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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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Winter is time for reflection on gardens and this event invites you to reflect on your local biodiversity. Do you have a diverse collection of plants in your neighbourhood? Have you noticed different kinds of insects? What about birds and mammals? Biodiverse gardens provide habitat for many animals. The variety of plants helps a garden be resilient to weather events and temperature fluctuations. As our city grows larger and yards become smaller, it is increasingly important for urban gardens, even patio and balcony gardens, to provide a variety of habit for the animals in our urban ecosystem. To help us consider options for growing biodiversity in our gardens, this year’s Think Spring! topics include moths, birds, urban biodiversity, and alternative lawn plants.

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The imaginED website describes the theory and practice of IEE--an imagination-focused approach to teaching that engages the body, emotion and imagination with Place to cultivate a sense of belonging and long-lasting connections with the natural world.

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EcoCooks Elementary consists of two modules and EcoCooks Secondary consists of four modules. Classes can take any number of modules, in any order.

Each EcoCooks module has four sessions and each session is about 60-70 min long. These four sessions are typically taken over the space of 1 to 4 weeks. The first three sessions tackle the environmental component with fun hands-on activities designed for a classroom space, while the last session is a cooking class where students learn how to apply their new knowledge while preparing food. This cooking session can be done in a traditional classroom space or in a specialized foods room.

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Algonquin College's Play, Learn, and Teaching Outdoors in the Early Years certificate program immerses early learning professionals in outdoor pedagogical practice through the Outdoor ECE National Framework of the Canadian Centre for Outdoor Play. In this program, you explore concepts of active engagement, nurturing holistic development, and building meaningful connections in outdoor pedagogical practice.

Learners explore the benefits of risky outdoor play, strengthen a justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion lens, and build cultural competency guided by evidence from the Canadian Pediatric Society. They gain advocacy, communication, and practical skills through place-based learning and a culminating action-research project applied to their own professional setting.

Upon completion, graduates are prepared to champion inclusive, culturally responsive outdoor play in diverse contexts, including early learning programs, kindergartens, child and family centres, community health agencies, and governmental or non-governmental organizations serving children and families.

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Project WET Canada offers professional development certification workshops for educators, available both in-person and virtually. Our water education program features complete, engaging, inquiry-based lesson plans and activities. Guides include Foundations in Water Education, Water in Earth Systems, Projet WET Module 1 (French), Climate, Water and Resilience (Grades 6–12), and Getting Little Feet Wet (ECE). Workshops are led by fully trained Project WET Facilitators. Length and fees vary by guide(s), format, and location. Contact Maxine Koskie or Billie Jo Reid for more information.

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Get inspired by a list of wetland projects that you could do. Check the planning guide for students and the supporting guide for adults to get off to a good start.

Taking action is about being proud of where you live, respecting your environment and taking ownership of its health. This resource booklet gives you inspiring examples and step-by-step ideas on activities, from beginner to advanced, to take action.

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Join us as we journey down the river of stories from the headwaters to the mouth of the Fraser. Travelling along an interactive map, students will learn all about the Fraser River Basin through stories from the near and distant past. The program ends with a reflection on our place in this landscape, as students add their own story to the map.

Grades:  K-2             Length: 70 mins           Maximum group size: 30 students

To participate in this program, you will need:

A classroom with a projector we can connect our laptop or USB to

Curricular connections:

This program supports curricular competencies in English Language Arts as students engage actively as listeners, viewers and readers; create stories to deepen their awareness of self; and use oral storytelling processes. This program also supports competencies in Social Studies as students learn about cultural characteristics and ways of life of local First Peoples, and understand the significance of the Fraser River Basin to individuals and groups. This program incorporates the First Peoples Principles of Learning, specifically that learning is relational; recognizes the role of indigenous knowledge; is embedded in story; and requires exploration of one’s own identity. Further, this program supports students in the process of developing a positive personal and cultural identity.

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The Plant-Based Eating Toolkit for Schools is a free resource designed to help students and educators advocate for plant-based food options in schools. It provides step-by-step guidance on starting school clubs, engaging decision-makers, and running awareness campaigns. The toolkit includes letter-writing templates, success stories, and practical tips for increasing plant-based options in cafeterias and events.

This toolkit is accessible nationwide and can be downloaded for free. It is suitable for student clubs, teachers, and school communities looking to introduce more plant-forward initiatives in cafeterias and school programs.

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This workshop introduces educators to the rich resources provided by PLT Canada, offering a wide range of hands-on, nature-based activities to inspire environmental learning. Participants will discover how to integrate these materials into their classrooms, empowering students to engage with local ecosystems and explore topics like sustainability, conservation, and biodiversity. Through interactive, place-based learning, educators will gain strategies for fostering environmental stewardship, critical thinking, and a deeper connection to the natural world. This workshop aims to provide practical tools for teaching environmental education across various grade levels.

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PLT Canada's Trees and Me guide introduces young learners to the critical importance of the environment and forests through a variety of engaging, hands-on activities. Designed to connect children with nature, the guide fosters an understanding of the many benefits that trees and forests provide, such as clean air, wildlife habitats, and climate regulation. It encourages environmental stewardship by promoting actions that nurture and protect our natural world. By exploring forests' vital role in sustaining life, children develop a lifelong appreciation for nature and the responsibility to care for it.

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At Cheakamus Centre, learners of all ages connect with nature, community, and Indigenous culture on a 165-hectare ecological reserve. Field School programs feature outdoor studies, recreation, and team building in day or overnight formats, all tied to the BC curriculum. Indigenous Cultural Programs, led by Skwxwú7mesh educators, immerse participants in Coast Salish traditions through hands-on, interactive learning in the longhouse and rainforest, fostering curiosity, understanding, and respect.

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These online, self-paced resources will teach students all about killer whales, including the different ecotypes that reside in British Columbia, and the threats to these incredible species at risk. Students will develop group Action Projects, gaining skills in teamwork, organization, and leadership.

These resources are best suited to Grades K-12, and focus on Core Curriculum and Competencies connections in science, social studies, and physical and health education. Resources can be reviewed in a single session (est. 1.5 hours completion time), or used over multiple sessions. These resources can be used in schools, community/youth groups, or other educational settings.

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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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Location
Strathcona Community Gardens (759 Malkin St) and Renfrew Ravine (3998 Renfrew St)

Program Detail & Focus

Program dates & focus areas are posted on our website seasonally. There are Spring, Summer, and Fall intakes. Most programs run for 10 sessions

Eligibility
Youth ages 14-18 who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, 2SLGBTQIA+, living with a disability, or from other equity-denied communities.

Supports
You will receive up to $20/day honorarium based on attendance and youth must attend a minimum of 4 program days to receive an honorarium. Lunch and bus tickets are provided. We also have some outdoor clothing available to borrow, including rain jackets and boots.

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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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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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Designed for grades 7 – 12, our Careers with Animals program explores the exciting world of animal-related professions, from hands-on roles in shelters and veterinary clinics to conservation, research and beyond.

This program runs for a total of 1 hour and dives into the details of these careers, gaining insights into the daily realities, challenges, and rewards of working with animals. The goal of this program is to encourage curiosity, inspire youth with future career paths and highlight the many ways people can make a positive difference in the lives of animals.

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Please allow a minimum of 2 weeks notice if you are seeking a new lesson not listed in our lesson plans.