Introduce your youngsters to the wonders of the forest and the concept of migration at two guided walks put on this weekend by CRD Parks.
鈥� Stop, Look, Listen is a great program for youngsters under five and adults to share nature together at Coles Bay Regional Park.
At the guided walk, children will learn how to open their senses to appreciate the wonders of the forest. They will join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist and find what鈥檚 hidden on the trail, meet a tree and more.
There is no fee for this program, but you must pre-register, as space is limited.
The program runs 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Coles Bay Regional Park, North Saanich.
鈥� Learn why some birds fly south, while others spend their winters enjoying southern 91原创 Island鈥檚 moderate climate at Winter Birds of Witty鈥檚, a guided walk for children eight and older.
Join a CRD Regional Parks naturalist to find out who鈥檚 who at the lagoon, a favourite bird hangout. Bring binoculars if you have a pair, but a spotting scope will be available for everyone to get a close-up look at feathery residents.
The event is free to attend. It runs 10 to 11:30 a.m. Sunday at Witty鈥檚 Lagoon Regional Park in Metchosin. Meet at the Witty鈥檚 Lagoon Nature Centre off Metchosin Road.
The park is served by B.C. Transit routes #54 or #55.
Participants are advised to dress for the weather, as programs take place rain or shine, and to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program, leaving pets at home. For more information, or to pre-register, go to .
University celebrates alumni with special events
Rub shoulders with thinkers, changers and people who make a difference at the University of Victoria Alumni Week, a week-long celebration of UVic alumni, Friday to Feb. 7 at various venues on and off campus.
More than a dozen events are being planned 鈥� including talks, awards and social gatherings.
Activities include a bonspiel for curlers at the Victoria Curling Club, a reception and concert by the School of Music, a high-tech co-op and career fair, a child and youth care alumni reception for networking and an evening celebration recognizing distinguished alumni.
Since UVic was founded, more than 130,000 people have graduated from the university 鈥� including almost 68,000 who live in B.C., with about 40,000 who reside in the Capital Regional District.
Admission to the events ranges from free to $30. Registration is required for most events.
For a list of events, times and venues, .
Get sticky at Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival in Duncan
Learn how sap is tapped from local bigleaf maples at the Bigleaf Maple Syrup Festival in Duncan, Saturday and Sunday.
This is the 12th year for the annual celebration, hosted by the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre and the 91原创 Island Sapsuckers, a group of local maple-syrup producers.
Participants will learn how sap is turned into a syrup with a flavour that rivals that of any produced in the eastern provinces.
Discover the many facets of maple sugaring in a festival atmosphere with live entertainment 鈥� all with the aroma of hot syrup from a evaporator in the background.
There will be tapping demonstrations, syrup tasting and mini-workshops throughout the day. Those interested in tapping their own trees can buy start-up kits and other tapping supplies.
The festival is one of the few places visitors can sample and purchase Bigleaf Maple Syrup, as well as many other locally produced items made from maples.
Admission includes unlimited train rides on the Green Hornet (the centre鈥檚 resident train).
Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for children age three to 12 years and free for members and children two and under. It runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the B.C. Forest Discovery Centre, 2892 Drinkwater Rd. Duncan. For more information, go to .
Take a Swan Lake guided bird walk
Spring is an excellent time to join the Bird Walk, which takes place every Sunday at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary.
Take an informal and informative walk around the lake area, accompanied by experienced leaders.
Children are welcome, provided that they are quiet and can wait patiently while the rest of the group admires the birds.
Bring your binoculars, but if you don鈥檛 have a set, you can borrow one from the Nature House office on Wednesdays.
Download a copy of the sanctuary bird checklist from the sanctuary鈥檚 website.
Put on comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather, as these walks take place rain or shine. The walks are free to join, but visitors are encouraged to donate just inside the front door.
The walks take place 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Sundays from the parking lot at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd.
The Nature House is wheelchair accessible. For more information, go to .
Dip into Dine Around and Stay in Town
Experience Victoria鈥檚 diverse culinary scene at Dine Around and Stay in Town, with special offerings from more than 50 restaurants and accommodations at reduced prices at local hotels, now until Feb. 10.
Victoria locals and tourists alike can sample set-price, three-course meals or stay in some of Victoria鈥檚 hotels at substantial savings during the annual event, a collaboration between Tourism Victoria and the B.C. Restaurant and Food Services Association.
Participating restaurants will offer three-course menus costing $20, $30, $40 or $50 per person. All courses can also be paired with B.C. VQA wine and/or B.C. craft beer offerings.
Hotels, from budget-friendly to luxurious, will offer rooms at special rates from $109 to $299.
For a list of participating restaurants and hotels and their menus, go to .
Enjoy music by youth orchestra
Listen to orchestral music by young musicians as the Greater Victoria Youth Orchestra presents Tchaikovsky鈥檚 Sleeping Beauty Suite, Saturday at the University of Victoria鈥檚 Farquhar Auditorium.
The orchestra, under the direction of Yariv Aloni, music director and conductor, will play a repertoire that includes: Respighi鈥檚 Ancient Airs and Dances, Suite 2, Sibelius鈥檚 Karelia Suite, Op. 11, Debussy鈥檚 Pr茅lude 脿 l鈥檃pr猫s-midi d鈥檜n faune and Tchaikovsky鈥檚 Sleeping Beauty Suite, Op. 66a.
The youth orchestra has been producing music for local audiences since 1986. Its alumni can be found in prestigious schools, ensembles and orchestras throughout the world.
Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for seniors and $10 for students. The concert is 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday at the Farquhar Auditorium in the University Centre, University of Victoria. Tickets are available from the UVic Ticket Centre, 250-721-8480 or tickets.uvic.ca. For more information, go to .
Get that spring feeling at Butchart
Experience spring months earlier at Butchart Gardens鈥� Spring Prelude. Every January, the popular tourist attraction opens an indoor garden where the artificially warm climate convinces plants that it is already spring.
Stroll along flagstone pathways, breathing in the fragrance of flowering shrubs and flowers. Beds of daffodils and tulips bloom alongside tropical plants and orchids.
Cherry, witch hazel and other flowering shrubs provide a backdrop to a footbridge over a Koi-filled pond fed by a waterfall.
Visitors can also walk in the outdoor paths and admire the greenery of the gardens in peace, without the usual crowds of peak season.
The display is included in the cost of regular admission. The Spring Prelude garden is open 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (3:30 p.m. on certain dates) until March 17 at Butchart Gardens, 800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay.
For more information, go to .
