Raincoast Education Society

Mushrooms of the West Coast 2021
2021-10-08 19:00 - 2021-10-10 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
This weekend field course will introduce participants to the wonderful world of West Coast Mushrooms. Topics to be covered include introduction to fungi (what are they, and what is their role in our forests?), essentials of collecting and identifying fungi in the field, edible, medicinal and poisonous fungi, cooking with wild mushrooms, and more!
Our Covid Policy: double-vaccinated mandatory to participate

Course Registration is $250 per person, and includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Presentation – overview of wild mushrooms, different fungus groups, role of fungi in ecosystems & mushroom identification.

Saturday (9:00 am – 8:30 pm, with breaks)

Field collection of wild mushrooms at field site.
Group lunch (provided).
Sorting of mushroom collections, spore prints, microscope ID session.
Mushroom cooking demonstration and tasting.
Presentation on foraging and identifying edible mushrooms.

Sunday (9:00 am – 1:00 pm)

Field collection and identification of wild (edible) mushrooms.
Group lunch (provided) and course wrap-up.

About the instructors:

Check out photos from the 2019 course below (due to covid there was not a 2020 course):

Giants of the Deep: Mola mola
2021-11-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Event
My giant buddies: ocean sunfish and the joy of studying them.

They idle about at the ocean surface like lazy orbs, occasionally waving at the world without haste. They look like strange dinosaur fish from the deep, yet they are ultra-modern by evolutionary design. It is of course the strangely shaped ocean sunfish, Mola mola, an iconic member of the West Coast marine megafauna. But did you know a second sunfish species occurs here, too? A brand new species, Mola tecta, only discovered in 2017?
This talk explores some of the latest findings in sunfish research before taking you on a journey to New Zealand to retrace the steps that led to the discovery of Mola tecta, and how citizen science is now providing important insights into its occurrence in the NE Pacific.
About Marianne Nyegaard: After diving with sunfish on a holiday in Indonesia, Marianne become so captivated with these strange fish that she quit her job and embarked on a PhD to study them. What was meant to be a tropical diving project, however, soon became an exercise in detangling the complicated taxonomy of Mola – an adventure that took her back in time over 5 centuries through early European ichthyology, and all the way into modern day genetics. With the help of many, this journey culminated in the discovery of a previously undescribed sunfish species from New Zealand waters – Mola tecta – that continues to fascinate as it pops up in unexpected places, most recently off British Columbia and Alaska. Marianne recently co-founded the New Zealand Ocean Sunfish Research Trust, using citizen science sunfish projects to promote ocean awareness and conservation.

Jellyfish: Friend or Foe?
2021-12-09 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Event
Jellyfish have been in the oceans for 600 million years – they are one of the oldest animal lineages that are still around today. Unfortunately, jellyfish are often seen as pests because of the negative interactions that they have with people. In fact, jellyfish are integral for healthy ecosystems, but they don’t get much credit for it. This session will explore some of the key roles that jellyfish play in the ocean and balance the narrative that is typically associated with these stinging beauties.

Jessica Schaub is currently a PhD Student in Oceanography at the University of British Columbia. Despite growing up in rural, northern Alberta, Jessica has been drawn to ocean sciences from a young age. In her final months of high school before moving to Vancouver to pursue her degree, Jessica watched a documentary that reported a jellyfish crisis that was unfolding among Japanese fishers. This documentary illuminated the huge knowledge gaps that surrounded jellyfish and pointed to a clear social impact that could be resolved by filling these knowledge gaps. Her interests quickly narrowed, and her entire post-secondary education has been a pursuit of the elusive and enigmatic world of jellyfish ecology. Jessica has been fortunate to conduct research along the BC coast from Calvert Island to Vancouver. Her research has included aerial mapping of jellyfish blooms with drones, figuring out their diets, investigating their microbiomes, and husbandry in aquaria. Jessica is looking forward to her PhD, where she intends to evaluate claims that jellyfish can be considered keystone species.

Giants of the Deep: Basking Sharks
2022-01-13 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Event
Photo: Basking Shark / Chris Train
Not that long ago, Basking Sharks, the second largest fish in the world were a common occurrence along the west coast of Vancouver Island. The last time this species was regularly observed on the BC coast was in Clayoquot Sound in the early 1990s. In this presentation Scott will explain the biology, shameful history, current research, and future recovery of the basking shark in Canada’s Pacific waters.
About Scott Wallace: Scott is a lifelong biologist, most happy when wearing gumboots and being with people in the outdoors. He has recently become a partner and owner-operator of a new lodge in Bamfield, Outer Shores Lodge. Before pivoting to Outer Shores Lodge, Scott worked as a marine ecologist at the David Suzuki Foundation for 15 years in the capacity of Senior Research Scientist. He is an educator, author, activist, naturalist, and fisheries researcher whose career has focused on marine conservation. Scott holds a PhD from the University of British Columbia and has taught several university and college level courses on the marine and coastal ecology of British Columbia. Scott currently teaches courses with North Island College’s Adventure Guiding program , UBC’s Haida Gwaii Institute, and is a fisheries advisor to the Council of the Haida Nation. In 2006 Scott wrote a book about basking sharks in Canada’s Pacific waters.

Rorquals: The Largest Whales on Earth
2022-02-17 20:00 - 21:30 | Zoom Event
Rorquals –
what a beautiful word, it rolls around your mouth
before unfurling on your tongue.
Rorquals –
what beautiful creatures, the ethereal giants of the deep.

Including the two largest animal species on planet Earth, rorquals are a group of baleen whale species which are characterised by deep ventral grooves that extend from the chin, down the throat to the belly and expand like a bellows to allow the whale to gulp-feed. Most of the rorqual species were hunted during the commercial hunting era, pushing their population numbers to the brink of extinction and leaving many still in dire need of conservation efforts. British Columbia is an important habitat for some of these rorquals, including an unusual occurrence of the predominantly oceanic fin whale in coastal BC. In this presentation, Éadin will focus on the rorquals of BC – taking you through some key aspects of their biology, culture, anthropogenic threats and finally touching on the ongoing research carried out by herself and the rest of the team at BC Whales.
About Éadin N. O’Mahony: Éadin, pronounced ‘Aid-een’, is an Irish-German marine biologist, coastguard rescue officer and novice potter. When she was a small child, her family moved from the urban jungle of Berlin to the wild Atlantic coast of southern Ireland, where her love of the sea was nurtured. During her undergraduate degree in conservation biology, Éadin had the opportunity to work with the North Coast Cetacean Society, or “BC Whales” – this becoming her very first visit to British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest. It didn’t take long for her to get hooked, recognising the integral part whales play in ecosystem health and human conservation efforts. Éadin continued to work with BC Whales for her Masters (by Research), collecting whale blow with drones as a source of DNA for population genetics research. She has just embarked on her PhD journey, together with BC Whales and the University of St Andrews’ Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU). Her PhD aims to bring together new and non-invasive genetic sampling techniques, aiming to develop a coastwide biomonitoring network that investigates biodiversity levels in relation to Marine Protected Areas. She is passionate about bringing people and nature together, and dreams of this project bringing together knowledge, biomonitoring tools, data and a care for the sea, to help local communities lead on the protection of their seascapes. Her winters are spent in Scotland, her summers in BC, and she is at her best when out in the elements, in, on or under the sea.

Giant Squid: #5 of the Giants of the Deep Speaker Series
2022-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom Event
What is a giant squid? Many different species have been referred to by this name, from the “calamar gigante” that Danna studied in Mexico and California to other species alternately known as warty squid, clubhook squid, and colossal squid. Danna will give a tour of the unique features and record-holders of each species, with plenty of attention to the one most strongly associated with the name “giant”: Architeuthis dux. She’ll also present her research on Humboldt squid, a smaller but still formidable cousin, and discuss the crucial roles all of these “monsters” play at the center of oceanic food webs.
About Danna Staaf: Danna is a marine biologist and author with special expertise in cephalopods. After falling in love with octopuses at age ten, she kept two of these amazing animals in a home aquarium, learned to scuba dive, and eventually earned a PhD in Humboldt squid reproduction and development (or “squid sex and babies”) from Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station. Now a freelance science communicator, she wrote Monarchs of the Sea: The Extraordinary 500-Million-Year History of Cephalopods (previously titled Squid Empire, and named one of the best science books of 2017 by NPR). Her next book, The Lady and the Octopus: How Jeanne Villepreux-Power Invented Aquariums and Revolutionized Marine Biology, is coming out in October. She also created the science outreach program Squids4Kids, and visits schools at every grade level, as well as venues from museums and libraries to tech companies.

Discover and Dine: Shellfish
2022-04-10 10:00 - 20:30 | Long Beach Lodge Resort, 1441 Pacific Rim Hwy
This unique event offers nourishment for the mind and belly! In partnership with the Raincoast Society, Long Beach Lodge Resort is hosting a ‘Discover & Dine’ experience that include a hands-on, coastline-focused workshop on mollusks, followed by three-course-feast, prepared by Chef Shaun Snelling, in honour of the lesson.
Limited space available so be sure to reserve your spot today: events@longbeachlodgeresort.com or call 250.725.2442.
One day, three unique sessions:
Discover, 10 am- 12 pm
Meet in the Rainforest Room, lower level of Long Beach Lodge Resort, for an education session
The day will begin with a hands on lesson and field trip with Marine Biologist Educators from Raincoast Education Society. We will share our insights on bivalves and how their biology relates to safe and sustainable harvesting. Learn which species are found locally, how they are harvested, and what shellfish do for our oceans!
Discover more, 2-4 pm
Meet in the Rainforest Room, lower level of Long Beach Lodge Resort, for a culinary demonstration
Ever wondered how to prepare a shellfish feast? After a break for lunch we will reconvene at Long Beach Lodge Resort for a demonstration on shellfish preparation and cooking techniques. After the demonstration, take some time to relax in the Great Room while the kitchen prepares your feast!
Dine, 6 pm
Take a seat in the Great Room at Long Beach Lodge Resort, for a 3-course feast
To conclude the day we will enjoy a 3-course shellfish feast specifically designed by Executive Chef Shaun Snelling to highlight the delicious flavours of this diverse category of seafood.

Birding on the Mudflats
2022-04-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Hotel Zed Tofino, 1258 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada
On the birding platform at Hotel Zed
FREE event
Monday April 25, 9 – 11am, Tuesday April 26, 10am – 12pm, Wednesday April 27, 11am – 1pm, Thursday April 28, 12 – 2pm
Find fellow birders, spotting scopes and bird guide Mark Maftei from the RES!
This is the best opportunity to spend some time down on the Tofino mudflats to view flocks of shorebirds foraging and resting during their annual migration north. The mudflats at this location offer some of the best and most accessible high-quality shorebird habitat in Tofino. We’ve timed these session to coincide the rising tide when birds are pushed up towards the upper mudflats for a better view. This is a great event for both new and experienced birders, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area.
Bring your binoculars or spotting scope, or else we will have a couple to share. Free Parking at Hotel Zed. No dogs please.

Birding on the Mudflats
2022-04-26 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-04-27 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-04-28 12:00 - 14:00 | Hotel Zed Tofino, 1258 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada
On the birding platform at Hotel Zed
FREE event
Monday April 25 9 – 11am / Tuesday April 26 10am – 12pm / Wednesday April 27 11am – 1pm / Thursday April 28, 12 – 2pm
Find fellow birders, spotting scopes and bird guide Mark Maftei from the RES!
This is the best opportunity to spend some time down on the Tofino mudflats to view flocks of shorebirds foraging and resting during their annual migration north. The mudflats at this location offer some of the best and most accessible high-quality shorebird habitat in Tofino. We’ve timed these session to coincide the rising tide when birds are pushed up towards the upper mudflats for a better view. This is a great event for both new and experienced birders, as well as anyone interested in learning more about the Tofino Mudflats Wildlife Management Area.
Bring your binoculars or spotting scope, or else we will have a couple to share. Free Parking at Hotel Zed. No dogs please.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (in person)
2022-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Long Beach Lodge Resort, 1441 Pacific Rim Hwy
WE APOLOGIZE! DUE TO ILLNESS WE HAVE HAD TO CANCEL THIS SESSION. SO SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE AND HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO PICK AN ALTERNATE DATE HERE.
The West Coast Ambassador Program: This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: In person at Long Beach Beach Lodge in the Rainforest Room
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24 & June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (via Zoom)
2022-05-10 17:00 - 20:00 | https://raincoasteducation.org/calendar-event/small-town-big-picture-tofino-west-coast-ambassador-program-may-10/
The West Coast Ambassador Program: This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Zoom
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24 & June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet (in person)
2022-05-16 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
The West Coast Ambassador Program: This three-hour orientation session 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 Ucluelet.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: In person at the George Fraser Room at the Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Zoom Dates: May 2, 30 & June 27
In Person Dates: May 16 & June 13
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.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (in person)
2022-05-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Long Beach Lodge Resort, 1441 Pacific Rim Hwy
This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: In person at Long Beach Beach Lodge in the Rainforest Room
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24 & June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (via Zoom)
2022-05-24 17:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Event
This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Zoom
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24 & June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (in person)
2022-05-31 17:00 - 20:00 | Long Beach Lodge Resort, 1441 Pacific Rim Hwy
The West Coast Ambassador Program: This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: In person at Long Beach Beach Lodge in the Rainforest Room
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24 & June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (via Zoom)
2022-06-07 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-21 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-06-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Event

Seaweeds of the West Coast 2022
2022-06-17 08:30 - 2022-06-19 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?), biodiversity of west coast seaweeds, essentials of collecting and identifying seaweeds, seaweed foraging, the relationship between seaweeds and people, pressing and preserving seaweeds, and more!
We are excited to welcome back course instructors Dr. Bridgette Clarkston and Dr. Katy Hind who will come to Ucluelet to share their seaweed knowledge and expertise with us.

Course registration is $250 per person, and includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday, June 17 (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

Presentation – overview of west coast seaweeds, different seaweed groups, role of seaweeds in coastal marine ecosystems.

Saturday, June 18th (8:30 am – 8:30 pm, with breaks) Low tide is at 10:49 am (0.2 feet / 0.7 m)

Field trip to explore seaweeds on Tofino’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 – seaweeds and people: from traditional uses to modern foraging, and everything in between.

Sunday, June 19th (8:30 am – 12:00 pm) Low tide is at 11:40 am (0.4 feet / 1.3 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 instructors:
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. Katy Hind is a seaweed biologist and teaching professor at the University of New Brunswick. She has taught seaweed biodiversity courses at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and the University of Victoria. Katy’s research focuses on understanding the ecology, biodiversity and communities of marine calcifying algae (coralline algae) around the world. She has described over 10 new species of coralline algae! To find out more about Katy’s teaching and research visit www.katyhind.com.

Check out photos of the previous years:

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino (via Zoom)
2022-07-05 17:00 - 20:00 | Zoom Event
The West Coast Ambassador Program: This three-hour orientation session 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.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Zoom
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
In Person Dates: May 3, 17 & 31
Zoom Dates: May 10, 24, June 7, 21, 28 & July 5
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.

Photo by Shaun Stewart, Capturing the Coast submission.

Plankton Tuesdays!
2022-07-12 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-07-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-07-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-08-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-08-09 13:00 - 16:00, 2022-08-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Ocean Outfitters, 368 Main Street, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Plankton Tuesday!
Though you may not always see them – plankton are out there, and some will become a feast for tiny fish or giant whales. Come observe plankton from up close and learn more! Stop by the breezeway next to Ocean Outfitters – plankton samples will be ready for microscope observation of these fascinating creatures.
Date: Every Tuesday in July and August
Time: 1:00-4:00pm
Location: Outside Ocean Outfitters (368 Main St.)
Cost: Free

Magical Mushroom Talk with Andy MacKinnon
2022-08-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
“Fairy rings, elfin saddles and witch’s butter…enter an enchanted realm!”
Saturday 7 pm
August 27: George Fraser Room; Ucluelet Community Centre
*admission is by donation and seating limited so will be first come
Andy is the best-selling co-author of “Mushrooms of BC”. Join us for an entertaining evening program−yes you can buy his book! Andy has taught rainforest ecology field courses for UVic and UBC and co-taught the RES course “Mushrooms of the West Coast” since 2010.
MacKinnon poster 2022 proof
