NEWS & UPDATES - June 2023
Discovery Centre is Open!
We opened for the season in May and it has been filled with warm weather (although cool now), fun-filled noises of excited kids, lots of great bird sightings and only a few mosquitoes...really it's not that bad!

We are busy delivering our school programs until the end of June. In July and August we will deliver our popular Jr Naturalist summer camps. There are some spaces open for youth ages 10-13, so check out the information below to see if you might be able to join us!

The Centre will be open Monday to Saturday in June from 9am to 4pm and then 7 days a week in July and August.

Guided canoe tours are a popular way to explore the wetland. We offer tours 4 times a day when open. You can call or email us to book!

Keep your eyes open for special events throughout the season, we will advertise them in our enews, on our social media channels (Facebook, Instagram) and website.

See you soon!

Carla
Senior Manager
KCDCS
Welcome to our Seasonal Staff
We are honoured to welcome 3 staff to KCDCS this summer. Here they are to introduce themselves...from left to right...

My name is Calum Louden, and I am part of the seasonal staff here at the KCDCS. I have just finished my third year at the University of Victoria, where I am studying general biology. Moving to Creston and working here has made such an impact on me as a person, and as a student. Seeing all the birds, wildlife and plants has been so cool, as a very extensive example of the diversity of nature! I am so excited to work here until the end of the summer. 

Hi, my name is Akane Shono and I am currently a student enrolled at the University of British Columbia studying Natural Resources and Conservation. I have been amazed by the abundance and variety of wildlife we get in this area and I have been enjoying learning about them and sharing my discoveries with visitors and kids. I will utilize the knowledge and experience I have gained here as I enter my third year of studies this fall.

My name is Jonathan Garsson and I am a 4th year Forest Sciences student, with a concentration in management, studying at the University of British Columbia Vancouver. Working here at the Kootenay-Columbia Discovery Centre reinforces my passion of working with the general public and educating children about the surrounding wetland ecosystems. In addition, I also enjoy photography and the Creston Valley has many beautiful spots for natural landscape photos.

Give them a warm welcome when you stop in!
Check out the Photos!
Jonathan has been busy taking photos in the wetland and he has allowed us to share them with you! We will be uploading photos throughout the season of some of the activities they have been up to (swallow box checks, bat counts) as well as wildlife and scenery shots!

Thanks Jonathan!
Thank You to 2023 Grantors
We have been busy applying for grants for 2023. We wrapped up two long term funding agreements in 2022, so we are aiming to diversify our funding streams by applying to a variety of foundations, corporations and granting agencies.

We are still in need of some funding to make sure 2023 is successful, so if you are interested in making a donation, we are grateful to receive it! Donate Now!

To date, thank you to the following confirmed grantors for 2023:
Creston Valley Bird Festival
May 12-14, 2023
The 11th Annual Creston Valley Bird Festival, May 12-14, 2023 was a great success

The Creston Valley Bird Fest celebrates this incredible diversity in an environmentally sensitive manner, inviting residents and visitors to expand their interest in the world of birds. The festival offers a variety of birdwatching activities guided by field experts, as well as photography and art displays and bird-oriented workshops. Promotional tours to local businesses, and art studios have been incorporated into the festival providing economic stimulus in a low impact way. 

Check out some great photos of some of the 140 species seen during the festival...visit their website.

See you May 10-12, 2024!
Jr Naturalist Camp - Registration Open
Our 2023 Jr Naturalist Summer Camps are starting soon!

If you are interested in participating, please email us with your child's name, age and camp date choices and we will send you the links to fill out our waiver form and to make payment.

Some camps are full with a waitlist and others have space available. Please check below for details.

Thank you! We are looking forward to another fun summer!
Frolicking Frogs (Ages 4 & 5; Preschool)
July 24-28 (FULL, WAITLIST STARTED)
Monday to Friday; 9am to 12pm; Cost $85

Curious Caterpillars (Ages 6 & 7; Completed Kindergarten or Grade 1)
July 3-7 (OPENED ANOTHER COHORT, A FEW SPOTS AVAILABLE) and August 7-11 (FULL, WAITLIST STARTED)
Monday to Friday; 9am to 3pm; Cost $120

Boisterous Beavers (Ages 8 & 9; Completed Grade 2 or Grade 3)
July 10-14 (FULL, WAITLIST STARTED) and August 14-18 (FULL, WAITLIST STARTED)
Monday to Friday; 9am to 3pm; Cost $120

Eager Eagles (Ages 10 & 11; Completed Grade 4 or Grade 5)
July 17-21 (SPOTS AVAILABLE) and August 21-25 (SPOTS AVAILABLE)
Monday to Friday; 9am to 3pm; Cost $120

Wandering Wolves (Ages 12 & 13; Completed Grade 6 or Grade 7)
July 31-August 4 (SPOTS AVAILABLE)
Monday to Friday; 9am to 3pm; Cost $120
Get Your FREE Membership now to show support for our programs!
To increase support and awareness for KCDCS' mission, we are offering free Memberships! Join the over 1,200 Members and show support for environmental education in our region! This helps us to obtain grants and sponsorships to move us forward!
Join us on social media for fun and interesting information on the wetland, wildlife, programs and progress at KCDCS!