Nature House ~ August 9th thru 13th

Nature House Open Hours

Friday, August 11th: 11 – 4PM

Saturday, August 12th: 11 – 4PM

Sunday, August 13th: 11 – 4PM

August 9

·        Women’s Paddle: 4-5PM

Meet at The Portal Beach with your boat (canoe, kayak, etc…) for a relaxing evening paddle. All skill levels welcome! Contact Vicki if you’re in need of a boat: 250-246-9126.

August 11

·        Blackberry Picking and Pie-Making: 1-3PM

We’ll be doing some good ol’ fashioned berry picking at the Nature House this week. Afterwards, we will bake up a storm and make some classic blackberry pie!

August 12

·        Owl Box Building Workshop: 1-3PM

*Who-who* wants to join us in making a western screech owl box? Western screech owls are listed federally as a threatened species. They prefer nesting in holes in older trees, and this can be replicated through the use of these boxes. After building the boxes, some will be hung up around The Portal in hopes that a western screech owl will make one its home!

August 13

·        Plants of the Island ~ Guided by Stephanie Cottell, MSc Education for Sustainability: 11-2:30PM

Come join us for a guided walk around the Portal and get to know some of Thetis Island’s native plants~ ecological role, traditional uses,  common and perhaps uncommon tidbits about the flora that surrounds us. Then get creative in the Nature House crafting your own sample plant ID card!

We’ll be doing this in two parts~ a late morning walk, followed by a picnic lunch, and then crafting our cards from 12:30-2:30 (or whenever you’ve finished!).  Please bring a picnic lunch and water to drink. You’re welcomed (but not obligated!) to bring a snack to share. Please also bring a small bag or basket for collecting plant leaf samples and some secateurs if you have them available. Also wear sturdy walking shoes as some of the paths are slippery with arbutus leaves.

As with all of our summer programs, each are by donation, or available to our members at no cost. Memberships are still available! All ages are welcome, however, children 8 and under must be accompanied by an adult for the activities, and children over 8 must be signed in by an adult. If you have any questions regarding the Nature House programming, or would like to get involved, contact Danny at danny@cowichanlandtrust.ca