Raincoast Education Society

Discover and Dine: Shellfish
2022-04-10 10:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | 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, 2022-08-30 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

Magical Mushroom Walk with Andy MacKinnon
2022-08-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Amphitrite Lighthouse, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 2A0, Canada
“Fairy rings, elfin saddles and witch’s butter…enter an enchanted realm!”
Wild Pacific Trail free guided walk into the magical realm of mushrooms
Meet at Amphitrite Lighthouse August 28, 10 am
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

Mushrooms of the West Coast 2022
2022-10-07 19:00 - 2022-10-09 13:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, 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!

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, and mushroom identification.

Saturday (9:00 am – 4:30 pm, and 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)

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.
Evening 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:

2021 Mushroom Course Photos!

Let's talk about Seaside Snakes
2022-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
A Seaside Snake Story: Neighborhood Garter Snakes and their Amazing Relatives

Snakes are amazing critters that live in many regions of the world. They are misunderstood and feared in ways that has contributed to their decline in many areas. In B.C., there are nine species of snake, six of which are of conservation concern.
The remaining three species however (all garter snakes) are often quite abundant locally and might even live in your backyard.
Come learn all about garter snakes and the cool part that they play in the west coast ecosystems around us!
When: Wednesday, November 9th @ 7pm
Where: George Fraser Room; Ucluelet Community Centre
*admission is by donation and seating limited so will be first come
A Speaker Series event presented by Raincoast Education and Wetland Stewards Societies
Krysia Tuttle, M.Sc., R.P.Bio: Krysia is a passionate wildlife biologist, park naturalist, and outdoor enthusiast, with over 20 years experience working with wildlife and in the great outdoors. She began catching snakes and frogs at a very early age and studied Plains Garter Snakes in the aspen parklands of Alberta (which means she caught and hung out with over 600 snakes during the summers!!!).
She works at LGL Limited environmental research associates on a wide variety of wildlife and fish projects. She specializes in long-term wildlife population monitoring, wetland restoration, amphibian and reptile studies (herpetology), small mammal monitoring, remote camera work, radiotelemetry, and Species at Risk projects.
She has been involved with several educational and outreach programs, and loves giving talks to communities including elementary school programs in Victoria, UVic Biology Dept., BC Parks, Let’s Talk Science programs, and Saturna Island Marine and Research Education Society.
She lives in Victoria, B.C. with her husband, two daughters (Brea and Maisie), and their dog Sandpiper.

Working the night shift: Urban racoons in Canada
2023-01-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Event
Life At Night, Speakers Series 2023
Working the night shift: Urban racoons in Canada
They work at night, traveling unseen through the city like masked bandits, one of the true success stories of species adapting to human disturbance. How do raccoons (Procyon lotor) survive so well in the urban jungle? And are humans unwittingly creating an ‘Uber raccoon’? In this talk I will explore what we know about raccoons, how they live alongside us, and how they may eventually take over the world…if we let them!
About our speaker: Dr. Suzanne E. MacDonald is currently a University Professor in the Department of Psychology at York University, appointed to the graduate programs in both Psychology and Biology. She has three main areas of research expertise, including memory and cognition (“how animals think”), the psychological well-being of captive animals, and the impact of human activity on wildlife. Her research is conducted both in the field, at sites in Kenya and throughout Canada, as well as at the Toronto Zoo, where she has volunteered as their Behaviorist for over 25 years.

Best of both worlds: Moth antenna on a smelling drone
2023-02-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Zoom Event
Nature has developed amazing chemical sensors which greatly surpass man-made sensors in sensitivity and speed. A male Manduca sexta hawkmoth can sense the female’s pheromone in concentrations as small as 1 in 10^17 molecules of air! To learn more about and mimic the way moths locate food and mates, I equipped a small palm-sized drone, dubbed “the Smellicopter”, with a live moth antenna to smell odors. This autonomous drone flies in a way inspired by how moths seek out the source of an odor, and is able to do so even while flying around obstacles. Join me and learn about the amazing smelling ability of moths and the Smellicopter!
About our speaker: Dr.Melanie Anderson is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Washington under Professor Tom Daniel in the Biology Department and is funded in part by her Fellowship through the UW CoMotion Startup Incubator. She received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in 2021. Her research focuses on biohybrid robotic systems, especially those that fuse multisensory input towards fully autonomous operation. She has received the National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (2018-21), the UW Mechanical Engineering Distinguished Dissertation Award (2022), her Fellowship through the UW CoMotion Postdoctoral Entrepreneurship Program (2022-23), and has recently been selected for a Washington Research Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2023-2026). Her most notable academic achievement is the creation of the Smellicopter, a biohybrid palm-sized drone which uses a live moth antenna as a chemical sensor to autonomously seek out the source of a chemical odor. The Smellicopter has been featured in news articles and film segments such as UW News, IEEE Spectrum, WIRED, and Oregon Public Broadcasting. Melanie Anderson currently is working towards exploring commercialization of her biohybrid technologies which, in the future, she hopes can be used in scenarios such as detecting pests and disease in agriculture, locating bombs/drugs in law enforcement or the armed forces, or even quickly locating survivors in disaster scenarios with search-and-rescue services.
