Spring 2023 – Secondary School Programs

Booking Information

Program Seasons

The Ecology Centre has a spring and fall school program season. Spring in-person programs begin the first week of April and end on the third week of June. Fall in-person programs begin the third week of September and end the last week of November. In-person programs run Monday to Friday mornings and begin at 10 am. If you’re interested in programs outside of our normal school program season, check out our self-guided Forest Quest program or virtual field-trips!

Booking a School Program

Fill out the form below! One of our staff members will review your information and contact you with the next steps to confirm a booking, or to request more information if needed. We will respond to inquiries in the order they are received. You can also book a field-trip over the phone during the week at 604-990-3755 or by email at [email protected].

In order to allow as many schools as possible to come on a field-trip with us, schools can book a maximum of 3 field-trips per season.

School Booking Form

School Program Fees

Our program fees vary according to group size and the duration of the program. GST applies to groups with students age 15 and up. Our 2023 fees are:

Grade 8 to 12

  • Up to 12 students – $114.50
  • 13 to 30 students – $213.00
  • $3.00 – per student for virtual programs and self-guided programs (Forest Quest)
  • $2.00 – per student to visit the Ecology Centre and watch a nature video

Minimum cost of $30.00 for virtual programs with less than 10 students.

Note that we only run one class field-trip at a time (maximum 30 students). For schools wanting to bring more than one class, please consider our self-guided programs.

Cancellation Policy

Any program cancellations will be charged a $25 administration fee. Programs that are cancelled with less than 3 weeks notice will be charged a $50 fee.

Program Options

10 am to 1 pm. Grades 8 to 12. Maximum of 30 students.

Investigating Streamlife

Runs September to October and April to June.

Water quality affects us all, especially those animals that make water their home. Through invertebrate sampling and simple chemical tests, students will gain insight into the water quality of small creeks in Lynn Canyon Park. Students will learn how certain invertebrate species are connected to good water quality and will analyse their finding to calculate a water quality index. This look into a local creek will impress upon students just how many living organisms rely on healthy aquatic ecosystems. This program works well for classes studying animal biology, human-environment interactions, and aquatic ecosystems.

Rainforest Biodiversity Study

Runs September to November and April to June.

The coastal temperate rainforest is a rare and diverse ecosystem. Your class will compare two different rainforest sites, and explore the biodiversity of this ecosystem firsthand! This program allows students to become familiar with native trees and plants by measuring their diversity along transects in the forest. Students will help design a hypothesis for the study, collect field data, and then participate in a brief analysis of what they have found. They’ll experience a glimpse into the practical side of field biology that will help them understand the complex relationships that exist in forest habitats and the science of measuring them. This program works well for classes studying plant biology, geography, or temperate rainforest ecology.

Canyon Quest

Runs September to November and April to June.

How has water shaped Lynn Canyon Park? Travel back in time to discover the powerful forces that created the landscape we see today in Lynn Canyon. Students will embark on a hike to see geological features and processes in action. The program focuses on the effects of running water on watershed geomorphology. We will also observe landscape features shaped by glaciation. During the walk, students will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge through hands-on soil testing. This program works well for classes studying earth science, geology, and geography.

Monday to Friday from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm.
Cost: $3.00 per student.

Take Flight

Grade 8 to 12

Hop, dive, and flutter your way to this on-line workshop about birds! In this program, you’ll learn about the evolution and adaptations of birds. We’ll discover the feeding and nesting habits of local birds and the remarkable ways that different birds find niches in the temperate rainforest ecosystem.

The World Under Our Feet

Grade 8 to 12

Soil is much more than rocks and old leaves – it’s a vibrant ecosystem. Since people walk on top of the soil, we often don’t consider what’s underneath. Your students will explore how soil is made, the layers of the soil, and the animals, plants, and fungi that both rely on and help create a healthy ecosystem.

BC Biodiversity

Grade 8 to 12

What is biodiversity, and why is it important? In this on-line field trip, your students will learn about genetic, species, and habitat diversity. We will explore British Columbia’s diverse ecosystems from deserts to rainforests and learn how local plants and animals are well-adapted to our temperate rainforest ecosystem.

These group programs are for a maximum of 30 students plus adults.
Cost: $3.00 per student
Phone: 604-990-3755 to book a time

Forest Quest

Grades 8 to 10 – maximum 30 students plus adults 1.5 hour self-guided rainforest tour – $3.00 per student

Take your students on an educational adventure that combines a treasure hunt and ecology knowledge! Led by clues and a forest map, your students will decode the mysteries of temperate rainforest plants and animals, searching for the secret of life in the rainforest. You’ll also have a chance to view forest life up close with our amazing projector!

Additional Programs

Trail and Habitat Restoration

Volunteer in our District of North Vancouver parks to remove invasive plants, plant native species, and restore park areas. Please go to the District of North Vancouver Volunteer in a Park page for more information.

Getting Ready for Your Visit

How to Prepare for the Field Trip

  1. To get ready for your visit, please review the information sent to you by e-mail.
  2. Plan to arrive in the park at 9:45 am to leave 15 minutes for a snack and toilet break before you come into the Ecology Centre.
  3. It’s often wet in the mountains, even if it’s not raining elsewhere in Metro Vancouver. Make sure that students and adult assistants are dressed for the weather. Please ask your students and assistants to come wearing layers, with waterproof boots and a waterproof jacket. Rain pants are also highly recommended!
  4. Remind students and adults that the forest is a great place to unwind… and unplug. Please leave electronic devices at home. If you’d like to take photographs, keep your camera or phone in a zippered pocket during the rest of the field trip to make sure that it is safe and dry.

When you arrive at the Ecology Centre, check in at the front desk. As your students explore the Centre, our program staff will speak with you about the program and the learning needs of your group.

If you are planning on eating lunch after the program, please note there are undercover picnic tables located between the upper and lower parking lots.

Getting to the Park

Lynn Canyon Park is easy to access.

  1. Public transit. Take the #227 community shuttle to Peters Road at Duval Road or the #228 bus to Burrill Avenue and Lynn Valley Road.
  2. Private bus. Bus parking is limited. Please notify us in advance if you will be arriving by private bus so we can make arrangements for parking.
  3. Car. If you’re visiting with parent drivers, the closest parking to the Ecology Centre is the upper paved parking lot. Pay parking is in effect seasonally from March 1 to October 31. Parking is $3 per hour, for a maximum of 4 hours. The parking meter only accepts credit cards. District residents are eligible to purchase a $10.20 annual DNV Park Parking Pass that will enable them to park in the lot without paying the hourly rate. More information is available here.