North Vancouver Outdoor School has been involved in residential field based environmental studies since 1969. As a field school, NVOS provides all learners the opportunity to work in its outdoor classroom of Paradise Valley near Squamish BC. Both natural and cultural history are used as the general focus of this work.
At NVOS you can wander under 1,000-year-old cedars, gaze at hundreds of wintering bald eagles, watch a lamb being born or marvel at thousands of spawning salmon.These unique experiences lay the foundation for life-long learning at NVOS.
While at NVOS the children and adults that come to experience and study utilize
* 165 hectares (420 acres) of forests, streams and ponds
* programs enhanced by an expert program staff
* resource classrooms that include a salmon hatchery, farm, forest lab and Coast Salish Bighouse
* an on-site staff that provides 24-hour supervision, first aid coverage and all food service
* electrically heated and winterized pana-bode style cabins each with two indoor bathrooms which allow comfortable year-round living
All Outdoor School's environmental programs are based on a common teaching strategy.
* Create an emotional tie between students and some natural thing, like a newly born chick or ancient massive cedar.
* Teach lessons in a real setting, an environment where all senses can collect information, such as our salmon hatchery or farm.
* Have students work with enthusiastic teachers: role models with special skills in fields such as fisheries technology or cultural interpretation.
* Equip students for exploration and inquiry with real tools, like binoculars, magnifying glasses or bentwood boxes.
While our approach continues to evolve, we have consistently found a long-lasting impact from NVOS learning. Learners gain understanding of the ways in which human demands influence the natural balance. This gives them a means to anticipate where our future endeavours could lead us and to make more environmentally sustainable decisions.
Aquatic Studies
Students undertake all aspects of a fisheries biologist's role, investigating the intricate tapestry of the spawning channel adjacent to the hatchery. This work includes rearing one hundred fifty thousand coho and chum salmon. By affecting the salmon as managers, we strive to understand the influences on their survival.
Agricultural Studies
Our farm has a variety of plants and animals for our visitors to learn about. The animals include pigs, sheep, goats, cows, chickens, and bees. Students interact with these animals and perform the jobs which maintain them. This work gives insight to the needs of all animals. Through this direct experience a visitor can examine our present land use, focusing on agricultural issues.
Forest Studies
Understanding forest processes and our role in influencing them is imperative for continued use of our forests. By becoming foster parents to tree seedlings, using hands-on exhibits, and exploring the forest, students are motivated to investigate forest interactions and create their own resource management plan.
Wildlife Studies
As many of our birds are migratory, the enviromental influences on them are global. The planned centre will provide a facility to study aspects of avian natural history that cannot be observed solely in a field situation. It will be a quiet spot to observe the birds. The bird centre will feature interactive exhibits that will illustrate bird habitat, physiology and other adaptations. Our programs will have visitors work with birds and their conservation.