We deliver environmental education programs that connect kids and youth to their wild backyards, equip them with the skills and knowledge to take action, and foster a sense of stewardship. Together, we can create a climate of hope for the next generation.
Wildsight Environmental Education has been inspiring kids and youth across British Columbia’s Kootenay and Columbia regions for more than 25 years. Over that time, our programs have evolved to respond to the varying needs of schools and educators, as well as our changing environment.
Our programs span all ages, with offerings for students from Kindergarten to Grade 12, young adults, and even the teachers themselves. Whether it’s a half-day field trip, a 24-week, in-depth sustainability program, or a six-day backpacking trip with professional biologists and guides, Wildsight Environmental Education programs are accessible, age-appropriate, and delivered by a team of experienced educators.
Our impact
Explore our programs
Or, if you’re an educator looking for inspiration, ideas, and curriculum resources, discover our Environmental Education Resources.
Winter wonder
Length: Half day
Suitable for: Kindergarten to Grade 3
These winter ecology field studies for our littlest learners take students outside to discover the wonder of winter, and learn how plants and animals adapt.
Classroom with outdoors
Length: Full day
Suitable for: Grades 4–7
Kids get the chance to dive into the ecology of their wild backyard with these day-long field trips to a local grassland, wetland or forest.
Watershed matters
Length: 3 sessions (1 field trip & 2 classroom-based sessions)
Suitable for: Grades 10–12
This new program engages students with the complexities of sustainable watershed management through case studies, field work, data analysis and a role-play activity.
Go wild!
Length: 6 days
Suitable for: 14–18 year olds
Our annual backpacking trip for teenagers covers everything from mountain ecology and geology, to backcountry ethics and route planning.
Columbia River field school
Length: 15 days
Suitable for: 15–18 year olds
Each summer, we take a group of teenagers for an extraordinary paddling adventure down the upper Columbia River, all while earning school credits.
Beyond recycling
Length: 24 weeks
Suitable for: Grades 5–6
Beyond Recycling participants embark on a 24-week learning journey to discover how their everyday actions affect the planet, and how they can be agents of positive change.
Thank you
We gratefully acknowledge Environmental Education program support provided by Columbia Basin Trust, Copernicus Education Products, the Province of British Columbia, Teck Trail, TD Friends of the Environment, Columbia Power, the Community Foundation of the Kootenay Rockies, Kimberley Alpine Resort Community Summit Fund, Kootenay Co-op, LeRoi Community Foundation, the Osprey Community Foundation, Regional District of Central Kootenay and Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.
Teach the columbia
This flexible and adaptable curriculum package is designed to help educators engage their students with the past, present and future of the Columbia River watershed.
Teach the Columbia currently includes 11 lesson plans split into three different cross-curricular modules. These plans are written for high school students, and can be accessed and downloaded for free. We also regularly run three-day professional development workshops for educators wanting to deepen their understanding of this subject area.
Support Environmental Education
Help nurture a young person’s love for the natural world, and give them the skills and knowledge to become lifelong stewards. With a donation to environmental education today, you’ll be helping to connect thousands of young people across the Columbia Basin with the wild wonders on their doorsteps.
