WHAT WE DO AT NATURE VICTORIA

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.

Member Newsletter: The Victoria Naturalist

Six times a year the newsletter is distributed to members. Articles are written by members and guest authors. Updates on ongoing projects are published, field trip summaries, research, and upcoming events are publicized. Members may choose to receive the magazine as a full colour pdf or a black & white printed version.

View PDFs of past issues of newsletters (from 1944 to 2024) in the Archive of The Victoria Naturalist.

An index for issues 1944-2004 is available for download in Excel. Alternately you may view indices (searchable PDFs) for the newsletters at Archive of The Victoria Naturalist.

Evening Programs

For many years, evening presentations in four subject areas (birds, natural history, marine and botany) have been given once per month, from September through April. All presentations are on Zoom, and members and general public may register to attend. Some presentations may be also done in person, if the presenter is from our local area.The online calendar provides the latest information on these talks. All presentations are free of charge. Many are available as recordings on our YouTube channel. 

Birders’ nights are at Berwick Royal Oak in Saanich AND on Zoom, Marine nights are Zoom only. Additional presentations may be offered from time to time – see online calendar for details. 

Field Trips

Nature Victoria provides a variety of field trips covering a broad range of nature and natural history-related subjects. Trips include Tuesday and Saturday morning birding and special “one-off” trips, which could be botany, geology, marine ecosystems, forest ecology, mycology. Please see the online calendar for up-to-date information. Find information about ‘Who Can Participate’ below.

These trips are informative, practical, and enjoyable for participants, and are conducted with due regard to age and safety. Field trips are scheduled for most weekends throughout the year and occasionally on weekdays. 

TUESDAY MORNING BIRDING – Meets every Tuesday at 9:00 a.m.on the waterfront at the south end of Bowker Place off Beach Drive, and participants decide the location of the trip for the day. Birding activities take place at various locations around Greater Victoria. Novice and experienced birders are all welcome. For more information check the online calendar.

SATURDAY MORNING BIRDING – Meets most Saturday mornings, usually at 8:00 a.m. Check the online calendar on the Thursday/Friday before for up to date information. Novice and experienced birders are all welcome.

SWAN LAKE GUIDED BIRD WALKS – Every Wednesday 9:00 a.m. Meet in the parking lot for this informal and informative walk around the lake area. Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is at 3873 Swan Lake Road, off Ralph Street.

Field Trip Guidelines
  1. If more than 10 people sign up for the trip, the leader has the option of splitting the group.
  2. Please ensure that your field trip waiver (attached to the membership application and renewal form) is current and signed. As stated on the form, you are attending field trips at your own risk.
  3. Please bring your own binoculars and/or spotting scopes.
  4. Please leave your pet at home.
  5. Please stay at home if you are feeling ill or feel unsure about being with a group of people.
  6. Please respect the trip leader’s right to limit the number of participants in any field trip. The leader also has the right to alter, or even, cancel a field trip. Please remember that our field trip leaders are volunteers, giving their time and knowledge freely and generously.
  7. Finally, please check the Nature Victoria online calendar ahead of time to ensure that the trip is still scheduled to take place.

Codes for Field Trip Difficulty Levels:

LEVEL 1—Easy walking, mostly level paths.

LEVEL 2—Paths can be narrow with uneven terrain.

LEVEL 3—Obstacles in paths or steeper grades, requiring agility.

LEVEL 4—Very steep, insecure footing, or longer hikes requiring good physical condition.

Members – Field trips are available to all members on a first come, first served basis (no restriction on the number of trips per person). NOTE: For trips where advance registration is required, the early bird gets the worm.

Minors – A parent or official guardian of participants under 19 years of age must sign the Informed Consent/Assumption of Risk form on their behalf. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Non-members – Non-members are welcome to join in these trips but are asked to limit their participation to three events, after which they will be requested to join the Society (Honour system). Please note that the trip leader has the right to limit the number of participants if doing so enhances the enjoyment of those who attend.

  • No Pets Please! Due to allergy concerns and potential for damage to participants and the environment.
  • The trip leader can change or cancel a field trip based on judgment of the weather or any other relevant factors.
  • The trip leader can limit the number of participants if doing so enhances the enjoyment of those who attend.
  • Choose clothing that is sufficient for the weather expected – consider the weather in the trip area – and wear footwear suitable to the terrain/level of difficulty.
  • Remember to leave nothing but footprints.

Nature Victoria (VNHS) has liability insurance through BC Nature to protect members, trip leaders, organizers and volunteers against lawsuits from third parties. This liability policy covers legal liability for bodily injury to or damage to property of others, including participants in club activities. All members are required to sign the Informed Consent/Assumption of Risk and Release of Liability/Waiver of Claims form in order to be covered by the Society insurance.

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