Gorge Waterway Nature House
Spring 2017 Hours (March 18 – May 31): Saturday and Sunday 10 AM – 3 PM
Summer 2017 Hours (June 1- August 31): Sunday to Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
Admission by donation
Our Nature House
In 2008 World Fisheries Trust, in partnership with the Township of Esquimalt and other local NGOs, opened the Gorge Waterway Nature House. Its aim is to protect the future of the Gorge and its ecosystem by educating the public and raising awareness of local environmental issues.
The Gorge Waterway Nature House attracts thousands of visitors every year, and was selected as the Vancouver Island Construction Association’s Young Construction Leaders group’s legacy project for 2012, offering new renovations and an increased capacity to display educational material for the Nature House’s growing popularity and visitor base.
History of the Gorge Waterway
The Gorge Waterway connects Victoria Harbour to Portage Inlet. It has a rich history as a spiritual place and food-gathering area for First Nations, and is a home to a variety of marine and wildlife, as well as being a recreational destination for residents of Victoria.
Dangerous levels of pollution and dumping of sewage into the Gorge in the first half of the 20th century dramatically reduced its water quality. Extensive clean-up efforts in the 1990s successfully reversed this trend. Now, World Fisheries Trust is a member of a network of nonprofits and community stewards monitoring the Gorge ecosystem and running educational outreach programs to raise awareness on the importance of environmental conservation.
Check out VOICES OF THE GORGE – video created by those living on the Gorge Waterway
What We Offer
(1) Hands-on Nature Learning – The Gorge Waterway Nature House is home to an interactive marine touch tank, watershed model of the Gorge Waterway, microscope stations, marine and terrestrial samples and creative space for kids.
(2) Educational Programming: We host schools, community centers, summer camps, and birthday parties for all learning levels.
(3) Informational Services: Free brochures and booklets from NGOs and municipalities with tips on how to contribute to the health of the Gorge Waterway and surrounding ecosystems.
(4) Education Materials: Curriculum material, aquatic and terrestrial ID guides, a Seaquarium, and interest books.
(5) Concession: A variety of beverages and snacks are available for purchase
How to Find Us:
By bus:
Directly on the #26 (Tillicum at Gorge Bridge)
#14 (Craigflower at Forshaw)
#11 and #8 (both Gorge Rd W at Albina)
Telephone: 778-265-5119
OUR PARTNERS
West Wind Sea Lab Supplies
Gorge Waterway Action Society
Gorge Waterway Initiative
Township of Esquimalt
OUR SPONSORS
Township of Esquimalt
TD-Friends of the Environment Foundation
Vancity