NatureKids Victoria
1pm
Rithet’s Bog
Wetlands play critically important roles in flood control, maintaining water quality, as habitat for diverse animal and plant life, and much more. Wetlands have been severely impacted and lost around the world due to agricultural, industrial, and other human impacts. February 2nd is World Wetlands Day and we will celebrate it (on Feb 5th) by visiting the last remaining peat bog on the Saanich Peninsula: Rithet’s Bog.
Come join NatureKids for a scavenger hunt and a guided walk around Rithet’s Bog led by our Nature Mentor, Russ Pym, of the Rithet’s Bog Conservation Society. Come have fun and learn about the great work that is being done to protect and restore this important wetland.
“Owlsome” Owls!
Sunday January 15th
5-7 pm
It sure feels like we’re deep in the grips of winter in Victoria, but the owls are starting to think about nesting. This is the best time of year to go out in the evening and have a chance to hear or see owls. On this Explorer Day we will learn about some of our native owls, what we can do to help owls, and go on an evening walk to call for owls with our nature mentor, Paige Erickson-McGee, the Stewardship Coordinator at Habitat Acquisition Trust (HAT). In particular, we will learn about what HAT is doing- and what we can do- to help Western Screech Owls, which have declined in the Victoria region by over 90% in the past 10 years.
WHERE: Meet at NatureKids Member, Gage Hibbins’ house (parents, Michele and Chris) at 420 Goward Road, off Interurban and West Saanich Rd. Pull into the driveway and Michele will be there to direct you where to park. We will begin indoors with and then will look and listen for owls on the Hibbins’ property and nearby areas that we will drive to.
COME PREPARED: Wear warm layers for being outdoors in the woods in the evening. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. Eat an early dinner or a hearty pre-dinner snack (It is hard to listen for owls above the din of crinkly granola bar wrappers!).
Sunday December 4th
Stinky Salmon Walk
10am – 11.30am
Join naturalist and park interpreter extraordinaire, Keilih Gates, as she leads us on an educational and interactive walk from the bridge to the Goldstream Nature House. Keilih knows so much about salmon that I am convinced she may have been one in a past life 🙂
Saturday, November 5th
6:30pm
The autumn rains have arrived and amphibians are on the move, heading from their summer breeding ponds to their wintering grounds. It can be a dangerous journey and our job is to be citizen scientists and amphibian protectors. We will participate in Frog Watch- an important initiative in BC to identify amphibian travel corridors.
We will survey a road to look for amphibians and identify them, dead or alive. The data we collect will be useful for conservation organizations and government agencies. By learning where amphibians cross the road we can take steps to help prevent mortality of these animals, which are sadly on the decline world-wide.
**NOTE** Because of the safety risks associated with amphibian road surveys (i.e., working along roads after dark), and the need to record data, the ideal NatureKids road survey volunteers are 8+ in age. As parents/guardians please use your own discretion to determine if this event is appropriate for your child and contact Stephanie if you have any questions or concerns.
WHAT TO BRING/WEAR: Warm layers under waterproof outerwear and appropriate, waterproof footwear. If you have headlamps, bring them (check the batteries!). If you have adult and/or kid-sized reflective vests- like the type used for cycling- bring these as well. We will have some but depending on our numbers it may be useful to have extras.
Nature Mentor: Biologist Elke Wind, who is coming all the way from Nanaimo to train us and do the survey with us! The focus of Elke’s work has been habitat management for amphibians in relation to forest harvesting, development projects, and transportation corridors.
Hawk Watch!
Sunday, June 5th
Saturday May 7
10 a.m.
Explore the Gorge with World Fisheries Trust
World Fisheries Trust (WFT) has created a wonderful outdoor learning program that incorporates place-based, hands-on experiences for youth of all ages!
WFT has created a 3D scale model of the Gorge watershed, which allows participants to learn about how human development and activity affects our water systems. By means of an interactive demonstration, they will explore the impacts caused by pollution, storm drain run-off, and pesticides use in our neighbourhoods. This session leads into a discussion about what each individual can do to reduce their impact on the environment, and to help improve stream and shoreline health.
Saturday, Feb 13
Owls are amazing birds! Join Katie Turner, CRD Parks Naturalist, for this exciting adventure into the dark woods to look and listen for the “silent hunters of the night”.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
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