The festival celebrates nature, particularly Brant geese as they rest and feed on the shores of Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
The festival offers opportunities for wildlife viewing adventures, spring break nature camp, big day birding, and much more.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Pre-Festival Event
Kids Spring Break Nature Camp
This day camp will encourage children to get to know nature up close and personal through outdoor activities and indoor explorations at the Nature House in Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park.
March 12 – 16
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ages 6 – 12
Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park
Festival Events
Opening Night Reception
The festival will kick off with a night of local chefs serving up delicious local food, live music, displays and a live auction.
Thursday, March 29
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Parksville Community & Conference Centre
Tickets: $25/person.
Available from the Parksville Chamber of Commerce: 250-248-3613 and Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce: 250-752-0960
Brantastic Observations Nature Tour
Join Gary & Ronda Murdock of Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours and Field Ornithologist Guy Monty for a wildlife viewing experience suitable for all ages. Here is your chance to visit all the Brant and seabird hot spots in Oceanside.
Two viewing scopes provided.
March 29 & 31 and April 2 & 9 at 1 p.m. return by 5 p.m.
Tours depart from Parksville Community & Conference Centre
Pre-registration is advised
Contact: Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours Phone 250-248-3667
Email: mail@rainforestnaturehikes.com
Cost $25 per person. Maximum 12 people
Brant in the Bay
Come down to the shore and view Brant geese and other birds through spotting scopes with the help of the Arrowsmith Naturalists.
Saturday, March 31
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Parksville Community Park
Free
Brant Wildlife Festival Wildflower Tour
Join Gary & Ronda Murdock of Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours for a wildflower viewing and identification experience of unsurpassed beauty and rich biological diversity. This moderate hike is not strenuous as we take our time walking slowly through the endangered Garry Oak meadows.
April 1 & 10 at 1 p.m. return by 5 p.m.
Tours depart from Parksville Community & Conference Centre
Pre-registration is advised.
Contact: Pacific Rainforest Adventure Tours
Phone 250-248-3667
Email: mail@rainforestnaturehikes.com
Cost $25 per person. Maximum 12 people
Fish Hatchery Tour
Drop by the Marion Baker Hatchery in French Creek for a free tour April 3 or 5 between noon and 2 p.m., or April 7 between 10 a.m. and noon. Follow Lee Road to Miller Road and the hatchery is on the right. For more information, contact P. Siminiuk at 250-752-3203 .
Big Day Bird Count
A fun event that gives people of all experience levels a chance to test their abilities at finding birds.
Saturday, April 7
Anytime after 4:30 a.m. – finishing at 3 p.m.
Parksville Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area
Awards at DeeZ Bar & Grill after the count
Details and Registration at 250-248-5305 or rhysharrison@shaw.ca
Enter your team for $10 per person.
Freedom Flight–Eagle Release
Come for lunch, see glove-trained birds, visit wildlife and environmental booths, and see an eagle released by Kim Relcalma-Clutsei at 2 pm.
Saturday, April 7
11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, Errington
By donation
LADY SMITH LITTLE THEATRE