Raincoast Education Society

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet (in person)
2022-06-13 17:00 - 20:00, 2022-05-16 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Vancouver) | 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 (via Zoom)
2022-06-07 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.

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)
2022-05-24 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)
2022-05-17 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)
2022-05-10 17:00 - 20:00 | https://raincoasteducation.org/calendar-event/small-town-big-picture-tofino-west-coast-ambassador-program-may-10/

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.

Birding on the Mudflats
2022-04-28 12:00 - 14:00, 2022-04-27 11:00 - 13:00, 2022-04-26 10:00 - 12:00 | 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
2022-04-25 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: 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.

Mushrooms of the West Coast 2021
2021-10-08 19:00 - 2021-10-10 13:00 | 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):

Plankton Tuesday!
2021-08-31 13:00 - 15:30 | 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: 1:00-3:30pm
Location: Meet outside Ocean Outfitters (368 Main St.)
Cost: Free

Beach Seine
2021-08-16 13:00 - 15:00 | 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!
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!

Creative Creatures Camp | Ucluelet
2021-08-16 09:00 - 2021-08-20 15:00 | British Columbia
Creative Creatures | Ucluelet
Dates: August 16th-20th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Calling all nature loving Picassos! Be inspired by nature’s beauty and channel your creativity into works of art. With Raincoast’s new “Exploring the Edge” camps, you will construct seashell mosaics, make plant tie-dye, create kayak choreography and so much more! Get ready for a week of endless innovation, exploration and fun in the sun!
Ages: 6- 12
Cost: $250
Drop off and pick up at Ucluelet Community Centre

Register through Ucluelet Parks & Recreation
https://ucluelet.ca/community/parks-recreation

Eco Heroes Camp | Tofino
2021-08-09 09:00 - 2021-08-13 15:30 | British Columbia
Eco Heroes | Tofino
Dates: August 9th-13th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Calling all superheroes! Grab your cape and join us for a week of non-stop adventure! With Raincoast’s’ new “Exploring the Edge” camps, you will fly down sand dunes, race through eco obstacle courses, hop on paddleboards to explore kelp forests and so much more! Get ready for a week of endless excitement, exploration and fun in the sun!
Ages: 6- 12
Cost: $250
Drop off and pick up at Tofino Botanical Gardens

Register through Tofino Recreation Guide
http://www.tofino.ca/recreation

Creative Creatures Camp | Tofino
2021-07-26 09:00 - 2021-07-30 15:00 | British Columbia
Creative Creatures | Tofino
Dates: July 26th-30th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Calling all nature loving Picassos! Be inspired by nature’s beauty and channel your creativity into works of art. With Raincoast’s new “Exploring the Edge” camps, you will construct seashell mosaics, make plant tie-dye, dance on a paddleboard and so much more! Get ready for a week of endless innovation, exploration and fun in the sun!
Ages: 6- 12
Cost: $250
Drop off and pick up at Tofino Community Hall

Register through Tofino Recreation Guide
http://www.tofino.ca/recreation

Eco Heroes Camp | Ucluelet
2021-07-12 09:00 - 2021-07-16 15:00 | British Columbia
Eco Heroes | Ucluelet
Dates: July 12-16th
Times: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
Calling all superheroes! Grab your cape and join us for a week of non-stop adventure! With Raincoast’s new “Exploring the Edge” camps, you will fly down sand dunes, race through eco obstacle courses, hop in kayaks to explore kelp forests and so much more! Get ready for a week of endless excitement, exploration and fun in the sun!
Ages: 6- 12
Cost: $250

Drop off and pick up at Ucluelet Community Centre

Register through Ucluelet Parks & Recreation
https://ucluelet.ca/community/parks-recreation

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino – Ambassador Program Session
2021-06-29 17:00 - 20:00 | Online, 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 local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
This course is a suggested prerequisite for other courses.
Location: Zoom Meeting (Register to receive the meeting link, allow a few minutes for the link to arrive in your inbox).
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 27, May 4, May 11, May 18, May 25, June 1, June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29

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 – Ambassador Program Session
2021-06-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Online, Canada
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: Zoom Meeting (Register to receive the meeting link, allow a few minutes for the link to arrive in your inbox).
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: May 3, May 17, May 31, June 14, June 28

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: Capturing the Coast submission, 2018

Terrestrial Ecology – Ambassador Program Session
2021-06-17 17:00 - 20:00 | Online, 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.
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Zoom Meeting (Register to receive the meeting link, allow a few minutes for the link to arrive in your inbox).
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Dates: May 13, May 20, May 27, June 3, June 10, June 17

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: Two Corvids, April Bencze, Capturing the Coast 2018

Nuu-chah-nulth Lands & Waters – Ambassador Program Session
2021-06-16 17:00 - 20:00 | Online, 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.
The sessions will alternate their regional focus between Ucluelet and Tofino on a weekly rotation (regional focus noted alongside dates listed below).
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Zoom Meeting (Register to receive the meeting link, allow a few minutes for the link to arrive in your inbox).
Time: 5:00 – 8:00pm
Dates: April 28, May 5, May 12, May 19, May 26, June 2, June 9, June 16

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 Gisele Maria Martin.

Marine Ecology – Ambassador Program Session
2021-06-04 17:00 - 20:00 | Online, 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 and Barkley Sounds, including seaweeds, invertebrates, and marine mammals (and more!) as well as local oceanographic conditions. The sessions will alternate their regional focus between Ucluelet and Tofino on a weekly rotation (regional focus noted alongside dates listed below).
Small Town, Big Picture is a suggested prerequisite for this course.
Location: Zoom Meeting (Register to receive the meeting link, allow a few minutes for the link to arrive in your inbox).
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 23, April 30, May 7, May 14, May 28, June 4.

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 Dane Stabel, Capturing the Coast submission.
