Environmental Education

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We all know how important it is to help kids connect with nature. This connection fosters awareness, knowledge, hope, and a sense of responsibility for our natural world. Most importantly, it inspires action, advocacy, and a greater commitment to conservation and stewardship.

Through immersive experiences in local natural areas, Peninsula Streams and Shorelines works to cultivate a deep sense of environmental connection and knowledge among students. From indoor classrooms to nearby streams, shorelines, and rain gardens, our programs leverage our local environments as learning hubs. By providing hands-on, place-based education, we're nurturing a generation that understands the impact of their actions and believes in their ability to effect positive change.

Our engaging and adaptable K-12 programs are delivered to over 1,200 students annually from 18 schools across Greater Victoria and the Saanich Peninsula. We also provide education opportunities to local community groups upon request. Programs are curriculum-aligned and available at no cost for public schools.

Our Programs

Creatures of Habitat Program! Grade 6 and 7 students removing invasive English Ivy

A full day of hands-on restoration activities for grades 5/6/7! Can include invasive plant removal, salmon fry releases, native species planting, and more. Adaptable for secondary students.

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An interactive, outdoor presentation and game for grades 2/3/4. Students engage with large-scale watershed models, salmon life cycle presentations, and a fun-and-fast game of "Salmon Tag!"

Photo by Darren Stone, Times Colonist
Photo by Darren Stone, Times Colonist

Adaptable for any grade, our hands-on BEACH program gets students engaged in learning about their nearby shorelines. Beach cleanups, forage fish spawning surveys, crab identification, and more!

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Adaptable for any grade, our Rain Gardens for Headwaters Program gets youth thinking about native plant species, pollutants in stormwater, and ways to mitigate it--like rain gardens! Students may even plan their own rain garden proposal.

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In partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Stream to Sea Program, we support grades 4 and up as they mark nearby storm drains and raise awareness in their communities about fish habitat and stormwater pollution!

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Get ready to learn about these spineless creatures, their place in the food chain, and what they tell us about water quality! This program is under construction, but it'll be awesome--trust us.

Our Education Values

Cultural Respect: We teach and learn in the Traditional Territories of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, known today as Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, and the W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples, known today as W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip), BOḰEĆEN (Pauquachin), SȾÁUTW̱ (Tsawout), W̱SIḴEM (Tseycum) and MÁLEXEȽ (Malahat) Nations. We believe that all education programs about the ecology of these Traditional Territories must honour and meaningfully draw upon the knowledge, values, and stewardship practices of the First Nations these lands belong to.

Inspiring Action: We believe in the power of people in ecology. Our focus isn't just on teaching facts; it's about fostering a genuine sense of belonging, responsibility, and hope, and empowering youth to take action. Our programs are student-centred, solution-oriented, optimistic, and fun!

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility: We believe that everyone belongs, and has a role to play in conservation. Our programs are designed to foster a safe, welcoming, and accessible environment, and to ensure that all students receive the same quality of education, regardless of their age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, sex, race, ethnicity, culture, religion, language, education, income, and geography. We work collaboratively with each teacher and school to adapt programming, ensuring equitable and accessible experiences for all students.

Ready to Get Involved?

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Ready to sign up for one of our education programs? Fill out this booking form and we'll be in touch to coordinate the perfect environmental education day for you and your students.

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Want to find out more? Book a quick call with Deb Deacon, our Environmental Education Coordinator. Or, send her an email at [email protected]

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Our education programs would not be possible without our incredible volunteers. But we need more! This is a great opportunity to get outdoors, give back to your community, and encourage our next generation of environmental stewards.

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Join partners like the Canadian Red Cross and the Victoria Foundation to support our Education Programming, and ensure we can reach as many students as possible, for as long as possible.