Nature House Week 2 Events: July 10-13

Dragonflies are just one of the many fascinating species that call wetlands home (photo credit: Marcie Welsh)

Thursday, July 10

10:00 AM Wild Creatives: Flower Pressing (all ages)

Location: The Nature House at The Portal, 254 North Cove Road

This Thursday we will be foraging for native wildflowers around The Portal and pressing them for safe keeping! Learn the flora around Thetis Island while making a beautiful card or art piece for your home. 

Looking Ahead: Please pre-register for our next Wild Creatives activity: Cyanotyping, happening on July 17. This workshop is limited to 12 participants, so registration is first come, first served.

To reserve your spot, contact Amelia at: amelia@thetisislandnatureconservancy.org

Friday, July 11

10:00 AM Junior Biologists: Wetland Studies (youth)

Location: Lawrence Valley Trailhead (293 Mission Road) 

For our second Junior Biologists, we will be investigating the natural wetland located here on Thetis Island. Known as the kidneys of the earth, wetlands provide natural water filtration, sequester carbon, control floods, and protect shorelines, while providing habitat for various mammals, birds, amphibians, and invertebrates. 

Please meet at the trailhead for Lawrence Valley, located on Mission Road just past the Firehall at 10:00 AM. We will be hiking in and out to the wetland. Don’t forget sunscreen and a hat - there is limited shade!

Saturday, July 12

9:30 AM Rock the PAG (all ages)

Location: The People's Apothecary Garden, 62 North Cove Road

Join us in decorating the People’s Apothecary Garden (PAG)! We will be painting rocks with imagery and labels to compliment the wonderful flora cultivated in our incredible garden. After getting familiar with the wide variety of edible and medicinal plants we will have a short seed harvest and exchange session, so please feel free to bring native plant seeds from home.  

1:00 - 3:00 PM Drop-in at the Sea Life Centre (all ages)

Location: Telegraph Harbour Marina

This week we will be featuring our various nudibranchs! With over 1000 different species of nudibranchs, drop by the sea life centre to explore the diversity of our many sea slug residents. We will be learning about the physiology, lifecycle and anatomy of these charming molluscs through activities, lessons and more. They can’t wait to meet you!

Sunday, July 13

9:30-11:30 PAG Drop-in (all ages)

Location: The People’s Apothecary Garden, 62 North Cove Road

Site Visit and Sensational Sunday Speakers Series: Shore Restoration with Kelly Loch and Doug Fenton (adults)

Expert Excursion: 1PM at 83 Blue Heron Road

S4: 3PM Forbes Hall 

Join us for our very first Expert Excursion as we visit Lot 83 and learn what it takes to carry out a coastal shoreline restoration project. Led by Green Shores representatives Kelly Loch and Doug Fenton, this guided walk-and-talk will highlight a unique case of ecological rehabilitation right here on Thetis Island.

As part of our S4 Speaker Series, we’ll reconvene at Forbes Hall following the site visit, where Kelly Loch will share more about how to protect waterfront properties while supporting healthy, natural shoreline habitats.

Things to keep in mind for this summer's Nature House program:

• Supervision: Children under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all events.

• Events at The Portal (254 North Cove Road):

  • Parking: Please park at Heneage House - the first red building you'll see on the driveway. From there, follow the signs down to the Nature House.

  • Sheep Neighbours: We share the area with some friendly sheep! Please don’t feed them, and do not touch the electric fence - it delivers a painful shock. For everyone’s safety (including the sheep's), please leave dogs at home.

  • Washrooms are available on-site.