Strathcona Wilderness Institute

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Strathcona Wilderness Institute Inspiring awareness, appreciation and stewardship of the natural world through research & education.

SWI operates the two information centres in Strathcona Provincial Park: the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at Paradise Meadows near the Comox Valley; and the Buttle Lake Information Hut at Buttle Lake between Campbell River & Gold River. SWI organizes summer programs including nature walks, talks & hikes in the Park; as well as year-round presentations on outdoor activities. We also produce publications on nature & trail info in the Park.

A few highlights from the end of our summer season at SWI! Thank you to all of our hike/workshop participants, leaders a...
10/09/2026

A few highlights from the end of our summer season at SWI!

Thank you to all of our hike/workshop participants, leaders and volunteers this season. We look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Slide 1 - View of Lake Helen Mackenzie from above, taken during our hike up Mt. Allan Brooks (August 29, 2026)
Slides 2, 3, and 4 - The 1st day of our 8th Annual Mycology Workshop, featuring in-class and in-field presentation and identification sessions (September 19th, 2026)
Slides 5, 6, and 7 - The 2nd day of our 8th Annual Mycology Workshop, where the group enjoyed a beautiful fall day hike out to McKenzie Lake/Meadows and many fungi sightings (in order of appearance, Lactarius and Leptonia) along the way (September 20th, 2026)
Slides 8 and 9 - Our 4th Annual Elders Memorial Hike (September 26th, 2026)

Please join us on Saturday September 26th for our 4th Annual Elders Memorial Hike and Tea, the last event of our Summer ...
09/14/2026

Please join us on Saturday September 26th for our 4th Annual Elders Memorial Hike and Tea, the last event of our Summer 2026 season.

This annual event is dedicated to long-time supporters of both SWI and Strathcona Provincial Park, honouring the work and commitment they provided and continue to provide in the protection and public awareness of the incredible wilderness areas within the park. We will honour the legacies of Elders no longer with us such as Chris Carter, Steve Smith, Ruth Masters, and Melda Buchanan, along with the many environmentalists and advocates for the park who still are.

The day will start with a hike out to Croteau Lake and “Chris Carter Lookout” (easy/moderate 12km round trip, 270m elevation gain) led by SWI Research Director Loys Maingon and our long-standing hiking guide Janet Beggs, offering a spectacular view over Ball Lake and Plateau, and out towards the Comox Glacier and beyond. Following the hike, tea and cookies will be served in the Ruth Master’s Nature Hall at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre.

We look forward to seeing you there!

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

Upcoming Hike -Sunday September 13th, 9:30-3:30.Join popular hike leader Sarah Thornton on a easy/moderate trip to sceni...
09/08/2026

Upcoming Hike -Sunday September 13th, 9:30-3:30.

Join popular hike leader Sarah Thornton on a easy/moderate trip to scenic Croteau Lake this coming weekend (12km round trip, 270m elevation gain). The trail takes you past Battleship and Lady Lakes to the destination that affords a splendid view of MT Albert Edward.
Meet at the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre at 9:30 am.

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.
We hope to see you there!
To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

Join us this Sunday September 6th at 9:00 AM for one of our last guided hikes this season! Experienced hiker and hike le...
09/02/2026

Join us this Sunday September 6th at 9:00 AM for one of our last guided hikes this season! Experienced hiker and hike leader Janet Beggs will lead this moderate hike up to
Mt. Elma (12km round trip, 350m steep elevation gain) featuring sweeping summit views of the park.

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

We hope to see you there!

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

Please join us this weekend for these two events, featuring some stunning early-fall colours in the park and meadows! On...
08/27/2026

Please join us this weekend for these two events, featuring some stunning early-fall colours in the park and meadows!

On Saturday August 29th, expert naturalist and experienced hike leader Jocie Brooks will lead a hike up Mt. Allan Brooks (14-15km with 420m of steep elevation gain), with spectacular views of the park from the summit.

On Sunday August 30th, forester and naturalist Fred Newhouse will lead an easy walk around Paradise Meadows and out to Battleship Lake (5km round trip) identifying sub-alpine trees and their growth.

These events runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

We hope to see you there!

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

UPCOMING EVENTS -LAST WEEKEND IN AUGUSTJoin our experienced naturalists for another guided hike and intepretive walk in ...
08/23/2026

UPCOMING EVENTS -LAST WEEKEND IN AUGUST

Join our experienced naturalists for another guided hike and intepretive walk in Strathcona Park as part of SWI’s Summer Programme.

Saturday August 29th-Mt Allan Brooks Guided Hike
Meet at the SPWC at 8:30 am.

Sunday August 30th - The Trees of Paradise Meadows - Interpretive Walk. Meet at the SPWC at 9:30 am.

FMI and to register for these events,
email us at [email protected].

*Update* Registration for this workshop is now closed, as we are at full capacity. Apologies to those that missed out th...
08/17/2026

*Update*
Registration for this workshop is now closed, as we are at full capacity. Apologies to those that missed out this year, though we hope to see you next September!

Please join us this September for our 8th Annual
Sub-Alpine Mycology Workshop!

This workshop will take place all day on Saturday September 19th, followed by an optional day hike out to the spectacular old-growth area surrounding Divers Lake on Sunday September 20th. Each day will start from the Strathcona Park Wilderness Centre, located at the Paradise Meadows Trailhead in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Pre-registration and pre-payment is required to attend, with a maximum of 16 participants. The cost to attend is $75 ($25 for students/seniors), and the registration fee includes breakfast snacks, beverages, and lunch featuring a wild mushroom soup.

For more information and to register, please email :
[email protected]

For more details please visit our website at :
http://strathconapark.org/

Please note that registrants are responsible for their own transportation and accommodation.

We hope to see you there!

Lost phone! This android phone was found at the Bedwell Lakes Trail parking lot on the evening of Wednesday August 12th...
08/13/2026

Lost phone!

This android phone was found at the Bedwell Lakes Trail parking lot on the evening of Wednesday August 12th.

If it belongs to you or somebody you know, please email us at [email protected]

Join us this Sunday August 16th for our interpretive walk around Paradise Meadows led by our summer student and research...
08/13/2026

Join us this Sunday August 16th for our interpretive walk around Paradise Meadows led by our summer student and research assistant Zeke Gilmore, identifying birds, butterflies, and the beautiful mid-August flowers and plants blooming in the meadows.

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

We hope to see you there!

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

Join us this Saturday August 15th for our guided hike out to Hairtrigger Lake led by our longtime SPWC staffer and SWI d...
08/12/2026

Join us this Saturday August 15th for our guided hike out to Hairtrigger Lake led by our longtime SPWC staffer and SWI director Jesse, featuring lovely views of the park’s lakes (Mariwood Lake on slide 2), mountains and meadows.

This event runs free of charge! However, as a volunteer-run non-profit organization, SWI does rely on your donations for support.

We hope to see you there!

To pre-register and for more information, please email [email protected]

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1895 Nordic Drive
Courtenay, BC

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