Program Themes
School programs at Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary are a fun and engaging way for students to connect with nature, experience
Swan Lake, and address BC science curricular content.
Seasonal program themes help participants connect with key plant and animal species found at the Sanctuary during that time of
year.
Each 1-hour program is led by a trained Nature Educator, and includes hands-on learning, games and activities. Content can
be adapted to your grade and group needs.
Learn more about our programs below, and select the Bookings Calendar to check for availability and to register for your program!
Fall-Winter Program Themes
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:
Learn about the different components of an ecosystem and ones that are unique to Garry Oak ecosystems
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.
Add-on Experience
- Extend your connection to the ecosystem with an additional guided nature journaling experience - all supplies provided [30 min] $65
Dynamic Decomposers is an engaging program that will introduce participants to the process of decomposition. Learn about the organisms that are involved in this important process, and how decomposers are crucial to the flow of energy and nutrients in the broader ecosystem.
Program highlights:
An introduction to decomposers and the important role they play in nutrient and energy cycling within the ecosystem [20 min]
Visual comparison and discussion about the differences between soil and dirt [10 min]
Forest walk and scavenger hunt to identify signs of decomposition [30 min]
This program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
Salmon in our Watershed
- Grade K-5
- February - April
Observe our observation tank to learn about the
salmon lifecycle, and explore how our watersheds
have become tricky for this remarkable species to
navigate.
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.
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).
In this program students learn all about bats. They will learn about their bodies and behaviours through a collection of specimens, images and games. Through these activities, participants will become familiar with our local bat species and what we can do to protect their populations. See what’s inside a real bat box!
Program highlights:
Learn about the anatomy and life stages of bats, including some of their amazing features [30 min]
Explore how echolocation works through an active outdoor game [10 min]
Discuss how human actions impact bats and what we can do to help protect their populations [20 min]
This program occurs both indoors and outdoors. Please dress appropriately for any weather that may occur.
Winter Animals
- Grade K-5
- November - March
Explore the seasonal changes that happen at Swan
Lake and how animals here sense and respond to
them. Consider the impacts that humans have had on
their survival and how we can be better neighbours to
our overwintering residents.
Spring-Summer Program Themes
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.
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!
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:
Learn about the different components of an ecosystem and ones that are unique to Garry Oak ecosystems
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.
Add-on Experience
- Extend your connection to the ecosystem with an additional guided nature journaling experience - all supplies provided [30 min] $65
Salmon in our Watershed
- Grade K-5
- February - April
Observe our observation tank to learn about the
salmon lifecycle, and explore how our watersheds
have become tricky for this remarkable species to
navigate.
Pollinators - Nature's Superheroes
- Grade K-5
- April - June
What's the buzzzz about pollinators? Learn about bees
and some lesser-known pollinators and the important
work they do. Enjoy a Native Plant Garden walk in full
bloom while we look for pollinators together!
All About Seeds
- Grade K-5
- April - June
Explore the wide range of seed types and the different
adaptations that plants have made to ensure
dispersal. Older students can learn about seed
conservation and the importance of scientific
sampling.
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