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INSTRUCTIONS: Click the pink plus (+) button in the bottom righthand corner to get started.

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INSTRUCTIONS: Click the pink plus (+) button in the bottom righthand corner to get started.

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🌲 You'll have the option to share text, pictures, or even record a video. Click around and explore!

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I LOVE being outside, between checking my pee-Mails, hunting small mammals, and borking at scary strangers (you know, the ones with hats on) there's never a dull moment! Nature is the one place where I can actually vent my anxiety; it's big enough that I can really run around, and there are so many places to DIG! I found so many treasures at the beach like crunchy shells, forgotten bones, and salty sticks! They're just like the ones from the forest but taste WAYYY better, with slightly less crunch. Being in nature has helped me build my confidence. I'm still not sure about the sky-water, and I don't trust the purring furry critters with pointy ears, but over all Nature has definitely been a haven for me.

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When I feel overwhelmed in the heat of summer i know getting my toes in the sand and listening to the waves gives me sense of  calm. Me and my girlfriend try to make it to our local spot every week if we can. Watching the waves, the chance of a seal bobbing or curious tide pool keeps me connected to why I love the ocean so much. i want to keep our coast and beaches clean for everyone to enjoy and for lives who depend on it.

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The beginning of the pandemic was stressful for me because I was living with roommates who didn't always agree on how to approach the restrictions. A lot of days being outside felt like the safest place! Like a lot of people, I tried new outdoor hobbies like rock climbing. There was a lot of BC that I saw for the first time and I'm grateful for that!

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Learning to swim on Vancouver Island 🏊‍♀️ WOO! 

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Learning to swim on Vancouver Island 🏊‍♀️ WOO! 

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For ages, I've been wanting to work on my swimming—and I never make time to do it! This summer, I was so thankful to actually be able to swim (not well, and not far! LOL) in the Sooke Potholes and at China Beach for the first time ever. It felt so good to be swimming and surrounded by trees and water—put me right at peace! - Kristina

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My horizon might be slightly skewed, but being in a park near the ocean always evens me out.

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I’m lucky to live in a place that is easily accessible to nature. Throughout the pandemic, I have gone on hikes and walks that have provided me an escape for the zoom centered world I’m living in. The fresh air and beautiful surroundings brought be a sense of calmness while also inspiring me with new perspectives. I’m incredibly grateful to have this escape in my backyard. 🌿

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Nature changed the scene and snowed around my cabin in the woods of the Yukon. I loved it. Then I danced for joy, hope and positivity, which I am forwarding across Canada and beyond.

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First Snowfall Around my Cabin in the Woods of the Yukon

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After a year and a half of long hours working from home, we were excited to be able to take a holiday in a beautiful corner of the country. We hiked every day and spotted a moose!

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Botanical Beach provincial park should probably be on everyone's bucket list! We'd never heard of it until this summer when a fellow camper suggested it as a day trip from Lake Cowichan. They said that as long as you time it with low tide you can't go wrong, and holy guacamole were they ever right! This place is totally surreal, between the open ocean, the wave-smoothed stones, and the crystal clear tide pools we felt like we were on another planet!

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This incredible view brought me peace, calm and patience at times when pandemic stress was almost too much to handle. I've never been more thankful to live in BC.  

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This incredible view brought me peace, calm and patience at times when pandemic stress was almost too much to handle. I've never been more thankful to live in BC.  

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Nature has been an absolute blessing during the pandemic. I hadn't been living in Vancouver for very long before the pandemic started and had just scratched the surface of local natural places to explore and play in. I found myself frequenting the same spots with grand plans of exploring more of the province.

Staying close to home during the pandemic turned out to be less of a hurdle to exploration than I had anticipated. Between exploring new-to-me areas within a short drive from the city and building a deeper appreciation for my favourite spots, local nature has provided a much needed refuge.

We all know and most have experienced the multi-faceted toll that the pandemic takes and I firmly believe spending time in nature has helped to alleviate it. Not only spending time in nature itself and all the magical, fun, and adventurous things you can do, but being able to connect with people again was delightful.

Although I experience deep solace in spending time alone in nature, getting through the darkest times; there's nothing quite like connecting with friends in the great outdoors.

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After months of working from home and sooo many zoom calls, I was able to disconnect and visit Desolation Sound this summer. It was my first time visiting this marine park and it was such a special experience. Every day was surreal from swimming along the shoreline looking at crabs and sea stars, to watching for shooting stars on the clear nights, and pausing our day to watch humpbacks slowly swim by. I am so grateful to have places like this to visit and recharge myself after months of stress and uncertainty due to the pandemic.

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Boats and boating--Equipment and supplies

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Nature and wildlife has always been an integral part of my life to find peace and tranquility in both good and bad times. Although well into my senior years now, my life started near London, England in 1940 when the Nazis started their night time bombings in our area which was very frightening. Almost every day my Mother would take me to a nearby park to smell the trees and feed the ducks and swans in the pond. After the war and my Father come home from the front lines we all went to the park and other countryside areas. As a child it was always fun, but for my parents it was a mental relief for them. Even in my daily walk today along a country path I give thanks for the wonder of nature in the trees, birds and squirrels I encounter along the way. I firmly believe that is why Albert Einstein said long ago, "Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better". Brian Crombleholme 

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Nature and wildlife has always been an integral part of my life to find peace and tranquility in both good and bad times. Although well into my senior years now, my life started near London, England in 1940 when the Nazis started their night time bombings in our area which was very frightening. Almost every day my Mother would take me to a nearby park to smell the trees and feed the ducks and swans in the pond. After the war and my Father come home from the front lines we all went to the park and other countryside areas. As a child it was always fun, but for my parents it was a mental relief for them. Even in my daily walk today along a country path I give thanks for the wonder of nature in the trees, birds and squirrels I encounter along the way. I firmly believe that is why Albert Einstein said long ago, "Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better". Brian Crombleholme 

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By getting outside on rainy and cloudy days to avoid crowded trails, I've seen a new side to my favourite local parks. A wet, quiet weekend meant rangers could do campsite maintenance, the berries and wildflowers were vibrant, birds lively. The smell of cedar and ray of sunshine after the rain has me grateful for these quiet moments of reflection in nature!

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We've kept our bubble really small and stayed close to home to protect at-risk loved ones. So it was a huge treat to spend time with friends hiking in Mt Robson Provincial Park, refuelling ourselves with laughter, companionship and spectacular views.

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I moved here from Toronto before the pandemic and I’m so glad I did. During lockdown, I went for a walk every day at lunch while working online. Hiking every weekend really helped me feel normal. I’m so thankful for where I live and I wish everyone got to experience it.

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I stayed in my garden observing the birds , bees, squirrels and other tiny creatures. When I left the yard, it was to go to the beach, walk in the forest or to walk around the neighbourhood. I have never felt so mellow and so fortunate to live on Vancouver Island.