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
- May 2, 2026
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Birding Goldstream Heights
May 2, 2026 7:00 am - 10:00 am
Victoria RegionBirding Goldstream Heights
SATURDAY, MAY 2
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2.5: LEVEL 2 —Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain / LEVEL 3—Obstacles in paths or steeper grades, requiring agility)Meet at 7:00 a.m. We will go up the Malahat high above Shawnigan Lake for higher-elevation birds in regenerating clearcuts. This is one of the few spots where you may hear both local species of grouse, along with migrant flycatchers, vireos, warblers and several sparrows. We will do a 4-kilometre loop walk south down the Sooke Wilderness Trail to Olympic Drive (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L6030128 ) and back along Goldstream Heights Drive (https://ebird.org/hotspot/L3553701 ) to visit Wrigglesworth Lake.
DIRECTIONS: Meet at the Helmcken Park and Ride lot for carpooling. For those driving directly to the trailhead, drive up the Malahat and turn left on Shawnigan Lake Road. After a short drive, turn left on Stebbings Road and continue to Goldstream Heights Drive (left). Drive up Goldstream Heights Drive
until you reach Trail Way. Turn right onto Trail Way and after a short distance, you will reach the Sooke Wilderness Trail crossing. Park here along the roadside. We will gather at the trailhead location before walking south.For more information, please email birdingfieldtrips@gmail.com.
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.
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- May 3, 2026
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Butterfly Walk
May 3, 2026 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Monthly Butterfly Walk
SUNDAY, MAY 3
FIELD TRIP (LEVEL 2 —Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain)Join us on our monthly Butterfly Walk. Each outing is intended to help us learn more about local butterflies. This field trip is weather-dependent as it needs to be sunny and warm to make it worthwhile. We start at the top of Mount Tolmie (off Cedar Hill X Road). Meet at 1:00 p.m. in the lot by the reservoir where we will have an initial look for butterflies and then decide where to go from there.
Car-pooling is encouraged. We try to return by 4:00 p.m. Cancellations or special instructions will be posted on the calendar (https://naturevictoria.ca/events/ ) closer to the date. Contact Gordon Hart at
250-721-1264 or butterflies@naturevictoria.ca for more information.
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- May 5, 2026
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Tuesday Birding
May 5, 2026 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Corner of Bowker Ave. and Bowker Place, VictoriaWe meet every Tuesday between 8-9 am one block south of the foot of Bowker Avenue on the waterfront. After 9 am, the group will then go to various locations around Greater Victoria, finishing at noon.
Novice and experienced Nature Victoria members are welcome!
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