Nature Canada

NatureHood Regional Partners

Learn more about our regional partners and explore NatureHood activities in your area.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the NatureHood regional partners have adapted their work to engage young people in nature in new ways. Please visit their websites to find learning resources, digital events, webinars, and other initiatives!

British Columbia

Friends of Shoal Harbour aims to inspire connection to, and protection of nearby nature among local families, with an emphasis on the three Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in the Greater Victoria area: Shoal Harbour, Victoria Harbour, and Esquimalt Lagoon. Friends of Shoal Harbour partners with local conservation organizations to advocate for the protection of nature spaces, host public events and carry out citizen science initiatives. 

NatureKids BC is a nature discovery and environmental action organization that helps children form meaningful and enduring connections with nature. Families are invited to become members and attend monthly Explorer Days activities which are offered at Alaksen National Wildlife Area, Shoal Harbour, Esquimalt Lagoon, and Victoria Harbour Migratory Bird Sanctuaries. NatureKids BC works to get children into nature, locally throughout the province, and publishes a quarterly BC-based kids magazine known as NatureWILD.

Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance (OSCA) provides opportunities to experience, discover, explore and protect the unique and amazing environment in the South Okanagan Valley. OSCA facilitates public events such as the annual Meadowlark Nature Festival, and organizes programs for local school groups such as the Ecostudies outdoor education program at Vaseux Bighorn National Wildlife Area

Alberta

Nature Alberta’s Nature Kids facilitates nature-based programming for school groups and public events in the Calgary, Grande Prairie, Red Deer, and Edmonton area. By inviting children and families into green spaces, Nature Kids hopes to forester a love for nature and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. The program immerses participants in ecologically unique sites, including the Inglewood Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Beaverhill Lake Important Bird and Biodiversity Area, Gaetz Lake / Red Deer Migratory Bird Sanctuary, Saskatoon Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary and various biospheres throughout Alberta.

Immigrant Services Calgary provides a wide range of settlement services to immigrants and refugees. Through the NatureHood partnership, Immigrant Services Calgary is implementing a nature-based curriculum for newcomer children and youth, through the existing After School Program (8-12) and Core Connections Program (12-20). The curriculum will focus on increasing awareness of nature and outdoor activities within an urban setting during the winter while developing skills related to leadership and mentorship.

Saskatchewan

Nature Saskatchewan engages and inspires people to appreciate, learn about and conserve Saskatchewan’s natural environment. Nature Saskatchewan holds free public events in addition to offering school group programming in partnership with community-based organizations such as SaskAbilities, City Kidz, and Regina Open Door Society. Nature Saskatchewan works to get residents in the Regina area into green spaces, including Wascana Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area

Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre (SFBLC)’s Garden Patch is an urban farm that grows organic, locally produced food for emergency food baskets and offers free sustainability, environmental education, gardening, and food production learning opportunities. Through the NatureHood partnership, SFBLC has created programming to engage young people in urban nature and connect them to the St. Denis National Wildlife Area. Programming will reach community members accessing food and other programs, in addition to school and community groups.

Ontario

Britannia Woods Community House (BWCH) is a community-based agency that focuses on providing responsive programs and services for children, youth and families who live in fixed and low income communities. The goal of the BWCH NatureHood program is to break down barriers to nature and connect young people and their families with green spaces. As a result of NatureHood programming, participants will develop a deep appreciation and respect for nature, which will ultimately translate into a habit of actively protecting green spaces.

Green Ummah is a grassroots organization that seeks to create an environmental movement in the Canadian Muslim community. Green Ummah aims to plant the seeds for conservation and provide pathways for Muslims to connect with nature and integrate sustainable living into their daily lives. As part of the NatureHood program, a curriculum project will be delivered to Muslim and non-Muslim youth through schools, Mosques, and community centers covering a range of topics and nature-based opportunities. The program will also include bringing participants to St. Clair National Wildlife Area.

Long Point World Biosphere Reserve offers curriculum-linked hands on learning opportunities to school groups and members of the public in the Big Creek and Long Point National Wildlife Areas. Programs faciliated by Long Point Biosphere Reserve range in topics with a primary focus on biodiversity and citizen science.

Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory delivers on-site curriculum-based educational programs to local school groups in Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area.  Programming offered includes migration related festivals, with events held at the Prince Edward Point Bird Observatory and other green spaces throughout Prince Edward County.

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre brings nature-based resources and programming to Simcoe County through school group programs and public workshops, specifically supporting under-resourced schools. All programming uniquely takes place in the 3,000 acres of wetlands, fen and forest in Midland’s Wye Marsh National Wildlife Area.

Trails Youth Initiatives offers a unique nature-based program that focuses on building confidence through skill development, high school credits, bursaries, and mentorship, with the goal of breaking the cycle of poverty. The program equips under resourced youth in vulnerable situations with outdoor skills and provides access to nature in the Greater Toronto Area, in particular at Tommy Thompson Park.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) is a leader in environmental education and has been delivering innovative learning programs and events since 1954. Beyond The Park is a TRCA education initiative that addresses barriers to green space by providing mobile nature-based programming to under-resourced communities throughout the City of Toronto. The program incorporates the mentorship of community champions and provides immersive experiences in green spaces, including at Tommy Thompson Park in Toronto. 

Quebec 

Nature Quebec invites Quebec City area elementary school groups to engage with their urban nature as part of their NatureHood program. School groups engage in citizen science, learn about biodiversity, and connect to nature – the greatest outdoor classroom, both locally and in a field trip to Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area

Earthvalues Institute (EVI) is built on the fundamental guiding principle that nature is our teacher and guide. EVI creatively weaves nature themes into school curricula, leadership trainings, and all other programs. EVI offers a NatureHood summer camp, provides workshops to students and teachers in the Eastern Townships School Board, and takes groups out to Senneville Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Lac Saint-François National Wildlife Area in the Montreal area. 

Nova Scotia

Young Naturalists Club (YNC) hosts field trips and special events where families can learn from expert naturalists, explore local parks & trails, and experience the many fascinating natural phenomena that make Nova Scotia so awesome. Families in Halifax, East Hants, Musquodoboit Valley, or Cape Breton can join a chapter and explore the Sand Pond and Boot Island National Wildlife Areas with the Young Naturalist Club!

Flying Squirrel Adventures facilitates learning about nature in nature by bringing people together to learn, share, and explore in the Annapolis Valley, Nova Scotia. Flying Squirrel Adventures offers free public outdoor programs in Kentville Migratory Bird Sanctuary and other local ravines, and provides unique programs in partnership with community-based organizations to reach under-resourced communities and address barriers to nature. 

New Brunswick

Nature NB invites young people to connect with nature through their NatureKids program and partners with local schools, youth groups, and organizations that serve New Canadians. Shepody Bay and Cape Jourimain National Wildlife Areas are among the nature spaces explored by Nature NB programs.

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