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VicPS field trip: Sunday, July 20, 2025

The VicPS fieldtrip this month will be to the lovely Chemainus River.  The site requires a 15-minute walk on a gentle to moderate grade from the parking lot to the river, the ability to traverse a rocky riverbank, and it’s possible you may want to wade across the slippery rocks of the river to the other side.  It is appropriate for families, and children old enough to be around the river.  All children must be in the company of an adult. 

Expect beautiful views, wet feet and a high probability of finding specimens. Sunday is forecast to be a bit cooler than mid-week, but do bring and use sunscreen.

Details are in the email that each member should have received; contact Jerri Wilkins if you have not received the email.  Please RSVP.

    VicPS field trip: Sunday, May 18, 2025

    The VicPS fieldtrip this month will be close to Victoria: on the Saanich Peninsula. Paid members will have received details concerning the field trip as an email.

    Please follow the emailed instructions and RSVP your intention to participate.

    VicPS now has 40 members, the largest membership in the history of VicPS!  

    Local April 2025 VicPS Events

    With no speaker scheduled for the April 9th meeting, our President will report out on recent activities – we did just host a Fossil Fair! – and catch us all up, as well as introduce new members to our Society. 

    The meeting link will be sent via separate email to paid members. 

    We are in the final stages of determining which workshop will take place on April 12th, and details of the April 20th fieldtrip will be circulated a week in advance. Look to your email for further details.

    A Season of Field Trips!

    Here are the dates of the proposed VicPS field trips. Members will have received details regarding the planned destinations. Feedback to our president on this topic is encouraged, and RSVP to the field trip leader is desired prior to each trip.

    DateTimeTrip Leader
    April 21, Sunday8:00 amJerri Wilkins
    May 5, Sunday8:00 amJohn Kitson
    May 19, SundayJerri Wilkins
    June 5 – 6, Wed. – Thurs.John Kitson
    June 16, SundayJerri Wilkins
    June 30, SundayJohn Kitson
    July 21, SundayJerri Wilkins
    July 28, SundayJohn Kitson
    August 18, SundayJerri Wilkins
    August 25, SundayJohn Kitson
    September 15, SundayJerri Wilkins
    September 29, SundayJohn Kitson
    October 20, SundayJerri Wilkins
    November 17, SundayJerri Wilkins

    VicPS field trip: Sunday, January 21, 2024: Possible changes due to weather

    The present snowy conditions at certain places up island may cause the field trip plan to change. Please ensure you check for emailed updates about the field trip before you set off to join us on Sunday morning.

    When:9 AM, Sunday, January 21st, 2024
    Travel:Meet at Helmcken Park & Ride at 9 AM to arrange carpooling.
    Where:Paid members will please check their email for more details.
    Equipment:Hammer large enough to break concretions, chisel, wrapping paper, masking tape, marker, GPS and notebook for recording details.

    Bring lunch, water, snacks, dress for changes in weather and wear
    shoes appropriate for gravel, rock and slopes.

    VicPS November Meeting: Tuesday, Jan 16th, 2024 @ 7 pm: VIRTUAL ONLY

    The January 2024 VicPS meeting will be virtual only. Zoom participation details have been sent to VicPS members in an email.

    The in-person meeting at UpTown Shopping Centre has been cancelled due to a threat of snow.

    The topic for the evening is Baja B.C. Revisited, a one-hour segment of video from a 26-part series on the latest research into the origin of the Nanaimo Group/Nanaimo Basin. The series was recorded and aired in 2022/23 by University of Washington professor  Nick Zentner.  The 26-part series covers 4 different hypotheses for the origin of the Nanaimo Basin, interviewing a variety of experts conducting the research.  This series became of interest afte Dr. Shahin Dashtgard’s 2022 presentation to VicPS regarding the challenges of interpreting the Nanaimo Group.

    Other upcoming events may be discussed, as time and interest allow:

    • January 21st field trip
    • February 7th AGM, at which we need a new volunteer to take over the Treasurer role from our long-serving member Scott MacPhail (and thank you Scott!)

    Welcome to 2024 and another year of exploring Vancouver Island.

     

    VicPS November Meeting: Tuesday, Nov 14th, 7:30 pm

    The November VicPS meeting will be in person and virtual; Zoom participation details have been sent to VicPS members in an email.

    For those joining in person, the meeting is:

    The Community Room entrance is in the Uptown Shopping Centre parking garage (easy access) on Level 1 (Green).  If you’ve ever parked under WalMart and taken the escalator up, the room is to your right at the top of the escalator. If you’re facing the Walmart entrance (about to enter the store), turn left, and at the top of the escalator, turn left. The room is directly ahead.

    VicPS president Jerri Wilkins writes: The meeting topic “will be a pictorial walk through of the RBCM’s current exhibits (Sue the T. Rex and Dinos of BC).  Both exhibits sparked a lot of questions for me about what we find (and don’t find) here on the island.  I’m very curious to hear what you see, as we do a virtual walk-though.”

    “We will also have A SHOW AND TELL of specimens from the recent field trip to Boomerang Lake. Thank you, Andrew Fidell, for an enjoyable experience, and the bonus side-trip to Qualicum Beach to take in a public presentation on cephalopods by Graham Beard! That bit of serendipity was absolutely fabulous! I was too engaged to take many photos, but I will talk about it!”

    “As usual, anyone in the BCPA family is welcome to join our meeting.”

    BCPA family members not in VicPS: send an email to request the Zoom details.

    VicPS field trip: Sunday, October 29th

    When:7:30AM, Sunday, October 29th, 2023
    Travel:Meet at Helmcken Park & Ride at 7:30AM to arrange carpooling.
    Where:Paid members will please check their email for more details.
    Equipment:Hammer large enough to break concretions, chisel, wrapping paper, masking tape, marker, GPS and notebook for recording details.

    Bring lunch, water, snacks, dress for changes in weather and wear
    shoes appropriate for shallow water.

    Please note: The initial PDF emailed to members may show an incorrect date for this field trip. It is in fact planned as per the subject line, Sunday, October 29th, 2023.