Program Themes
The Owls in Our Backyard program brings participants up close and personal with our many owl neighbours. They will have the opportunity to interact with owl specimens, learn their key features, step into the role of owls in the ecosystem, discover ways to identify owl habitat, and dissect an owl 'pellet' to find out what they eat.
Program highlights:
- Learn about the significance of the owl and exploring their diets, habitat, anatomy, and physiology. Students will view a variety of taxidermized owl specimens and have a class member transform into an owl. [25 min]
- Depending on your group's preference, and outdoor conditions, we will either play a nocturnal hunter game to step into the role of owls OR go on an outdoor walk to find evidence of owls on site; owl evidence is guaranteed but please note that we cannot guarantee a real owl sighting during the program. [15 min]
- Take part in an owl pellet dissection; sort through pellet contents to determine which animal(s) their owl had consumed. [20 min]
This program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviors that help them survive in their environment
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment
Add-on Experience
- Work with 'fresh' owl pellets during the program. Take home the pellets to continue your work (further dissection, re-piecing skeletons together, etc.). Please contact us at info@swanlake.bc.ca before your booking for this request ($5 per pellet, limited quantities available).
The Remarkable Reptiles program helps participants learn about the distinguishing features of reptiles and pose the question: would reptiles want to live around Swan Lake? We will learn about the native and invasive species that may be found on site, and discuss the impacts that each has on our local ecosystems. Students might even get to meet a special guest!
Program highlights:
- Learn about reptile habitat components and interact with specimens to gain a greater understanding of reptile physiology. [20 min]
- Meet our in-house reptile friend Wrinkles. Learn about Wrinkles' life story and the reasons she must remain in human care. Determine the various components of a reptile habitat and explore ways humans have simulated these for Wrinkles. [20 min]
- Explore Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary to connect with reptile friends on site through a scavenger hunt. [20 min]
This program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
Please note - live snakes are no longer part of our Remarkable Reptiles program - Wrinkles, the Western Painted Turtle, continues to eagerly be part of this program!
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features.
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
The Garry Oak Ecosystems program allows participants the chance to connect with this vital, unique, and endangered ecosystem found in their backyard. Oak-camas meadows are rich in biodiversity and cultural significance. Participants will learn about biotic and abiotic features, as well as native species that can be found in this ecosystem. They will learn about the Indigenous uses and historical significance, of the plants in these meadows, and explore human-ecosystem interactions.
Program highlights:
- Connect with the Garry Oak Ecosystem through activities and stories. Learn about the Indigenous history of Oak-camas ecosystems, including prescribed burning and camas cultivation [20 min]
- Identifying species via a season-focused ecosystem scavenger hunt [20 min]
- Explore human-ecosystem interactions, from the influence of development and pollution to restoration [20 min]
This program occurs entirely outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
- Grade 7 - Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Grade 7 - Earth and its climate have changed over geological time.
Add-on Experience
- Extend your connection to the ecosystem with an additional guided nature journaling experience - all supplies provided [30 min] $65
What's in our water? Learn about the importance of the Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary wetland ecosystem and the creatures that call it home. This program allows participants to explore the cultural significance of water and wetlands for the Interior Salish people and participate in a guided pond dip from shore, learning how to identify organisms that live in the lake.
Program highlights:
- Learning about the significance of wetland ecosystems and water for the Interior Salish people. Listen to stories shared by Interior Salish people. [20 min]
- A walk by Swan Lake to observe the wetland. [10 min]
- A guided pond dip to identify organisms that live in Swan Lake. [30 min]
This program occurs entirely outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
BC Curriculum Connections - Science Big Ideas
- Kindergarten - Plants and animals have observable features.
- Kindergarten - Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things.
- Grade 1 - Living things have features and behaviours that help them survive in their environment.
- Grade 2 - Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment.
- Grade 2 - Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment.
- Grade 3 - Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
- Grade 4 - All living things sense and respond to their environment.
- Grade 7 - Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things.
- Science 9 – The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them
- Environmental Science 11 - Complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems
- Environmental Science 11 - Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems.
- Science for Citizens 11 – Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
- Science for Citizens 12 - Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life
Emma K.
Emma has a Masters of Science in Natural Resources and Environmental Education from the University of Idaho and a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from the University of Michigan. She has taught in a variety of ecosystems across North America, from New York’s Hudson River, to the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes of Lake Michigan, to the rainforests of Olympic National Park. Emma grew up sailing on Lake Michigan and particularly enjoys connecting the public to their local waterbodies. She is a recent transplant to BC and is excited to be teaching and learning in her new home, Southern Vancouver Island.
When not at Swan Lake, Emma enjoys cycling, contra dancing, cooking new recipes, or curling up with a good book.
Kay L.
Kay is a passionate science communicator who has worked with invertebrates, whales, turtles and dinosaurs (living and in fossil form) since 2016. Having the opportunity to get outside and explore nature with budding scientists is one of her favourite ways to feel connected to both her communities and with local ecosystems. Having worked with students of all ages, abilities and interests,
Kay truly believes that science can be for everyone. Each individual just may need a different approach to find their way to most effectively engage with science; which is something she loves to explore with classes!
Kay has a penchant for flipping over rocks and picking up the misunderstood creatures to inspire curiosity rather than fear; aiming to empower students to take their learning to the next level.
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