3873 Swan Lake Road, Victoria, B.C. Canada, V8X 3W1 info@swanlake.bc.ca (250) 479-0211

Drone Image of the Nature House and lake and wharf

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At the Nature Sanctuary we value community and connections. You can engage in our community by visiting the staff and volunteer team at the Nature House, joining as a society member, volunteering on site or donating to vital conservation work. You can also sign up to receive a quarterly newsletter or connect with our online community which provides environmental educational posts and a forum to appreciate the beauty and diversity of nature.

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swanlakenature

Join us to help monitor pollinator biodiversity in

Join us to help monitor pollinator biodiversity in a rewilded meadow on-site using iNaturalist and field-guides. Our community-led monitoring will help to support sensitive and threatened plant and animal species. Stewards will be trained to monitor biodiversity using the iNaturalist and Seek apps! Participants will learn to make research quality observations. Once participants are confident at making careful observations and have completed their modules, they can start contributing to the global community and its data repository.🦋 every other Wednesday, starting March 29 from 10 until 11AM.🐦$5🐜 Gather by the covered bike rack/information kiosk in the parking lot.🐝 All ages welcome! #yyj #learnoutside #nature #biodiversity #nativeplants #swanlake #GarryOak #pollination #Bees #Flies #nativepollinators #yyjevents

Come work alongside our staff team and other local

Come work alongside our staff team and other local community leaders in a collaborative framework to make meaningful, positive changes to the Nature Sanctuary's sensitive marshland ecosystems. Stewards will be trained 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. Waterkeepers 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. The impact of this stewardship work on site will positively benefit various sensitive wetland species such as the endangered Western Painted Turtle population.💦Where: Gather on the Founder's Wharf.💧When: Every other Wednesday at 10-11am🌊Cost: $5🌅Who: All ages! #yyjevents #swanlake #education #outdoors #vancouverisland #wetlands #restoration #science

This series of four 90-Minute classes is for home

This series of four 90-Minute classes is for home learners. We provide hands-on, nature themed programs with games, discovery and activities which encourage land- and science-based learning while socializing with other home learners.These sessions will occur on Thursday April 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th.This program will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place.#homelearning #biodiversity #yyj #vancouverisland #nature #outdoors #education

Meet your neighbours! 🦋🐙 🐛 🐝 🐞 🐜

Meet your neighbours! 🦋🐙 🐛 🐝 🐞 🐜🪱🦑 🕷 🕸 🦂 🦀🦗 🦟🐌 Invertebrates, or any animal without a backbone, are exceptional animals. They have been here for over 600 millions years, whereas mammals like us got to the scene around 178 millions years (humans only arose around 300,000 years ago). Invertebrates have radiated, or increased their diversity, so much so that they make up most of the diversity on earth. Without invertebrates, our lives would be drastically different. 1/3 of all the food found in grocery stores are available because of pollinators. Various species break down and dispose of wastes, animal and plant matter - they are known as decomposers and detritivores. Invertebrates also provide food for countless animals - including humans!Invertebrates need our help. Various species are on the decline and without support could be lost.#biodiversity #nature #swanlake #yyj #LearnerExperience #insects #invert #invertebrates #nativeplants #nativepollinators #pollination #science #restoration #GarryOak #meadow #wetlands #CallsToAction #Bees #Flies #Ants #Slugs #Wasps #Dragonflies #Entomophagy #Spiders #MakeADifference #Conservation #Decomposition #Endangered

With the Native Plant Sale fast approaching, don't

With the Native Plant Sale fast approaching, don't wait around to figure out what you could grow this year! Check out this resource on some native plant species to grow instead of non-native species that are often seen in our area!Online orders close April 5! Supplies are limited, so be sure to order online soon!In person sales are taking place April 22 and 23 at the Nature Sanctuary. Come say hi!Don't forget, members for a 10% discount on Native Plant Sale purchases. If you've been looking for a sign to purchase or renew your membership, this is it!

Are you keen to learn more about the miraculous cr

Are you keen to learn more about the miraculous creatures that make up over 95% of earth’s animal species?! We are dedicating this Spring Break to wonderfully diverse invertebrates. Come and learn about our tiny neighbours who perform incredible labours at our Nature House. We will have various living invertebrates, infographics, and specimen to view under Microeye. Meet the morning presenters! Each day, a guest speaker or staff member will deliver a presentation based on a different critter topic. Where: the Nature HouseWhen: Monday to Friday, March 20-24Guest Speaker Presentations (requires registration): 11:00 - 12:00pmOther Activities (e.g. iNat Observations, Guided Walks): 1:00 - 2:00pmWho: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the programCost: $8 / participant, sliding scale available. Please reach out if cost is a barrier to attending this talk. 10% Discount for Members #biodiversity #nature #swanlake #yyj #LearnerExperience #insects #invert #invertebrates

Make sure to sign up for the upcoming March Spring

Make sure to sign up for the upcoming March Spring Break Program before it fills up! Over three days participants will learn through hands on activities, explore the nature sanctuary and spend the time with our experienced environmental educators. A great opportunity for your youths to reconnect with the land and engage in their passions. Register via our website or through the link in the Facebook event. #yyjevents #getoutside #swanlake #victoriabc #yyj #learnoutside #nature #outdoors #naturelearning #education

Did you know Banana Slugs are the second largest s

Did you know Banana Slugs are the second largest slug in the world and can grow up to 25cm long? Or that they can have up to 27,000 teeth along their long radula? Or that their eggs look like teeny tiny chicken eggs?If you're a member of the Banana Slug Fan Club, like we are, don't miss this months Member Deep Dive on these exciting invertebrates. Join as a member to receive the Member Newsletter and full Member Deep Dive!Another opportunity to learn all about these slimey friends is taking place Monday, March 20, at the Nature Sanctuary as Emma Jane from the @crd_bc comes to kick off Invert Week Afternoons with a Slugs n' Slime presentation!Join as a member: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/support-the-sanctuary/become-a-member/Attend Slugs n' Slime: https://swanlake.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/swanlake/event.jsp?event=27250f

Amazing Wild Tea workshops today with Jay Rastogi

Amazing Wild Tea workshops today with Jay Rastogi for @satinflowernurseries and @gulfislandsNPR'Native Seed & Growing Project'Learn more about #nativeplants at our upcoming 'Embracing the Wild' workshops offered with support from @crd_bc Registration link in bio. #gulfislandsNPR #LandBased #Learning #InCommunity#CultivatingSustainability

Bird of the Week – Green-winged Teal (Anas crecc

Bird of the Week – Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca)Green-winged Teals are the smallest dabbling duck in North America. While green patches behind the eyes of males are very distinguishing features, females are drab and mottled brown overall with small yellow patches on the tail. The green wing bars from which these tiny ducks get their name are often only visible in flight.As dabbling ducks, Green-winged Teals prefer shallow lakes and ponds for feeding. They have a varied diet including aquatic vegetation, insects, and invertebrates. In British Columbia, breeding takes place mostly in the interior. Nests are built in thick underbrush close to the shoreline of lakes and ponds. Young are able to feed themselves almost immediately after hatching but the female protects them in the early stages.During migration up to 50,000 birds can be spotted in some areas. You will not see quite as many on Swan Lake but look for these tiny dabblers near the reeds along the shoreline of the lake.📸&✏️: Photojournalist and Bird Photographer, Bruce Tuck

Renovations are coming along! Floor resurfacing an

Renovations are coming along!Floor resurfacing and paint tomorrow! 😍Unfortunately, the flooring has been delayed from the supplier so the completion date is looking like the end of March / early April.Grateful to Chris who did all of the drywall sanding AND paint priming today!Wrinkles is beyond excited!! 🐢💕

Capital region residents are invited to attend an

Capital region residents are invited to attend an introductory workshop about gardening with drought-resistant native plants. Run in collaboration with @crd_bc 🌿 Create a haven of native biodiversity and cultivate water-wise habits! Feel free to bring your draft garden plan! We well have some resources for drafting a garden plan onsite, or check out the full list of resources on our website! Pre-registration is required 😄You will learn about:🌱Native plant identification🌱An overview of the cultural history & ecological benefits of native plants🌱A tour of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary native plant gardens🌱an introduction to the CRD’s water conservation programTime: 12:00-3:00 pmWhere: Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Road, white tent beside the Nature House. Lecture portion is outdoors under our big white tent beside the Nature House at 3873 Swan Lake Rd. and tour afterwards in the gardens! Dress for the weather ☀️🌫💦

🐞🦋🐛🦞🦐Are you keen to learn more abo

🐞🦋🐛🦞🦐Are you keen to learn more about the miraculous creatures that make up over 95% of earth’s animal species?! We are dedicating this Spring Break to wonderfully diverse invertebrates. Come and learn about our tiny neighbours who perform incredible labours at our Nature House. We will have various living invertebrates, infographics, and specimen to view under Microeye. Meet the morning presenters! Each day, a guest speaker or staff member will deliver a presentation based on a different critter topic. Where: the Nature HouseWhen: Monday to Friday, March 20-24Guest Speaker Presentations (requires registration): 11:00 - 12:00pmOther Activities (e.g. iNat Observations, Guided Walks): 1:00 - 2:00pmWho: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the programCost: $8 / participant, sliding scale available. Please reach out if cost is a barrier to attending this talk. 10% Discount for Members #biodiversity #nature #swanlake #yyj #LearnerExperience #insects #invert #invertebrates

Don't miss this chance to connect to place based g

Don't miss this chance to connect to place based gardening while raising funds for nature conservation. There are so many reasons to plant native plants this spring!🌱 They are low maintenance, hardier and more adaptable than most exotics🌱 They better support local native pollinators🌱 With maturity, they will form more self-sustaining plant communities🌱 They often produce long root systems to hold soil in place and resist erosionCome pick your plants up at the Native Plant Sale! Online orders are open now! #lovenature #swanlake #nature #ecosystemrestoration #yyj #biodiversity

Hello friends! The Nature House is now open to vis

Hello friends! The Nature House is now open to visitors again. Renovations are still underway.📷: Agile Drone PhotographyImagine description: a grey and blue house sits amid green and brown plant life#yyj #yyjevents #yyjnature #getoutside

Stewardship is about creating a sense of connectio

Stewardship is about creating a sense of connection, care, and responsibility for each other and the natural world that supports us. In these outdoor, hands-on sessions, young stewards will be introduced to the Garry Oak ecosystem, and then learn and practice restoration skills.Bring lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. This program will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place. Please dress ready to spend the day outside. This is a drop-off program!🌞Participant Group Size: 10 Maximum🌞Dates:Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, March 28, 29, 30🌞Time: 10-11:30am or 1-2:30pm🌞Cost: $80, 10% off for members #yyj #nature #learnoutside #victoria #victoriabc #biodiversity #springbreak #swanlake

Are you keen to learn more about the miraculous cr

Are you keen to learn more about the miraculous creatures that make up over 95% of earth’s animal species?! We are dedicating this Spring Break to wonderfully diverse invertebrates. Come and learn about our tiny neighbours who perform incredible labours at our Nature House. We will have various living invertebrates, infographics, and specimen to view under Microeye. Meet the morning presenters! Each day, a guest speaker or staff member will deliver a presentation based on a different critter topic. Where: the Nature HouseWhen: Monday to Friday, March 20-24Guest Speaker Presentations (requires registration): 11:00 - 12:00pmOther Activities (e.g. iNat Observations, Guided Walks): 1:00 - 2:00pmWho: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult for the entirety of the programCost: $8 / participant, sliding scale available. Please reach out if cost is a barrier to attending this talk. 10% Discount for Members #biodiversity #nature #swanlake #yyj #LearnerExperience #insects #invert #invertebrates

Don't miss out on any of the exciting things comin

Don't miss out on any of the exciting things coming up this month at the Nature Sanctuary! Programs ranging from Tank Talks, Wellness Wednesdays, and Special Topic Weeks! We've got programs for all ages and all levels of learners. Visit our website for more information and to register for programs!We can't wait to see you 🌳🌲 #ecosystemrestoration #getoutside #swanlake #yyj #lovenature #victoria #LearnerExperience #PreSchool #GetOutside #nature

Spotted at the Nature Sanctuary: june plum/osoberr

Spotted at the Nature Sanctuary: june plum/osoberry is starting to show its flowers!#yyjnature #getoutside #springiscoming #snowday

Good morning friends! Due to snowfall, the Nature

Good morning friends! Due to snowfall, the Nature House and Outhouse will be closed today. Please use caution on the trails if you are navigating them ❄️ #yyj #yyjsnow #yyjnature

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