The Nature Sanctuary Gift Shop, located in the Nature House, offers unique and handmade treasures. We have a variety of items including fabric arts, stationery, books, toys, and housewares. Most items are locally made by local artisans or volunteers and are eco-friendly, high-quality products with nature or seasonal themes. Shopping here is a wonderful way to find distinctive gifts and to support the work being done at the Nature Sanctuary.
Credit, debit, cash, and cheque accepted.
Gifts
Here is the perfect stop for those hunting for a gift for a nature-lover. We sell lots of tiny treasures including art prints and stickers from local artist Sarah Jim. Her art is inspired from the interconnection between the natural world, coastal medicines, and W̱SÁNEĆ culture. Another staple here at the Nature Sanctuary are postcards, place-mats, and posters from Vancouver Island wildlife photographer, Stuart Clarke. Our list of vendors goes on - we have an endless selection of pins, cards, stickers, key chains, magnets, and more to browse through. Come visit us to see what goodies we have in store!
Silver Swan Crafts
We have a range of beautifully made quilted and fabric items for sale here at the Nature House. These hand-crafted items are made with love by our dedicated volunteer group, The Silver Swans. The crafts are all nature inspired and include tea cozies, quilts, pillows, coasters, assorted bags, microwave bowl cozies, aprons, masks, table runners, and more! They make great gifts and are a wonderful addition to any home.
Toys
Connecting with nature should be FUN! Our plush finger puppets represent the array of local Victorian wildlife such as river otters, hummingbirds, and bees, just to name a few. These make great toys for gifts or fun tools for educators. Have you ever wondered what it’s like to see like a bug? We’ve got you covered! We carry Insects-Eye Kaleidoscopes (big and mini) so you can see the world through a new lens. Our toys are always changing so make sure to stop by and see what’s new!
Ceramics
Beautiful, hand-crafted, and locally made, these ceramics are truly one of a kind. Julia Dawson Ceramics is inspired by the beauty and joy of life on Vancouver Island. There is a wide variety of pottery to choose from. We have mugs, jewelry, and candles holders, so there’s something unique for everyone.
Books
Old or new, big or small, fact or fiction, we've got it all! If you’re curious about the critters in your own backyard, we sell plant and animal reference books specific to British Columbia and other local regions. There is also a wide selection of immersive picture books that are perfect for young readers who dream of cozy critters at bedtime. For a more hands-on experience, we sell workbooks for children to take outside with them and guide them through identifying insects during different seasons. We are also excited to highlight works from Indigenous authors.
Food & Beverage
Feeling snacky? We’ve got just what you need! We sell a variety of quick refreshments including Bubly Sparkling Water, granola bars, fruit bars, juice boxes, and frozen treats for a quick pick-me-up. For those who crave excitement, we sell edible insects in Cheddar Cheese, BBQ, and Mexican Spice flavour. We are also delighted to carry The New New Age spice blends and loose-leaf herbal teas which are foraged from the Otter River Valley herb farm using ecological farming practices.
