Comox Valley residents may want to check out the fishy fun at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Deep Bay Marine Field Station this Saturday.
A Kids Day Open House runs March 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“This is one of our key events during the Brant Wildlife Festival,” says field station manager Brian Kingzett.
“Activities will include a colouring contest, face painting, arts and crafts, bird banding demonstrations and more — all designed to teach kids about marine science and wildlife.”
Admission is free and staff will be available to answer questions and introduce visitors to the amazing marine life inside touch tanks and a large public aquaria.
Visitors will be delighted with the wide assortment of sea creatures, including 20 new Pacific spiny lumpsuckers, which arrived from the Vancouver Aquarium in January.
“It’s not often you find a fish so cute that you want to squeeze it but the Lumpsuckers are that adorable,” says Stephanie Richards, facility co-ordinator.
Besides the open house, families and kids will want to check out spring break camps this week and next week at the field station in Bowser.
The station is also hosting an ongoing film and speaker series until April 24.
The station, located about a half-hour drive south of Courtenay, is a key research facility and public marine science centre that is fast becoming a popular tourism destination for the region.
For more details, visit www.viu.ca/deepbay. For general information about the Brant Wildlife Festival, go to www.brantfestival.bc.ca or call toll free 1-866-288-7878.
— Deep Bay Marine Field Station