Author: sue hemphill

Air Quality Sept 27 Workshop

Job:  Education Coordinator

Employer:  Scout Island Nature Centre  Closing Date for Application is August 10

We are looking for someone with a passion for nature, local natural history knowledge, and experience teaching in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings.  The Education Coordinator is responsible for developing, coordinating and delivering Scout Island education programs though out the year as well as sharing supervision of the summer staff and high school volunteers.  Programs include:

• • Stream To Sea Program (supported by Fisheries and Oceans Canada))
  • Nature Kids club activities and fieldtrips
  • Elementary and high school programs – in class or field trips
  • Summer programs – Nature Fun
  • Grade 7 Earth Challenge
  • Community programs and public events
  • High school programs – Grade 12 Independent Studies course

This position works in conjunction with the Executive Director of Scout Island and the School District Outdoor Education Resource Teacher and under the direction of the Williams Lake Field Naturalists (WLFN), the non profit organization that manages the Nature Centre.

Required Skills:

• Experience with education program development and delivery
• Strong foundation in local natural history
• Experience working independently and collaboratively as part of a team including other staff, volunteers, and directors of WLFN
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Experience teaching all ages in groups of 4-25 individuals
• Valid driver’s license and access to a reliable vehicle
• Comfortable handling insects, invertebrates and other specimens
• Proficient with social media and word processing
• Willingness and motivation to research topics you aren’t familiar with
• Strong ecology ethic

Beneficial Skills:

• Salmon natural history knowledge
• University degree in the Natural Sciences or equivalent experience
• Experience supervising a staff of 1-4 – ability to give clear directions, provide constructive criticism and feedback when necessary
• Recognizes and respects cultural diversity and has knowledge of local First Nations and interest in learning more

This is a part time position averaging 100 hours a month.  The schedule is developed in conjunction with the Executive Director with a maximum number of hours of 1000 annually.  This allows the EC to take 1-2 months off.  Wages are dependent on experience and education level. Range is $25-30 per hour.

Please email your resume and cover letter to the Executive Director, Sue Hemphill, at shemphill at xplornet.com.  If you have any question, email or call Sue at 250-398-8532 Monday-Tuesday or at home 250-620-3498 on other days

Nature Fun at Scout Island Nature Centre

Starts July 9  Register Now
Nature Fun ages 4-8 Half day sessions $12
Mon and Tues: 9:30-11:30 or 1-3pm
Thursdays 1-3pm and Fridays 9:30-11:30am

Tales and Trails ages 0-5 (with care giver)
Thursdays 10:30-11:30 no charge

Art in Nature Adventures Ages 8-13 ($25)
Wednesdays 8:30-4:30pm
Art, exploring, observing, games—at a slow summer time rhythm

thank-you to the Cariboo Regional District and City of Williams Lake via the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society for supporting the Art in Nature Adventures

Small Groups allow for relaxed child centered exploration

Register at
398 8532 or scoutisland at shaw.ca

Themes for Each Week.  Different Program each day

Themes for Each Week

July 9-Mystery Week

July 16-Hopping and Slithering Through the Marsh

July 23- Dinosaurs to Birds

July 30- Fuzzie Wuzzies (Mammals)

August 6-Nature Engineering

August 13-It’s a Bugs Life

August 20-Secret Life of Plants

Summer Fun in Nature
July 9-August 23
Nature Fun ages 4-8 Half day sessions $12
Mon and Tues: 9:30-11:30 or 1-3pm
Thursdays 1-3pm and Fridays 9:30-11:30am

Tales and Trails ages 0-5 (with care giver)
Thursdays 10:30-11:30 no charge

Art in Nature Adventures Ages 8-13 ($25)
Wednesdays 8:30-4:30pm
Art, exploring, observing, games—at a slow summer time rhythm

Thank-you to the Cariboo Regional District and City of Williams Lake via the Central Cariboo Arts and Culture Society for supporting the Art in Nature Adventures

Small Groups allow for relaxed child centered exploration
Children who play outdoors are found to make friends more easily, concentrate better, and suffer less from depression and anxiety.
For more information Call
398 8532 or scoutisland at shaw.ca
Registration starts June 15

The Scout Island Nature Centre Fundraising Banquet is coming up on April 20. This is always a good gathering for conversation with good food. This year Rob Higgins will be returning to give a talk titled: The Old and Awesome vs the New and Terrible: stories of British Columbia insects. Now you may not be an insect lover but they are fascinating when Rob talks about them. Doors open at St Andrews United Church Hall at 6 pm. You can purchase tickets ($40) from the Open Book or at the Nature Centre.

See poster below for details

BanqPostr 2018 1a

Presentation by Dr. Chris R. Shepherd

Wednesday, April 11   7pm at Scout Island Nature House

Illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade is one of the greatest threats to the conservation of a long list of species around the world.    Among the most heavily traded, and most threatened, are the tortoises and freshwater turtles.  Traded for their shells – used in traditional medicines, their meat – for consumption, and live – for pets, this group of species is in serious trouble.  Efforts to tackle illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade are underway, but more work is needed, as many species are now threatened with extinction.  Dr. Chris R. Shepherd will share his expertise on these efforts.

Now living in Big Lake Ranch, Dr. Shepherd has been working in Southeast Asia on wildlife trade related issues for the past 25 years.  He has recently returned to Canada and founded the organization MONITOR, and will continue researching the global wildlife trade to support policy, enforcement and other conservation interventions.