If you’re reading this sentence on the West Shore, you likely don’t need to be reminded of the beauty all around us here on southern Vancouver Island.
But do you know all the places to go out to be in it? Do you know about the guided tours and various programs and information sessions offered to help you really experience nature to its fullest?
The Capital Regional District has just released its 2015 Nature Outings and Events Guide, designed to help with that.
The guide is a month-by-month account (July through September) of all the guided walks, celebrations and
adven-tures being offered by CRD Parks through-out the summer – every-thing from watching harbour seals at Witty’s Lagoon in Metchosin, to an exploration of the life of racoons at Mill Hill Regional Park in Langford or various events out in Sooke or Saanich.
The guide is helpful not only as a schedule, but tells which events are more physically strenuous than others – that would include a hike in Mount Work Regional Park in Highlands on Sept. 30 – and which outings are wheelchair accessible, such as the Craigflower Creek trail at Thetis Lake Regional Park in View Royal.
In many cases, it tells you which transit routes are best to access the location, where to park, when to get there for guided events and what kind of footwear or clothing is best-suited for the situation. It also contains helpful tips and advice on etiquette in nature and prices for camping in the region.
Most of the events are free, but many require pre-registration because of limited spaces being available.
Download a .PDF your 2015 CRD Nature Outings and Events Guide HERE or find one at any of the regional nature centres or the CRD Regional Parks office at 490 Atkins Ave. in Langford.