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With 55-acres of beautiful green space in the middle of Vancouver, VanDusen Botanical Garden represents a safe and interactive learning experience for school and community groups looking for local field trip opportunities!

Guided programs are available to students in grades K through 12. 45 minute programs are bookable year round and 90 minute programs are bookable October, November, April, May, and June. Take a look at the selections listed below to find the perfect option for your class! 

90-Minute Programs (available October, November, April, May, and June)

A Sense of Nature (K-Gr.2)        

Ecosystem Explorers (3-Gr.6)

Fantastic Flowers (Gr.1-Gr.4)

Pond Peering (Gr.1-Gr.4) May and June only

Seed Secrets (K-Gr.4) October and November only

45-Minute Programs (available year round)

Glimpse of the Garden (K-Gr.7)

Natural Heritage Walk (Gr.8-Gr.10)

Strategizing Sustainability (Gr.8-Gr.12)

Self-Directed Program 

Self-Directed programs are available year round. 

Pollinator Days (late May annually)

Please choose from 1 of 3 available dates. Pollinator Days runs from 10am-2pm. Classes from preschool to grade 6 are encouraged to attend one of the three event days.

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We offer educational tours for the UBC Botanical Garden, Nitobe Memorial Garden, and the Greenheart TreeWalk. As part of the Faculty of Science, we strive to deliver ecology and environmental learning grounded in science and place-based learning. Sustainability is a key theme of our tours and we aim to raise awareness of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.  Our tours can be tailored to all age groups and knowledge levels and range from 1 to 2 hours in length. Located at UBC, we serve groups located in or visiting the Greater Vancouver Area. We offer our tours from Wednesday-Saturday between the hours of 10:00am and 4:30pm. 

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Sturgeon are amazing fish that have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. Human influences over the past 150 years have threatened their existence. In this program, students will learn about the sturgeon life cycle, survival needs, and what we can do to protect this remarkable species.

Grades: K-7                          Length: 1.5 hours               Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Introduction to sturgeon, threats to their survival, and conservation efforts.

Explore sturgeon anatomy and life cycle, using models and biological specimens.

Play a board game as a sturgeon attempting to reach adulthood.

Age-dependent activity

Felt Board Habitat (K-3): Using a felt board, represent the many stages of a sturgeon’s life. Tagging Lesson (4-7): Perform biological tests on a model sturgeon, such as taking measurements and determining age.

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Active For Life (AFL) is a non-profit national organization funded by B2ten, a registered Canadian charity. AFL allocates 100% of its resources to engaging key decision-makers—educators and parents—to encourage Active Play in children. We achieve this by offering free, customized resources proven to overcome barriers to children’s physical activity.

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With this online collection of articles and toolkits, kids can learn facts about BC flora and fauna, along with practical ways to support their local environments and wildlife. These articles cover topics ranging from how to support salmon to the details of soil science, and include downloadable activities, flash cards, games, identification guides, resources for further reading, and more. 

Our articles encourage kids to explore how they might start their own citizen science projects through the provided resources and guides. With this collection, we aim to support educators in incorporating place-based learning into their work by bringing classrooms into nature.

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Be a bug detective when insects examples are brought to your classroom. *Available April, May and June.

Available to schools in Langley.

Duration 60 minutes. Cost $95

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EcoSchools is an annual certification program that supports, incentivizes, tracks, and recognizes environmental action in schools.

The EcoSchools program is both a framework and a toolbox for taking action and engaging in environmental education. 

For students, the program provides opportunities for leadership, peer-to-peer mentorship, and a way to learn about sustainability while having fun. For teachers, the program integrates seamlessly with curricula across Canada and offers unique opportunities for learning.

Build excitement at your school about environmental projects, campaigns, and events throughout the year. Use the many resources, worksheets, and lesson plans available in the EcoSchools Certification Application (ECA) to support your journey.

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Sea Smart's shoreline clean-up will inspire students to learn about plastic pollution, marine animals, and ocean stewardship. These sessions are facilitated by Sea Smart’s highly experienced team of marine biologists and environmental educators, to deliver informative, hands-on learning. Sea Smart will provide sustainable equipment and protocols needed to ensure a safe cleanup.

We measure metrics such as the area of habitat cleaned, the weight of garbage removed, and the number of cigarette butts removed. These data allow you to share your student's efforts in a measurable and meaningful way. Participants will also join hands-on, educational activities to learn about plastic pollution, marine animals, and how we can help our ocean.

Available for Pre-K - Grade 12 Students, our Shoreline Cleanup Workshops connect with Core and Curricular Competencies. Shoreline Cleanups can be delivered throughout Metro Vancouver and the Lower Mainland, with schools, community/ youth groups, and other educational settings.

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The Bodo Archaeological Site & Centre offers experiential educational programs for students of all ages, both at our centre and site, and in the classroom. We have had thousands of students visit Bodo to take part in our interactive, hands-on activities and learning experience. Students learn about archaeology and the history of the Bodo Archaeological Sites and the Great Plains in a meaningful and memorable way. We offer in-person visits (1/2 day and overnight field trips) and in-classroom visits.

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Goldstream Nature House on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from March 26 – May 16 for three unique, one-hour programs: Junior Explorers, Wildlife Detectives, and Eco-Stewards. Students will learn about the vital ecosystems of Goldstream Park. This spring, the Discover Parks Ambassadors will offer the following programs for school groups: 

JUNIOR EXPLORERS - GRADES: K-3

A sensory exploration of the natural environment in Goldstream. 

WILDLIFE DETECTIVES - GRADES 4-7

Investigating ecosystems and species relationships.

ECO-STEWARDS - GRADES 7-12

Learn vital environmental stewardship skills and become an advocate for nature.

Full Description

Cost
Subsidized rate of $99 for 90-minute field trips for Grade K-3 classes.

Subsidized rate of $120 for 120-minute field trips for Grade 4-12 classes.

The fees charged help EYA recover part of our costs for staff time and materials needed to host your classroom. If cost is a barrier, please let us know on the request form.

Length
90 minutes for Grade K- 3 field trips
120 minutes for Grade 4-12 field trips

Group Size
We can host up to 30 students per field trip.

Available Dates
Field trips are available from March - June and September - November. When completing the request form, please provide us with 2-3 date options to facilitate scheduling.

Location
Our field trips will take place at the Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin Ave).

Strathcona Community Gardens is a 1.4 hectare community-run greenspace in East Vancouver with a native plant teaching garden, greenhouse and native plant nursery, plant medicine gardens, rewilding areas, and solar-powered eco-classroom.

Eligibility
Elementary and high school classes from VSB public schools, with priority given to alternative schools and schools located in East Vancouver.

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Prior to European colonization, Indigenous peoples got what they needed from the land and water around them. Indigenous peoples have relied on salmon since the fish became abundant in the Fraser River about 5000-6000 years ago. They used native plants for food, medicine, building materials and more. This program explores the connection between Indigenous peoples, salmon, and the broader Fraser River Basin. Students experience the movement of salmon, storytelling and oral histories, and the many uses of native plants through an Indigenous perspective.

Grades: K-3                          Length: 1.5 hours                Maximum group size: 30 students

Program Components:

Introduction to the First Salmon Ceremony through a storybook and discussion.

Understand the stages of a salmon’s life cycle and migration by acting out the story of one salmon’s life.

Learn about some of the edible and medicinal native plants in our region, and then create your own plant, including its uses.

Hear the story of how sockeye came to the Fraser River from two First Nations elders. View map of the traditional lands of the First Nations people in the Fraser River Basin, and use a visual metaphor to understand how long the First Nations people have lived along the Fraser River.

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Discover the many wonders of the only mammal that can fly. Find out how bats live, hunt, echolocate, and adapt to their habitat using their unique bodies. Because bats are nocturnal, we will not see any live bats during the program. Instead, we will explore their habitat with unique props and activities. Bats really are beautiful; learn why in this interactive forest adventure. One-and-a-half-hour program for Pre-K – Grade 3.

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Outdoor Learning Quickdraw is physical card deck resource for $25 + GST + Shipping. It is designed to provide activity and cross-curricular lesson ideas for classes of any age to try outside. There are activities connected to Physical Education, Wellness, Science, Outdoor Education and more, making up four suits with 13 cards each:

Physical Literacy cards suggest activities that develop agility, balance, coordination and strength skills related to locomotor and non-locomotor movements in the outdoors. There is no right way to move! These cards show and suggest many inclusive ways to encourage all students to participate, and we know that teachers and program leaders are experts in modifications and inclusive practices.

Teamwork cards feature challenges for small groups and full class activities that develop collaboration, communication and critical thinking.

Outdoor Skills cards feature key competencies for students to practice at school to prepare for single or multi-day trips into front and backcountry destinations.

Environmental Action cards suggest activities and learning topics that can be tried nearby your schoolyard and as far away as hiking trails and provincial parks.

Full Description

Discover what salmon need to survive and what makes healthy salmon habitat. Students also experience the obstacles salmon face during their migration through interactive games.

Available to schools in SD35 and SD36.

Schools outside of Langley will be charged mileage. Teachers outside of these districts may enquire about workshop availability.

Duration 60 minutes

Cost K-3 $95

Grade 4 $105

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Browse through our downloadable guides and lesson plans for activities on rock and mineral identification. Take the pebble guide with you on a field trip to help you discover the names of pebbles you might collect. Have fun learning more about the rocks and minerals in your collection.

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The Wormshop uses the indoor, appropriate vermiculture system as a vehicle to teach kids about composting and waste reduction. The students can also take what they learn in the Wormshop and apply it at home, creating their own wormbin composting system, regardless of whether they live in a house or an apartment.

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UBC Farm field trips immerse children in a working certified organic farm through dynamic, themed experiences. Students engage their senses while planting, harvesting, and cooking with fresh produce (Food & Farming); learning about pollinators, food webs, and ecological connections (Nature & Ecosystems); or building forts and practicing wilderness skills (Exploration & Skills). These two-hour guided visits involve walking across varied farm features, with tailored programming by age group and flexible timing.

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Explore the wonders of the Skeena Watershed and Pacific salmon with our free educational resources and workshops! Tailored for Northern BC communities, our downloadable lesson plans include engaging activities on salmon life cycles, habitat restoration, and ecosystem connections. Interactive classroom workshops, led by expert educators, bring these topics to life with hands-on learning. Workshops are free and available to schools and groups within the Skeena region. Inspire the next generation to protect our natural heritage!

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The SPEC School Gardens Program is a well established environmental education program (started in 2008) and is aligned with BC Curriculum. We offer in person grade specific curricular resources, personalized workshops and seasonal lessons. Our goal is to connect every one to nature and we often collaborate with ECE, K-12 schools, for profit and not for profit organizations to provide programming. We help K-12 schools or not for profits establish new gardens or improve existing ones with climate friendly and organic gardening practices.