Brant Wildlife Festival Nature Film Night

Join us for an inspiring evening of storytelling, conservation, and breathtaking coastal imagery at our Nature Film Night, part of the Brant Wildlife Festival.

This special event features three captivating short films that celebrate the beauty, complexity, and importance of our local ecosystems:

Hamilton Marsh: A Living Legacy

Experience the story of restoration and resilience through this powerful film screening, followed by a presentation from filmmaker Taryn Pickard of Seidr Productions. Discover how community efforts are helping to protect and revitalize this vital habitat.

The Extraordinary Salish Sea

Filmmaker Bob Turner takes you beneath the surface of one of the richest marine ecosystems in the world, revealing the remarkable diversity and interconnected life of the Salish Sea.

Dance of the Herring

Witness the mesmerizing spectacle of herring spawning—one of nature’s most important and visually stunning events—captured through Bob Turner’s lens.

Whether you're a nature enthusiast, filmmaker, or simply looking for a meaningful night out, this event offers a unique opportunity to connect with the landscapes and wildlife that define our region.

Come be inspired, learn something new, and celebrate the natural world with your community.

Please register by emailing ray@mabr.ca

Great Blue Heron and Coastal Wildlife - A Brant Wildlife Festival Video & Photo Event

Featuring photos and videos from local Oceanside Wildlife Photographers Deborah Freeman, Wayne Duke, Marnee Pearce, Randy Findlay and the Save Estuary Land Society.  The panel of photographers will share stories about their experiences photographing wildlife and answer audience questions. 

The theatre accommodates those using mobility aids such as walkers and wheelchairs.
Adult admission by donation and children are free. 

A Silent Auction will be held at the event with bids collected on paper bid sheets

All funds raised support the Save Estuary Land Society's Viking Way Land Acquisition Campaign

Seating available on a first-come basis

For more info visit:   https://www.saveestuarylandsociety.ca/

Contact: saveestuaryland@gmail.com

Basic Bird ID & Birdwatching workshop

A practical bird identification workshop, led by naturalist Dr. Lynne Brookes. This workshop is suitable for beginning/intermediate level participants and includes use of taxidermy mounts and viewing resident birds. Resource materials, birdwatching pointers, places to go and local bird viewing opportunities are all included. Bird ID skills will be practiced on-site at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre, and off-site in the Parksville-Qualicum Beach area.

Register at NIWRA or by calling 250-248-8534 ext 3

Infrastructure for Nature by Town Qualicum Beach

Tour the Rain Garden and Beach Creek Jetty with Qualicum Beach Mayor Teunis Westbroek and MABR Executive Director Ray Woroniak.

Register at ray@mabr.ca

Movie Night with the QB Cinema Society 

"Salmon Secrets" presented by Clayoquot Action from Tofino, Dan Lewis will be presenting followed by a Q&A.

"Call of the Orcas" and "Shared Water, Shared Crisis" is a presentation through the QB Museum.

Tickets will go on sale Mid March

Web: www.qbcinema.org

Contact: info@qbcinema.org

Brant Festival Free Skate

Free ice skating, rentals and face painting

Tour of Heritage Forest

Join Tom Whitfield for an easy walk along the mulch trails of the 50-acre Qualicum Beach Heritage Forest. Here’s an opportunity to learn about old-growth Douglas-fir trees, forest ecology, wildlife and cultural history of this rare gem.

Web: www.heritageforest.ca

Register by emailing: heritageforest@shaw.ca

Try birding, it’s a hoot! Join the Arrowsmith Naturalist’s birding experts observing birds, hopefully Brant in Parksville Bay. Located at the Parksville Community Park, at the far end by the Mandala. We will have loaner binoculars and members will bring their scopes to share. This event is weather dependent.

First Annual Brant Wildlife Family Festival

We’re excited to introduce the Brant Wildlife Family Festival at Oceanside Place! The event features free skating and rentals, face painting, with music by DJ Connor on the pond, and educational displays and activities hosted by local community groups and school PACs.

This fun-filled afternoon also serves as a fundraiser for local school food programs, supporting local students with healthy meals.

Bring your family and friends, enjoy the games, music, and skating, and help us make a positive impact in our community!

Tour of Heritage Forests

Join Tom Whitfield for an easy walk along the mulch trails of the 50-acre Qualicum Beach Heritage Forest. Here’s an opportunity to learn about old-growth Douglas-fir trees, forest ecology, wildlife and cultural history of this rare gem.

Web: www.heritageforest.ca

Register by emailing: heritageforest@shaw.ca

Brant Festival’s 33rd Annual Carving, Woodworking & Art Show

Each spring, something special happens on the mid-Island. Wood shavings replace winter rain, conversations turn to grain and finish, and creativity takes centre stage. This year, that energy comes together again at the Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking & Art Show — an event that has become a quiet favourite for artists, makers, and anyone who appreciates skilled hands and beautiful work.

Held on April 11 and 12, 2026, at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, this show has earned its reputation as one of the top carving and woodworking competitions in Western Canada. Walk through the doors and it becomes clear why. Tables and displays are filled with carefully carved birds, figures, bowls, furniture, and art pieces that reflect hundreds of hours of patience and practice. Some works are bold and dramatic, others subtle and finely detailed, but all share a respect for wood as both material and teacher. The nature-themed art show added in recent years brings even more excitement.

There is something a bit intimate about the event. There are stories behind the gouges, lathes and paint brushes. Visitors often pause beside a piece, lean in, and quietly ask how something was done. Just as often, the artist is happy to explain, sharing tips, lessons learned, and the occasional hard-won mistake. That openness is part of what has kept the show thriving for more than three decades.

For those who want to go deeper, seminars will be running throughout the weekend. These sessions cover a range of carving, turning, and woodworking techniques, offering practical insights whether someone is just starting out or has been working with wood for years. Watching a skilled woodworker demonstrate a cut or explain why a piece cracked can feel like standing beside a master mechanic with the hood open — suddenly, things make sense in a new way.

The show is also designed to be welcoming and fun. Door prizes and draws add a sense of anticipation, and there is always a bit of friendly excitement as names are called. It is not unusual to see people arrive “just for a quick look” and stay far longer than planned, pulled in by conversation, craftsmanship, and the warmth of the community.

The event is hosted by three organisations deeply rooted in the local arts scene: the Mid-Island Woodworkers’ Guild, the Oceanside Wood Carvers, and the DeCosmos Fine Arts Society. Together, they bring a mix of experience, passion, and volunteer effort that keeps the show grounded and authentic. It is a reminder that events like this do not happen by accident; they are built over time by people who care about craft and community.

The Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking, & Art Show is not just for woodworkers or artists. It is for anyone who enjoys seeing what patient hands and creative minds can do with a natural material. It is for those looking for inspiration, a conversation, or simply a good way to spend a spring weekend along with the other events happening as part of the Brant Wildlife Festival.

The Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, located at 747 Jones Street, provides an accessible and comfortable setting, making it easy to drop in, wander, and enjoy. Whether arriving with a notebook full of questions or simply curiosity, visitors are likely to leave with a deeper appreciation for the art of working with wood or paint — and perhaps a new reason to mark April on the calendar. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Kids 12 and under are free. We look forward to seeing you there!

Community Breakfast Fundraiser at Kwalikum Secondary School

Join in for a warm and welcoming community breakfast featuring bannock, pancakes, scrambled eggs, yogurt parfait, coffee, and tea. Local leaders including MLA Stephanie Higginson and Town of Qualicum Beach Mayor and Councillors and RDN Director Lehann Wallace will show their leadership by volunteering alongside students to help serve breakfast and support this important cause.

All proceeds will go directly to the KSS Food Program, helping provide meals for students at Kwalikum Secondary, Qualicum Beach Elementary, Arrowview Elementary, as well as take-home food for families in need.

Come enjoy a delicious breakfast, support local students, and connect with your community while making a meaningful difference!

Bird Photography Workshop at the Brant Wildlife Festival

Come join Dave to celebrate the Brant Festival in the community and enjoy a Bird Photography Workshop.  Dave has been photographing nature for over 20 years specializing in landscape and wildlife photography.  Based on Central Vancouver Island, Dave has been teaching nature based photography workshops to all levels of ability since 2010.  In 2025, Dave co-authored a BC Bestselling book celebrating the beauty of this wonderful island, with his wife, called "Vancouver Island: The Art of the Landscape".

100% of the proceeds for this workshop will be donated to the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (office in Qualicum Beach).  Suggested donation is $25-50 but any amount is welcome (cash only, please).  My wife Kelly, a certified forest therapy guide and nature photographer, will also be available for support. 

Workshop is open to all levels of ability.  Workshop is rain or shine.  Please bring a rain jacket, cap, and water.​

What are we going to do at the workshop?

Dave will guide you through technical aspects, composition techniques, and lighting for bird photography through the 2 hour workshop.

Register at: https://www.davehutchisonphotography.com/birdphotographyworkshop.html

Hamilton Marsh Walk

Visit this spectacular wetland just 5 minutes from Qualicum Beach! Enjoy guided tours down the trails to Hamilton Marsh and learn about the flora and fauna. Tour led by RDN Drinking Water Watershed Protection. This tour is limited to 20 participants.

Register at: https://anc.ca.apm.activecommunities.com/rdnrecreation/activity/search/detail/17932?onlineSiteId=0&from_original_cui=true

Contact: watersmart@rdn.bc.ca

Kw'a'luxw (Englishman) River Estuary Tour – Arrowsmith Naturalists

Join the Arrowsmith Naturalists for a relaxing tour of the Englishman River Estuary.  The tour will feature views of the Englishman River and the estuary , as well as the river’s recent history and the restoration efforts of The Nature Trust of BC and the stewardship of the Arrowsmith Naturalists.

Registration is required, with a limit of 15 participants

Meet at 1:30 pm in the parking area at the north end of Shelly Road. The walking trail is not difficult but may be muddy in places.  Sturdy footwear is recommended.

Contact: ray@mabr.ca

Heritage Forest Tours

Join Tom Whitfield for an easy walk along the mulch trails of the 50-acre Qualicum Beach Heritage Forest. Here’s an opportunity to learn about old-growth Douglas-fir trees, forest ecology, wildlife and cultural history of this rare gem.

Web: www.heritageforest.ca

Register by emailing: heritageforest@shaw.ca

Brant at the Museum

In celebration of the 35th annual Brant Wildlife Festival, the Qualicum Beach Museum is pleased to present an exhibition highlighting the history of the festival.

From vintage hunting decoys to contemporary t-shirts, this exhibition tells the story of how the festival has enjoyed many years of celebrating nature and wildlife with the community. 

Join us at the QB Museum on Satuday April 11th, 2026, 1 – 4 p.m., to kick off this exhibition along with the other festival events on the day!

The exhibition will be on display until May 20, 2026. 

Web: www.qbmuseum.ca

Contact: qbmuseumadmin@shaw.ca

Free swimming for everyone in celebration of the 35th annual Brant Wildlife Festival!

Join for a Free Swim at Ravensong Aquatic Centre! Sponsored by the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, this special event offers families the chance to enjoy time together while learning about the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region and the Brant Wildlife Festival along the way

Drop In Nature Art with Leslie Love

Bring the whole family and explore creativity inspired by nature! Join local artist Leslie Love for a welcoming, hands-on playshop and explore how to care for, collaborate with, and connect to the natural world. You’ll gain inspiring insight into using local, sustainable, and ethically foraged botanical materials - natural art supplies found right at your fingertips.

Web: www.inkymoon.ca

Arrowsmith Cycling Club Family Group Ride

Join the Arrowsmith Cycling Club for a relaxed, family-friendly bike ride as part of the Brant Wildlife Festival! This welcoming group ride is designed for riders of all ages and abilities who want to enjoy the outdoors together.

Families will pedal at an easy pace along scenic local routes, stopping along the way to appreciate the beauty of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. It’s a great opportunity for kids and adults alike to get outside, build confidence on their bikes, make new friends and connect with nature and community.

Volunteer ride leaders from the Arrowsmith Cycling Club will guide the group and help ensure a safe and fun experience for everyone. Bring your bikes, helmets, and a sense of adventure!

Whether you’re new to cycling or ride regularly, this social ride is a wonderful way to celebrate spring, explore the region, and be part of the Brant Wildlife Festival.

Register here: link

• Part of this ride will take place on Mosaic Forest Management lands. A Mosaic wavier will need to be signed to participate. Link to Mosaic Waiver link

• A wavier by the host group Arrowsmith Cycling Club also needs to be signed. Link to the Arrowsmith Cycling Club waiver link

Contact: events@arrowsmithcyclingclub.com

Web: www.arrowsmithcyclingclub.com

Brant Festival’s 33rd Annual Carving, Woodworking & Art Show

Each spring, something special happens on the mid-Island. Wood shavings replace winter rain, conversations turn to grain and finish, and creativity takes centre stage. This year, that energy comes together again at the Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking & Art Show — an event that has become a quiet favourite for artists, makers, and anyone who appreciates skilled hands and beautiful work.

Held on April 11 and 12, 2026, at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, this show has earned its reputation as one of the top carving and woodworking competitions in Western Canada. Walk through the doors and it becomes clear why. Tables and displays are filled with carefully carved birds, figures, bowls, furniture, and art pieces that reflect hundreds of hours of patience and practice. Some works are bold and dramatic, others subtle and finely detailed, but all share a respect for wood as both material and teacher. The nature-themed art show added in recent years brings even more excitement.

There is something a bit intimate about the event. There are stories behind the gouges, lathes and paint brushes. Visitors often pause beside a piece, lean in, and quietly ask how something was done. Just as often, the artist is happy to explain, sharing tips, lessons learned, and the occasional hard-won mistake. That openness is part of what has kept the show thriving for more than three decades.

For those who want to go deeper, seminars will be running throughout the weekend. These sessions cover a range of carving, turning, and woodworking techniques, offering practical insights whether someone is just starting out or has been working with wood for years. Watching a skilled woodworker demonstrate a cut or explain why a piece cracked can feel like standing beside a master mechanic with the hood open — suddenly, things make sense in a new way.

The show is also designed to be welcoming and fun. Door prizes and draws add a sense of anticipation, and there is always a bit of friendly excitement as names are called. It is not unusual to see people arrive “just for a quick look” and stay far longer than planned, pulled in by conversation, craftsmanship, and the warmth of the community.

The event is hosted by three organisations deeply rooted in the local arts scene: the Mid-Island Woodworkers’ Guild, the Oceanside Wood Carvers, and the DeCosmos Fine Arts Society. Together, they bring a mix of experience, passion, and volunteer effort that keeps the show grounded and authentic. It is a reminder that events like this do not happen by accident; they are built over time by people who care about craft and community.

The Pacific Brant Carving, Woodworking, & Art Show is not just for woodworkers or artists. It is for anyone who enjoys seeing what patient hands and creative minds can do with a natural material. It is for those looking for inspiration, a conversation, or simply a good way to spend a spring weekend along with the other events happening as part of the Brant Wildlife Festival.

The Qualicum Beach Civic Centre, located at 747 Jones Street, provides an accessible and comfortable setting, making it easy to drop in, wander, and enjoy. Whether arriving with a notebook full of questions or simply curiosity, visitors are likely to leave with a deeper appreciation for the art of working with wood or paint — and perhaps a new reason to mark April on the calendar. Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for seniors and students. Kids 12 and under are free. We look forward to seeing you there!

Birds and Bino’s BC NatureKids outing with Arrowsmith Naturalists

Join BC NatureKids and the Arrowsmith Naturalists for a fun, family-friendly birdwatching adventure during the Brant Wildlife Festival!

This hands-on outing introduces children and families to the exciting world of birdwatching. Young naturalists will learn how to properly use binoculars, discover simple techniques for spotting birds, and practice observing wildlife like real field naturalists.

Experienced members of the Arrowsmith Naturalists will guide participants through the basics of bird identification, binocular use, and respectful wildlife viewing. Kids will have the chance to explore nature, look for migrating birds, and learn why our region is such an important stopover for wildlife.

Perfect for curious kids and families who love being outdoors, this interactive outing encourages observation skills, patience, and a deeper appreciation for the birds and habitats of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region.

Come discover how a simple pair of binoculars can open a whole new way of seeing nature!

Contact: ray@mabr.ca

Web: www.naturekidsbc.ca

Heritage Forest Tour

Join Tom Whitfield for an easy walk along the mulch trails of the 50-acre Qualicum Beach Heritage Forest. Here’s an opportunity to learn about old-growth Douglas-fir trees, forest ecology, wildlife and cultural history of this rare gem.

Web: www.heritageforest.ca

Register by emailing: heritageforest@shaw.ca

"Leave a story, take a story.”  

Bellflower Bookshop will be hosting the Brant Festival Book Swap Saturday April 11! 

Great stories are meant to be shared. Not only does choosing a pre-loved book help reduce waste and support sustainability, it celebrates shared stories and the quiet connection of one reader to another. 

Bring your gently-used books focused on nature, conservation, wildlife, and the environment and discover something new to take home. 

There is no limit to the number of books you can swap. 

Bellflower Bookshop will be accepting book donations leading up to the event if you are unable to attend but would like your books to find a new home.

Contact: bellflowerbookshop@gmail.com

Web: www.bellflowerbookshop.ca

Join us on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 9:00–11:30 am for a gentle, guided forest therapy walk at beautiful Moorecroft Regional Park in Nanoose Bay, with your guide Kelly Hutchison. Please arrive 10–15 minutes early and meet at the information sign beside the parking lot (washrooms onsite). This walk is recommended for ages 16 and older, no dogs, and a maximum of 12 participants.

Kelly is a certified guide with the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy and has been leading walks since 2018. Now based in Qualicum Beach, she brings over twenty years of experience in health and wellness to this mindful practice. Her husband, landscape and wildlife photographer Dave Hutchison, will also be present to offer support.

This is a slow, 2.5-hour immersive experience in nature—not a hike or fitness walk. You will move gently, pause often, and engage in simple, sensory invitations designed to deepen your connection with nature and yourself. The walk will conclude with tea and a light snack.

Cost: Cash by donation, with 100% of proceeds supporting the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region. A suggested donation of $20–$50 is appreciated; any amount is welcome. 

For more information and to register, please go to the website: https://www.salishseaforesttherapy.ca/brant-festival-forest-therapy-walk.html

Photography Workshop with Laura Lefurgey-Smith

Indoor instruction 9am - 10:30am

Outdoor photography: 10:45am-12pm

Cost: Free

Join Laura at the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region office in Qualicum Beach to learn beginner nature photography. We will start in the MABR office, and then head outside to take photos.

All levels of experience welcome, but this workshop will be aimed at learning beginner photography for both mobile phones and cameras! We will talk about the different styles of nature photography, go over compositional techniques and principles that I use out in the field when I'm taking photos.

Part of the lesson will be dedicated to learning the technical aspects of photography and camera settings, such as shutter speed, aperture, ISO and more. I will also talk about lenses and show the different types of photos you can take using each one.

After about 1.5 hours of indoor instruction, we will head outside (location tba) to practice some of what we have just learned! I will be available to help with composition, finding photography subjects, and with camera settings (for both cameras and mobile devices).

Bring your chosen camera (DSLR or mobile phone), an empty SD card (if applicable) and full battery, as well as snacks and water to what will be a fun-filled morning of photography!

Register at: https://www.lauracolette.ca/workshops

Join in for a special planned evening celebrating the 35th Anniversary of the Brant Wildlife Festival!

We will begin the evening with a welcoming ceremony led by Ćumqwa:tun Mitchell of the Snaw-naw-as First Nation.

Followed by an engaging presentation by Shawn Lukas of The Nature Trust of BC, highlighting one of our region’s most important habitats for migratory birds and coastal wildlife - the Parksville–Qualicum Beach Wildlife Management Area. Together we will learn about its ecological significance, the species it supports, and how it is managed, followed by time for questions and discussion.

After the presentation, enjoy live music, light appetizers, and time to connect with others who share a passion for nature and conservation.

Doors open at 5:00 pm with cash bar

Tickets are $50.00 and available here

Did you know Milner Gardens & Woodland offers free volunteer-led tours on Thursdays and Fridays?  Help us kick off our public tour season by joining us for the first tour of the year!  Learn about the history, flora, and fauna of Milner Gardens & Woodland, and stick around afterwards to explore the garden or visit the Camellia Tea Room.

This is a drop in – no need to register – please arrive a few minutes before 1pm so that the tour can start on time.
Regular admission fees to the garden apply – tour is included with admission.   

Brant Wildlife Festival Open House

Join us for a welcoming Open House at the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Education Centre and discover the natural systems, wildlife, and community initiatives that make our region unique.

This special event is designed to introduce residents and visitors to the Brant Wildlife Festival, a beloved annual celebration of nature that brings thousands of people together to learn about conservation and the remarkable biodiversity of central Vancouver Island. Each spring, the festival coincides with the return of migrating Pacific Black Brant geese and other wildlife, creating a perfect opportunity to celebrate and protect the ecosystems that sustain them.

At the open house, you will have the opportunity to:

Learn about the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region, one of Canada’s UNESCO-designated biosphere regions dedicated to balancing conservation, community well-being, and sustainable development.

Discover the history and purpose of the Brant Wildlife Festival and how it connects people with nature through educational events, guided tours, and community activities.

Meet local volunteers, researchers, and community partners working to protect wildlife and habitats across the biosphere region.

Explore displays, resources, and upcoming opportunities to participate in festival events and environmental stewardship.

Whether you’re new to the region or a long-time resident, the open house is a chance to learn about the landscapes, wildlife, and community efforts that make the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region so special—and how you can get involved.

Stop by, ask questions, meet the team, and discover how our community is working together to create a thriving future for people and nature.

Brantastic Open House at the VIU Deep Bay Marine Field Station

Celebrate the Brant Wildlife Festival with Vancouver Island University at the Deep Bay Marine Field Station!

• Learn about marine science and sustainable shellfish aquaculture at our unique oceanside facility. 

• Check out our aquaria, touch tanks, whale and marine invertebrate displays.

• Get a sneak peak into our science labs.

Local marine education partners will be on site with engaging displays and activities.

Entry by donation.

Deep Bay Marine Field Station, 370 Chrome Point Rd., Bowser

Contact:  deepbay@viu.ca

Web: deepbay.viu.ca