The Nature Centre offers interactive opportunities for all ages to learn about the estuary, its watershed, marine life, and natural and cultural history. Visitors can see and touch marine and intertidal creatures in our aquarium and touch tank; use our microscopes, telescopes and interactive displays, and enjoy wildlife and bird watching along our ocean front interpretive trail and from our viewing tower. Our dynamite team of part-time staff, nature educators and volunteers deliver school programs, summer camps, youth leadership training, citizen science projects and offer people of all ages opportunities to engage in hands-on restoration projects in the estuary and watershed.
Do you have children between the ages of 5 and 9? We are excited to offer our popular five-day Nature and Science day camps again this summer starting July 6th. Children will learn about the birds, animals and plants of the Cowichan Estuary, explore the clam beds, eelgrass meadows, mudflats, and the beaches at Hecate Park, and have the same fun we have every summer with all the required Covid-19 physical distancing and health and safety protocols in place – a safe, learning-filled camp experience for children in small groups of no more than 12 campers.
Each camper will have their own learning package, including their own bucket and shovel to find out who lives here on the beach and in the estuary’s waters. They’ll also get to know the region’s inter-tidal and sea creatures in our salt water aquarium and observation tank and have an opportunity to get acquainted with young Coho salmon in our fresh water aquarium. There’ll be lots of other fun age-appropriate hands-on science activities, games, hikes, and crafts, where campers can play, learn and explore nature together and at a safe distance.
www.cowichanestuary.ca/about/about-the-nature-centre
