancouver, will be hosting us for another fun morning on Saturday, May 13, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Our Nature Mentor, Lisa, will start the morning with a tour of the orchard, followed by an art project using anything that you find on the ground as your art materials. Your art can take the form of a sculpture, pattern, mandala, or any other creation. At the end we will share our creations with one another.
You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to Lisa’s Masters research project about how community spaces, such as the orchard, can deepen one’s connection with the natural world. To be involved, Lisa will take a picture of your creation and ask you to write, or say, a simple description. If you choose to participate, Lisa will ask you to sign a simplified consent form. More information about her research can be found by clicking this link. Pls note: This aspect of the Explorer Day is optional and not required to participate in the orchard tour or art activity.
Families can also stay to join the work party activities to prepare the orchard for another productive season. On our visit to the orchard last fall, we had some very enthusiastic weeders! Bring your lunch along too if you’d like to stay for a picnic.
Register here.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
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. See map.
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.
* 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 plan to stay to do some weeding.

SURREY - Salmon Send Off
2023-05-13 11:00 - 15:00
Visit the Tynehead Hatchery on Saturday, May 13th and enjoy the Salmon Send Off event! Participants can enjoy a variety of family friendly activities including the release of baby salmon.
Click here for more information.

SALMON ARM - Birding for Families
2023-05-14 08:30 - 10:00
Enjoy a morning walk on the Salmon Arm wharf with local nature experts. Bring your family and learn about birds on the foreshore!
Participant are asked to meet at the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society’s Nature House parking lot at 8:30 am.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
For more details please contact salmonarm@naturekidsbc.ca

TEXADA - Rock Hounding
2023-05-20 13:00 - 15:00
Practice identifying your pebble treasures with rock and mineral expert, Amanda Martinson at Shelter Point.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today it’s FREE!
To register email texada@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Animal Detectives
2023-05-27 13:00 - 15:00
Our Nature Mentor, Lisa Buckley is a vertebrate paleontologist passionate about tracks, birds and owls! We’ll learn about animal tracks and signs, and discover the birds and other creatures in our local forests. If we can find any animal tracks we will try our luck by casting them with plaster. Learn more about Lisa here: https://lisagbuckley.com/
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Click here to register

TEXADA - Beach Forage
2023-06-03 12:00 - 14:00
Join Jade Berg with Wild Isle Cooking to learn about edibles along Texada Beach.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today it’s FREE!
To register email texada@naturekidsbc.ca

BURNABY LAKE PARK - CTS Jamboree - Open to all Clubs!
2023-06-03 13:00 - 15:30
Join NatureKids BC and CTS Youth Society for an afternoon of nature exploration with your family. CTS Youth Leaders will lead families on a nature walk, play camp games and lead fun crafts at Burnaby Lake Regional Park.
Click here to register!
What to bring:
Good running shoes required, hats, sunscreen, and bug spray encouraged. Water and snacks will be provided, but please bring your own water bottles too.

Location:
Burnaby Lake Park. Use the Parking Lot off Avalon Rd. Parking is free and we’ll use this as our meeting place.

All families are very welcome to stick around the Regional Park afterwards. It’s a wonderful area for a stroll and Piper Spit (20 min walk from Picken House) is a great place to see birds up close.

VANCOUVER - Be a Sea Star
2023-06-04 11:30 - 13:30
On Sunday June 4, we will be heading out to the beach close to Lumberman’s Arch in Stanley Park to explore the intertidal zone. The tide will be at its lowest point (.8 ft) around 12:30 p.m., so we will follow the tide out starting at 11:45.
Low tides give us the opportunity to see plants and animals that are usually covered by water. Animals have to be incredibly adaptive to survive during these hours. Can you think of some of the dangers they face when they are exposed like this? How might they protect themselves from these dangers? Our Nature Mentor, Sharon Adelman, a long-time volunteer with the Vancouver Aquarium, will help us solve these mysteries of the intertidal zone. We’ll start off by learning about beach “etiquette” i.e., how we can explore the beach without harming any of the creatures who are struggling to survive in this fragile environment.
Extra!! For families who are interested—and depending on the weather—we’ll meet at 11:15 for a ’bring your own lunch’ picnic at the meeting location. Food can also be purchased at the concession. This is a great way to meet other families in the Vancouver Club of NatureKids BC.
Register here.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!

NORTH VANCOUVER - Bird Banding
2023-06-10 07:00 - 09:00
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 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 11th.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Click here to register

SALT SPRING ISLAND - Pond Dipping
2023-06-10 13:00 - 15:00
We will walk to, and explore, Blackburn Lake where we will collect pond organisms to take back to the Lab for observation with magnifying tools including microscopes. We may even have time on the Scanning Electron Microscope set up for the weekend with Dr. Elaine Humphrey!
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
This event is in partnership with the Salt Spring Island Naturalists. To register email DavidDenningSSI@gmail.com

SALMON ARM - Birding for Families
2023-06-11 08:30 - 10:00, 2023-06-25 08:30 - 10:00
Enjoy a morning walk on the Salmon Arm wharf with local nature experts. Bring your family and learn about birds on the foreshore!
Participant are asked to meet at the Salmon Arm Bay Nature Enhancement Society’s Nature House parking lot at 8:30 am.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!

WHITEROCK - Celebrate World Oceans Day
2023-06-11 10:00 - 12:00
Celebrate World Oceans Day with the Friends of Semiahmoo Bay Society! Participate in a beach clean up, meet some ocean critters an enjoy family friendly activities.
Bring water, gloves and wear comfortable footwear and dress for the weather.
To register for this event please email Sharon at mshiker4@gmail.com

KAMLOOPS - Exploring Native Pollinators
2023-06-11 10:00 - 12:00
Learn about native pollinators with Elaine Sedgman. Explore the world of bees through games and an interactive book reading.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
To RSVP for this event please email kamloops@naturekidsbc.ca

BURNABY - Explore the Alaksen National Wildlife Area
2023-06-12 10:00 - 12:00
The Alaksen National Wildlife area (NWA) is located on the unceded lands of the Stz’uminus peoples and is an exceptional habitat and important area of migrating birds. A mentor from NWA will lead us on a tour around Alaksen’s ecology, operations, site history – and of course, see some birds!
Bring water, a snack, wear sturdy shoes or rubber boots.
Accessibility: Location is accessible by car. There is a parking lot and accessible washrooms. Most of the trail is flat and is stroller / wheelchair accessible.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today it’s FREE!
Click here to register.
*Registration is on a first come, first serve basis. All confirmed registrants will receive an email confirmation.

NICOMEKL - Explore the Intertidal
2023-06-17 10:00 - 12:00
Join us to explore the intertidal areas of the beach at 1001 Steps in South Surrey. We’ll look for critters and see what we can find at low tide. Please note there is no washroom at this park. WE recommend stopping at the washroom at Kwomais park beforehand if needed.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Join today!
Please email nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca by June 13th to register. Include all attendee names and ages.

TEXADA - Pond Dipping
2023-06-17 11:00 - 13:00
Join us at Bob’s Lake to dip for pond critters.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today it’s FREE!
To register email texada@naturekidsbc.ca

VANCOUVER - Plant Walk with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss in X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park)
2023-06-17 13:00 - 14:30
Learn about local plants with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss on a walk at X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park).

We are very pleased to offer a plant walk with T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss in X̱wáýx̱way (Stanley Park) on Saturday, June 17, from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. As we walk, T’uy’t’tanat Cease Wyss will share their knowledge of 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 their work as an ethnobotanist, artist, activist, and community-based educator, they strive to share Indigenous customs and teachings. In 2018, Cease was the Indigenous storyteller in residence at the Vancouver Public Library. Cease is currently at the Vancouver Park Board residence in the Stanley Park fieldhouse.
Register here. Please note that registering for this event is your confirmation. If the Explorer Day is full, the registration form will not accept new registrations. At that time, we will send an email out to all member families, and instructions for adding your name to a waitlist will be provided.
Meeting Location: We’ll meet at the fire engine in Ceperley (Park) Playground in Stanley Park. See map attached.
Parking: Large parking lot close to Ceperley Playground/Park. All parking in Stanley Park requires payment.
Transit: The following transit lines have routes that pass near Second Beach: 19, 240, 5, 6.
What to wear: Dress for the weather.
Washrooms: Available at Ceperley Playground.
Cancellation: Please inform us if you are unable to attend so we can offer your spot to another family.

RIDGE MEADOWS - Father's Day Fish Release
2023-06-18 11:00 - 13:00
Join NatureKids BC families and the Allouette River Management Society for the Father’s Day Fish Release. We will release 5,000 chinook fry into the River at Maple Ridge Park!
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
To register please email ridgemeadows@naturekidsbc.ca

NELSON - Family Bee Safari
2023-06-24 10:00 - 15:00
This month we will venture out to Slocan Valley to meet the beekeepers and gardeners at Elk Root Conservation in Vallican and learn about the role bees play in our food security and pollinating our flower beds. Families will have a chance to interact with both native bees and honey bees while on safari. We will also get a chance to get an up close look at the bee hives and the Bee Barn. We will also play games and make crafts in the beautiful setting at Elk Root.
This is all all-day event so please bring a lunch.
The property at Elk Root is flat and accessible to mobility devices. There are a couple steps to get up to the bee barn. Contact us if you have specific questions about the suitability of this activity for your family.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
To register for this event please email nelson@naturekidsbc.ca

WILLIAMS LAKE - Learn about Pollinators
2023-06-24 14:00 - 16:00
Learn about pollinators at the Scout Island Nature Centre!
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
To register for this event please email scoutisland@shaw.ca

VICTORIA - Explore the Gorge Waterway
2023-06-25 10:00 - 12:00
We will join Lili at the Gorge Waterway Action Society for this Explorer Day for a look at the Gorge Creek Watershed. She is a Geography student at UVIC and a summer intern at the Society.

We will take a guided Nature Walk along Gorge Creek to learn about the history of how and why the creek was brought back to the daylight, and what impacts people have had on this fragile habitat. We will also look at different native species in the area both on land and in the water; the current and historical significance of these lands & waters to the Lekwungen and other Coast Salish Peoples; and the restoration work being done on the waterway by GWAS and other organizations.

This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Click here to register!

KELOWNA - Birds of the Okanagan
2023-07-05 11:00 - 13:00
Join NatureKids BC for an exciting and engaging nature program with a friendly nature interpreter from the Regional District of Central Okanagan.
Learn about the birds that spend time in the Okanagan and how to identify them. Understand our feathered friends and how we can help them. Program includes a walk in the forest.

Location: Robert Hobson Environmental Education Centre of the Okanagan (EECO) 2363A Springfield Rd, Kelowna, BC V1X 7N7

This event is open to a maximum of 20 participants. This event is free to NatureKids BC members. To register please email kelowna@naturekidsbc.ca with the amount of participants in your group by July 3rd.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!

NICOMEKL - Picnic at the Old Orchard
2023-07-05 17:30 - 19:30
Join us for a picnic at the Old Orchard to celebrate the beginning of summer! Come prepared to play games and have dinner in the park – please bring your own pre-cooked dinner items. Drinks and treats will be provided. Families are invited to bring a shareable food item.
Parking: Enter the park at 8th avenue and continue to the parking at the Old Orchard picnic area.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Join today!
Please email nicomekl@naturekidsbc.ca to register. Please include the names of those attending.

VANCOUVER - Bats and Bunnies
2023-07-08 10:00 - 12:00
We’ve been invited back to Copley Community Orchard (COO), this time to join them in a fun-filled morning exploring nature in the orchard, learning about bats (did you know that there are bats all around us?) and enjoying some quality time with friendly pet rabbits! Families are also welcome to join orchard volunteers to water and weed after these events. Feel free to bring food if you’d like to stay for a picnic in the orchard. COO volunteers will be there until 1:00 PM.
Please see the following schedule. We will meet families there at 9:30; however, if you’ve had the tour before, you might prefer to come at 10.

1. Guided Nature Walk (9:30):
We’ll begin the day with a guided nature walk through the orchard. Kids will be able to observe and learn about various plants and trees. It’s fascinating to see how a small urban space can be home to so many plants and trees!

2. Bats BC Presentation (10:00):
COO has invited Bats BC, a local organisation dedicated to bat conservation, to give an interactive presentation. Kids will learn about the importance of bats in our ecosystem, their unique behaviours, and their role in pollination and insect control.

3. Bunny Friends (11:00):
Get ready for some adorable furry friends! COO will set up a designated area where children can interact with friendly bunnies. Children will learn proper handling techniques and interesting facts about rabbits.
4. Watering and Weeding.
Join COO volunteers in garden maintenance activities if you have time (this was a favourite activity of our kids last year!).
Registration for this event is now closed as spots are full.
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!

LANGLEY - 3rd Annual Paper Plane Competition
2023-07-08 13:00 - 15:00
Join us for the 3rd Annual Paper Plane Competition at Buckley Park!
This event is for NatureKids BC members. Become a member today!
Click here to register!
