Name: Caring for BC’s Forests
Start: 2026-09-05T11:00:00-07:00
End: 2026-09-05T11:30:00-07:00
Location: Allan Brooks Nature Centre

Join us for Kars & Kritters Show & Shine. Click Here

Events Calendar

Browse upcoming events, workshops, and seasonal experiences designed
to connect you deeply with the Okanagan’s unique ecosystem

Admission by Donation • Open Seasonally • Experiences for all ages

Calendar of Events

From Grassland Trail Tours to Workshops or Summer Camps – ABNC hosts a variety of events that truly bring nature to life. See what fun nature-inspired events are coming soon for you to experience!

Please note: If you have not received an email confirmation after 24 hours of purchasing a ticket, check your spam folder or call Cheryl at 250-260-4227 Ext. 101 to confirm your purchase.

No refunds on tickets purchased, but event purchases are transferrable. Summer camps excluded. Simply email us the change of names at events@abnc.ca.

M	T	W	T	F	S	S
					1 event 1 1 event, 1 11:00 am - 11:30 am The SEAcrets of Sea Otters: marine guardians August 1 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am PDT The SEAcrets of Sea Otters: marine guardians Sea otters are not just the most adorable marine animal, they actually play an important role in managing and protecting many marine environments. Come to the Allan Brooks Nature Centre to learn from Trey Schober about sea otters! Trey will start with otter anatomy, before moving on to the history of the fur trade in North America. Afterwards, he will discuss the successful rehabilitation of sea otters, as well as highlight their importance in kelp forests, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows.	0 events 2 0 events, 2
0 events 3 0 events, 3	1 event 4 1 event, 4 2026-08-04 Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7 Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7 August 4 @ 9:00 am - August 7 @ 4:00 pm PDT Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7 Get your children outdoors this summer and book them in a Nature Explorers Summer Camp. Our nature camps are hands-on, fun-filled learning at Allan Brooks Nature Centre! Children will learn about our local ecosystems and wildlife through outdoor lessons, play, crafts, games, and activities! Our Nature Explorers Camp is a day camp for children ages 6 - 8. These are full-day camps that run for 4 days from 9 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Friday. Nature Explorers Theme: Weather Watchers Clouds, wind, rain, sun: kids become weather detectives. Campers keep a daily weather log, build windsocks, play wind and cloud games, and learn how animals and people stay “storm smart”. The week ends with a Forecast Fair where teams share their best weather predictions. Day 1 Weather detectives, windsocks and logs Indoors: Welcome and camp culture: Name game and “Weather name” Safety: sun hats, water, wind awareness. Start the daily weather log. Temperature, cloud type, wind strength, “how it feels”, and a sky sketch. Create a “weather word wall”: gusty, calm, bright, hazy, etc. Introduce “microclimate” in kid language: “same place, different weather feeling”. Indoor weather-charades and build mini “wind vane” models. Make a windsock. Outdoor: Wind games: “Windsocks”... Get Tickets $15.00 – $250.00	1 event 5 1 event, 5 2026-08-04 Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7	1 event 6 1 event, 6 2026-08-04 Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7	1 event 7 1 event, 7 2026-08-04 Weather Watchers – Aug 4-7	1 event 8 1 event, 8 11:00 am - 11:30 am Rattlin’ around Vernon August 8 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am PDT Rattlin’ around Vernon Due to the smoke covering Vernon Pete and we have decided it's better to postpone his talk at this time. Let's do this again this year as Pete was so very popular last year..... Meet Pete Wise! Pete is THE man in and around Vernon when it comes to wildlife control in the area. Pete LOVES snakes, and Rattler's in particular. Come along and learn about these (and possibly other) snakes from the expert.	1 event 9 1 event, 9 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm 17th Annual Indigenous Family Gathering August 9 @ 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT 17th Annual Indigenous Family Gathering Join us at the 17th Annual Indigenous Family Gathering on Sunday, August 9th to celebrate the natural beauty of the Okanagan. This event is hosted by the səxʷknxitəlx kl cəcəmálaʔ (Those Who Care for the Children) Indigenous Early Years Table of the Central Okanagan and the theme this year is "Okanagan Animals".Families can enjoy hands on activities, cultural experiences, singing, drumming, face painting, entertainment, a free BBQ lunch, and more. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with Indigenous organisations and community partners in a welcoming and inclusive environment.The Allan Brooks's Programs and Community Engagement Coordinator - David Lilly will be there with volunteers to help little kids play a game of removing invasive species from our waterways.. we hope to see you there!
0 events 10 0 events, 10	1 event 11 1 event, 11 2026-08-11 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14 August 11 @ 9:00 am - August 14 @ 12:00 pm PDT Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14 Get your children outdoors this summer and book them in a Growing Up Wild Summer Camp. Our nature camps are hands-on, fun-filled learning at Allan Brooks Nature Centre! Children will learn about our local ecosystems and wildlife through outdoor lessons, play, crafts, games, and activities! Our Growing Up Wild Camp is a day camp for children ages 4 - 5. These are half-day camps that run for 4 days from 9 am - 12 pm, Tuesday - Friday. Growing Up Wild Theme: Birds, Birds, Birds Spread your wings with bird games and bird spotting. Campers learn what makes a bird a bird, then make masks, build cozy nests, and create a simple bird feeder. We’ll also explore owls, hawks, and eagles through stories, props, and hands-on discovery. Day 1: What is a bird? Indoor: Introductions, Rules, Ice Breaker/Seated Name Game. Make Bird Masks. Story telling. Outdoor: What is a bird? Where do we find birds? What kinds of birds are here? Teach them what a bird of prey is . Owl vs eagle vs hawk Day 2: Bird watching/finding Outdoor: Hide reptile/amphibian toys in the playground. Form two groups. Each kid must find one for their “lunch” and run... Get Tickets $15.00 – $160.00	1 event 12 1 event, 12 2026-08-11 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14	1 event 13 1 event, 13 2026-08-11 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14	1 event 14 1 event, 14 2026-08-11 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 11 – 14	2 events 15 2 events, 15 Featured 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Kars and Kritters Featured August 15 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm PDT Kars and Kritters Kars & Kritters Show & Shine Saturday, August 15, 2026 \| 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Knox Church 3701 – 32 Avenue, Vernon, BC Join us for Kars & Kritters Show & Shine, a brand-new community event presented in partnership with Knox Presbyterian Church in support of the Allan Brooks Nature Centre. This inaugural fundraiser brings together classic cars, exotic creatures, family-friendly activities and environmental education for a fun-filled morning the whole community can enjoy. Admission is FREE, with donations encouraged. All proceeds from the event—including vehicle registrations, silent auction purchases, food sales and donations—directly support the Allan Brooks Nature Centre's environmental education programs, conservation initiatives and community outreach. Whether you're a car enthusiast, a family looking for something fun to do, or simply looking to support a great local cause, Kars & Kritters offers something for visitors of all ages. Show & Shine Registration Owners of classic, collector, specialty and custom vehicles are invited to register for the Adult Show & Shine. Young car enthusiasts can also take part in our Junior Show & Shine by registering their electric ride-on vehicles. Registration Fees Adult Show & Shine – $25 Junior Show & Shine – $5 All registration proceeds support..., 11:00 am - 11:30 pm Grey Wolves of North America: Behaviour, Structural Adaptations & Ecological Importance August 15 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 pm PDT Grey Wolves of North America: Behaviour, Structural Adaptations & Ecological Importance Get to know all about grey wolves in North America: how do wolf populations impact us, livestock, and other animals? How are wolves adapted to prey on large, hoofed animals? Come along and here one of our staff members - Sophie Hooysma - talk about wolf behaviour, anatomy, habitats, and diets as well as some history between wolves and humans. Why do wolves have such a bad name and why is this a misconception? Wolves are of significant ecological importance, creating a balanced trophic cascade in prey and plant populations, and yet many subspecies are becoming increasingly rare. Why is this? Come along to learn about what happened in Yellowstone National Park after wolves were exterminated, and learn about the Vancouver Coastal Sea wolf, a wolf that loves seafood.	0 events 16 0 events, 16
0 events 17 0 events, 17	1 event 18 1 event, 18 2026-08-18 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21 August 18 @ 9:00 am - August 21 @ 4:00 pm PDT Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21 Get your children outdoors this summer and book them in a Nature Explorers Summer Camp. Our nature camps are hands-on, fun-filled learning at Allan Brooks Nature Centre! Children will learn about our local ecosystems and wildlife through outdoor lessons, play, crafts, games, and activities! Our Nature Explorers Camp is a day camp for children ages 6 - 8. These are full-day camps that run for 4 days from 9 am - 4 pm, Tuesday - Friday. Nature Explorers Theme: Birds, Birds, Birds A big bird adventure packed with outdoor games, birding walks, and hands-on discoveries. Campers make masks and binoculars, investigate clues on a Bird Detective Trail, build nests, and learn about owls and raptors. We’ll finish with a Bird Book and a celebration parade. Day 1: Meet Birds, Masks and Beaks Indoor: Welcome and camp culture: Name game and “Bird name”. Craft: make your own bird mask. Beak lab: “beaks do jobs” hands-on activity. Bird art: feather/leaf rubbings, or group makes “giant nest” sculpture. Outdoor: “Bird chat” what makes a bird a bird? quick “spot a bird” challenge. Migration game (grasslands theatre). “Bird Olympics” outdoor stations (relay-style movement games): flap-and-glide relay, worm pull (tug game), nest delivery (carry “eggs”... Get Tickets $15.00 – $250.00	1 event 19 1 event, 19 2026-08-18 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21	1 event 20 1 event, 20 2026-08-18 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21	1 event 21 1 event, 21 2026-08-18 Birds, Birds, Birds – Aug 18 – 21	1 event 22 1 event, 22 11:00 am - 11:30 am Aquatic invaders that threaten the Okanagan August 22 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 am PDT Aquatic invaders that threaten the Okanagan Sam Sterk, the Aquatic Invasive Species Technician at the Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society (OASISS) gives a talk about aquatic invaders that threaten the Okanagan. In this talk Sam will explore the potential risks and impacts involved with invasive species that live in and around freshwater. Sam will share the devastating environmental, economic, and recreational risks associated with aquatic invasive species, how to reduce their spread. Sam will have resources to hand out to participants. This talk is perfect for anyone interested in freshwater ecology, recreational boating, and protecting our beaches and waterways. Come ready to ask questions and find out how you can connect with OASISS after the event.	0 events 23 0 events, 23
0 events 24 0 events, 24	0 events 25 0 events, 25	0 events 26 0 events, 26	0 events 27 0 events, 27	1 event 28 1 event, 28 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Polson Artisan Market August 28 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm PDT Polson Artisan Market Join us alongside the Grasslands Conservation Council and the City of Vernon Climate Action Group at the night market. We'll have awesome Taxidermy, Sensory Boxes, a Fur Bar and much more to discover. Come and chat with us about how we can help you discover more about the amazing natural world around us - what we're losing and what's invading our neighbourhood - I guarantee we'll surprise you.	1 event 29 1 event, 29 11:00 am - 11:30 pm How hydrothermal fluids rich with minerals make stones August 29 @ 11:00 am - 11:30 pm PDT How hydrothermal fluids rich with minerals make stones Come along to find out from Dustin Moro of the Vernon Lapidary and Mineral Club how hydrothermal fluids rich with minerals make stones - and the many different ways that happens. See and feel finished cabochons and polished stones and find out about the skills of turning rough rocks into polished stones - lapidary. Let Dustin get you hyped about our special ancient volcanic area and how these hidden processes eventually ends up as Jewellery.	0 events 30 0 events, 30
0 events 31 0 events, 31