Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-04-28 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
Part of the West Coast Ambassador Program:
Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Tofino Community Hall
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 28th

The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery. These programs are FREE.

Nuu-chah-nulth Land and Waters with ƛaʔuuk/Gisele Maria Martin
2025-05-01 17:00 - 20:00 | Tourism Tofino, 1426 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Resident guests and visitors in Tofino are invited to an ntroduction session with Gisele Maria Martin to learn about Indigenous Nuucaanut/Nuu-chah-nulth Cultural Lifeways,
protocols, laws, and living teachings which protect this beautiful place, as well as early and ongoing contact and the importance of language.
Gisele is a Cultural Lifeways Guardian, language educator, storyteller and artist in the T la-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks located”in the Nuučaanuł of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥawiiḥ
Location: Tourism Tofino Board Room
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Dates: May 1st
Free Event
Photo by Gisele Maria Martin.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-05-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 5th

About your Instructor: Silva Johansson is a naturalist, heritage interpreter, and interpretation skills trainer. She loves exploring the west coast – the beings, the places, the cultures, and the stories. Her connection to the BC coast began when she was growing up aboard the tall ship North Star of Herschel Island. She’s lived in Ucluelet since 1996. ⁠⁠ Silva currently works for Parks Canada as an Education Outreach Officer with the Coastal BC Outreach Team.⁠⁠ She also guides for the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Long Beach Nature Tours, and is an occasional volunteer interpreter at the Ucluelet Aquarium. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁣We are so privileged to have Silva live and work in our community! Now YOU have an opportunity to learn from her experience and soak up her knowledge of Ucluelet during this year’s West Coast Ambassador Program!⁣⁠⁠
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Ucluelet
2025-05-08 17:00 - 19:30 | Ancient Cedar Loop/Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat. Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: The Ancient Cedar Trail on the Wild Pacific Trail
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: May 8th
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.
Photo: Two Corvids, April Bencze, Capturing the Coast 2018

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-05-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Tofino Community Hall
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 12th

These free West Coast Ambassador Programs are a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-05-12 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 12th

About your Instructor: Silva Johansson is a naturalist, heritage interpreter, and interpretation skills trainer. She loves exploring the west coast – the beings, the places, the cultures, and the stories. Her connection to the BC coast began when she was growing up aboard the tall ship North Star of Herschel Island. She’s lived in Ucluelet since 1996. ⁠⁠ Silva currently works for Parks Canada as an Education Outreach Officer with the Coastal BC Outreach Team.⁠⁠ She also guides for the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Long Beach Nature Tours, and is an occasional volunteer interpreter at the Ucluelet Aquarium. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁣We are so privileged to have Silva live and work in our community! Now YOU have an opportunity to learn from her experience and soak up her knowledge of Ucluelet during this year’s West Coast Ambassador Program!⁣⁠⁠
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Marine Ecology
2025-05-14 17:30 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
Part of the West Coast Ambassador Program:
This 2- to 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: May 14th
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Marine Ecology
2025-05-21 17:30 - 19:30 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
This 2- to 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: May 21st
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Tofino
2025-05-22 17:00 - 19:30 | Yellowgate Trail across from Pacific Sands Resort, Tofino
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat.
Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: Yellow Gate Trail (across from Pacific Sands)
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: May 22nd
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.
Photo: Two Corvids, April Bencze, Capturing the Coast 2018

Nuu-chah-nulth Land and Waters with ƛaʔuuk/Gisele Maria Martin
2025-05-22 17:00 - 20:00 | Tourism Tofino, 1426 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Resident guests and visitors in Tofino are invited to an introduction session with Gisele Maria Martin to learn about Indigenous Nuucaanut/Nuu-chah-nulth Cultural Lifeways,
protocols, laws, and living teachings which protect this beautiful place, as well as early and ongoing contact and the importance of language.
Gisele is a Cultural Lifeways Guardian, language educator, storyteller and artist in the T la-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks located”in the Nuučaanuł of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥawiiḥ
Location: Tourism Tofino Board Room
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Dates: May 22nd
Free Event
Photo by Gisele Maria Martin.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-05-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Tofino Community Hall
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 26th

These free West Coast Ambassador Programs are a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-05-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 26h

About your Instructor: Silva Johansson is a naturalist, heritage interpreter, and interpretation skills trainer. She loves exploring the west coast – the beings, the places, the cultures, and the stories. Her connection to the BC coast began when she was growing up aboard the tall ship North Star of Herschel Island. She’s lived in Ucluelet since 1996. ⁠⁠ Silva currently works for Parks Canada as an Education Outreach Officer with the Coastal BC Outreach Team.⁠⁠ She also guides for the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Long Beach Nature Tours, and is an occasional volunteer interpreter at the Ucluelet Aquarium. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁣We are so privileged to have Silva live and work in our community! Now YOU have an opportunity to learn from her experience and soak up her knowledge of Ucluelet during this year’s West Coast Ambassador Program!⁣⁠⁠
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Marine Ecology
2025-05-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
Part of the West Coast Ambassador Program:
This 2- to 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use.. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: May 28th
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Ucluelet
2025-05-29 17:00 - 19:30 | Ancient Cedar Loop/Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat. Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: The Ancient Cedar Trail on the Wild Pacific Trail
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: May 29th
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.
Photo: Two Corvids, April Bencze, Capturing the Coast 2018

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-06-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Tofino Community Hall
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: June 2nd

These free West Coast Ambassador Programs are a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-06-02 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: June 2nd

About your Instructor: Silva Johansson is a naturalist, heritage interpreter, and interpretation skills trainer. She loves exploring the west coast – the beings, the places, the cultures, and the stories. Her connection to the BC coast began when she was growing up aboard the tall ship North Star of Herschel Island. She’s lived in Ucluelet since 1996. ⁠⁠ Silva currently works for Parks Canada as an Education Outreach Officer with the Coastal BC Outreach Team.⁠⁠ She also guides for the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Long Beach Nature Tours, and is an occasional volunteer interpreter at the Ucluelet Aquarium. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁣We are so privileged to have Silva live and work in our community! Now YOU have an opportunity to learn from her experience and soak up her knowledge of Ucluelet during this year’s West Coast Ambassador Program!⁣⁠⁠
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Marine Ecology
2025-06-04 17:30 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
This 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: June 4th
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Tofino
2025-06-05 17:00 - 19:30 | Yellowgate Trail across from Pacific Sands Resort, Tofino
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat. Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: Yellow Gate Trail (across from Pacific Sands)
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: June 5th
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Nuu-chah-nulth Land and Waters with ƛaʔuuk/Gisele Maria Martin
2025-06-05 17:00 - 20:00
Resident guests and visitors in Tofino are invited to an ntroduction session with Gisele Maria Martin to learn about Indigenous Nuucaanut/Nuu-chah-nulth Cultural Lifeways,
protocols, laws, and living teachings which protect this beautiful place, as well as early and ongoing contact and the importance of language.
Gisele is a Cultural Lifeways Guardian, language educator, storyteller and artist in the T la-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks located”in the Nuučaanuł of the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ Ḥawiiḥ
Location: Tourism Tofino Board Room
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Dates: June 5th
Free Event
Photo by Gisele Maria Martin.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-06-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Amphitrite House Interpretive Centre
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Amphitrite House Interpretive Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: June 9th

About your Instructor: Silva Johansson is a naturalist, heritage interpreter, and interpretation skills trainer. She loves exploring the west coast – the beings, the places, the cultures, and the stories. Her connection to the BC coast began when she was growing up aboard the tall ship North Star of Herschel Island. She’s lived in Ucluelet since 1996. ⁠⁠ Silva currently works for Parks Canada as an Education Outreach Officer with the Coastal BC Outreach Team.⁠⁠ She also guides for the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Long Beach Nature Tours, and is an occasional volunteer interpreter at the Ucluelet Aquarium. ⁠⁠
⁠⁠
⁣We are so privileged to have Silva live and work in our community! Now YOU have an opportunity to learn from her experience and soak up her knowledge of Ucluelet during this year’s West Coast Ambassador Program!⁣⁠⁠
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Marine Ecology
2025-06-11 17:30 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
This 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: June 11th
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Ucluelet
2025-06-12 17:00 - 19:30 | Ancient Cedar Loop/Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat. Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: The Ancient Cedar Trail on the Wild Pacific Trail
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: June 12th
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Seaweeds of the West Coast 2025
2025-06-13 19:00 - 2025-06-15 13:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
This weekend field course, based out of the Ucluelet Community Centre, will introduce participants to the world of west coast seaweeds. Topics to be covered in this year’s course include an introduction to seaweeds (What are they? What is their role in coastal ecology? How are they used in B.C. aquaculture? How are seaweeds impacted by climate change?) Learn of the biodiversity of west coast seaweeds, essentials of collecting and identifying seaweeds, seaweed foraging, the relationship between seaweeds and people, pressing and preserving seaweeds, cyanotype and more!
We are excited to welcome back course instructors Dr. Bridgette Clarkston and Dr. Jennifer Clark, coming to Ucluelet to share their seaweed knowledge and expertise with us.

Course registration is $330 per person.

Friday, June 13th (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Presentation – Seaweeds are weird. Weird, but oh so wonderful. And for coastal marine ecosystems, they are vital.

Saturday, June 14th (8:30 am -8:30 pm, with breaks) Low tide is at 8:42 am (1.3 feet / .41 m)

Field trip to explore seaweeds on Ucluelet’s rocky coast and practice naturalist skills, including fundamentals of seaweed identification.
Collection of seaweeds at field site.
Workshop to practice using dichotomous keys, field guides and online databases to identify unknown specimens
Create your own scientific and artistic seaweed presses.
Cynaoptype, Seaweed as art: create your own beautiful botanical blueprint using the traditional method of cyanotype printing.
Presentation – From Tradition to Innovation: How Seaweed is Changing our Future.

Sunday, June 15th (8:30 am – 1:00 pm) Low tide is at 9:22am (1.6 feet / .49 m)

Putting it all together – field trip to identify seaweeds and their communities in nature, including opportunities to share what you’ve learned with the group.
Course wrap-up.

About the instructor:

Dr. Bridgette Clarkston loves seaweeds and thinks you should too. Bridgette is an Associate Professor of Teaching at the University of British Columbia and co-author of the field guide Pacific Seaweeds: A Guide to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast (Harbour Publishing). A delightful moment in a lifetime spent appreciating BC’s seaweeds was discovering a new genus of beautiful red seaweeds and naming it after the Salish Sea (Salishia). A Vancouver Island settler, Bridgette was born and raised on the unceded traditional territory of the K’ómoks First Nation, the traditional keepers of this land. Learn more about Bridgette on the UBC Botany website here.

Dr. Jennifer Clark grew up on the coast on the traditional lands of xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations in BC and always knew that she would pursue a career studying the ocean, especially with the ocean as her backyard. She has 10+ years of research and cultivation experience of seaweeds in Canada and Australia where she focused on understanding climate change impacts on seaweeds. Although Jennifer received her PhD in Australia, the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest were calling and she returned to Canada to undertake a postdoctoral research position with the University of British Columbia, Hakai Institute in collaboration with the Heiltsuk and Wuikinuxv First Nations. During this time, she learned the importance of coastal foods to coastal communities and the nutritional and health benefits of seaweeds. In her current role as Chief Scientist at Cascadia Seaweed, Jennifer leads the research and cultivation of kelp seed used to grow nutritious, regenerative kelp for use in agricultural products and restoration efforts. Jennifer is passionate about seaweeds due to their status as a renewable and nutritional food source, beneficial in their ability to buffer the effects of climate change and their vital role in maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems.

Check out photos of the previous years:

Marine Ecology
2025-06-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Aquarium, 180 Main St, Ucluelet, BC, V0R 3A0, Canada
This 2.5-hour course explores the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot and Barkley Sounds, highlighting the incredible diversity of seaweeds, invertebrates, marine mammals, and more. Participants will also learn about local oceanographic conditions and the vital role this rich marine environment plays in sustaining life along this coast.

Beyond education, this course is about connection—helping people develop a deeper appreciation for this beautiful space and equipping them with the knowledge needed to care for it thoughtfully, especially in the face of growing pressures and increasing use. Through our exhibits, we facilitate in-depth conversations and hands-on activities that illustrate how every part of the ecosystem interacts, fostering a greater understanding of the intricate balance that sustains marine life.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Ucluelet Aquarium
Time: 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Date: June 18th
The West Coast Ambassador Program is a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce , Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino. The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Coastal Raincoast Ecology in Tofino
2025-06-19 17:00 - 19:30 | Yellowgate Trail across from Pacific Sands Resort, Tofino
This outdoor course focuses on our coastal temperate rainforest. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, you will explore the many interactions that make up the fabric of this iconic habitat. Join us to discover the dynamic nature of old-growth forests!
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Where: Yellow Gate Trail (across from Pacific Sands)
Time: 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Date: June 19th
This FREE program is offered as a joint initiative of the Raincoast Education Society, the Tofino-Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, Ucluelet Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Ucluelet and Tourism Tofino, The Raincoast Education Society is responsible for course curriculum, registration, and program delivery.

Learn about Coastal Wolves with the RES on the Wild Pacific Trail
2025-07-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, Canada
Coastal Wolves are the topic tomorrow!⁠ 🐺⁠
⁠Join Petra, our RES Education Outreach Coordinator, and ask those questions, learn about these amazing adaptable animals!⁠
A Free Program!
🌿 Where: Lighthouse Loop of the Wild Pacific Trail
🌿 Time: 10am-4pm
🌿 When: July 1st
The Raincoast Educaiton Society will be on the Wild Pacific Trail in the Discovery Tent on the Lighthouse Loop, every Tuesday throughout the summer. Topics vary weekly.

Plankton Tow & Teach!
2025-07-02 13:00 - 16:00 | Tofino Resort & Marina, 634 Campbell Street Tofino, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0
Plankton Tow & Teach! Free Event
Plankton are the wanderers of the sea. In sizes from microscopic to gigantic they live their lives at the mercy of ocean currents. Yet their seemingly aimless drifting is the key to life as we know it. Come down to the courtyard at Tofino Resort and Marina to explore this hidden and dynamic world of plankton. Watch us collect samples from our own oceanic back yard via plankton tow, or test out your microscope skills as you scan the micro-verse.
When: Every Wednesday
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Tofino Resort & Marina – down below, in the courtyard between the Adventure Centre & Shelter
Free…Free…Free

Beach Seine Thursdays
2025-07-03 13:00 - 16:00 | Tofino Sea Kayaking, 320 Main Street, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Explore intertidal eelgrass meadows and learn about the animals that live in this important habitat at a beach seine this summer! FREE EVENT
Most of us have probably encountered eelgrass – from spending hours in the ocean alongside these green ribbons, or exploring eelgrass-filled mudflats. Eelgrass meadows create habitat for a myriad of coastal species and act as a highly productive ecosystem. And it’s thanks to eelgrass that today’s halibut fish fry or tonight’s salmon dinner is possible. The meadows form a buffer in the water that softens the impact of waves and currents, reducing coastal erosion and creating a calm habitat. This provides a nursery for many juvenile fish, including rockfish, salmon and halibut, and also provides an ideal habitat for herring to spawn. These fish are preyed upon by waterfowl such as: Great Blue Heron, migrating shorebirds and ducks. In addition, eelgrass blades act as a substrate for diatoms and other algae, which get grazed upon by many eelgrass-dwelling invertebrates such as nudibranchs, crabs and shrimp.
We will work together to pull the seine net up on to the beach, and learn how to handle the animals we catch with care. All animals collected will be gently returned to the ocean.
Gumboots recommended – this program will run rain or shine!
When: Every Thursday
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Tofino Sea Kayaking (320 Main Street)

Tonquin Trail Walk
2025-07-17 13:00 - 15:00 | Tonquin Trail, Arnet Road, Tofino, BC
The Tonquin Trail showcases some of the regions most iconic species and unforgettable views. Join RES for an interpretative walk and take a journey from rainforest to kelp forest. We will discuss a myriad of species, explore the diversity of ecosystems in the coast, and find ourselves enmeshed in their connections. Bring your walking shoes, water, and sense of wonder! Free….Free…Free. No dogs please!

When: Friday, July 4 I Thursday, July 17 l Wednesday, July 30
Time: 1:00-3:00pm
Location: Tonquin Trail access at the Tofino Community Hall
