“The rain makes a sound like the sound of millions of little drums being beaten on. Little droplets of water on plants fall off as though the plants were crying. Though it is raining I think it is very beautiful it is hard to explain why. PS I have found the word – Magical.” - Grade 3 Student Nature School Journal Entry

Nature School enables teachers to move their classrooms to the Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve for an entire week of hands-on exploration. Nature School offers a unique learning environment where on-site classroom sessions are reinforced by extended periods of time spent in the outdoors observing a diversity of habitats and plant and animal species and recording thoughts through art, poetry and prose. Moving the classroom outdoors makes environmental learning tangible and fun, while spending extended periods of time observing and reflecting helps children to form emotional connections with nature.

Students participate in diverse activities, such as:

• Learning about energy and water conservation at the Iris Griffith Centre – a model green building featuring solar power, solar hot water, green roof and rainwater catchment
• Recording observations, thoughts and feelings and sketching plants and animals
• Building solar stills and terraria and creating plans for sustainable green schools
• Participating in nature walks and learning to identify animal tracks and animal signs
• Identifying common tree species and learning about tree growth and life cycles
• Undertaking pond studies and observing and identifying a variety of wetland creatures
• Learning about First Nations cultural heritage and traditions
• Assisting with wetland restoration and trail building in the Nature Reserve

By providing opportunities for young people to connect with their local ecology hands on, Nature School helps children to learn first-hand about the plants, animals, and habitats of their local region, and the environmental issues that affect them. The program helps ensure that children form the personal connections and sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship that is so vital in the years to come.

“My own class has been busy all fall learning about life cycles, in particular that of the salmon and the trees. I can’t begin to say how enriched that learning is by this chance to be outside, sitting under the trees and feeling a part of that cycle. Their personal writing and reflecting shows their increased awareness of the amazing world around them. Understanding can only be deepened by this kind of opportunity” - Teacher

“This is the way I envision my son learning about the world around him, through talented, dedicated and highly knowledgeable people who take action to take care of our world." - Parent