Scout island Nature Centre
Williams Lake, BC
SCOUT ISLAND NATURE CENTRE is located in the heart of the city of Williams Lake, BC, on the unceded traditional lands of the Secwépemc Nation and the people of T’exelc (Williams Lake First Nation). The Nature Centre features marsh, island, and lake environments and is a designated wildlife viewing area in the province.
ON THE MIGRATION PATH of hundreds of species of birds, it is a bird-watcher’s paradise in the spring and fall. Visitors can enjoy wildlife viewing along the 2.5 km of trails, and visit the Nature House to see interpretive displays and learn about the plants and animals on the islands. Nature programs are scheduled throughout the year for all ages, but children in particular.
TRADITIONAL TERRITORY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Scout Island Nature Centre is located on the traditional unceded ancestral lands of the T’exelcemec people of the Secwepme’c nation. We gather and travel on the unceded territories of the Secwepem’c, Tsilhqot’in, and Dakelh Nations.
OPENING HOURS
Trails are open every day from dawn until dusk.
Nature house is open end of June to Labour Day weekend (while school is out) on weekdays from 2pm – 4:30pm and on weekends from 12pm – 3pm.
It is also open Saturdays from 12:pm – 3pm or by appointment year round.
HELPFUL LINKS
Williams Lake Field Naturalists website
Photo credits left to right: Michelle Obre, Kris Andrews (2), Mariann Piller (2)
Note: Over 1km of trails along with the Nature House are wheelchair accessible. Dogs are welcome but must be on leash.
come visit our nature house
THE NATURE HOUSE is alive with people and other animals and plants. The staff will help you get up close to aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates, snakes, salamanders; or you can watch a bird in the marsh through the scope.
At the right time of year, you can see swallows feeding their young on the web cam or watch the hummingbirds up close at the feeders. Staff will be pleased to answer questions and suggest which trails to walk. We have natural history books specific to this region for sale. Come for a long visit!
Nature house is open end of June to Labour Day weekend (while school is out) on weekdays from 2pm – 4:30pm and on weekends from 12pm – 3pm.
It is also open Saturdays from 12:pm – 3pm or by appointment year round.
be a part of scout island
We couldn’t do all this without you! The Nature Centre is a not-for-profit, registered Canadian charity supported by members of the Williams Lake Field Naturalists, individual and business and organization donors, partners, granting agencies, and many volunteers. Each year we are visited by hundreds of guest and local students who learn about the wonder and importance of nature.
Your support allows us to continue to expand our program offerings and opening hours.
Scout Island Nature Centre works hard at shrinking its Ecological Footprint so that we are in balance with the web of life. You can help us by packing No Garbage Lunches and Snacks when you visit.
Photo credits: Marianne Piller (centre)
who we are
Learn more about the Nature Centre and how we operate with the Williams Lake Field Naturalists in cooperation with The Nature Trust of British Columbia and the City of Williams Lake.
what we do
Learn more about the our Nature Centre Programs and Education. We run school programs, summer programs, community programs and Exploring the Puddle Preschool. There are also resources for educators.