Special guest speaker Silva Johansson:
Sunday Pass of Melfort Shipwreck Walk: September 3 and 17 10 am to 11
Silva Johansson leads this walk to the site of a tragic shipwreck that inspired the creation of Amphitrite Lighthouse at the turn of the century. Learn why westerrn Vancouver Island has earned the name "Graveyard of the Pacific". SIlva brings history to life on this walk along the Pacific coastline where countless ship and sailors have floundered. Meet at the trailhead in the Whale Parking Lot, middle of coast Guard Road (not the emergency kiosk).
Sunday Talking Trees WALK: September 3 and 17 3 PM
Meet your trail society Naturalist Guide at the trailhead in the Whale Parking Lot, middle of coast Guard Road.
Let’s explore the surprising life of trees! How can trees talk, and walk?
What makes the trees grow so large on the Pacific Rim. Learn the difference between an old growth forest and a secondary forest.
Why did they used to make airplanes using Sitka Spruce? We’re talking trees on Sunday mornings along the Wild Pacific Trail! (scroll down for a map).
Wednesday September 5th: Build-A-Whale 10 am to 2 pm at the Lighthouse, end of Coast Guard Road
Join Strawberry Isle Research Society staff to learn about our remarkable whales and why some populations are endangered. This is a rare kid-friendly opportunity to assemble a real orca skeleton. Question: Do all orcas have sharp teeth? Check the calendar to see which days the full (or partial) skeleton will be available. Whales are our mission.
Wednedays September 12 to 30th Roving Naturalist: 10 am to 2 pm at the Lighthouse, end of Coast Guard Road
Our trail naturalist has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. Find your Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist on the lighthouse loop and learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, and the Pacific Rim. Ask about our walking trees, the beautiful plants, rocks, birds and other wildlife here on the West Coast. Have questions about the ocean and marine wildlife? Need trail orientation? Get tips on where the best spots are and where to see wildlife in town.
Wednesday Sept 20th: Cultural Heritage Festival 11 am to 2 pm at the Lighthouse
Pacific Rim Arts Society Cultural Heritage Festival," The Trees that Surround Us, hitaaqƛ̓asʔi"
Join our
Arts and Culture Walk, Yuułuʔiłʔath language station, music and Art amongst the trees. Or trail Naturalist will also offer highlights about Talking and Walking Trees. 11am to 1pm drop in at the Lighthouse, end of Coast Guard Road.
Carnivorous Thursdays at the lighthouse Discovery Tent 10 am to 2 pm
Don't miss the new Bald Eagle and Great Horned Owl skulls on display at our Discovery Tent. Learn about Wolves, Bears, Cougars, and birds of prey, and what makes them so important to the local foodweb. Bring your personal stories to share. Play the interactive Scat game at our lighthouse Discovery tent!
Friday WildSafe BC: September 15th at the lighthouse Discovery Tent 10 am to 1 pm
Survival is all about food, learn about the bear, wolves cougars and how to keep them from harm. Great display for kids of all ages. Bring your questions about how to be Bear Smart. Plan strategy for putting out garbage bins safely. Rare chance to visit with WildSafe BC experts.
Photo Fridays Walk: at Big Beach 6 pm to sunset (about 8:30 pm) September 8 through 29th
Enjoy an educational sunset photo walk with your Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist.
Take in a free, short lesson in photography basics, get help with your settings, learn how to compose and make an artistic photo or portrait. All cameras and skill levels are welcome, from cellphones to DSLR. Get some one-on-one time with an expert photography instructor as we explore Big Beach during sunset, and, at the same time, learn about Big Beach, the Wild Pacific Trail, local wildlife and our gorgeous trees! No tripod is necessary. This event will finish earlier towards the end of September as days grow shorter. Meet Josh at the Big Beach gazebo at 6pm. (scroll down for a map)
Saturday September 2 and 9th Eagle Walk: 8:30 am at the Whale Parking Lot
Why is the Wild Pacific Trail so popular with Bald Eagles? Walk with your Trail Naturalist and find out what makes these birds of prey so special. How do eagles see so well? Do they see colours that we can't see? How big is their wingspan? How heavy can nests weigh? Where do the eagles disappear to at the end of Summer and what makes them come back? We will also talk about other local birds. Bring your binoculars, ID questions/photos, and stories. Let's celebrate these gorgeous birds which rule the Ukee skies! Meet Josh at the Whale Lot Trailhead at 8:30am.
Saturday Sept. 9th Eagle Walk: Special Guest Ian Cruickshank with be your guide 8:30 am at the Whale Parking Lot
Ian is a Parks Canada naturalist and expert birder who will help you see birds through his spotting scope. His ability to identify birds is impressive, do not miss this rare chance.
Where to find us? Calendar events are colour coded to the parking lots at the Whale Parking Lot (red), Lighthouse (teal), Big Beach aka Frog parking lot (blue) and Brown's Beach aka Sea Star parking lot ( brown).
The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that offers incredible opportunities to connect people to nature. Our seasonal Discovery Tent at the lighthouse offers revolving topics for all ages.
Below are a series of timeless videos created during Covid-19 travel restrictions by our Naturalists that will inspire your experience in Nature.
Did you know a square metre of mudflat contains more calories than a chocolate bar? Enjoy our latest video created by Samantha, our summer naturalist.
Seven entertaining and award winning videos below include fun activities from our 2020 "Learn Where You Live" series.
Episode 1: "What's that smell?" video with our Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist
Join us for seven "Learn Where You Live" videos to inspire you to look closely at Nature.
From the teachings of Banana Slugs--to the secrets of Skunk Cabbage and flammable mosses--you will enjoy this EXPLOSIVE series!
CLICK HERE to download a PDF activity you can do at home.
Special thanks to Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for her guidance.
Video series by Arya Touserkani @tousquared www.waterlogue.ca
Episode 2: " Follow that Slime" -- We have a lot to learn from Nature, we just need to listen!
Special thanks to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community, Elder Vi Mundy and Gisele Martin of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for their traditional teachings.
Follow this link for a slug race activity.
This beautiful series was born out of Covid-19 restrictions to our in-person interpretive walks. Narrated by Tanya Nestoruk, trail naturalist, video by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 3: "For Peat's Sake" -- explore with our Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist!
Follow our naturalist as she discovers the weird and wonderful species that thrive in a Woodland Bog. Warning, you could get lost.
Follow this link for a COLOURING BOOKLET or a fun WORD PUZZLE.
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Special thanks to Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation. Video by Arya Touserkani.
Send your questions to naturalist@wildpacifictrail.com or post on our Facebook page.
Episode 4: "Force of Nature" will sweep you off your feet.
Explore the unique WEATHER that comes with living on the coast, how species not only manage to survive, but THRIVE!
Fun fact: Can you name an amphibian that has no lungs?
We are proud to acknowledge the skills of our past naturalist Tanya Nestoruk for her work with videographer Arya Touserkani www.waterlogue.ca
in achieving an award of excellence from Interpretation Canada for the video above.
Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation and Dr. Barb Beasley with the Association of Wetland Stewards for Clayoquot and Barkley Sound.
Episode 5: "Remarkable Ravens" a story of the smartest bird in the rainforest
Raven’s are not only role models of communication, fair trade, and savvy intelligence, they play an essential role as ecosystem recyclers.
Challenge: how can you tell the difference between a raven and a crow?
Thank you to Parks Canada for support for this project. Special thank you for footage and raven sound clips copyright by Ian Cruickshank
Note: footage was taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Raven vs Crow Image by Rosemary Mosco and Dr. Kaeli Swift with BirdandMoon.com @corvidresearch
Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for Nuu-chah-nulth translations.
Additional footage courtesy of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHHAfzAuKc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEksZdWKqtA – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6K9LbRX15Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdj-2XvGF4 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6vzGrWP9lc
Also thanks to the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust for funding.
Video production by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 6: "Tree-S-I: Murder by Mushroom" help us solve this mystery.
There’s been a murder in the forest! Who! What? Why!
Follow along as detective Tanya gets to the root of the crime by investigating clues and searching for suspects in the woods… will she discover whodunit in this intriguing case?!
Special thanks to the inspirational Gisele Martin of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for sharing her timeless knowledge of Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture.
So Mush-thanks to Andy MacKinnon, forest ecologist extraordinaire, for sharing his vast scope of marvelous mushroom knowledge and delightful sense of humour.
Stop motion animation on tree communication by Local Ucluelet youth, Riley Gerbrandt. Thank you!
Fun fact: what is our planet's largest organism?
Special thanks to the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust for funding. Video by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 7: hašaḥma quuquuʔaca ( language is precious & valuable )
Join special guests Jeneva Touchie and Gisele Martin as they share their personal connections to the Wild Pacific Trail and the importance of Nuu-chah-nulth language.
What wisdom can we learn from ancient languages?
To learn more about the Nuu-chah-nulth language visit:
https://www.firstvoices.com/explore/FV/sections/Data/Nuu-chah-nulth/Nuu%C4%8Daan%CC%93u%C9%AB/Nuu-chah-nulth%20(Barkley)
Jeneva offers free Nuu-chah-nulth language classes Tuesday evenings over Zoom. To find out more please email touchie_jeneva@hotmail.com
To learn more about Nuu-chah-nulth history, culture, news and events please go to https://nuuchahnulth.org/
We are grateful to our special guests and Sam Touchie from Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for inspiring this episode.
Project funded by the WIld Pacific Trail Society and the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust.
Video by Arya Touserkani @tousquared www.waterlogue.ca
Download this activity sheet, use naturalist on your phone, or just use a blank piece of paper to record what you find.
You will be enthralled at the number of species. What do you think each creature eats, or who is looking to eat them?
CLICK HERE to download a PDF activity you can do at home.
We are grateful to the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust for funding several of these interpretive videos.
The REDD FISH Salmon Trail
Join us to learn about salmon, their habitats, and what makes them so important to marine and freshwater ecosystems. Restoration is our passion! Visit the Redd Fish Supply Co. on Main Street Ucluelet or our partner the Ucluelet Aquarium to learn more during the off season.
Build-A-Whale Discovery Tent
Join Strawberry Isle Research Society staff to learn about our remarkable whales and why some populations are endangered. This is a rare kid-friendly opportunity to assemble a real orca skeleton. Question: Do all orcas have sharp teeth? Whales are our mission.
Talking Trees WALK: 10 am to 11 daily until August 24th
Meet your trail society Naturalist Guide at the trailhead in the Whale Parking Lot, middle of coast Guard Road.
Let’s explore the surprising life of trees! What is so special about these beautiful and culturally significant Western Red Cedar trees along the Wild Pacific Trail? Why did they used to make airplanes using Sitka Spruce?
RainCoast exploration booth
Question: What impact does the sea have on the rainforest? How do the sea and the land shape one another? Join Raincoast Education Society naturalists to share insight on coastal interactions. Bring your curiosity. This event will start again next season.
Ucluelet Aquarium: Tidepool WALK
Explore life where land meets the sea. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended so we can explore TIDEPOOLS with Ucluelet Aquarium and Trail Society Naturalists if the tides are low.
Beach tours are not suitable for toddlers due to the rough rocky terrain, small children must be supervised by an adult please. Next season plan for Big Beach excursions with Marine Biology specialists.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Outreach
Parks Canada's Coastal Stewards and Naturalists offer their special interactive activities featuring rotating topics of interest. Come to learn and have fun with Parks Canada next season.
Guided Birding WALKS:
Special Guest Ian Cruickshank will lead the birding walk. Ian is a Parks Canada naturalist and expert birder who will help you see birds through his spotting scope. His ability to identify birds is impressive, do not miss this rare chance.
Pass of Melfort Shipwreck Walk:
Silva Johansson leads this walk to the site of a tragic shipwreck that inspired the creation of Amphitrite Lighthouse at the turn of the century.
Learn why western Vancouver Island has earned the name "Graveyard of the Pacific". Silva brings history to life on this walk along the Pacific coastline where countless ship and sailors have floundered.
WildSafe BC:
Survival is all about food, learn about the bear, wolves cougars and how to keep them from harm. Great display for kids of all ages. Bring your questions about how to be Bear Smart. Plan strategy for putting out garbage bins safely. Rare chance to visit with WildSafe BC experts.
SURFRIDER:
Learn how to reduce your impacts to the planet with simple choices, even during a vacation. Surfrider organizes campaigns such as ban the straw, cigarette butt recycling (bin at the lighthouse), beach cleanups, and plastic bag bans. This is a rare change to ask questions and pitch in to help. Individual choices make every difference to the future.
Send us your questions, or post photos and ideas on Instagram or email naturalist@wildpacifictrail.com.
We will post answers to the best questions. Let us know what you would like to learn!
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