The 2018 Brant Wildlife Festival takes flight this month, with numerous activities for the whole family.

With roots reaching back more than 25 years, celebrates mid-Island spaces and species. Located on the Pacific Flyway, the migratory route of tens of thousands of birds each year, and home to the , the Parksville-Qualicum Beach region is a wildlife watcherB次元官网网址檚 dream.

B次元官网网址淲e, and nature, will benefit as we learn to live consciously in this incredible area,B次元官网网址� reflects Dr. Lynne Brookes, volunteer co-organizer of the festival.

The stars of the show are the thousands of Brant geese that visit during their spring migration from northern Mexico to their breeding grounds in the Arctic, Brookes explains. Stopping to rest and feast on eelgrass, sea lettuce and herring spawn to fatten up for the next leg of their journey, individual birds can visit for a few days to a week or more, depending on their condition. During that time, itB次元官网网址檚 imperative that people, and dogs, give the birds a wide berth B次元官网网址� including not getting too close for photos.

While the Brant are the B次元官网网址減oster birdsB次元官网网址� for the festival, its focus is far-reaching, reflected in the diverse line-up of events and activities, from an eagle release and birdwatching to food foraging and tours of wetland and forest areas.

B次元官网网址淧eople are excited because thereB次元官网网址檚 so much going on and so much to see and to do,B次元官网网址� Brookes says.

HereB次元官网网址檚 a look at some canB次元官网网址檛 miss highlights of the festival:

March 24, Basic Bird ID and Bird-watching for Adults, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. B次元官网网址� Practical workshop for beginning and intermediate-level participants at North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. Pre-register at niwra.org or call 250-248-8534.

March 24 and 25, Forest Bathing Walk, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. B次元官网网址� Relax, rejuvenate and soak up natureB次元官网网址檚 restorative medicines on a slow-paced, sensory and mindful forest bathing experience with knowledgeable eco-tour guides. Pre-register with Pacific Rainforest Tours: mail@rainforestnaturehikes.com or 250-248-3667.

March 25, Brant in the Bay, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. B次元官网网址� View Brant geese and other birds at Parksville Community Park through the Arrowsmith NaturalistsB次元官网网址� spotting scopes.

March 28, Winged Migration Film, 2 p.m. B次元官网网址� Watch this epic portrait of winter bird migration, filmed on all seven continents over four years using in-flight cameras. By donation, at Eaglecrest Golf Club, Qualicum Beach.

April 3, 10 and 16, Guided Deep Bay Marine Field Station Tours, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. B次元官网网址� Interactive Field Station group tours explore the green building, marine conservation, sustainable seafood, etc.; $12 per person, pre-registration encouraged:

research.viu.ca/deep-bay-marine-field-station/form/brant-tour-form

April 7 & 8,, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. B次元官网网址� From the Vancouver Island Woodcarvers Club, see amazing wildlife carvings and work by other top wildlife artists at Parksville Community Centre; admission $5.

April 14, Eagle Release, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. B次元官网网址� See owls, eagles, falcons and bears, and tour the wildlife garden at ErringtonB次元官网网址檚 North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. A rehabilitated eagle will be released into the wild at 2 p.m.; suggested donation $5/person, children 12 and younger free.

April 19, Foraging for Wild Edibles, 2 to 4 p.m. B次元官网网址� Small-group foraging excursions from the shellfish research farm of Vancouver Island University at Deep Bay, exploring ocean delicacies, First NationsB次元官网网址� shellfish use, marine ecology, species identification and recipes! $30/person. Register through the Regional District of Nanaimo.

April 21, Bioblitz: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to Englishman River Regional Park/Top Bridge Park trailhead; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Milner Gardens & Woodland B次元官网网址� Learn how to BioBlitz alongside students and community experts at Milner Gardens. If you already have some experience with species identification, head to Englishman River/Top Bridge Park. Volunteers needed at both locations: mabr@viu.ca.

April 22, Brant Wildlife Interpretive Park Dedication B次元官网网址� New Brant Wildlife Interpretive Park at Qualicum Beach will be dedicated in memory of committed local naturalist Faye Smith.

April 28, Hamilton Marsh Tour, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. B次元官网网址� The Friends of French Creek Conservation Society and Arrowsmith Naturalists raise awareness of this amazing wetland with annual April tours, with Island TimberlandB次元官网网址檚 permission.

Find a full list of events planned throughout the festival , and follow the festival on for updates.