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Plenty of nature hikes and talks at Strathcona

The long weekend starts with a hike to Divers Lake this Saturday with Heather and Rolf Kellerhals. This is an easy hike but...

Summer is in full swing at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre in Strathcona Park with Nature Talks and Hikes continuing during August.

The long weekend starts with a hike to Divers Lake this Saturday with Heather and Rolf Kellerhals. This is an easy hike but there is a stream crossing so hiking poles and water footwear may be required. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Wilderness Centre for this four- to five-hour hike.

This Sunday at 1 p.m., SWI features Dr. Kathy Martin of the Centre for Applied Alpine Studies at UBC, presenting Ptarmigan & Songbirds.

Strathcona Park is an Important Bird Area in part due to the unique Vancouver Island white-tailed ptarmigan. Pre-registration is not required for this talk but be aware that there is limited space for the  indoor presentation.

For BC Day on Monday, join a Nature Hike to Lake Helen Mackenzie. Meet at 10 a.m. at the Wilderness Centre for this easy  four-hour hike looking at plants and birds.

• On Aug. 10 is a Level 3 hike to Lake Beautiful with Marie Maccagno. Meet at 9 a.m. at the Wilderness Centre for this eight-hour, 21-km hike. Pre-register at coordinator@strathconapark.org.

• For those who prefer a nature walk, on Aug. 11 join registered professional forester Margaret Symon at 1 p.m  to explore lichens and other plants on her Post-Gutbuster: Lichen Meadows Tour.  All ages are welcome.

SWI nature walks and hikes will continue in August. For the full schedule and advice about what to ear and what to bring, visit www.strathconapark.org.

SWI programs are free, although a donation of $5 to 10 is appreciated to help with ongoing activities. All programs start at the Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows.

The Centre is located at the Paradise Meadows trailhead in Strathcona Provincial Park, adjacent to Mount Washington Alpine Resort's Raven Lodge.

The Centre is operated by the Strathcona Wilderness Institute (SWI), a non-profit society that organizes the programs and volunteers to staff the Centre every day for visitor and trail information. SWI also operates the Information Hut at Parks Headquarters at Buttle Lake.

— Strathcona Wilderness Institute