Raincoast Institute Courses

“Offer high-quality continuing education courses that inspire adults and young adults to connect with natural ecosystems.”

2025 Course Options

Dates TBA

Marine Mammals of the West Coast

March TBA

BC’s west coast waters are home to a great diversity of marine mammals – 31 different species have been documented here! Join Dr. John K.B. Ford on this weekend course, where he will introduce participants to the cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises), pinnipeds (seals and sea lions), and sea otters of BC. Topics to be covered include the life history, ecology and behaviour of the better known species, as well as the history of their exploitation and current conservation status, and more! This weekend coincides with the peak of the spring grey whale migration, so there will be very good chances of viewing them plus other marine mammals during the two boat excursions into Clayoquot & Barkley Sounds.

Birds of the West Coast

May TBA

The west coast of Vancouver Island features some of the best birding opportunities in North America. Lying directly along the Pacific Flyway, this region hosts huge numbers of migrating birds of all kinds each spring and fall. In the winter, the diversity and abundance of non-breeding birds remains high thanks to wide range of habitats and a mild climate. Tofino & Ucluelet in particular are well-known birding hot-spots.

Seaweeds of the West Coast

June 13 – 15 (tickets available November 2024)

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? How are they used in B.C. aquaculture? How are seaweeds impacted by climate change?) Learn of the biodiversity of west coast seaweeds, essentials of collecting and identifying seaweeds, seaweed foraging, the relationship between seaweeds and people, pressing and preserving seaweeds, cyanotype and more!

Marine Invertebrates of the West Coast

July TBA

Get up close and personal with the invertebrates that inhabit the shallow waters of our western shores! in this weekend course you will learn all about the fascinating stratgeies that they use to survive the rigors of the intertidal zone; their varied and often bizarre means of reproduction, the critical roles they play in marine ecosystems, and much more.

Mushrooms of the West Coast

October TBA

In this weekend field course, participants will learn about the wonderful world of West Coast Mushrooms. Topics to be covered include an 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!