Monday Pass of Melfort Shipwreck Walk: March 17 at 11 am
Silva Johansson leads this walk to the site of a tragic shipwreck that inspired the creation of Amphitrite Lighthouse at the turn of the century. Learn why westerrn Vancouver Island has earned the name "Graveyard of the Pacific". SIlva brings history to life on this walk along the Pacific coastline where countless ship and sailors have floundered. Meet at the trailhead in the Whale Parking Lot, middle of coast Guard Road (not the emergency kiosk).
MARCH 15 to 22, 2025: pacificrimwhalefestival.com
Visit during the Pacific Rim Whalefest to enjoy daily programs that will enrich your understanding of whales and the world they live in. You can spot whales in migration at the lighthouse or follow a guided walk. Whales can be spotted starting in late February tapering off into the summer when thousands of whales have migrated past our shores. Local "resident" whales (who do not journey further north) vary year to year in numbers during the summer. In the fall whales return south but are typically further off shore.
See the full festival events at pacificrimwhalefestival.com
Whale Spotting at Amphitrite Lighthouse
Wednesday March 19 and Friday March 21
11 am to 2 pm: at Amphitrite Lighthouse
Lighthouse Drop In event. Join Naturalist Guides from Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, BC Parks Foundation, and Wild Pacific Trail Society to spot and learn about the whales and other marine mammals swimming past the coastline during this epic migration time. Booths will also feature whale bones, Ocean Wise & Transport Canada Boat Safety displays.
Drop in to see whales offshore and Naturalists on shore. Weather permitting a spotting scope may be available to get a closer look at this annual parade of whales past our shoreline.
Interpretive Walks and Naturalists: Naturalist with the Wild Pacific Trail Society and Raincoast Education Society will be available at our new Interpretive Centre starting March 3rd!
Daily Interpretive topics can be explored from our new Interpretive Centre overlooking thelighthouse. Learn about the Wild Pacific Trail, Ucluelet, and the array of eco-systems on the Pacific Rim. Ask about our walking trees, the beautiful plants, rocks, birds and other wildlife here on the West Coast. Have questions about the ocean and marine wildlife? Need trail orientation? Get tips on how to observe whales and marine mamals swimming past. The surf is in constant motion here, sweeping up surge channels and reefs. Observe from the safety of the trail or observation deck.
Check back for event calendars as our season rolls out.
Discovery Tent for 2025: Daily special guest will also appear on the lawn at the Lighthouse, end of Coast Guard Road this Spring.
Exhibits rotate exploring the plants, animals and cultures that make for a fascinating visit.
Special events such as Build-A-Whale or Tide Pool explorations feature educational partners.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for interpretive postings and weather being observed.
Award winning videos below are a great insight into our programs. A list of typical programs are listed below.
The Wild Pacific Trail is a unique outdoor classroom that offers incredible opportunities to connect people to nature. Our seasonal Discovery Tent at the lighthouse offers revolving topics for all ages.
Seven entertaining and award winning videos can be a great preview of what there is to see and learn.
Episode 1: "What's that smell?" video with our Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist
Special thanks to Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for her guidance.
Video series by Arya Touserkani @tousquared www.waterlogue.ca
Episode 2: " Follow that Slime" -- We have a lot to learn from Nature, we just need to listen!
Special thanks to Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ community, Elder Vi Mundy and Gisele Martin of Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for their traditional teachings.
Narrated by Tanya Nestoruk, trail naturalist, video by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 3: "For Peat's Sake" -- explore with our Wild Pacific Trail Naturalist!
Follow our naturalist as she discovers the weird and wonderful species that thrive in a Woodland Bog. Warning, you could get lost.
Follow this link for a COLOURING BOOKLET or a fun WORD PUZZLE.
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Special thanks to Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation. Video by Arya Touserkani.
Send your questions to naturalist@wildpacifictrail.com or post on our Facebook page.
Episode 4: "Force of Nature" will sweep you off your feet.
Explore the unique WEATHER that comes with living on the coast, how species not only manage to survive, but THRIVE!
Fun fact: Can you name an amphibian that has no lungs?
We are proud to acknowledge the skills of our past naturalist Tanya Nestoruk for her work with videographer Arya Touserkani www.waterlogue.ca
in achieving an award of excellence from Interpretation Canada for the video above.
Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation and Dr. Barb Beasley with the Association of Wetland Stewards for Clayoquot and Barkley Sound.
Episode 5: "Remarkable Ravens" a story of the smartest bird in the rainforest
Raven’s are not only role models of communication, fair trade, and savvy intelligence, they play an essential role as ecosystem recyclers.
Challenge: how can you tell the difference between a raven and a crow?
Thank you to Parks Canada for support for this project. Special thank you for footage and raven sound clips copyright by Ian Cruickshank
Note: footage was taken with a telephoto lens to avoid disturbing wildlife.
Raven vs Crow Image by Rosemary Mosco and Dr. Kaeli Swift with BirdandMoon.com @corvidresearch
Special thanks to Vi Mundy of Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for Nuu-chah-nulth translations.
Additional footage courtesy of:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHHHAfzAuKc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEksZdWKqtA – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6K9LbRX15Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJdj-2XvGF4 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6vzGrWP9lc
Also thanks to the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust for funding.
Video production by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 6: "Tree-S-I: Murder by Mushroom" help us solve this mystery.
There’s been a murder in the forest! Who! What? Why!
Follow along as detective Tanya gets to the root of the crime by investigating clues and searching for suspects in the woods… will she discover whodunit in this intriguing case?!
Special thanks to the inspirational Gisele Martin of the Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation for sharing her timeless knowledge of Nuu-chah-nulth language and culture.
So Mush-thanks to Andy MacKinnon, forest ecologist extraordinaire, for sharing his vast scope of marvelous mushroom knowledge and delightful sense of humour.
Stop motion animation on tree communication by Local Ucluelet youth, Riley Gerbrandt. Thank you!
Fun fact: what is our planet's largest organism?
Special thanks to the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust for funding. Video by Arya Touserkani.
Episode 7: hašaḥma quuquuʔaca ( language is precious & valuable )
Join special guests Jeneva Touchie and Gisele Martin as they share their personal connections to the Wild Pacific Trail and the importance of Nuu-chah-nulth language.
What wisdom can we learn from ancient languages?
To learn more about the Nuu-chah-nulth language visit:
https://www.firstvoices.com/explore/FV/sections/Data/Nuu-chah-nulth/Nuu%C4%8Daan%CC%93u%C9%AB/Nuu-chah-nulth%20(Barkley)
Jeneva offers free Nuu-chah-nulth language classes Tuesday evenings over Zoom. To find out more please email touchie_jeneva@hotmail.com
To learn more about Nuu-chah-nulth history, culture, news and events please go to https://nuuchahnulth.org/
We are grateful to our special guests and Sam Touchie from Yuułuʔiłʔatḥ First Nation for inspiring this episode.
Project funded by the WIld Pacific Trail Society and the Clayoquot BIosphere Trust.
Video by Arya Touserkani @tousquared www.waterlogue.ca
Talking Trees WALK
Let’s explore the surprising life of trees! How can trees talk, and walk?
Wolf Walk
Learn about Wolves, Bears, Cougars, and birds of prey, and what makes them so important to the local foodweb.
Eagle Walk
Why is the Wild Pacific Trail so popular with Bald Eagles?
The REDD FISH Salmon Trail
Join us to learn about salmon, their habitats, and what makes them so important to marine and freshwater ecosystems. Visit the Redd Fish Supply Co. on Main Street Ucluelet or our partner the Ucluelet Aquarium to learn more during the off season.
Build-A-Whale Discovery Tent
Join Strawberry Isle Research Society staff to learn about our remarkable whales and why some populations are endangered. This is a rare kid-friendly opportunity to assemble a real orca skeleton. Question: Do all orcas have sharp teeth? Whales are our mission.
RainCoast exploration booth
Question: What impact does the sea have on the rainforest? How do the sea and the land shape one another? Join Raincoast Education Society naturalists to share insight on coastal interactions. Bring your curiosity. This event will start again next season.
Ucluelet Aquarium: Tidepool WALK
Explore life where land meets the sea. Sturdy footwear is highly recommended so we can explore TIDEPOOLS with Ucluelet Aquarium and Trail Society Naturalists if the tides are low.
Beach tours are not suitable for toddlers due to the rough rocky terrain, small children must be supervised by an adult please. Next season plan for Big Beach excursions with Marine Biology specialists.
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve Outreach
Parks Canada's Coastal Stewards and Naturalists offer their special interactive activities featuring rotating topics of interest. Come to learn and have fun with Parks Canada next season.
Guided Birding WALKS:
Special Guest Ian Cruickshank or our Trail Naturalist will lead morning birding walks every week.
Pass of Melfort Shipwreck Walk:
Silva Johansson leads this walk to the site of a tragic shipwreck that inspired the creation of Amphitrite Lighthouse at the turn of the century.
Learn why western Vancouver Island has earned the name "Graveyard of the Pacific". Silva brings history to life on this walk along the Pacific coastline where countless ship and sailors have floundered.
WildSafe BC:
Survival is all about food, learn about the bear, wolves cougars and how to keep them from harm. Great display for kids of all ages. Bring your questions about how to be Bear Smart. Plan strategy for putting out garbage bins safely. Rare chance to visit with WildSafe BC experts.
Where to find us? Calendar events are colour coded to the parking lots at the Whale Parking Lot (red), Lighthouse (teal), Big Beach aka Frog parking lot (blue) and Brown's Beach aka Sea Star parking lot ( brown).
Send us your questions, or post photos and ideas on Instagram or email naturalist@wildpacifictrail.com.
We will post answers to the best questions. Let us know what you would like to learn!
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