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About WildED
The BC Spaces for Nature is dedicated to protecting wilderness and biodiversity in British Columbia, offering an award-winning experiential education program aimed at grades 4 to 12. The 'Wilded' program engages over 55,000 students to connect with nature through hands-on experiences, outdoor activities, and in-class resources. The initiative emphasizes the importance of nurturing stewardship and appreciation for parks and wilderness among future generations.
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About WildED
- 1. WildED The BCSpaces for Nature Wilderness Education Program WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 2. Who We AreBC Spaces for Nature 30 year history protecting parks and wilderness in BC Worked to protect 3 million hectares of world-class wilderness, eg: Nitinat Triangle Tatshenshini Central Purcell Wilderness Height of the Rockies Spatsizi Chilcotin WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 3. Our Mission Toprotect world-class wilderness, wildlife and biodiversity in British Columbia now and for future generations To ensure our parks and wilderness legacy is passed on to future generations who see it as fundamental to their identity and will therefore be responsible for its ongoing stewardship and care WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 4. Focus on FutureGenerations: WildED Today, there is a generation growing up without any real experience or knowledge of wilderness or nature WildED ensures young people experience and understand the value of nature, parks and wilderness, and why and how it needs to be cared for WildED…Nature is Our Classroom! “ What I liked about WildED was seeing the waterfall…that was the first waterfall I’ve seen without it being on TV.” Haile, Grade 3
- 5. What is WildED?Award winning, experiential, school-based nature education program Curriculum linked for grades 4 to 12 Educational program that provides catalytic in-nature experiences for young people Experienced by over 55,000 students and teachers to date WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 6. Our Approach Engaging,hands-on, fun, interactive Nature is our classroom Delivered by teachers who are outdoor explorers/guides Involve, train, support and work with school teachers WildED…Nature is Our Classroom! “ Wow! Everyone, including the parents, had a wonderful, engaging, educational experience. A lot of kids don’t get to spend the day in the forest anymore. It is so vital to their understanding and interest to make personal connections.” Elementary Teacher
- 7. WildED Programs In-schoolPrograms Brings nature into the classroom Multi-media slide show Interactive games Outdoor activities Key Learning Themes Conservation and the importance of Parks, Wilderness and Wildlife Areas BC Ecosystems and Landscapes BC Plants and Animals WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 8. Outdoor Programs Natureis our Classroom Guided interpretive hikes in Provincial and Regional Parks Students actively explore and learn about nature, parks and wilderness Learning Themes Appreciating nature, parks, wilderness Understanding local ecosystems The Nature of Our Changing Climate Knowledge of local plants and animals Stewardship and no trace skills WildED…Nature is Our Classroom! WildED’s Outdoor Classroom And Nature Hikes
- 9. Workshops and Resourcesfor Teachers Workshops Pro-D days Teacher Conferences and Event Public Education Events Resources Curriculum linked activities and lesson plans In-class demonstration and training Ongoing support via phone/email WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 10. Parks Education OutdoorClassroom Working together: Elders Council for Parks, BC Parks and WildED Outcomes/Goals: Inspire connection to nature and BC Parks Increase public’s use of BC Parks Increase physical activity levels and promote healthy lifestyles Integrate outdoor park education initiatives into curriculum WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 11. Working with uson common goals & objectives Providing funding to make WildED possible And Our Individual Donors and Schools! WildED…Nature is Our Classroom!
- 12. WildED…Nature is OurClassroom! “ WildED taught us how fortunate we are to have these beautiful parks.” Douglas, Grade 7 “ I learned that there is so much out there…and so much to explore. I also learned about the effect we have on wilderness, and how we can help preserve it. Kailey, Grade 12 “ I loved the fresh air and that I got to go outside. I never go outside anymore, for a month anyway. My nose felt weird for a bit but I got used to it.” Diya, Grade 7
- 13. “ (Your educator’s)energy and enthusiasm were infectious. The materials presented were beautiful and inspiring. This was the finest workshop for students that I have seen in seven years of teaching.” Secondary Teacher WildED…Nature is Our Classroom! WildED was an enormous inspiration for us as a staff. Four of our intermediate teachers decided to make (it) the focus of our field trips this year, which all together throughout the year will total 19 - possibly a…record!” Elementary Teacher
Editor's Notes
- #2 Thank you for inviting me to talk about BC Spaces/WildED - run through fairly quickly to give an idea of Who we are - what we do and how we might compliment a program such as CTS
- #3 BC Spaces for Nature is a conservation organization with a 30 year history of parks protection. We’ve been involved in the protection of parks and wilderness areas throughout British Columbia.
- #4 Our organizational mission is twofold – one to protect wilderness and secondly, to ensure that wilderness legacy is passed on and cared for by future generations
- #5 Today, urban youth are not experiencing nature first hand - in many classrooms, we have witnessed the growing divide that is happening between young people and nature - it’s also reflected in the many student testimonials that come back to us For BC Spaces, WildED is about ensuring that todays young people come to know, experience and care for nature
- #6 What is wilded? Award winning…. Been around for 10 yrs - focus on urban school children particularly in LM and Fraser Valley Offered FREE of CHARGE, therefore easily accessible to all schools programs are framed within a context that easily links to school curriculum at multiple grade levels We aim to meet the needs of teachers as well as engaging students, by offering a program that is a combination of fun and educational rigour We’ve had the fortunate experience of delivering programs to over 40,000 students and teachers to date
- #7 All WildED programs are designed and developed with emphasis on: Experiential interactive learning Maximizing time spent in-nature Key to our approach is the quality of our educators: the programs are delivered by experienced teachers who have knowledge and familiarity with our formal education structure -- in addition they are also experienced outdoor educators/wilderness guides - with many first-hand experiences/adventures in parks and on the land; Also important to our approach is to work towards integration into the curriculum - we do this by developing relationships and working with school teachers year after year to demonstrate how easily they can integrate nature education, and outdoor field trips to local parks as part of their ongoing teaching plan
- #8 What do we provide? First, our In-school programs: half day and/or full day sessions Bring nature into classroom with spectacular images, storytelling, interactive games and activities we aim to include Outdoor activities - even for “in-school programs” - that involves going outdoors on or near school grounds - we can always find something nearby to get kids active and exploring We usually link to their existing unit of study - typically apply to learning outcomes in science, socials, phys-ed - have also been used as inspiration for language and visual arts classes Key learning themes focus on creating an appreciation and understanding of nature and parks and also to inspire action and the desire to care for and experience nature first-hand
- #9 Typically, in-school programs are followed up by a nature hike Hikes usually full-day program They are guided interpretive hikes that take place in one of our amazing provincial (Cypress, Seymour) or regional parks (Pacific Spirit, Tynehead, Capilano River, Lynn Headwaters, Deas Island, Boundary Bay) Learning themes are focused not only on the local ecosytems, but also on the broader theme of parks - as we explore them, their role in protecting special places, why we have them, and why take care of them
- #10 We Present informational workshops for teachers at events such as Environmental Educators conferences Catalyst (BC Science Teachers Conference) Regional and District Pro-D days Public information presentations at VIMF, MEC (in-store beginning of March) In addition we offer curriculum-linked teaching Resources - that are available online via our website As well as support for teachers via toll free number and email
- #11 WildED has been actively developing our programs to allow for more delivery outdoors, in Parks; one current example is our Parks Education Outdoor classroom…. Working with the Parks Elders Council, and BC Parks, we led in the development of an interpretive nature classroom at the new Parks Heritage Centre in Mount Seymour Provincial park This is our 2nd year of delivering WildED programs in the centre as well as providing in-nature experiences at Mt Seymour Prov Park for urban school children
- #12 There are many partners and supporters who make our program possible. This past year, we signed a multi-year community partnership agreement with MEC, as well, we entered into a collaboration with BC Parks, via the Park Elders Council. Our focus on establishing partnerships and working relationships with like-minded organizations has been a positive experience for WildED --- the benefits have been shared by all partners in terms of increased support and capacity to deliver and work towards common goals.
- #14 The last word….