Tues 60 Minute K-12 School Programs

We offer a range of programs for school groups to engage with on-site in the Nature House and on the sanctuary grounds and waterways. On-Site School Programs are designed for districts 61, 62, and 63 and surrounding independent schools. Teachers can select from themes: Rocks & Fossils, Adaptations, Salmon, Garry Oak Meadows, Wetlands, Snakes, Owls, and Pollinators. You can learn more about the BC learning objectives each program targets on our website.  

Please dress appropriately for the outdoors and any weather that may occur.

Rocks & Fossils

Students will actively learn about the rock cycle, become rock detectives and learn to distinguish between the different types of rocks. They will explore the intricacies of fossils, learn about past mass extinctions and how we remedy the one we are currently in.  

Adaptations (Grades 3 - 12)

From beaver teeth to mallard feathers, our local ecosystems are filled with complex and incredible adaptations! This program delves into the adaptations of various plants, animals and fungi that we can find right here at the Nature Sanctuary.  

Pacific Salmon Tank Talk

Students will explore salmon life stages, their anatomy, and stewardship. We will have fun games and experiments that will engage participants in the magnificent journey of Pacific salmon.  

Wetlands & Watersheds

Grades K - 5

Gain an understanding and record our observations of wetland environments through hands-on examination of the plants, aquatic invertebrates, birds and mammals that make Swan Lake their home.  

Grades 6 - 12

We will train students to conduct various water quality assessments to understand the health of the lake by making measurements about the aquatic arthropod community, dissolved oxygen, and other water chemistry. Students will also gain an understanding of their local watershed and how their actions on-site and at home can support the resilience of critical wetland habitat.  

Garry Oak Meadows

Featuring both a classroom and outdoor, hands-on component, students will be introduced to the Garry Oak ecosystem. They will learn restoration skills, such as invasive plant removal and rewilding with native plants.  

Reptiles

This popular program explores the wonderful world of snakes with skins, skulls, skeletons and live snakes!

Owls

We'll look at the amazing world of owls through specimens, props, dissected owl pellets and owl calls. This program includes an owl pellet dissection.

Pollinators, Grades 6 - 12

Join us to help monitor pollinator biodiversity in a rewilded meadow on-site. We will train students to monitor biodiversity using the iNaturalist and Seek apps. Only available from April to June and September.