NEWS RELEASE
TLC’S DEERTRAILS NATURALIST PROGRAM TO OFFER TWO SESSIONS IN 2023
Students to learn from seasoned naturalists and artists in the Clearwater River Valley and Cortes Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2023
Cortes Island & Clearwater, B.C. –The Land Conservancy of B.C. (TLC) is pleased to announce that the Deertrails Naturalist Program will include two sessions in 2023 and will explore the beauty and brilliance of Cortes Island and the Clearwater River Valley. An intergenerational, place-based learning opportunity designed to facilitate the transfer of naturalist knowledge, both scientific and traditional, TLC’s Deertrails Naturalist focuses on the protection of local natural places and our relationship to land.
From April 18 to 23, 2023, in the Clearwater River Valley, naturalist students will explore a range of habitats from following deer trails to experiencing spring bird migration. Students will explore TLC’s 141 acres of protected wetlands, forests, and wildlife corridors in the Valley and neighbouring Wells Gray Provincial Park with experts Nancy Turner, Maleea Acker, Briony Penn, Lyn Baldwin, Nancy Flood, and Trevor Goward. Aspiring naturalists will develop a wide array of skills needed to steward local natural places, educate the public and new naturalists, engage in research and inform conservation efforts. The program fees are $750 per person and include meals and basic accommodations.
From April 25 to 30, 2023, participants will explore Cortes Island – the meeting place of tidal waters, biogeoclimatic zones, and cultural territories – through a series of naturalist-led walks and talks. Highlighting TLC’s 1,033 acres of protected areas on the island, students will walk shorelines, swim in bracingly cold waters, explore a tapestry of sensitive ecosystems, and search for northern goshawk plucking posts. Students will learn about and deepen their connection to the natural world from seasoned naturalists and artists Briony Penn, Ann Mortifee, Rex Weyler, Sabina Leader Mense, Kristen Scholfield-Sweet, and a cast of Cortesians covering a full spectrum of disciplines. The program fees are $750 for those tenting and $900 for indoor accommodations. Fees include meals catered by Linnaea Farm and access to Linnaea Farm’s ECOlab and Cortes Wild! Natural History Centre.
Aspiring naturalists can apply online for the Clearwater River Valley session and the Cortes Island session. Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 24, 2023. Applicants may apply to both programs.
Bursaries are available thanks to an endowment fund with the Victoria Foundation. For more details regarding the Deertrails Naturalist Program and the two spring 2023 sessions please view the Cortes Island and Clearwater backgrounders or contact TLC at (250) 479-8053 or admin@conservancy.bc.ca.
About The Land Conservancy of BC:
The Land Conservancy of BC (TLC) is a non-profit, charitable Land Trust working throughout British Columbia. TLC’s primary mandate is to benefit the community by protecting habitat for natural communities of plants and animals. Founded in 1997, TLC is membership-based and governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Directors. TLC relies on a strong membership and volunteer base to help maintain its operations.
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Media contact
Cathy Armstrong
TLC Executive Director
Phone: (250) 479-8053
Toll free: 1-877-485-2422
carmstrong@conservancy.bc.ca
