Nature Vancouver

February is a time between the excitement of the holiday season and the spring that is still to come. Need a little diversion? Join fellow Nature Vancouver members and other interested people at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum for an informal group event. We will tour this facility with other members of the public. It's a great reason to get out of the house on a Sunday in February. Meet at the Beaty Biodiversity Museum at 1:30 PM. Group tours can be joined at 2:00 or at 3:30 PM. The museum holds 20,000 sq. ft of exhibits and collections and the largest blue whale skeleton on display in Canada. Collections include marine invertebrates, fishes, plants, birds, mammals and fossils. Admission is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and non-UBC students; 2 for 1 for UBC alumnus with alumnus card; free for UBC faculty, staff and students. The Beaty Museum can be easily reached by transit. Directions for transit or driving are on the Beaty website. At 4:30 PM, we intend to retire to nearby Mahony and Sons Public House, 5990 University Blvd for food, drink and an opportuntiy to socialize and discuss the events of the day. Please indicate interest in this outing by emailing Jennifer Ingram. Carpooling may be arranged if required.

Join Katharine Steig and Bill Kinkaid for NV’s 2nd annual snowshoe trip in Yew Meadows, Cypress Provincial Park.  We'll explore the mostly level wetland areas including areas that are only accessible in winter.  An optional trek up the snowshoe trail to Bowen Lookout or other areas may be added.  Dress for winter and changing weather conditions, with warm, layered, moisture-resistant clothes. Bring lunch and warm beverage for winter picnicking. Expect to be out until 3:00 p.m. Carpool from South Park Royal McDonald’s at 9:30 a.m. or meet at 10:00 a.m. at Hi-View Lookout (2nd switchback on the Cypress Bowl Road) to continue as a group up to the Cypress downhill ski area. Note: Snow tires or chains are required for driving up to the ski area.  Snowshoes can be rented from MEC and should be reserved a week ahead. If you wish to participate, contact Katharine Steig 604-922-7949 for further information and because trip could be cancelled due to poor weather. Difficulty rating B5.

Join an early spring walk in Burns Bog with a leader from the Burns Bog Preservation Society.  Dress for changes in the weather, and wear sturdy shoes or boots.  Tour will last for approximately 2 ½ hours.  Meet tour leader Janis at Planet Ice, 10388 Nordell Court, Delta, at the south end of Alex Fraser Bridge at 10:00 a.m.  (Toilets and free parking courtesy of Planet Ice).  Cost is $5 per person.  Space is limited to 20 people, so please contact Cynthia Crampton at 604 738-1405 if you want to attend.

Spring birding and botany hike exploring Lynn Canyon and the Seymour River on the "Two Canyon Loop". Pack lunch and wear good footwear and raingear. Carpool at Franklin and Penticton at 0800 or meet by the Lynn Canyon Ecology Centre at the end of Peters Road at 0830. Difficulty rating B6. Contact Bill Kinkaid.