How I Capture the Secret World Beneath Our Feet
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Vancouver) | Zoom Event
Right outside our door lies a secret world. Thousands of tiny creatures living out complex lives that go largely unseen by human eyes. But if you know where to look, and how, you’d be shocked at the complex dramas that are unfolding in our very backyards, this very minute. Today we’re going to take a tour of some of the hidden stories that play out right under our feet. Just centimeters below the surface of what might be an unassuming patch of soil are some of the weirdest creatures imaginable, and with tools that fit right in our pockets, we can capture their stories for the world to see. What I want to introduce to you today, are some of the inner workings of the documentary filmmaking process of some of these tiny beasts, and show you how telling these stories can help save our planet’s biodiversity.

About our speaker: Spencer Hoffman is a documentary filmmaker with a background in biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. From a very young age, he found his imagination captured by the strange little things that lurked out in nature. This secret world, as he grew to call it, offered him an escape from the mundane and hustle of regular life, and became a way for him to merge his creative and scientific passions. Inspired by the likes of Steve Irwin and Jeremy Wade, his work follows him on a journey to uncover the natural world’s greatest secrets. On his YouTube channel, MyWildBackyard, he features everything from the world’s deadliest spiders to obscure insects that have never been filmed before in history. His goal is to capture the imagination of the public with the same creatures that captured his own as a child, and shift public opinions on “creepy-crawlies” to create meaningful cultural shift that will lead to better conservation of our biosphere. While sensational encounters have driven the best results, the types of animals that never fail to bring him back out into the field have always been the most strange and obscure, and have fueled a passion that takes him all over the world.
Check out Spencer’s YouTube Channel @mywildbackyard – AMAZING!

Notes from the Underground
2025-02-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom Event
More species live underground than live aboveground. There’s more life, and more living, in the soil, than there is above it. And everything that happens in our world is dependent on, and to some extent determined by, what happens in the subterranean world. Our land use and management have profound, and mostly unknown, effects on this underground world. This presentation will dig into west coast soils and see who lives there, what they’re up to, and what effect their activities have in our aboveground world.

Dr. Andy MacKinnon is a forest ecologist and environmental educator with a deep passion for the natural world. His extensive field experience and profound knowledge of local ecosystems allow him to provide rich, detailed insights into the flora and fauna of British Columbia and beyond. His books are characterized by their clear explanations, vivid descriptions, and practical guidance, making them appreciated by both beginners and seasoned nature lovers alike.

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-02-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Visitor Centre, 1426 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0
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.
Location: Tofino Vistitor Centre Conference Room
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: February 19th

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.

Spring Mushrooms: The Other Mushroom Season
2025-02-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom Event
In BC, mushrooms are most typically associated with the autumn, but springtime can bring its own fungal surprises. There are fewer mushrooms around in spring days–inventories of mushrooms in this season report about a third as many species as autumn inventories. Still, spring-fruiting mushrooms can be just as exciting (and challenging) as the ones that come up in the autumn. Foragers are not left out in the spring—it’s the time for such popular edibles as oyster mushrooms and morels. This talk, which presents about two dozen spring mushrooms divided into ten different categories, will get you ready for forays in April and May, when you can enjoy both the spring flowers AND the spring mushrooms.

Dr. Kem Luther has lived in Nebraska, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia and Ontario. He is a Canadian citizen and currently resides in Victoria, British Columbia. Kem has been on the faculty of several universities. He began writing for non-academic readers in the early 1990s. Among other books he is co-author with Andy MacKinnon of Mushrooms of British Columbia.

‘SLIME-in’ the Pacific Northwest
2025-03-06 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom Event
With its moist and moderate climate, the Pacific Northwest provides an ideal home for a rich variety of land snails and slugs. More than 150 species of terrestrial gastropod – including both native and introduced species – inhabit this region, providing important ecosystem services throughout our forests, wetlands, parklands, and mountains. Many of these are small and inconspicuous, but even larger species are often overlooked – sometimes by even the most enthused natural historian. Come learn more about the land snails and slugs of the Pacific Northwest, from iconic banana slugs and sidebands to unique taildroppers and jumping slugs. SLIME is included.

About our speaker: Melissa Frey is the Collection Manager of Invertebrate Zoology at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle. Prior to her current position, she served asthe Curator of Invertebrates at the Royal BC Museum. Her past research focused primarily on marine molluscs, however, since moving to the Pacific Northwest, she has become increasingly fascinated by (and fond of) terrestrial gastropods. As part of her current research, she has created a community science project called SLIME Pacific Northwest, hosted on iNaturalist, to document the presence and distribution of land snails andslugs throughout the region. See more: https://www.burkemuseum.org/news/behind-glass-snails-slugs-social-media-transforming-research-community-science?

Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino
2025-03-19 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Visitor Centre, 1426 Pacific Rim Highway, Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0
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.
Location: Tofino Vistitor Centre Conference Room
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: March 19th

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
2025-04-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Tofino Community Hall
Small Town, Big Picture: Tofino, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Tofino. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Tofino Community Hall
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 14th

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

Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet
2025-04-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Ucluelet Community Centre, 500 Matterson Drive, Ucluelet, British Columbia, V0R 3A0, Canada
Small Town, Big Picture: Ucluelet, is a three-hour orientation session that delivers the “big picture” of living in Ucluelet. Learn about local history and basic ecology, cross-cultural understanding, businesses and activities, festivals, host etiquette, and important civic information. This is a great way to get up-to-date local’s information about living and working in Tofino.
Location: Ucluelet Community Centre
Time: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Dates: April 14th

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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