Raincoast Institute
Courses that offer participants unique opportunities to join leading experts to learn about local ecosystems through hands-on, outdoor-based learning.
Raincoast Institute courses offer participants unique opportunities to join leading experts to learn about local ecosystems through hands-on, outdoor-based learning. Small groups, a relaxed atmosphere, and access to a spectacular outdoor classroom make our courses an unforgettable experience. Appealing to naturalists of all levels, our weekend programs are based on a collaborative approach to learning and a flexible curriculum that prioritizes open-ended exploration in the field alongside instructors who have spent their careers studying the flora and fauna in our region.
What courses do you offer?
Our current course offerings focus on birds, marine invertebrates, seaweeds and mushrooms of the west coast. See below for further details.
How long are the courses?
Raincoast Institute Courses typically run over the weekend starting at 7:00 pm on Friday evening and concluding on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm.
How much do courses cost?
Rainforest Institute Courses cost $330 - $350 for the weekend and include lunch on Saturday. We do not wish cost to be a barrier to participation, so please contact us to inquire about financial assistance.
How many people attend courses?
Our groups typically range between 15 and 25 people and many sell out in advance.
Upcoming Courses
April 2026
Birds of the West Coast – Weekend Field Course
May 2026
Seaweeds of the West Coast – Weekend Field Course
October 2026
Mushrooms of the West Coast – Weekend Field Course
Raincoast Institute Courses
Birds of the West Coast
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.
Dunlin photo by Jess Findlay
Marine Invertebrates of the West Coast
This weekend field course, with a mixed setting of the Ucluelet Aquarium and the west coast of the Ucluelet peninsula, 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, and the interconnection between art and science.
Hermissenda
Seaweeds of the West Coast
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!
Mushrooms of the West Coast
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!
Tangerine Bonnet (Atheniella aurantiidisca)