Sharing a love of nature
Join us in celebrating, protecting, and learning about natural habitats in the Greater Victoria region.
Formed in 1944 as the
Victoria Natural History Society
What we do?
(Photo Credit: Gordon Hart)
Protecting
For 80 years, Nature Victoria has been a steadfast advocate for protecting the biodiversity of southern Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands. The three principal areas of protection we engage in are direct advocacy, support to other organizations that are advocating for issues we support, and the annual Christmas Bird Count.
(Photo Credit: Phil Lambert)
Learning
Nature Victoria is dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the natural world through various educational initiatives. These include a member newsletter featuring articles, project updates, and event announcements; monthly evening presentations covering topics like birds, marine life, and botany; and a variety of field trips exploring diverse natural environments. These programs aim to engage participants of all ages in hands-on learning experiences, promoting ecological awareness and a sense of community among nature enthusiasts.
(Photo Credit: Robert Harwood)
Celebrating + Sharing
Nature Victoria is deeply committed to fostering education, collaboration, and community engagement in the natural sciences. The organization offers scholarships and bursaries to support students pursuing studies in species and habitat conservation. Additionally, Nature Victoria actively participates in regional science fairs by providing financial support and volunteering as judges, aiming to inspire and encourage student projects focused on ecology and nature. The organization also collaborates with various environmental groups, offering funding and support to advance conservation efforts and ensure the sustainability of these initiatives.
We Need Your Help
There are many ways to get you can get
involved and make a difference!
Donate
Every dollar donated helps us to continue do great work.
Attend an Event
Explore nature and meet others in the community.
Videos
Volunteer Passion Projects
Invertebrate Alert
This blog provides an informal forum for terrestrial invertebrate watchers to post recent sightings of interesting observations in the southern Vancouver Island region. Visit https://invertsight.com/ to learn more.
Butterfly Count
Each month from April to September, one weekend will be designated for Butterfly Counts. If you are not able to complete your count on the weekend, you may do so during the following week. Please note: we are currently looking for a new count coordinator. Email: butterflies@naturevictoria.ca
Christmas Bird Count
Register to help collect data and monitor trends on bird species of Southern Vancouver Island.
The Victoria Naturalist Newsletter
Six times a year Nature Victoria produces a top-notch member newsletter chronicling species of note, future events, activities and field trips, conservation projects and nature resources in the community.
Non-members can view archived copies of The Victoria Naturalist here.
Become a member to receive current issues of the Victoria Naturalist.
Upcoming Events
- February 10, 2026
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Tuesday Birding
February 10, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, VictoriaWe meet every Tuesday, one block south of the foot of Bowker Ave on the waterfront (off Beach Drive) at 9:00 am, or at the foot of Bowker Ave at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria.
Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!
For more information call Bill Dancer at 250-721-5273. -
Natural History Night - Enlichenment!
February 10, 2026 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
NATURAL HISTORY NIGHT
Enlichenment!
An amazing diversity of life and ecologies exists here in small spaces; carrying out their purposes for time beyond memory, with or without our notice. Lichen are cryptic, intricately beautiful, and are far more complex than we once knew.
Please join us for an online talk with naturalist Juliet Pendray, about lichen of our area, on their interesting partnerships and dynamics, and identification basics to help us get to know them better.
Check the online calendar for details and watch for an email reminder. To register: Zoom link:
https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AF5nE7V5Q36jWK5NnFFxrw
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- February 14, 2026
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Patricia Bay and Coles Bay Regional Park
February 14, 2026 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Victoria RegionPatricia Bay and Coles Bay Regional Park
Field Trip (Patricia Bay Level 1, Coles Bay Level 1.5)
Meet at 9:00 a.m. The Saturday birding group is heading to Patricia Bay (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L480922/bird-list ) and Coles Bay Regional Park (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L1339683/bird-list ). At Patricia Bay, we’ll walk the Scoter Trail to look for wintering White-winged and Surf Scoters, Common Goldeneye, Greater Scaup, loons, and grebes. We’ll also explore nearby streets for land birds as we work our way back to the parking lot. For the second half of the field trip, we’ll head to Coles Bay Park (a short car drive south on West Saanich Road, turn right on Ardmore Drive, and left on Inverness). The park offers a short walk down to the water where we hope to spot Barrow’s Goldeneye. We’ll complete a loop through the woods back to the parking lot. DIRECTIONS: a small parking lot (https://maps.app.goo.gl/1odmSc3REn21QPAH8) is on West Saanich Road, between Willingdon and Mills, on the ocean side near the west end of the airport runway.
Rain or shine. Novice and experienced VNHS members all welcome. Non-members can participate up to three times, after which they are expected to join the Society.
For more information, please email birdingfieldtrips@gmail.com
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