For detailed information about Field Trips, Field Trips Policy, Guidelines for Field Trip Leaders and "Release of Liability" form, please click on Field Trips - General Info.

Saturday, February 11
Birding field trip to Colony Farm RP

Colony Farm RP is home to many over wintering raptors, sparrows, waterfowl and usually a Northern Shrike or two. Come discover what species the park has to offer on this year’s half-day outing. Meet at the parking area at the south end of Colony Farm Rd. in Coquitlam at 0900. Larry Cowan 604 465-1402.

Sunday, February 12
Banish the Blues at the Beaty

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.

Saturday, February 18
Half-day Birding Field Trip at Reifel

Join John Chandler for a half-day birding trip to Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Ladner. We will be looking for Snow Geese and other waterfowl as well as raptors. Remember to bring some money for the small admission fee and dress for chilly and/or wet weather. You may want to bring your lunch and a hot drink to enjoy in the warming hut after your walk. Meet John at the Reifel gift shop at 0900. Contact John at 604-274-4117.

Saturday, March 3
Cypress Park Snowshoe Trip

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.

 

Saturday, March 24
Birding field trip to DeBoville Slough/Minnekhada RP

Join us for a half day birding trip to Coquitlam's DeBoville Slough/Minnekhada Regional Park. Osprey, hummingbirds, and swallows should be back on their breeding grounds. Spring migrants should also be moving through the area. With luck we should catch a glimpse of Sandhill Crane, Red Crossbills, Band-tailed Pigeon and Western Meadowlark. Meet in the parking lot adjacent to the washroom facilities at Cedar & Victoria Drs. in NE Coquitlam at 0900.  We will position an appropriate number of vehicles in the parking area off Quarry Road in Minnekhada RP for our return trip. Larry Cowan 604-465-1402

Saturday, March 24
Signs of Spring in Burns Bog

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.

Sunday, April 15
Spring Flowers and Birds at Horth Hill

Join John and Marian Coope on our annual botany and birding trip to see the spring flowers and birds at Horth Hill, within walking distance of the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.  Carpool at 42nd and Oak at 0745, to walk on to the 0900 ferry at Tsawwassen (allowing time to reach the ferry terminal ten minutes before sailing time, as required).  Join the Coopes on the ferry or at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.  Plan on catching the return ferry at 1700, arriving back at Tsawwassen at 1845.  Bring lunch, drinks and suitable clothing for a day in the open.  Phone the Coopes for details at 604-224-6192.

Saturday, April 21
Lynn Canyon - Lower Seymour hike

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.

Friday, May 18
May long weekend backpacking trip

Bill Kinkaid will lead a backpacking trip on the Victoria Day long weekend. The intended destination will be the Lower Stein Valley, accessed from the Lytton ferry. This hike is dependent on water levels: the trail is subject to washouts on the Stein River, and the ferry shuts down when the Fraser River is in high water. If this trail is not accessible, there will be another option elsewhere in the region. Our plan will be to drive up and hike in to a base camp on Saturday, have Sunday to explore, and then hike out and drive home on Monday. We will carpool but each participant is expected to be self-sufficient with their own equipment and supplies. Contact Bill for more details.