News from The Nature Trust - The Perfect Mother's Day Gift, Events Update & Vote for Us!

A Perfect Mother's Day Gift

A Gift to Mother Nature

Moorecroft Regional Park.

This Mother's Day - Sunday, May 13 - help us raise funds to support beautiful Moorecroft Regional Park.

The Moorecroft property in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island covers 85 acres and features 2,900 feet of waterfront and 79 acres of Western Red Cedar, Douglas-fir, Arbutus, Bigleaf Maple, Red Alder and Garry Oak.

The Regional District of Nanaimo and The Nature Trust of BC acquired the property from the United Church of Canada in March 2011. It was opened as a Regional Park in June 2011.

The Nature Trust is fundraising in order to contribute to key restoration work of important facilities and the nature trail infrastructure.

Here's how you can help:

* Please donate. Even small amounts from many people can help us reach our goal.

* Spread the word.

* Encourage others to participate.

If you have any questions about Moorecroft, please contact us toll free at 1-866-288-7878 or e-mail info@naturetrust.bc.ca.

A Night of Fun...For a Good Cause

Earth Wind Fire 2012

Left to right: Earth Wind Fire 2012 volunteer committee members: Don Burnett, Executive Chef Stuart Klassen and Marie Sperling. Photo credit: Chris Stanford

Join us on June 1 for a night of fabulous food, sensational wine and fun dancing at the Delta Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna. You will sample extraordinary dishes prepared by sizzling chefs and sample fine wines and other beverages from the Okanagan Valley. Local jazz singer Anna Jacyszyn will add sparkle to the opening reception, while Wheelhouse will rock the night away. Enjoy a fantastic live auction including The Great Wall of Okanagan Wine and other great items.

Tickets are $150 and reserved tables for 8 are $1,200. Sponsor tables are also available: Earth table $10,000; Wind table $5,000; Fire table $2,500. Tables of 10 are available upon request.

Net proceeds benefit our Conservation Youth Crew program in the Okanagan.

E-mail tloewen@naturetrust.bc.ca or call toll free 1-866-288-7878 to reserve your spot. For more information click here.

Celebrate With Us

Twin Lakes

Everyone is invited to celebrate the acquisition of the 2,000 acre Twin Lakes property on May 17 at 10:30 a.m. After special guest speakers, you will have the chance to choose a one hour guided walk or a more vigorous two hour hike to explore this amazing grassland area.

Meeting Place: Sagewood Lane, Twin Lakes, Kaleden (http://g.co/maps/pmqpa)

You can register through the Meadowlark Festival www.meadowlarkfestival.bc.ca/ or contact The Nature Trust of BC info@naturetrust.bc.ca.

Did You Know?

We have recently updated our website giving it a new look and feel. Check it out: www.naturetrust.bc.ca.

Vote for Us!

Shell FuellingChange

Our Conservation Youth Crew program has been chosen as a possible $50,000 grant recipient in the Shell FuellingChange program.

You can help us win this grant by voting for our Conseravtion Crew program on Shell's FuellingChange website.

It's easy to do:

Create an account on the FuellingChange website,
Go to the Conservation Crew's page, and
Vote for us!

With every purchase receipt from a Shell station you will earn 10 votes. Watch your email for opportunities to earn bonus votes.

Voting ends October 31.

Connecting Children with Nature

Wild Festival for Youth

Artists Wyland and Robert Bateman at the 2010 Wild Festival. Photo credit: Andrew Klaver

The Nature Trust is proud to be the title sponsor for this special Kelowna event to help students to get outdoors and engage with nature through hands-on experiences. On June 14 students in grades 3 to 6 will visit Okanagan College in Kelowna and build birdhouses, learn to fish, hike and view a BC Wildlife Park "birds of prey" show. Click here for more information.

Community Spirit

Brant Wildlife Festival

Photo credit: Andrew Klaver

Thank you to the many individuals and organizations that helped with the 22nd Brant Wildlife Festival on Vancouver Island. A successful series of nature events in Parksville and Qualicum Beach from March 29 to April 10 was made possible by volunteer tour leaders, guest speakers, and artists.

The Nature Trust of BC coordinated the festival with sponsorship from BC Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, City of Parksville, Lohn Foundation, Mid Island Co-op, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Foundation.

Save the Date!

Upcoming Events

World Migratory Bird Day: Join Nature Trust director Dr. Rob Butler as he scouts out birds along with other birding experts during a walk at Stanley Park from 10:00 am and stop by our booth at the Vancouver Public Library between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm.

Saturday, May 12

Click here for more details.

Meadowlark Festival: Join The Nature Trust's Okanagan Conservation Land Manager Carl MacNaughton and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Specialist Levi Bent for a McIntyre Bluff Hike as part of the Meadowlark Festival. Enjoy an amazing view and learn about conservation holdings, a variety of flora and fauna and the cultural significance of this site as you hike to one of the most spectacular settings in the Okanagan. Please note: this is a strenuous hike for physically fit people.

Monday, May 21 from 6:00 am to 3:00 pm

$25 per person. Click here or call 250-492-5275 to register.