Stay tuned for 2019 dates and locations!

Everyone is welcome to help out with this important study looking at microplastics on our local beaches. Spend a few hours helping out and leave with a better understanding of microplastics and their potential impact on the environment. Interested volunteers can email Britt in advance at Britt@uclueletaquarium.org .

Rain or shine so dress for the weather!

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique catch and release facility which provides an up close and personal encounter with a diversity of fish and invertebrates from the local waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Their mission is to raise awareness about local marine biodiversity and promote respect for the ocean environment.

For full details of the opportunities to be involved and to discuss the possibilities, email the volunteer coordinator.

Photo credit: Jessica Lansfield

Raincoast Education Society Speaker Series hosts various speakers through out the new year. 

Whether your interests lie in landing a tyee, or orca ID (or maybe just plankton taxonomy), as a west coaster, chances are you are involved and engaged when it comes to marine matters, and here is a chance to get informed too!

The Raincoast Education Society is proud to present the 2019 edition of our Raincoast Speaker Series – this year’s theme is “Predator and Prey”. From copepods to killer whales and everything in between, come out and join some of BC’s leading scientists to learn more about the key players in the marine food web, how they interact amongst each other, and what it all means for us.

Whether you are keen on learning more about the biology and ecology of the species whose home we share, or looking to get some perspective on the politics of stock assessment (or maybe just brushing up on your plankton taxonomy), this series is guaranteed to please, and we can’t wait to sea you there!

New this year is the Raincoast Speaker Series punchcard! Attend all five talks to be entered in a draw for an amazing prize!

Seals and sea lions are some of the most familiar marine mammals in our waters, yet they are also some of the most misunderstood. Join Sheena Majewski, Research Biologist with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, for an in-depth look at the biology, ecology, and population trends of pinnipeds in BC.

What can we learn about the health of our oceans from these incredible creatures? Why are some populations increasing while others are decreasing? Where do pinnipeds fit into the big picture as predators and prey? Come and find out!

$5 donation at the door. 

Eating local is not only delicious, it also reduces our carbon footprint and helps support farmers in our neighbouring communities. With spring planting just around the corner, join us as we come together to celebrate the craftsmanship of local food growing.

Attendees can expect a lineup of workshops with celebrated food growing experts from across Vancouver Island. Feature events include an “Off-the-Grid” dinner with Picnic Charcuterie (Purchase dinner tickets here.), a screening of “Living the Change” in partnership with Tofino Film Festival (Purchase film tickets here.), and a “Farmed-Foraged-Found” fundraiser dinner in collaboration with Heartwood Kitchen (Purchase dinner tickets here.). A complete list of workshops is here.

Parents and grandparents are encouraged to bring their children: we will have free childminding provided by Tofino Nature Kids for those attending workshops, hay rides, facepainting and other family friendly activities.

Solidarity Snacks will be providing lunch, available for purchase. For farmers, this weekend is an opportunity to meet other producers in our region, expand your toolkit of agricultural knowledge, and connect with markets on the west coast. Food lovers can stock their pantries and gardening sheds by visiting our Farmer’s Market Co-op table, Seed Swapping table, and the many other regional vendors that will be selling gardening/farming tools, equipment, & supplies throughout the weekend. Visit the booths of community organizations involved that support food growing and food security initiatives to learn more about how you can get involved in the local food movement .

The Tofino Community Food Initiative is a non-profit community group dedicated to fostering food security on the west coast through gardening workshops, community gardens, and food literacy programs. We continue this work with the support of our community partners and incredible volunteers. We gratefully acknowledge the Tofino Botanical Gardens Foundation, Tourism Tofino, the District of Tofino, Eat West Coast, Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District, and Alberni Valley Transition Town for supporting this event.

To volunteer sign-up here.

Looking for more details? Like us on Facebook Tofino Community Food Initiative & Follow us on Instagram @tofinolocalfood.

Come celebrate the opening of two complimentary exhibits: 'British Columbia's War 1914-1918' and 'Vargas Island Ranchers at home and at War' with a presentation from guest curator and presenter Stephanie Ann Warner. Stephanie has been researching the life of her grandfather Harold Monks Sr., a Vargas Island "rancher", cannery fisherman, wartime signaller, Lifeboat crew member and active Legion comrade.

Stephanie's presentation will use photos, historic documents, diary entries and memoirs to bring to life the experiences of Tofino and Vargas Island residents and how the First World War impacted their lives.

Join us for refreshments in the Legion and visit our exhibit at the museum before or after the talk.

Both exhibits 'British Columbia's War 1914-1918' and 'Vargas Island Ranchers at Home and at War' are at the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum from February 15 - May 15, 2019.

Admission to the Ucluelet Aquarium is free on March 1st . It's opening day of the 2019 season. Come and say hello to Aquarium staff and meet a fascinating array of fish and invertebrates from the waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. 

Regular hours of operation are 10am-5pm everyday. Visit the aquarium for the day, or purchase a season pass and enjoy unlimited admission to visit your ocean friends.

Special programs are available for preschool - Grade 12 groups. Contact the school group coordinator for more information.

Check in again soon for 2019's program schedule. Look forward to rainforest walks, bog talks on the bog loop, storm stories and more!

Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, and take in the views. The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that presents incredible opportunities to connect people to nature through its location, fixed interpretive signage, and specialist-led programs. Programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. 

No registration is required. Event is by donation.

Stay tuned for 2019 dates and locations!

Everyone is welcome to help out with this important study looking at microplastics on our local beaches. Spend a few hours helping out and leave with a better understanding of microplastics and their potential impact on the environment. Interested volunteers can email Britt in advance at Britt@uclueletaquarium.org .

Rain or shine so dress for the weather!

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique catch and release facility which provides an up close and personal encounter with a diversity of fish and invertebrates from the local waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Their mission is to raise awareness about local marine biodiversity and promote respect for the ocean environment.

For full details of the opportunities to be involved and to discuss the possibilities, email the volunteer coordinator.

Photo credit: Jessica Lansfield

Jackie Hildering (aka 'The Marine Detective'), the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society (MERS), delivers the first of two free presentations to celebrate the return of whales as they migrate back to Clayoquot Sound for the summer.  

In addition to sharing research findings on humpback whale feeding strategies, Jackie will discuss how the fortunate return of these giants from the brink of extinction necessitates increased boater awareness about avoiding collision. 

Jackie will describe what to do if entanglement of a whale in fishing gear is witnessed, and share new and exciting research that includes having documented a novel feeding behaviour by a specific population of humpback whales, now known as “trap-feeding”.

This presentation is in partnership with Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society, Cedar Coast Field Station and Tofino Resort + Marina.

The presentation is free, but please reserve tickets at: Eventbrite

**Note: Photo taken with a telephoto lens and from land, not a boat.

Jackie Hildering (aka 'The Marine Detective'), the co-founder of the Marine Education and Research Society, delivers the second of two free presentations to celebrate one of the most iconic animals to frequent Clayoquot Sound, the killer whale.

In this presentation, Jackie will trace back the human social evolution with killer whales, discussing how these whales are powerful indicators of human value systems. It will be about capacity for positive change and common solutions to socio-environmental problems. And yes, she will discuss the dilemma of naming them “Killer Whales” vs. “Orca”.

This presentation is in partnership between Strawberry Isle Marine Research Society, Cedar Coast Field Station and Tofino Resort + Marina.

The presentation is free, but please reserve tickets at: Eventbrite

A spring break special with Raincoast Education Society! Join a knowledgeable biologist on a guided walk through the temperate rainforest along Ucluelet's Wild Pacific Trail Lighthouse Loop. 

Learn about ecology and the things that connect the land to the sea. Discover the Raincoast!

Meet at the lighthouse loop whale lot, dress for the weather as the event will take place rain or shine!

The plight of Southern Resident Killer Whales has received international attention in recent years.  Too much noise, disturbance and contaminants, and­ –– perhaps most importantly –– insufficient food, have all played a role in putting this population at serious risk. 

But while Southern Residents are struggling, other killer whale populations along the west coast are thriving. 

In this lecture, cetacean research biologist Dr. John Ford describes the importance of cultural traditions in the lives of orcas and how these dictate where they go, who they associate with, what they eat, and, ultimately, how well they can cope with a changing marine environment.

Dr. John Ford is a globally recognized expert in the identification, social organization, and life history of killer whales. His pioneering work in the 1970’s revealed the incredibly complex social structure within different populations of killer whales, and his research paved the way for an appreciation of orcas as highly intelligent marine mammals. 

$5 donation at the door. 

The Ucluelet Aquarium will be doing a public beach seine at Terrace Beach. Aquarium staff will put on their wetsuits and pull in the seine net to shore. Visitors can observe the animals and learn about them from staff members and volunteers.

What is a beach seine? Seines are a great way to collect small, shallow-water animals like perch without causing hook-and-line related injuries. 

This event is free to all!

Dogs must be on a leash if attending.

Check in again soon for 2019's program schedule. Look forward to rainforest walks, bog talks on the bog loop, storm stories and more!

Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, and take in the views. The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that presents incredible opportunities to connect people to nature through its location, fixed interpretive signage, and specialist-led programs. Programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. 

No registration is required. Event is by donation.

Stay tuned for 2019 dates and locations!

Everyone is welcome to help out with this important study looking at microplastics on our local beaches. Spend a few hours helping out and leave with a better understanding of microplastics and their potential impact on the environment. Interested volunteers can email Britt in advance at Britt@uclueletaquarium.org .

Rain or shine so dress for the weather!

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique catch and release facility which provides an up close and personal encounter with a diversity of fish and invertebrates from the local waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Their mission is to raise awareness about local marine biodiversity and promote respect for the ocean environment.

For full details of the opportunities to be involved and to discuss the possibilities, email the volunteer coordinator.

Photo credit: Jessica Lansfield

Guided walks occur daily throughout the summer months. Specific themes, departure times and locations will be provided in Spring 2019.

The guided walks are 90 - 120 minutes, open to all ages, and free to attend. 

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pets and recording devices are not permitted.

Photo by Parks Canada

Check in again soon for 2019's program schedule. Look forward to rainforest walks, bog talks on the bog loop, storm stories and more!

Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, and take in the views. The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that presents incredible opportunities to connect people to nature through its location, fixed interpretive signage, and specialist-led programs. Programs aim to engage both visitors and local communities. 

No registration is required. Event is by donation.

Stay tuned for 2019 dates and locations!

Everyone is welcome to help out with this important study looking at microplastics on our local beaches. Spend a few hours helping out and leave with a better understanding of microplastics and their potential impact on the environment. Interested volunteers can email Britt in advance at Britt@uclueletaquarium.org .

Rain or shine so dress for the weather!

The Ucluelet Aquarium is a unique catch and release facility which provides an up close and personal encounter with a diversity of fish and invertebrates from the local waters of Barkley and Clayoquot Sounds. Their mission is to raise awareness about local marine biodiversity and promote respect for the ocean environment.

For full details of the opportunities to be involved and to discuss the possibilities, email the volunteer coordinator.

Photo credit: Jessica Lansfield

The protected forests, expansive mudflats, long sandy beaches, and rocky shorelines of the region create the right combination of habitats to draw over 40 species of shorebirds to the area, including the largest migratory concentrations of Whimbrels anywhere in British Columbia, and impressive flocks of Western Sandpipers, Dunlin and more. The threatened Red Knot is also a regular visitor each spring, as well as Rock Sandpiper in winter. In past years, local bird expert Adrian Dorst listed at least 30 species of shorebirds!

The Tofino Shorebird Festival celebrates this impressive annual migration with a series of educational birding activities throughout the region. Local and visiting experts participate in the festival, offering guest lectures, birding workshops, boat trips and much more! This is a great opportunity to experience the largest wildlife migration in the region, learn about these impressive birds, and understand why this is one of the very best places in western Canada for bird watching.

See the full schedule of events here.

Guided walks occur daily throughout the summer months. Specific themes, departure times and locations will be provided in Spring 2019.

The guided walks are 90 - 120 minutes, open to all ages, and free to attend. 

Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pets and recording devices are not permitted.

Photo by Parks Canada