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Field Trips
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Nature Vancouver Field Trip Schedule: Click here for a list of upcoming Field Trips
Other Nature Walks and Bird Surveys: Click here for a list of Nature Walks and Surveys
Guidelines for Field Trip Leaders: Click here for Guidelines for Field Trip Leaders
Guidelines for Carpooling Costs: Click here for Guidelines for Carpooling Costs
Release of Liability Forms:
- Day Hikes: Click here for Release of Liability Form for Day Hikes
- Nature Walks: Click here for Release of Liability Form for Nature Walks
General Information
Field Trips are offered almost every weekend by Nature Vancouver and are the most popular activity for members. Non-members are welcome to join in these trips as a way to review the activities of the Society but are asked to limit their participation to three events. Our liability insurance coverage only applies to members in good standing. Those who participate do so at their own risk. Depending on the nature of the field trip, participants will be required to sign either a “Release of Liability for Nature Walks” or a “Release of Liability for Day Hikes” at the start of the trip. Copies of these forms are available from the links on this page and it is recommended that they be read before the day of the trip to avoid delays when signing them at the meeting place.
Important Information for Participants
Members planning to join these trips should contact the leader in advance to confirm carpool arrangements, especially when ferry travel is planned. Please do not call after 9 p.m. An adult must accompany children under 15. On trips to the United States, a valid passport is now the required for identification and it is advisable to have extended medical insurance as the BC Medical plan covers only a small portion of most medical costs in the US.
Safety Tips for Participants
Consider the weather in the trip area (it’s often very different from where you live) and bring suitable clothing! Depending on destination and season, bring insect repellent, sunscreen, a hat, lunch if necessary, more water than you think you’ll need, raingear and boots with good ankle support. Stay together and stay on the trails. Keep behind the co-ordinator (and ahead of the tail person, if there is one). To avoid false alarms, please tell the co-ordinator if you’re leaving the group.
Guidelines for Field Trip Leaders
In order to conduct field trips, leaders do not need to be especially knowledgeable about birds, plants or other aspects of nature, since that sort of expertise is generally found among the participants. However, it is essential that one person co-ordinate the organization of the trip for the safety and well-being of all participants. That person is the field trip leader - and that is you. These guidelines are important both for your own legal protection and that of Nature Vancouver. Please read them carefully. The full text of the Guidelines for Field Trip Leaders and the Field Trip Registration and Release of Liability forms are available from the links on this page. Please return the completed forms to Field Trip Co-ordinator, Cynthia Crampton, 1230 Shorepine Walk, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3T8.
Public Transit Information
For public transit information in the Lower Mainland, contact TransLink at 604-953-3333 or http://www.translink.ca. For trips requiring a ferry journey, please confirm ferry sailing times. Contact British Columbia Ferries at 1-888-223-3779 or http://www.bcferries.com.
Information for Carpooling
On long-distance trips, passengers should share gas expenses with their driver. The suggested cost of carpooling is $10 per car / per hour of driving. The total cost to be shared by all passengers excluding the driver.
- For trips to West Vancouver, Cypress, Howe Sound, Squamish and Whistler, car pool at McDonald’s in Park Royal, West Vancouver. Take bus #250 or 257 HorseshoeBay from any stop on Georgia Street downtown. From North Vancouver, take #239 or 255 Park Royal. Get off at the first stop after Taylor Way. Cross on the pedestrian crossing directly behind the stop, turn right and walk underneath the first overpass to the McDonald’s car park where we meet.
- For trips to North Vancouver, Fraser Valley and Mt. Baker area, car pool at Franklin & Penticton in Vancouver. From downtown, take bus #10 Hastings or #16 29th Avenue Station. Get off at Kamloops Street (the first stop after Nanaimo) and walk one block east and one north. From points east, take bus #16 Arbutus from 29th Avenue or Renfrew station and get off at Hastings and Penticton. From north Burnaby, take bus #135 and from Coquitlam or Port Moody, take #160 and get off at Nanaimo.
- For trips to South Vancouver, Richmond, Delta and the Islands, car pool at Oak & 42nd in Vancouver. Take bus #17 Oak from downtown and get off at Oak and 41st. Or bus #41 between Dunbar and Joyce Station, get off at Oak St. and walk to 42nd.