Raincoast Education Society

Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language, December
2019-12-05 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Vancouver) | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language introduction & practice sessions.
Join us to learn about Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth languages and world view. Explore writing systems, practice sounds, sentences and enjoy a glimpse into the significance of the official language of this place, (as declared in 2017) the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth!
Gisele Martin, Nuu-chah-nulth Language and Culture Educator, will lead an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth language. All are welcome at this public event!
The meetup will be held in the Ecolodge Classroom at the Tofino Botanical Gardens.
This event is the fourth in a series lead by Gisele. Gisele Maria Martin is a citizen of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She is a Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture activist, educator and artist.

Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language, November
2019-11-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Common Loaf Bake Shop, 180 First Street, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language introduction & practice sessions.
Join us to learn about Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth languages and world view. Explore writing systems, practice sounds, sentences and enjoy a glimpse into the significance of the official language of this place, (as declared in 2017) the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth!
Gisele Martin, Nuu-chah-nulth Language and Culture Educator, will lead an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth language. All are welcome at this public event!
The meetup will be held upstairs at Common Loaf Bake Shop.
This event is the third in a series lead by Gisele. The fourth “Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language” event will be held in early December, time and location TBC.
Gisele Maria Martin is a citizen of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She is a Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture activist, educator and artist.

Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language, Evening Meetup
2019-10-24 19:00 - 21:00 | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language introduction & practice sessions.
Join us to learn about Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth languages and world view. Explore writing systems, practice sounds, sentences and enjoy a glimpse into the significance of the official language of this place, (as declared in 2017) the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth!
Gisele Martin, Nuu-chah-nulth Language and Culture Educator, will lead an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth language. All are welcome at this public event!
The meetup will be held in the Ecolodge Classroom at the Tofino Botanical Gardens.
This event is the second in a series lead by Gisele. The third “Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language” event will be held in late November, time and location TBC.
Gisele Maria Martin is a citizen of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She is a Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture activist, educator and artist.

Mushrooms of the West Coast 2019
2019-10-11 19:00 - 2019-10-13 19:00 | Tofino, Tofino, BC, 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 $240 per person, and includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Friday (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
• Introductory presentation for mushroom course participants – overview of wild mushrooms, different fungus groups, role of fungi in ecosystems & mushroom identification.
Saturday (8:30 am – 8:30 pm, with breaks)
• Field collection of wild mushrooms at field site.
• Sorting of mushroom collections, spore prints, microscope ID session.
• That Mushroom looks delicious! Will it kill me?
Sunday (8:30 am – 1:00 pm)
• Field collection and identification of wild mushrooms at field site. Group lunch and course wrap-up.

About the instructors:
Dr. Shannon Berch is an Emeritus Research Scientist with the BC Ministry of Environment in Victoria and a founding member of the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society and the Truffle Association of British Columbia.
Dr. Andy MacKinnon is a forest ecologist who lives in Metchosin BC. His fields of study include BC’s native plants, fungi and lichens. Andy is co-author of six field guides to plants of western North America, an Adjunct Professor in the School of Resource and Environmental Management at Simon Fraser University, and President of the South Vancouver Island Mycological Society.

Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language, Morning Meetup
2019-10-03 10:00 - 12:00
Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language introduction & practice sessions
Join us to learn about Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth languages and world view. Explore writing systems, practice sounds, sentences and enjoy a glimpse into the significance of the official language of this place, (as declared in 2017) the ƛaʔuukʷiʔatḥ / Tla-o-qui-aht Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth!
Gisele Martin, Nuu-chah-nulth Language and Culture Educator, will lead an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth language. All are welcome at this public event!
Location and further details coming soon!
This event is the first in a series lead by Gisele. The second “Nuučaanuł /Nuu-chah-nulth Leaves & Language” event will be Oct 24 2019 at 7pm, location TBC.
Gisele Maria Martin is a citizen of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island. She is a Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture activist, educator and artist.

Raincoast Walk
2019-08-28 13:00 - 14:30 | Cox Bay Beach (meet on beach at end of public access trail across from Visitors Centre), Canada
Join us every Sunday and Wednesday this summer for a free rainforest walk!
Cox Bay Beach (meet on beach at end of public beach access trail across from Visitors Centre)
Coastal temperate rainforests are one of the world’s rarest ecosystems, comprising less than 0.1% of the earth’s surface. British Columbia is home to more than 25% of the earth’s remaining old-growth temperate rainforests, with Clayoquot Sound containing the largest tracts of ancient rainforest on Vancouver Island. Our guided rainforest walks will provide you with a unique understanding of this globally significant ecosystem, from the impressive diversity of flora and fauna to the interconnections with the marine environment to the rich environmental and cultural history that defines the landscape to this day. The ancient rainforests of Clayoquot Sound provide a rare glimpse into the evolutionary potential of this magnificent coastal landscape. Our expert guides draw on both scientific and cultural perspectives to provide you with a strong understanding of what makes these rainforests so significant.
If tides permit, we will also touch on the intertidal ecosystem. Tide pools exist in the rocky intertidal zone (intertidal: the area between the highest high tide and the lowest low tide). Our coast is subject to two high-tides and two low-tides everyday (~6 hrs between each change); thus, half the time the rocky intertidal zone is underwater and half the time it is exposed to the air. Not only do the hearty marine creatures that inhabit this rugged environment have to deal with fierce waves, cold water and marine predation when the tide is in, they also have to adapt to being out of the water for extended periods and avoid terrestrial predation when the tide is out.

Plankton!
2019-08-27 11:30 - 13:00 | Ocean Outfitters, 368 Main Street, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Come learn about Plankton every Tuesday in July and August!
Where: Ocean Outfitters (368 Main St.)
The plankton (from greek planktos, meaning wanderer) are marine organisms that live in the water column and cannot swim against the current. Some are photosynthetic and use the sun’s energy to grow, while others are true animals, eating other organisms to grow. In fact, most marine invertebrates start off their lives in planktonic form! Though you may not always see them – plankton are out there, and some will become a feast for tiny fish or giant whales.
If you want to observe plankton from up close and would like to learn more, stop by Ocean Outfitters (368 Main Street Tofino). Plankton samples will be ready for microscope observation of these fascinating creatures.

Young Naturalists Camp (Tofino)
2019-08-12 12:00 - 2019-08-16 16:00 | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
This camp is all about the coastal environment!
Days will be full of forest exploration, water activities and survival games, with a focus on local ecology.

Cost: $125
Ages: 4-6
Registration: Max. 20 campers
Parents drop off at 12:00 and pick up between 15:30 and 16:00 at various locations to be determined. All details will be emailed to parents of registered children.

Register your child for Young Naturalists (Tofino) through Tofino Recreation:
Online: http://tofino.ca/recreation
By Phone: 250-725-3229 ext 704 or 705
In Person: District office, 121 Third Street, Tofino

Forest Camp (Tofino)
2019-07-29 09:00 - 2019-08-02 15:00 | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
Discover the wonders of the forest and practice your outdoor survival skills!
Camp days include exciting agility and survival games, tricks to stay alive in the woods, and a competition to build the best outdoor shelter possible.

Cost: $175
Ages: 6-12
Registration: Max. 20 campers
Parents drop off at TBG at 9:00 and pick up at TBG between 14:30 and 15:00

Register your child for Forest Camp (Tofino) through Tofino Recreation:
Online: http://tofino.ca/recreation
By Phone: 250-725-3229 ext 704 or 705
In Person: District office, 121 Third Street, Tofino

Ocean Camp (Ucluelet)
2019-07-22 09:00 - 2019-07-26 15:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
This camp is all about salt water and anything that lives in it!
Explore coastal nooks and crannies on a paddle-board (all levels), build your own raft to enter in a race and roast treats over a beach campfire – these are just a few activities that will take place during Ocean Camp.

Cost: $195
Ages: 6-12
Registration: Max. 20 campers
Parents drop off at UCC at 9:00 and pick up at UCC between 14:30 and 15:00

Register your child for Ocean Camp (Ucluelet) through Ucluelet Parks and Recreation:
Online: https://ca.apm.activecommunities.com/recreationucluelet/Home
By Phone: 250 726-7772
In Person: Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive

Ocean Camp (Tofino)
2019-07-08 09:00 - 2019-07-12 15:00 | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
This camp is all about salt water and anything that lives in it! Explore coastal nooks and crannies on a paddle-board (all levels), build your own raft to enter in a race and roast treats over a beach campfire – these are just a few activities that will take place during Ocean Camp.

Cost: $195
Ages: 6-12
Registration: Max. 20 campers
Parents drop off at TBG at 9:00 and pick up at TBG between 14:30 and 15:00

Register your child for Ocean Camp (Tofino) through Tofino Recreation:
Online: http://tofino.ca/recreation
By Phone: 250-725-3229 ext 704 or 705
In Person: District office, 121 Third Street, Tofino

Invertebrates of the West Coast 2019
2019-06-21 19:00 - 2019-06-23 19:00 | Tofino, Tofino, BC, Canada
This weekend field course, based out of the Tofino Botanical Gardens, will introduce participants to the diversity and ecology of Pacific Northwest invertebrates.
Topics to be covered in this year’s course include an introduction to invertebrates (What are they? What is their role in coastal ecology?), invertebrate biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest, morphology and adaptations of common phyla, scientific drawing, and creating invert art!

Course fee is $250 and includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday and admission to the Aquarium

Dr. Kylee Pawluk
Dr. Kylee Pawluk is a marine ecologist and invertebrate lover. Kylee’s research has focused on understanding how environmental and biological factors influence marine invertebrates and seaweeds. She has been an instructor at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and the University of Victoria teaching various courses such as marine invertebrate zoology and coastal conservation. She is currently the Regional Projects Coordinator for the Marine Plan Partnership for the North Pacific Coast (MaPP) working on marine spatial planning.
To find out more about Kylee visit http://kpawluk.com/

FRIDAY, JUNE 21st

Classroom Session (19:00 – 21:00)
• Introductory presentation: In this first lecture we will discuss what makes an invertebrate and how they differ from other groups of organisms. We will then go over the major groupings of invertebrates and delve into some of the most common ones we find on the west coast.

SATURDAY, JUNE 22nd

Intertidal Field Trip (8:30 – 12:00)
Low tide is at 10:55 am (1.7 feet / 0.52 m)
• Field trip to explore the intertidal zone on Tofino’s rocky coast and practice naturalist skills, including fundamentals of invertebrate identification and characteristics of common phyla.
• Work on observational drawings at field site – bring journals and cameras to record habitat info.
Lunch (12:00 – 13:00)
• Sandwiches provided, bring your own snacks and drinks. We will stay on the beach to eat if it’s nice!
Visit to the Ucluelet Aquarium! (13:00 – 17:00)
• This will give you the opportunity to spend some time looking carefully at certain invertebrates and hopefully see some we weren’t able to find in the field. This is your opportunity to pick a few invertebrates to get to know well!
Invertebrate Printmaking (19:00 – 21:00)
with nature printmaker Allison Tremain
• Allison will guide participants in the art of carving an invertebrate. The workshop will include knowledge sharing and the integration of art in science.
• Each participant will print and create their own invertebrate print to take home as a keepsake of their experience in the course.

SUNDAY, JUNE 23rd

Classroom Session (8:30 – 9:30)
• Lecture topic TBA
Intertidal Field Trip (9:30 – 12:30)
Low tide is at 11:35 am (3.0 feet / 0.9 m)
• Putting it all together: field trip to identify invertebrates and their communities in nature, including opportunities to share what you’ve learned with the group.
Lunch (12:30 – 13:00)
• Group lunch and course wrap-up.

Small Town, Big Picture - TAP Session
2019-06-13 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
~ CANCELLED ~
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 locals information about living and working in Tofino.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Tofino Community Hall in the multi-purpose room (351 Arnet Road)
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 1, May 8, May 9, May 15, May 22, June 5, June 12, June 13
Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!
This program is offered as a joint initiative of the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Raincoast Education Society. Thank you to the District of Tofino for donating this space. Tourism Tofino is the main sponsor of this FREE program, along with the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala event (May 9th).

Small Town, Big Picture - TAP Session
2019-06-12 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-06-05 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-15 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-09 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-08 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
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 locals information about living and working in Tofino.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Tofino Community Hall in the multi-purpose room (351 Arnet Road)
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 1, May 8, May 9, May 15, May 22, June 5, June 12, June 13
Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!
This program is offered as a joint initiative of the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Raincoast Education Society. Thank you to the District of Tofino for donating this space. Tourism Tofino is the main sponsor of this FREE program, along with the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala event (May 9th).

Nuu-chah-nulth Land & Waters - TAP Session
2019-06-10 17:30 - 20:30, 2019-06-06 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-30 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-28 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-27 17:30 - 20:30, 2019-05-13 17:30 - 20:30 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
This three-hour session is an introduction to Nuu-chah-nulth homelands, culture, and language. Learn about local history, cross cultural understanding, Nuu-chah-nulth language, and cultural world view. Explore the ancient and continued interconnections between the local landscape, the ocean and First Nations culture.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Tofino Community Hall in the multi-purpose room (351 Arnet Road)
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm or *5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Dates: May 13*, May 27 *, May 28, May 30, June 6, June 10*
Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!
This program is offered as a joint initiative of the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Raincoast Education Society. Thank you to the District of Tofino for donating this space. Tourism Tofino is the main sponsor of this FREE program, along with the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala event (May 9th).

Terrestrial Ecology - TAP Session
2019-06-04 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-29 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-23 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
This three-hour session, taught by Barb Beasley, focuses on coastal terrestrial ecosystems. From the forest floor to the top of the canopy, this course will explore the interactions that occur in our local terrestrial ecosystems and the many species that inhabit them.
This course is run outdoors, so please come prepared with a sweater or jacket and some sturdy shoes. You may also like to bring a cushion or small pad/tarp to sit on for a few of the lessons (stops in the forest or elsewhere) as well as a portable notebook. We will meet outside the Tofino Community Hall multi-purpose room, then walk from there.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: meet outside the Tofino Community Hall multi-purpose room (351 Arnet Road)
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 23, May 29, June 4
Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!
This program is offered as a joint initiative of the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Raincoast Education Society. Thank you to the District of Tofino for donating this space. Tourism Tofino is the main sponsor of this FREE program, along with the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala event (May 9th).

Marine Ecology - TAP Session
2019-06-03 17:00 - 20:00, 2019-05-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall, 351 Arnet Road, Tofino, British Columbia, V0R3A0, Canada
This three-hour session focuses on the rich marine environment that plays an integral role in life on this coast. This course will cover the intertidal and pelagic ecosystems of Clayoquot Sound, including seaweeds, invertebrates, and marine mammals (and more!) as well as local oceanographic conditions.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Tofino Community Hall in the multi-purpose room (351 Arnet Road)
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 30, May 16, June 3
Participants of the Ambassador course will receive an Ambassador Card. Show your card for discounts and benefits at many local businesses!
This program is offered as a joint initiative of the Tofino Long Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Raincoast Education Society. Thank you to the District of Tofino for donating this space. Tourism Tofino is the main sponsor of this FREE program, along with the Chamber’s Business Excellence Awards gala event (May 9th).

Seaweeds of the West Coast 2019
2019-05-17 19:00 - 2019-05-19 13:00 | Tofino Botanical Gardens, 1084 Pacific Rim Hwy, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0, Canada
This weekend field course, based out of the Tofino Botanical Gardens, will introduce participants to the world of west coast seaweeds. This year we are running the course on the Victoria Day long weekend to give everyone (and the instructors) a little bit more time to enjoy the beautiful west coast. Come spend your holiday with us in Tofino!
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!

Course fee is $240 and includes lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Dr. Bridgette Clarkston is a seaweed enthusiast and co-author of the field guide, Pacific Seaweeds: A Guide to Common Seaweeds of the West Coast. She is a science educator and avid photographer with over 11 years of teaching and outreach experience. She has worked with initiatives such as the Beaty Biodiversity Museum, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre and the Carl Wieman Science Education Initiative at the University of British Columbia. She specialized in seaweed taxonomy during her PhD at the University of New Brunswick where she discovered several new species of red seaweed, including one she named Euthora timburtonii. Currently, she is a faculty member in the Botany department at the University of British Columbia. To find out more about Bridgette visit http://bridgetteclarkston.blogspot.com/p/im-nature-nerd.html

Dr. Katy Hind is a seaweed biologist and Hakai Scholar. She is currently working as the Senior Laboratory Coordinator at UVic. In her research, she has described new species of seaweed using an integrative approach that combines molecular techniques, historical DNA, morphology, biogeography, and ecology. To find out more about Katy’s research visit www.katyhind.com.

COURSE SCHEDULE (subject to change)
Friday (7:00 pm – 8:30 pm)
Evening Classroom
• Introductory presentation: An overview of west coast seaweeds, different seaweed groups, role of seaweeds in coastal marine ecosystems.
Saturday (8:00 am – 5:00 pm; 7:00 – 8:30 pm)
Field and Classroom
• 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 – bring journals and cameras to record habitat info.
Low tide is at 7:11 am (1.7 feet / 0.52 m)
• Seaweed identification and pressing workshop.
• Practice using dichotomous keys, field guides and online databases to identify unknown specimens.
• Create your own scientific and artistic seaweed presses.
• Seaweeds and people: from traditional uses to modern foraging, and everything in between
Sunday (8:00 am – 1:00 pm)
Field
• 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. Group lunch and course wrap-up.
Low tide is at 7:53 am (1.4 feet / 0.43 m)

Our Seaweeds of the West Coast course has been featured on Ocean Outfitters’ blog!
