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

Hello friends! Please be careful on the trails tod

Hello friends! Please be careful on the trails today as high winds may dislodge debris. Please see here for ECCC weather warning: https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/bc-85_metric_e.html

Bird of the Week – Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setoph

Bird of the Week – Yellow-rumped Warbler (Setophaga coronate)The Yellow-rumped Warbler is one of the most common warblers in British Columbia. During breeding season, it can be found throughout the province, except for Haida Gwaii. As the name indicates, both male and female birds have a yellow patch low on the back. Males overall are more colourful with yellow patches on the throat and sides. Females are not as bright, with brown colour through the head and back and yellow patches on the sides.Yellow-rumped Warblers are found mostly in coniferous forests. Their food consists mainly of insects, beetles and spiders but will also supplement their diet with small fruits and seeds. Nests may be found as high as 50 feet above ground on tree branches or near the trunk. There are usually two broods per year consisting of four to five eggs each time.Given their relatively small size, you may not spot them immediately, but they can be found throughout the Nature Sanctuary. Be sure to look for the bright rump patches!📸 & ✏️Photojournalist, Bruce Tuck @birdsinmyview

Introducing a new series, Plant of the Month Our

Introducing a new series, Plant of the MonthOur first Plant of the Month is Stonecrop! Stonecrop is a particularly resilient plant. They are a cold hardy succulent that loves to grow on rocks among the moss. Their leaves help them store water and can survive long periods without water. You can see them flowering from May to July. 📸 & ✏️: Photojournalist, Wendy Raven

Thank you to the Provincial Employees Community Se

Thank you to the Provincial Employees Community Services Fund for their ongoing support of our work to foster a greater understanding of nature!📷: @robbybobfraser Image: A brown, orange, and beige bird sits in front of an olive green background, staring directly into the camera

Incase you missed out on the Marvellous Mushroom s

Incase you missed out on the Marvellous Mushroom sessions this month, there's more coming up in October! Our fungi friends are flourishing for sure!This program is for beginners to this incredible kingdom and will cover identification basics, the roles and uses of fungi, the dangers of fungi and much more!#fungi #mycology #mushrooms #victoria #vancouverisland

Were you aware of this new trend in giving? 3 mil

Were you aware of this new trend in giving? 3 million+ Canadians are now leaving a gift in their Will to charity. These are ordinary people using the power of their Wills to #makeadifference in this world. “Ethical Wills” have surged in the past few years. Here’s why: ✔️You can make a major contribution to urban nature conservation and the stewardship of rare and threatened species. ✔️You don’t use any money you need now. ✔️You’ll can still support loved ones in the future. It’s pretty amazing what even 1% of your estate can do. See for yourself using the #WillPower.ca campaign’s legacy calculator - https://www.willpower.ca/legacy-calculator/ #change #charity #keepthelovegoing

We are thrilled to be working with local experts A

We are thrilled to be working with local experts Andy Mackinnon and Kem Luther to host this year's Wild Mushroom Workshop and Field Trip! This session is delivered in two parts, and by signing up - you're registered for both! Between the classroom session and outdoors field trip, you’ll learn about essential elements of mushroom biology, uses, and identification. With a portion taking place in the Nature House Classroom, the location of the outdoor portion will be announced closer to the event!#eventsyyj #mushrooms #Victoria #mycology

Instagram post 17984989064373067

Instagram post 17984989064373067

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Pro-D Da

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Pro-D Day Camps are a great way to make sure your kiddo is entertained, safe, and having fun on their day out of school! Led by our awesome community educators, these camps have a little bit of everything! Check out our registration calendar to learn more and register for fall semester dates (https://swanlake.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/swanlake/publicaccess/eventCalendarBig.jsp?year=2023&month=10)

Come meet us in parking lot at 841 Ralph Street fo

Come meet us in parking lot at 841 Ralph Street for a evening drop in of ecosystem restoration! Perfect for those without time to commit to once a week, wanting to test it out, or meet like minded people!We provide:🌱 All tools needed (everyone gets their own set and then returns them at the end of the shift)🌱 Work gloves which are returned at end of shift (if you have your own garden gloves please use these)🌱 Training on plant identification and how the Nature Sanctuary conserve native species🌱 Cookies at the end of the shift to restore your energyYou provide:🌱Willing hands and minds to learn more about this important conservation work🌱 Your own work clothes and closed toe shoesIf you would like to continue to come and do more restoration after this event, check out our other opportunities here: https://www.swanlake.bc.ca/support-the-sanctuary/volunteer/! #stewardship #yyjevents #naturelearning #natureeducation #GetOutside #yyj

Bird of the Week – American Bittern (Botaurus le

Bird of the Week – American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus)American Bitterns are in the same family as herons and egrets. They are medium sized birds with thick, compact bodies, long necks and thin, pointed bills. Brown and white stripes can be seen along the front of the body and neck while the rest of the bird is yellowish-buff in colour. This distinctive pattern allows for very effective camouflage in its natural habitat of reeds and other tall vegetation. While their legs are relatively short, their feet are large and splayed which allows them to travel along the dense shoreline.American Bitterns will eat many kinds of aquatic life such as fish, eels, crayfish, snakes, and frogs. They will also consume insects, flying dragonflies and small mammals. A favorite hunting technique is to stand very still and wait for potential prey to come by. With lightening speed, it thrusts its bill towards the prey, stabbing or biting it before swallowing.While the shoreline of Swan Lake is ideal habitat for the American Bittern, they are not that common. When they do appear, they make short work of the bullfrog population in the area.📸 & ✏️: Bruce Tuck, @birdsinmyview

Calling Nature Photographers of all skill levels!

Calling Nature Photographers of all skill levels! Do you have a photo you love of the Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary? We are thrilled to announce our 2024 Calendar Contest! Help us showcase the beauty and diversity of the Nature Sanctuary! We are accepting submissions from now until October 15.We can't wait to see everyone's beautiful and beloved photos.#yyj #swanlake #victoria #biodiversity

Hello friends! The Nature House will be closed on

Hello friends! The Nature House will be closed on Monday, September 4 for Labour Day. The parking lot and trails are open dawn to dusk for your enjoyment.

Lots to see and do this September at the Nature Sa

Lots to see and do this September at the Nature Sanctuary! Visit our website for the full calendar and registration! #yyjevents #natureeducation #GetOutside

Curious about fungi? Join us for our adult program

Curious about fungi? Join us for our adult program this fall: Marvelous Mushrooms! This program is for beginners to the incredible world of fungi. We will discuss the basics of identification, fungi-phobia, uses for fungi in society, the ecological roles of fungi and mush more!Please note there is no mushroom picking allowed on site. Register with the link in our bio! 🍄 #fungi #mushroom #mushroomidentifying #yyj #yyjnature #mycellium #swanlakenaturesanctuary #fallfungi #victoriabc #britishcolumbia

Calling all Littles and Bigs to come on down to th

Calling all Littles and Bigs to come on down to the Nature Sanctuary on September 15 to learn about 🦝 Riveting Raccoons 🦝. Big & Little is a fun and interactive program for kids ages 3-5 and their adults. This program includes include hands-on discovery, an outside ramble, a story and a craft.#learnoutside #yyj #nature

Remember to register for the September session of

Remember to register for the September session of Homeschool Science! This series of four 90-Minute classes is great 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.This program will have an indoor and outdoor component with health & safety guidelines in place.🌞When: Every Thursdays of September🌞Time: 1:00 - 2:30pm🌞Who: Home leaners aged 8 to 12🌞Cost: $135 Event will run on these date: 7th/ 14th/ 21st/ 28th

Come learn about the magical world of mushrooms th

Come learn about the magical world of mushrooms this fall at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary. With the perfect program for learners of many levels, Marvellous Mushrooms is a great way learn about these incredible fungi! 🍄 September 1, 10:30 to 12PM, The Nature House, $25 sliding scale, ages 16+🍄 September 15, 1 to 2:30PM, The Nature House, $25 sliding scale, ages 16+

Hello friends! The Nature House will be closed on

Hello friends! The Nature House will be closed on Saturday, August 26. The trails and parking lot remain open dawn to dusk for your convenience.

Summer is flying by, but that means back to school

Summer is flying by, but that means back to school excitement is just around the corner. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is stoked to be offering numerous Pro-D Day Camps this year, and the first one is September 22! From 9:30AM to 3:30PM, youth ages 8-12 are encouraged to come down to the Nature Sanctuary to learn about the world around, local biodiversity, and so much more! Come on down for a day filled with learning, laughter, and local native species!Visit our registration calendar to learn more and register (https://swanlake.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/swanlake/publicaccess/eventCalendarBig.jsp?year=2023&month=7)!#yyj #school #victoria

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