Science and Nature

So many parks, science centers, farms, learning centers and other exhibitions to help you in the area of science.  Here are just a few:

1. HR MACMILLAN SPACE CENTRE VANCOUVER
-located in Vancouver, BC, you can book educational programs or visit on your own, according to their website they also hold astronomy shows on Saturday nights http://www.spacecentre.ca/,
-located next door to the Space Centre is the GMS OBSERVATORY, open at 8pm on Saturdays

2. WESTERN'S PLANETARIUM
-private group presentations are available http://www.wwu.edu/skywise/
 
3. SMATE AT WESTERN
-Their Learning Resource Center is open to the public.  Contact Jamie Harrington at 650-3647 or email Jamie.Harrington@wwu.edu  for more information.

4. VANCOUVER SCIENCE CENTER
I don't know much about this science center but it looks similar to the one in Seattle. Check out their website at:  http://www.scienceworld.ca/

5. SPACE NEEDLE
Take a self-guided trip up the elevator to the observation deck.  We've gone during the day, but visiting at night to see the city lights would also be fascinating.   http://www.spaceneedle.com/visit/index.html

Or you can go to SkySchool.  Check here for more information: http://www.spaceneedle.com/skyschool/plan.html

6. PACIFIC SCIENCE CENTER
My kids love the science center.  There are so many hands-on activities.  
 http://www.pacificsciencecenter.org/

7. MT BAKER FOREST CENTER AND MT BAKER
The Learning Center offers a ton.   http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mbs/learning
I didn't realize they offered so many activities.  Check them out here.
The North Cascades Institutes holds numerous classes throughout the year.  Use this link to find a class that fits your family.  http://ncascades.org/signup
-Skiing in the winter and hiking in the summer, Mt Baker offers so much year round fun.  Have you been to Artist Point or Picture Lake?  Sledding can be a summer or winter sport.  Some of our best memories are sledding in our tank tops and shorts!

8. RED BARN LAVENDER FARM
-Located in Ferndale, WA. To learn more about the lavender fields or take a craft class (wreath or wand), visit their website.  http://www.redbarnlavender.com/

9. SKAGIT VALLEY TULIP FARMS
-The prime time to visit is in April. Don't forget your camera!  I also always bring an extra change of clothes for the kids if it has been a wet spring.  The fields can be very slippery and muddy!

 10. NOOKSACK FALLS

11. BOULEVARD PARK
-A great park to go for a stroll or check out the animal life on the bay.  Kids can also play on the boat play structure.

12. MOUNT RAINIER
-So many activities for your family...here are some to get you started!

13. MOUNT ST. HELENS
There are so many websites and things to do around Mt. St. Helens.
Visit the Forest Learning Center or the Johnston Ridge Observatory.
These sites might also be helpful http://mountsthelens.com/  and http://www.mt-st-helens.com/

14. BIG FOUR ICE CAVES
-I have not hiked up to these caves and from what I read they can be very dangerous.  Please read up on this before visiting to see if this trip would be suitable for your family.  http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/big-four-ice-caves

15. GINKGO PETRIFIED FOREST STATE PARK
Located on the Columbia River in Vantage, WA, this is a fossil forest.  Camping is available.
http://www.stateparks.com/ginkgo_petrified_forest.html

16. STONEROSE INTERPRETIVE CENTER AND FOSSIL SITE
-In Republic, WA, go fossil hunting or take a group field trip.  http://www.stonerosefossil.org/

17. CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

-Last year we visited the Hovde Christmas Tree Farm in the spring and we were given a glimpse of all the work that happens year-round to maintain a Christmas tree farm.  We visited this particular farm because of family connections but other farms would be interesting as well.  Just give them a call. 

18. VAN WINGERDENS

-A fascinating field trip out near Blaine, WA !  We learned about how they water their greenhouses and how they use machines to plant plugs and seeds.  Best time to visit would be in early Spring.  Christmas is also a great time to visit to see their greenhouses full of poinsettias!   http://vanwingerden.com/  Give them a call to set up a time to visit  360-366-3906

19. NORTH WHATCOM TRAIL


20. PADILLA BAY MUD FLAT SAFARI
-Out at Padilla Bay you can take one of their scheduled classes and presentations.  Or you can get a group together and pick a class that fits your needs. http://www.padillabay.gov/calendarofevents.asp

21. WHATCOM FALLS
-Play at the playground, take a hike, visit the hatchery..at Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham.

-22. MILLION SMILES, LYNDEN CITY PARK
-A favorite place of my kids.  They love to play at the playgrounds, play pooh sticks in the stream and take a walk on the path.  More pictures and info, here .

23. CORNWALL PARK
-playground, disc golf, large field, and more.  Look here.

24. TENANT LAKE
-Pond dipping, walking the boardwalk through the wetlands, watching birds, climbing the tower and walking through the fragrance garden are all fun activities out at Tenant Lake.  The Parks Department also use to have interpretive programs for the kids but had to cut them due to funding.   http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/tennantlake/  Don't forget to check out Hovander Park while you are there.

25. SILVER LAKE
-The three things my kids like the best about Silver Lake are renting paddle boats, fishing and looking for tadpoles.  http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/silverlake/silverlake.jsp 

26. SEMIAHMOO
 http://www.co.whatcom.wa.us/parks/semiahmoo/semiahmoo.jsp

27. POINT WHITEHORN MARINE RESERVE
From the Whatcom County Parks Department Website: " Interpretive signs are placed along the trail to tell the story of the forest, wildlife, and marine ecology of the area.  Point Whitehorn Marine Reserve provides access and protection for one of the most significant marine areas of Whatcom County, the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve, recognized for its kelp forests, herring spawning, and importance to fisheries.

28. FRAGRANCE LAKE
A great starter day hike for your family.  The trailhead is close to Larrabee Park.  Here's a link to a website that gives a good description of Fragrance Lake. 

29. MARINE PARK
-a sandy beach in Fairhaven near the Bellingham Cruise Terminal,  find link here.

30. LOCUST OR WHIRLWIND BEACH
-Bellingham has newly acquired this beach.  When the tide is high, you can watch kiteboarders and skimboarders.
Directions: Exit Interstate 5 toward Bellingham International Airport. Turn left on Bennett Drive, right on McAlpine Road, then left on Locust Avenue. A trail on the right side of the end of Locust Avenue leads to a staircase to the beach.
31. Craters of the Moon: Idaho

Other Animal Field Trips

Some other field trips that I would like to take are:

1. OUTBACK CHRISTMAS TREE AND KANGAROO FARM
This farm is in Arlington, WA.  You can schedule a private tour or they have 4 scheduled tours a day.  According to their website, it looks like they have a few more different animals than just kangaroos.  We hope to visit this farm in a few weeks and I'll give you an update then.  Here is their website. 
http://www.outbackkangaroofarm.com/.

2. CHIMPOSIUM AND HUMAN COMMUNICATION INSTITUTE
This institute is located on the Central Washington University Campus.  Check out their website for more information about open public times. http://www.cwu.edu/~cwuchci/chimposiums.html

3. EAGLE WATCHING:  Here's a great article about where to look for eagles:   http://www.parentmap.com/article/winter-eagle-watching


4. A FISH HATCHERY:
This website has a list of hatcheries near you with contact numbers
http://wdfw.wa.gov/hatcheries/facilities.php


5. GREATER VANCOUVER ZOO:

As a family, we have taken our bikes from home and found it to be a fun way to visit the zoo.  As a group could you try doing one of the school tours.  Found under EDUCATION  http://www.gvzoo.com

6. BUG ZOO and BUTTERFLY GARDEN in Victoria
 http://bugzoo.bc.ca
and
 http://www.butterflygardens.com

7. MARINE LIFE CENTER
From their website:  "The Marine Life Center (MLC) offers visitors a chance to see what lurks beneath the bay. The center showcases marine life and habitat in Bellingham Bay, Puget Sound and on the Washington Coast. A touch pool offers an up close and more personal experience."  Cost is free, but donations accepted.

They also give educational presentations for a fee to students and need to be scheduled ahead of time.  Check out website for more information. http://www.marinelifecenter.org/index.php


8. PETCO
Check out their website to learn more about their Furs, Feathers and Fins.  You can download curriculum and then take a in-store field trip....call ahead to let them know you are coming. http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_petcokids.aspx

9. NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK
This park is down in Eatonville, WA and is open daily from mid-March to June.  You can go with your family or get a group together and book a educational tour.
From their website: "Experience captivating Northwest wildlife. Whether you are peering out of the tram at bellowing bison less than 10 feet away or standing nose-to-nose with an otter, exciting wildlife encounters happen every day at Northwest Trek" http://www.nwtrek.org/

10. COUGAR MOUNTAIN ZOO
This zoo is located in Issaquah, WA.  It offers some amazing up close and personal encounters.  See here. and also Guided Group Tours.  This zoo has cougars, lemurs, tigers, reindeer, wallabies, just to name a few.  
http://www.cougarmountainzoo.org/

11. POINT DEFIANCE ZOO AND AQUARIUM
 http://www.pdza.org/

12. VANCOUVER AQUARIUM
 http://www.vanaqua.org/

13. SEATTLE AQUARIUM
http://www.seattleaquarium.org/

14. WOLF HAVEN
Located in Tenino, WA...about 77 miles south of Seattle. According to the website: "They rescue and provide sanctuary for displaced, captive-born wolves, promote wolf restoration in historic ranges and educate the public about the value of all wildlife.  The only way to view our wolves in the sanctuary is to take a guided walking tour.  These tours are lead by trained docents who will be able to answer your questions on a plethora of subjects including history, status in the wild, range, longevity.   See hours and admission section on when our tours are open to the public."  http://www.wolfhaven.org/index.php

15.WWU MARINE CENTER
-I've heard that Western Washington University has a lot to offer the public.  So far, I haven't been able to find much information.  If you know more, could you let me know.

16. SEATTLE BUG SAFARI
-From their website: "Seattle Bug Safari^® is a live bug zoo and gift shop where Seattle tourists and kids of all ages can experience the exotic, behind-the-scenes world of insects."  They also come out and offer programs with the creatures from their zoo.  http://www.seattlebugsafari.com/ 

17. OLYMPIC GAME FARM
-Located on the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim, WA. http://www.olygamefarm.com/


18. WHALE WATCHING
-Take a whale watching tour or visit the Lighthouse Marine Park

19.  WASHINGTON SERPENTORIUM
-Home of the Reptileman and the only albino alligator in Washington State.  Located 1 mile east of Monroe, WA.   http://www.reptileman.com/homenf.htm

20. TIDE POOLS
-There are many great locations to explore Tide Pools.  Check out Larrabee State Park. 

21. LOCAL DAIRY FARMS
-call a local dairy farmer and ask for a tour or plan on taking the farm tour in September: http://sustainableconnections.org/foodfarming/whatcom-county-farm-tour-1/whatcom-county-farm-tour

22. WWU MARINE CENTER

23. HUMANE SOCIETY OR ANIMAL RESCUE CENTERS


and the ones mentioned before, see this post
Lone Boot Buffalo Farm
Woodland Zoo
KC Critters
Nooksack Animal Hospital

Is there any other field trips/events that involve animals that you can think of that I have missed?