Fieldy handles all communication and booking for you.
What it actually looks like
Photos from Morrell Nature Sanctuary's website
Our note
If you are bringing vulnerable children or anyone with allergies, their own guidance asks you to book a guided tour instead of coming on your own. Tell them you are coming even though it is free, because a booked school group has priority on the picnic shelter and the learning circles.
What the children do
Anyone can walk the sanctuary free of charge from 7am to 9pm. A gathering of 10 or more counts as a group and the sanctuary asks to be told in advance by email, with your name, the date and time, the number of people and any accessibility needs. For groups over 10 they recommend a donation of $65. Groups must park in the overflow lot on Nanaimo Lakes Road, and booked school programs get first call on the benches and learning circles.
Walk the sanctuary's 11km of trails at their own pace, including the level Yew Loop near the gate, stopping at the benches and the picnic shelter at Morrell Lake.
Good to know
Washrooms at the entrance and at the Morrell Lake shelter, picnic benches for lunch and a level Yew Loop trail for wheels. There is no rain shelter beyond the picnic area and no published bus parking, so plan for weather and check parking first.
Sources disagree. Their school programs page lists Forest Detectives twice and gives two different answers for which grades it is for. One says kindergarten to grade 7, the other says grades 3 to 7. Their fall flyer says kindergarten to grade 7, which is what we have used, so it is worth confirming your grade when you book.
Washrooms
There are restroom facilities at the entrance, and at the sheltered picnic area at Morrell Lake.
Lunch space
There are picnic benches at the entrance, and viewing benches located throughout our 11km of trails. Visitors are welcome to bring their own food and drinks. However, they are responsible for carrying out any garbage they generate.
Rain backup
Needs confirmation
Strollers
Needs confirmation
Wheelchair access
To the left of the entrance gate is the "Yew Loop" trail, built for wheelchair accessibility.
Bus parking
Groups are required to park in the overflow lot at Nanaimo Lakes Road to avoid congestion in the parking area.
Nearby park
Needs confirmation
Restrictions
No harvesting is permitted within Sanctuary grounds.. Bicycles are not allowed on any Sanctuary trail.. All dogs must be on leash at Morrell Nature Sanctuary at all times. Please clean up after your dogs.. Please stay on the trails!. Morrell Programs will be run rain or shine, unless there are high winds.
