As the days get shorter and the sun disappears behind the trees earlier each day, it’s lovely (and easy!) to stay hunkered inside with a hot drink and a fuzzy blanket. Maybe you have a book that you can’t put down, a show that ends on a cliffhanger each episode or a knitting project for yourself or a special someone. If you asked my partner, he’d say my happy place is nestled under the blanket on the couch with a good book. And if you asked me, I’d agree! But it is just one of my happy places—I also love being outdoors and experiencing nature in all seasons.
Whether sunny, cloudy or rainy, I know that being outside in nature helps my mental and physical health. And numerous studies show the benefits of spending time in nature. Lowered stress levels, improvements in mood and emotional wellbeing, and restored capacity for concentration and attention, just to name a few! I’m fortunate to live in the southern Vancouver Island region, where we have numerous regional parks and trails to explore. The following are some of my favourites for families to explore in the fall and winter.
Sooke Potholes Regional Nature Park
Sooke Potholes Regional Park, as the name suggests, has fascinating potholes to view, and in the wet winter months impressive river flow and rapids to marvel at. The potholes in the river are unique geological formations formed by large boulders stuck in the river. These boulders were swirled around and around and created the potholes, which in many areas are surrounded steep bedrock cliffs, created by glacial erosion thousands of years ago. In the fall, there are some great trails to hike and the Sooke River is home to an annual salmon run. The river itself is the second largest on southern Vancouver Island and the sandy area just down from Parking Lot 1 offers a prime spot to view the salmon as they prepare for spawning. Keep your eyes peeled for that splash of water as the salmon make their way up the river!
Island View Beach Regional Park
If you’re feeling more “flighty” than “fishy,” head to Island View Beach Regional Park in Central Saanich. The trail next to the beach is accessible and offers views of the shoreline, the Gulf and San Juan Islands, and even Mount Baker on a clear day! Fall is a great time of year to go birding with or without binoculars. Many waterfowl are migrating south for the winter (some as far south as Argentina!). Island View Beach can provide a place for these birds to rest and eat before journeying on. Check out ebird.ca to see recent bird sightings in the area and help you know what to look for!
Devonian Regional Park
If you’re in the mood for something other than animals, travel to one of the CRD’s smaller parks, Devonian Regional Park, to check out trees like our native Garry oak. Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved seeing the sprawling branches of the oak trees. Something about them reminded me of fairy tales. As I grew older, I admired them not just for their beauty but for their strength and perseverance. Oak trees and their ecosystems in BC are rare and endangered in BC. As little as 5% of their ecosystem remains intact. But they are home to more species-at-risk than any other ecosystem, including Howell’s triteleia (a beautiful wildflower), sharp-tailed snakes (smallest snake species in BC) and the propertius dusky-wing butterfly (a butterfly completely dependent on Garry oak trees for survival). Visiting parks like Devonian remind me of the importance of having parks to protect ecosystems like these.
Whichever regional park you and your family explore, take time to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of what’s around. Marvel at the big stuff and feel in awe of nature. Then take time to zoom in and appreciate the small stuff and be filled with amazement at the whole other mini world that lies beneath your feet. Always remember that staying on trail helps protect these animals and plants—big and small—for me, you and future generations to enjoy. Whether that’s in just a few months with wildflowers blooming or in years to come with future oak trees looming overhead.
One thing is for sure—rain or shine this fall, I’ll be out and about in nature! How about you?
