NEW - Fall Events in support of the Bridges to Nature Campaign.......
A series of exciting and fun-filled events are planned for this fall, with some opportunities you won't want to miss!
An Evening with Tea:
Exploring Native Plant Teas
Thursday Sept 30, 7:00 to8:30 p.m.
Dance to Backstage Betty
Saturday, Oct. 16, 8:00 to midnight
An Evening with Free Beer and Singing Chipmunks:
How to Save the World in 60
Minutes
Saturday, October 23, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
An Evening with Annie Scoones and Country Grocer:
Home-grown, Local and Luscious
Saturday, Nov. 20, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Details on these programs and ticket order forms are available here (pdf). You may print, fill out and send in the order form, or phone 250-479-0211 to save your spot now!
Guided Birdwalks
Every Wednesday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
Bring your binoculars and walking shoes, and meet in the parking lot for this informal and informative walk around the lake area. Binoculars are available for loan at the Nature House office on Wednesdays. Donations appreciated.
Native Plant Gardening Workshop - Fall, 2010
A joint presentation by the Nature Sanctuary and the CRD Water Department.
Choose from one of the following dates:
Saturday September 18, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Saturday September 25, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Thursday September 30, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Sunday October 17, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday October 23, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday October 27, 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday November 6, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
This free 3-hour workshop on gardening with drought-resistant native plants will:
• identify native plants
• review the benefits of native plants
• teach how and where to grow native plants
• offer tips for reducing or eliminating lawns
• inform how to create special natural habitats, meadows, thickets and woodlands
• include an informative tour of the native plant garden
Instructor: Pat Johnston, Native Plant Gardening Consultant. Please pre-register. Classes fill quickly.
Wild Mushrooms - an introductory course for adults
This course includes three Wednesday talks, a Saturday mushroom identification field trip and a drop-in mushroom identification fair. Pre-registration is required.
Wednesday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The Basics of Mushroom Identification, Shannon Berch
The essential elements of mushroom biology, uses, and identification, with a focus on the local fungi of our lawns, gardens, and forests.
Wednesday, October 20, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Edible Wild Mushrooms on Vancouver Island, Bill Jones
Explore our local edible fungi. Bill will demonstrate a few simple and delicious ideas for bringing mushrooms into your kitchen.
Wednesday, October 27, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
An Introduction to the Photography of Mushrooms - Rich Mably
Rich will use his photographs to illustrate close-up mushroom photography techniques that capture the unique mystery and beauty
of mushrooms in the wild. If you have a camera, bring it along to the session.
Saturday, October 30, 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Mushroom Identification Field Trip - Kem Luther
Learn the fall mushrooms of Swan Lake with Kem.
$80 for Swan Lake and SVIMS members - $100 for non-members
Please call to register.
Designing Your Garden With Native Plants
Sunday, October 24th, 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.
Native Plant Gardening Consultant Pat Johnston and Landscape Designer/Horticulture Technician Barb Kohlman are teaming up for a workshop on garden design with native plants. Combining their knowledge they will expose you to landscape design theory using native plants. The workshop will teach you to choose appropriate plants and draw a design for your own particular garden conditions. A tour of the Swan Lake Native Plant garden is included.
Birding Basics – an introductory course for adults
Birdwatching is the fastest growing activity in North America, and Victoria is a great year-round birding location. Join in the fun and discover the birds in your neighbourhood. Taught by local ornithologist James Clowater, this course includes four Monday evening classes and three Sunday morning field trips.
Classes: 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Mondays, November 1, 8, 15, 22
Field-trips: 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., Sundays, November 21, 28, and December 5.
Call to register: $80 for Swan Lake members. $95 for non-members.
Reach for the Stars – a hands-on introduction to stargazing
In this three evening course, we’ll learn some simple techniques for making sense of the stars and learn what the night sky tells us about our place in the universe. Join us as we learn how to use a telescope, navigate the constellations and find the hidden gems among the stars.
Wednesdays, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. – November 3, 10, 24
$60 for Sanctuary Members, $80 for non-members
