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BC Nature Camp at Wells Gray Park Coming This Summer

Kamloops Naturalist Club Posted on by

Land of Fire and Ice: Wells Gray Provincial Park 

Location: TRU Wells Gray Education and Research Station (25 km north of Clearwater, BC)

Date: July 11-14, 2024

Hosted by the Kamloops Naturalist Club 

This camp will combine evening presentations and half- and full-day field trips to immerse attendees in the wonders of Wells Gray. Per BC Parks highlights, Wells Gray has something to offer for almost every outdoor interest:

  • ● Lush alpine meadows
  • ● Excellent birding and wildlife viewing opportunities 
  • ● Hiking for every ability, ranging from a few minutes on a level trail to many days with a map and compass
  • ● Information about the early homesteaders, trappers, and prospectors in the area 
  • ● Lessons on the natural forces that produced Wells Gray’s many volcanoes, waterfalls, mineral springs, and glaciers” (https://bcparks.ca/wells-gray-park/) 

Cost per person: $650 includes:

  • ● Shared accommodation in research centre (rooms of 3 = 1 single bed + 1 bunk bed) or cabins (3 per cabin with no power or indoor plumbing, but outhouses nearby).
  • ● RV (unserviced) and tenting options are available but do not decrease cost. Includes access to research centre washrooms and showers.
  • ● All meals and full program (see draft Schedule on KNC website: link). Participants may bring snacks and alcoholic beverages if desired but there will be limited access to the facility’s kitchen/fridge. 
  • ● Participants are responsible for transportation to and from centre, carpooling for field trips, and own pillow & bedding. 
  • ● For more information and a video about the research centre, see: https://www.tru.ca/science/research/wells-gray-education-and-research-centre.html 

Registration opens Feb 9, 2024 at 9 am PST on a first-come, first-served basis via this online link:_________. Payment can be made via e-transfer or cheque. 

Once the maximum of 20 registrations have been confirmed, a wait list will be kept in case of cancellations.

Contacts: General questions: Nancy Flood (nflood@tru.ca)
Registration: Gary Hunt (garyalan.hunt@gmail.com) 

The following guest speakers and field trip leaders are confirmed, and we anticipate additional experts to join as the itinerary is finalized:

  • ● Dr. Catherine Hickson’s Ph.D. work focussed on the subglacial volcanoes of Wells Gray Provincial Park—of which she knows a lot!  She spent 25 years working for the Geological Survey of Canada, followed by a distinguished career as a volcanologist and geoscientist in private industry—working in Canada and around the world.  Currently, she is the CEO of the renewal energy project, “Alberta No. 1” of Terrapin Geothermics, and is president of President of Tuya Terra Geo Corp.  Want to learn more? See

     

  • ● Trevor Goward is a lifelong naturalist with a particular interest in lichenology–in which his expertise is sought-after around the world.  Although he has been co-curator of lichens at the UBC Herbarium for over 30 years, he actually lives in the Clearwater Valley, in a magical place called Edgewood Blue, where he writes scientific papers, books, and provocative essays for his website, “Ways of Enlichenment.” Want to learn more?  See https://explore.beatymuseum.ubc.ca/researchers-revealed/t_goward/  
  • ● Frank Ritcey is an author, filmmaker, blogger and all-round outdoors man.  A long-time contributor to CBC’s North by Northwest, he essentially grew up in Wells Gray Park and environs, and thus has acquired some very important skills, including how to find your way even without a trail, how to locate almost any kind of wildlife and how to avoid being eaten by a bear. Want to learn more? See https://frankritcey.com/2023/01/05/the-promise-of-spring/  
  • ● Dr. Lyn Baldwin is an award-winning professor, artist, and author—and a plant conservation biologist.  At TRU, she teaches botany, writing, natural history, and field courses—including one that she has co-led for many years in Wells Gray.  She has a deep commitment to place-based teaching, and in addition to university courses, leads workshops in nature journalling for both adults and kids, among other things.  Lyn’s book “Drawing Botany Home: A Rooted Life” won the Environmental Literature Award at the 2023 Banff Mountain Book Festival. Want to learn more? Try

     

  • ● Dr. Tom Dickinson has been involved in exploring, advocating for, and teaching in Wells Gray Park for almost 40 years.  A TRU professor Emeritus and previously the Dean of Science, he more than any other is responsible for acquisition of the original land and buildings that comprise the TRU Teaching and Research Centre, as well as additions to the land base and the construction of the new buildings that have opened up the Centre for use year round, and by more students and other visitors.

Resources

For those considering this camp or future visits, the following are fantastic guides to Wells Gray:

Exploring Wells Gray Park – Volume VII (2023) – by Roland Neave, available at: https://wgoclearwater.com/products/exploring-wells-gray-park-volume-vii 

Nature Wells Gray: A visitors’ guide to the park (2004) – by Trevor Goward & Cathie Hickson, out of print but available used, for example at:
https://www.amazon.ca/Nature-Wells-Gray-visitors-guide/dp/155105065X 

Ways of Enlichenment website at:: https://www.waysofenlichenment.net/ 

Optional Adventures 

These must be booked directly with outfitters as soon as possible as these are popular with tourists. More details to follow on registration form):

  1. 1. Wells Gray Adventures – Hut to Hut Hike
  • ● 5-day Hike starting July 15 – $1,325 + taxes per person (can request 10% discount if we reach 8+ bookings from BC Nature camp participants)
  • ● https://www.skihike.com/ – Contact: Arel Eakins, info@skihike.com
  1. 2. Clearwater Lake Tours
  1. 3. Horseback riding at Wells Gray Guest Ranch 
  1. 4. Whitewater Rafting – multiple outfitters, see list here:

Note: If participants book an optional adventure following the camp, they can request accommodation for the Sunday night at no extra cost (checking out Monday, July 15). No meals will be provided after lunch on July 14.

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