Purpose: Inspiring and educating people to care for watersheds through nature-based education opportunities. 

Watershed Discovery is for everyone! We welcome people of all ages and education levels interested in learning about watersheds and biodiversity. Watershed Discovery contains lessons that connect education with outdoor activity and games. Learn about local watersheds and the connections between water, land, plants, animals and people and how they create a profound sense of place and meaning. Each lesson connects to BC's Course Curriculum, contains hands-on participation, games, a nature walk, and a science or art activity. These nature-based education opportunities are offered directly in your community. They are best performed in a local outdoor space, and can be adapted for in-classroom, school yard, or indoor community spaces.

Overview of Lesson Plans

Why is Watershed Discovery right for you?

Experience the Value of Nature

Our nature-based outdoor learning lessons benefit everyone! Exploring natural environments, being immersed in and investigating the natural world, even viewing natural landscapes and topics on a computer screen or printed on paper, have a positive impact on mental and physical human health.

Humans rely on nature every single day. We use renewable and non-renewable resources for drinking water, food, building materials, medicine, and anything you can think of! Look around and take in your surroundings, it is easy to forget that nature gives us everything.

Some of the key ways nature benefits humans are:

On top of all that, nature continues to give the gifts of beauty and art!

How is Watershed Discovery delivered?

There are 3 main delivery methods:

1. Virtual Exploration
   • Home-based learning through virtual learning events such as video lessons and online learning sessions.
   • Learn about watersheds and the fish, wildlife, and plants that call them home.
   • Focus on nature games, exploration, and fun facts.
     
     
2. In-Classroom
   • Bring a FVWC Watersheds Educator into your classroom to teach a nature-based and hands-on learning module that connects to the “big ideas” of the BC Course Curriculum.
   • Stay tuned for “grab-and-go” learning modules that you can purchase and download that follow the “big ideas” of the BC Course Curriculum which you can teach at home or in your classroom.
     
     
3. Outdoor Learning Events
   • Bring your family or classroom on an outdoor adventure!
   • Learn about nature-based topics such as water, watersheds, fish, wildlife, and plants.
   • Focus on learning, games, and nature-walks.
   • Offered directly in your community, within the Fraser Valley B.C.
   • Can support a group of 2 or have up to 30 participants.
   • Our lesson plans can be adapted for all grades, K-12.
   • Gain knowledge on your local watersheds!
   • Expect a whole lot of fun!

Thanks to the contributions provided through BC Wildlife Federation’s Wetlands Workforce Program, as part of the Healthy Watersheds Initiative delivered by the Real Estate Foundation of BC, with financial support from the Province of British Columbia as part of its $10-billion COVID-19 response, we are currently able to provide this opportunity free of charge ($0.00) until November 2021.

If you had a great time and are interested in giving back after your experience, we graciously accept donations. Your donation is an investment in clean water, clean air, and healthy communities. Your investment goes directly towards on-the-ground actions to restore salmon habitat and streams, enhance wetlands, and educate communities about sustainable, resilient watersheds. You can make a donation here.

After November 2021, to book an event please contact us for costs and availability.

Are you interested in registering for an outdoor group learning session about one or more of the above lesson plans? Check out our available events below and sign up for a free 2-hour learning session today for a group of up to 30!

1. Cervinka, R., Röderer, K., & Hefler, E. (2012). Are nature lovers happy? On various indicators of well-being and connectedness with nature. Journal of Health Psychology, 17(3), 379-388.
2. Chawla, L., Keena, K., Pevec, I., Stanley, E. (2014). Green schoolyards as havens from stress and resources for resilience in childhood and adolescence. Health & Place, 28, 1-13.
3. Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2008). Effect of exposure to natural environment on health inequalities: An observational population study. Lancet, 372(9650), 1655-1660.
4. Stamatakis, E. (2011). Screen-based entertainment time, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular events: Population-based study with ongoing mortality and hospital events follow-up. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 57(3), 292-299.
5. Taylor, A.F., Kuo, F. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. Journal of Attention Disorders, 12(5), 402-409.