The following topics are currently offered for the Wildlife in the Schools presentations (please see below for full program description):

• BATS
  
• BEARS
  
• CLIMATE CHANGES & WILDLIFE
  
• ENDANGERED AT HOME
  
• FANTASTIC FROGS
  
• OWLS
  
• SALMON OF THE PACIFIC
  
• TEMPERATE RAINFOREST
  
• URBAN WILDLIFE
  
• WILDCATS OF BC
  
• WILDLIFE OF BC
• WOLVES
  

For booking information and cost of presentations, please call our Education Coordinator at (604) 568-9160.

Has NWPS been to your school?  Click here to view a list of schools and groups who have received NWPS wildlife presentations.

Bats

Bats are creatures humans have loved to hate. Often feared and misunderstood, a bad reputation has led to large scale declines in bat populations throughout the world. But life just wouldn't be the same without bats. Unknown to many people, bats are depended on to pollinate flowers, rid the night of pesky mosquitoes, and provide food for local snake, hawk, and owl species. Through this NWPS presentation, audiences will learn the truth behind common bat myths as well as the latest bat facts. Audiences will also find out about the fantastic "extra sense" of the bat called echolocation. Echolocation allows bats to "see" through the night sky with amazing precision. The development of the well-known SONAR system, used to measure the depths of the oceans, was actually developed based on this extraordinary bat sense.

Program Outline:
The true story behind bat myths!
How are bats similar to Humans?
Diversity of Bats
What do bats eat?
Bat habitat
Reproduction
Threats to bats
Conservation efforts

Bears – BC & Beyond

From the Sun Bear and the Sloth Bear of Asia, to the Grizzly and the Black Bear of B.C., images of these fascinating mammals will captivate audiences as they learn about the biological characteristics, life cycle, and social habits of these animals. After introducing audience members to the bears of the world, we will focus specifically on the bears we share our province with. Concepts such as habitat requirements and hibernation are introduced with special attention given to survival needs and what people can do to secure a safe and healthy future for bears.

Program Outline:
Bears around the world
Physical characteristics of bears
Bears habitat
Bare Behaviour
Life-cycle
Human-Bear Interaction
Threats to Bears
How to help Bears

Climate Change & Wildlife

Climate Change is one of the greatest and most challenging problems facing our planet today. This encompassing presentation will examine the rise of climate change, the processes that fuel it and potential solutions to help solve it. We will explore the direct and indirect effects of climate change on many species including our own. This presentation will challenge the need for solutions and new ways of addressing this issue.

Program Outline:
Introduction to climate change.
The effects of climate change on wildlife and habitats.
What can be done? Solutions to our earth's changing climate.

Endangered At Home

Most people are aware of several of the endangered species found in tropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, we have many endangered species right here in B.C. that often get overlooked. Some of these populations, including those of the Vancouver Island Marmot and the Spotted Owl, are declining rapidly and are in dire need of protection. Some populations have less than 200 individuals left not only in B.C., but in the entire world! This NWPS presentation will introduce you to the Committee On the Status of Endangered Wildlife In Canada (COSEWIC) and their list of endangered species. It will then take an in-depth look at some of the human threats that are facing several of our endangered species, and what we as individuals can do to help.

Program Outline:
Introduction to Endangered Species
Endangered species in B.C.
Habitats
Threats facing endangered species
How can we help?

Fantastic Frogs (Recommended for Grades K to 4)

Explore the slippery world of amphibians! In this presentation, NWPS will focus on amphibians found in B.C. Specifically, we will introduce audiences to the 11 frog and 1 toad species living in British Columbia. We will discuss what makes these misunderstood animals so important and why we should make an effort to preserve them. We will also take an in-depth look at what makes these amphibians so different from other animals in B.C. Audiences will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating life cycle, habitat requirements, threats to survival, and positive steps being taken to preserve these animals.

Program Outline:
What is an amphibian?
Where can we find frogs?
Explore the unique lifecycle of frogs
Introduction to B.C.'s frogs species
Threats facing frogs
What you can do to help?

Owls: Folklore, Fact & Future

Let NWPS show you a fantastic interactive presentation on owls, featuring the species found in British Columbia. Throughout the slideshow audience members will be introduced to 15 native species of owls and the traits that make each one unique. In addition, we will take an in-depth look at what makes owls different from other animals, including how owls use their extraordinary senses and techniques to hunt prey. Threats that endanger owls, along with some of the measures being taken to help them will also be discussed. Participants will also learn some mesmerizing myths that have surrounded owls for centuries, including some associated with one of our own holidays - HALLOWEEN! 

Program Outline:
Owl myths and fascinations
Owls of BC
Owl characteristics
Threats and solutions

Salmon of the Pacific

Canada's northwest coast is one of the few remaining areas of great biodiversity. Pacific salmon are a vital part of the B.C. wilderness. Within the last 150 years, salmon have disappeared from almost half of their original range along the northwest coast of North America. Through this presentation, audiences will learn the importance of salmon in B.C. ecosystems, the uniqueness of their life cycle, habitat and population threats and ways we can help protect them. NWPS naturalists will discuss the importance of estuaries and how they are related to salmon survival. We will also look at some of B.C.'s most threatened estuaries and what can be done to keep them clean.

Program Outline:
Importance of salmon in B.C.
The unique lifecycle of salmon
Meet the 5 Pacific salmon
Aquatic habitats essential for salmon
The role salmon play in B.C.'s Coastal Temperate Rainforests
Foodweb- who's eating who?
Threats to salmon
What we can to do help?

Temperate Rainforest

They are among the rarest ecosystems on earth, and they are our home. Students will explore the world of the Temperate Rainforest and learn more about what animals depend on them and how important they are to British Columbia and in fact all of Canada. We will discover the differences and similarities Temperate Rainforests have to their tropical counterparts, and learn new ways in which we can protect these magnificent ecosystems.

Program Outline:
What are temperate rainforests?
Where on earth are they located?
Animals of the temperate rainforest.
The threats that face the temperate rainforest.
Solutions to help save this endangered ecosystem.

Urban Wildlife

Did you know that those pesky squirrels and starlings living in your yard are wildlife? Wildlife living in our cities, called urban wildlife, is becoming more and more common as urban sprawl continues to eat up natural ecosystems. With fewer places left to go, some types of wildlife move into our cities to take advantage of things like our parks, gardens, and of course, garbage. No matter how old you are, it is important to learn how urban wildlife affects you, and how you affect urban wildlife. There are simple things everyone can do to ensure a mutually beneficial (yes, raccoons are beneficial!) relationship, whether it be around your home or in your school yard.

Wildcats of BC

Explore the mysterious world of wildcats living right in our own backyard. Learn amazing facts and folklore about the three species of cats inhabiting British Columbia. The cougar, the lynx, and the bobcat are featured in this presentation which looks at wildcat behavior, favorite prey, habitat, human interaction, conservation, threats, and the roles wildcats play in their natural ecosystems. Audience members may be surprised to find out that these seemingly big cats actually have a lot more in common with our favorite house felines than with the lions of Africa or the tigers of Asia. Participants will also learn what they can personally do to aid in the preservation of wildcats. 
Introduction to wildcats around the world ?
BC's wildcats ?
Finding food ?
Territory ?
Reproduction  ?
Wildcats and Humans ?
Conclusion

Wildlife of BC

This interactive slideshow presentation takes audiences on a trip throughout the ecosystems of northwest North America to meet some of the amazing wildlife found throughout B.C. and surrounding areas. From the underwater marine world to mountain tops, audiences will meet new animals and learn unique and interesting facts about familiar species. Habitat requirements, threats to survival, and positive steps being taken to preserve wilderness and wildlife will be discussed. Finishing up on a forward thinking note, audiences of all ages will learn what they can do to help wildlife on a daily basis in their schools, homes, or offices. 

Program Outline:
Diversity in B.C.
Why do we have so much diversity?
Mammals, Salmon and Aquatic Invertebrates
Birds
Amphibians and Reptiles
Insects
Human impacts
How can we protect biodiversity?

Wolves

Join a NWPS naturalist for this encouraging presentation to unlock the common myths about wolves and learn new facts about their behaviour and habits. From the history of humans and wolves to the wolf life cycle, this presentation will delve into current and past issues of population threats, conservation, and future prospects. Audiences of all ages will gain a deeper understanding of the roles that wolves play in their environment. Inspiring slides and the harmonious sound of wolves howling will excite audiences into learning more about them.

Program Outline:
Concepts of the wolf
Historical range
Wolf characteristics
Locating food
Life cycle
Wolf-human interactions
How can we help wolves?