Parks, Recreation and Culture Winter 2025 Activity Guide

cityofnanaimo prc_nanaimo (#ilovemyparksandrec) 47 Are you passionate about the parks and trails that Nanaimo has to offer? Consider participating in our Volunteers in Parks Program! VOLUNTEERS in PARKS If you would like to organize a work party in your neighborhood, please call 250-756-5200, email parksandrecreation@nanaimo.ca or check out our website (search work party). Why participate? Being part of the Volunteers in Parks Program not only fosters community spirit but enriches your life with purpose and connection to nature. Disconnect from screens and reconnect with the awe-inspiring beauty of our surroundings. Your involvement can help cultivate a brighter, more sustainable future for Nanaimo’s enchanting green spaces. Foraging 101 Learn ethical foraging principles and practices, including where and where not to forage. Identify the most common native and non-native plants available for foraging in your local area. Instructor: Alicia Meek Wed, Mar 19 | 6-8 pm | $34/1 | 132368 Bowen Park (meet near the playground by the pool) Plant ID for Beginners Join our introductory outdoor plant identification workshop that is perfect for beginners eager to explore native and non-native local plants. Learn to decipher the language of plant identification using common plant key guidebooks. Instructor: Alicia Meek Sat, Mar 29 | 10:30 am-12 pm | $34/1 | 132371 Bowen Park Complex Edible Plant Walk Join Alicia where she will discuss local edible flora, which parts are edible and how to eat them. This will be a quick look at trees, herbs, shoots and leafy greens. Instructor: Alicia Meek Sat, Mar 29 | 12:15-2 pm | $34/1 | 132387 Bowen Park Complex Intro to Landscape Design NEW! Gain valuable knowledge and life-long skills to help you design your own beautiful, functional, ecologically vibrant, four-season outdoor spaces. We will explore the principles and techniques of landscape design in this three-part course. Save thousands of dollars by creating your own professional quality landscape design. Learn basic drafting skills and how to draw ”to scale”. Become familiar with various hardscaping features, and develop your own list of tried and true plant materials suited to your yard. This includes an individual pre-course phone consultation to discuss and prepare for your project. Instructor: Priscilla Brewer Sat, Mar 8-29 | 10 am-1:30 pm | $495/3 | 132800 Priscilla’s Garden (3290 Yellowpoint Rd) There are three ways to participate: 1 PARK AMBASSADOR: As a Park Ambassador, you’ll weave a vibrant tapestry of education and stewardship by visiting your chosen park regularly. Help fellow visitors embrace the beauty of nature while actively keeping the park clean. With your keen eye, you can observe the park’s dynamic ecosystem and be the critical communicator reporting any issues and driving efforts for a sustainable environment. 2 ADOPT-A-PARK: Gather your friends, family, or colleagues and form a volunteer group dedicated to keeping Nanaimo beautiful! By choosing a park, trail or creek to adopt, you’ll take covenant of a cherished area. Together, you will implement clean-up initiatives, planting days, maintenance work and forging bonds with the land and each other while replenishing our local ecosystems. 3 WORK PARTIES: Dive deep into nature’s intricate web by participating in our Work Parties! Join a spirited crew dedicated to enhancing biodiversity in our parks and trails. These group efforts focus on native species restoration, invasives removal, and habitat preservation putting actions to your good intentions. Be part of a transformative journey for Nanaimo’s ecosystems while teaming up with fellow conservation enthusiasts and making a tangible difference. Gather a group for your own work party from your business, school group, club or organization or come to the these planned events: • Tue, Feb 4, 10 am-12 pm Invasive Plant Removal at Colliery Dam Park ( 132468 ) • Sat, Feb 22, 10 am-12 pm Invasive Plant Removal at Pipers Lagoon Park ( 132469 ) • Sat, Mar 8, 10 am-12 pm Invasive Plant Removal at Barsby Park ( 132478 ) • Tue, Mar 18, 10 am-12 pm Invasive Plant Removal at Bowen Park ( 132479 )