Environmental Education Programs
A New Generation of Environmental Stewards
We know how important it is to connect youth with nature. This connection fosters awareness, hope, and a sense of responsibility for our natural world.
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.
If you're looking to book an education event, partner with us, volunteer, or get connected to other environmental education programs in the region, please get in touch. We're looking forward to supporting you.
Our Programs
This all-ages program brings youth out to their nearest stream, for a nature walk, an aquatic bug scavenger hunt, and a presentation on water quality, salmon habitat, local restoration projects, and more.
An interactive, outdoor presentation and game for grades 3/4. Students engage with large-scale watershed models, salmon life cycle presentations, and a fun-and-fast game of "Salmon Tag!"
Available for grades 5 and up, our hands-on shoreline education program gets students engaged in learning about their nearby shorelines. Beach cleanups, forage fish spawning surveys, crab identification, and more!
A full day of hands-on restoration activities for grades 6/7! Can include invasive plant removal, salmon fry releases, native species planting, and more. Adaptable for other grade levels.
Our Rains, Drains, and Gardens Program gets youth thinking about native plant species, pollutants in stormwater, and ways to mitigate it--like rain gardens! Students can even plan their own rain garden proposal.
In partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans' Stream to Sea Program, we support grades 3 and up as they mark nearby storm drains and raise awareness in their communities about fish habitat and stormwater pollution!
Testimonials
“I wish I could do this all day."
Grade 7 Student, removing invasive plants
Royal Oak Middle School
“I’ve done this program for many years with my grade three students and have loved it each year. I appreciated some of the updates that have been made to the program. A fun way to teach such important concepts. My students really enjoyed themselves. Thank you for your expertise, flexibility, and awesome manner with our kids. “
Steph Kenny, Teacher
Lochside Elementary
“Our students were super excited about seeing what was living in the waters they see everyday. It was a bit of a big reveal. The net scooping up what looked like just water and then the students getting in close and seeing all these amazing living creatures. And then to top it all off they got to get up close to all the creatures in the viewing containers. It was an amazing experience and I am very grateful for the opportunity to bring this to our classes. The experience was priceless and yet completely accessible becasue we did not have to pay for it."
Sonya McRae, Teacher
Shoreline Community Middle School, SD 61
"From my class, I can already see that the experience was really impactful. About a week later, my class was walking through the Colquitz River Trail to get to skating and a couple students commented that we should really get down there to "remove some crowns" because they saw lots of blackberry bushes. Another student who loves Minecraft told me that when he held the pickaxe-looking tool that it was like his dream of mining was coming true."
Skye Scott
Teacher, Colquitz Middle School
“My students who never talk are engaged. My students who never listen are engaged.”
Teacher
Royal Oak Middle School
"They love the watershed model and hands-on nature of the program. Students also love the salmon game and I felt both instructors were very engaged with the students making it exciting for them."
Marketa MacGregor, Teacher
Brentwood Elementary
“Today was great-- the Gr. 4 students had a blast and the activities were hands-on and totally in line with our interdisciplinary goals.”
Leigh Johnson, Teacher
St. Michael’s University School
"... thanks for the opportunity to participate in these hands-on learning experiences and community/watershed projects. It’s been a real highlight for my Environmental Science 11 classes over the past year (and continuing).”
Nat Buchmann, Teacher
Mount Douglas Secondary
"Peninsula Streams has been offering high-quality programming with Parkland Secondary for many years. Their staff are experienced, highly trained, and make outdoor learning fun and engaging! Getting students involved as citizen scientists is a valuable part of their education and keeps them engaged as life-long learners and community leaders."
Erin Stinson
Teacher, Parkland Secondary School
Have you participated in one of our programs? Share your feedback below!
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. We work collaboratively with each teacher and school to adapt programming to fit the needs of each group, and student.
Our Volunteers
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 the next generation of environmental leaders.
Thank you to our partners and supporters
Donations, sponsorships, and partnerships help ensure we can reach as many students as possible, for as long as possible.
We are deeply grateful to all who have contributed to our education programs. If you would like to make a contribution, click below.
