When the British Columbia Wildlife Park decided three years ago to develop the Park as the premier zoological facility in the province a new Discovery Centre was identified as the corner stone for the expansion”, said Mary Ann Milobar, President of the not-for profit Society that operates the BC Wildlife Park.

While the Discovery Centre provides the provincial context for BC wildlife the 50 hectare park features 65 exhibits of some of the provinces wonderful wildlife including Grizzly bears, Cougars, Timber Wolves and Moose. Park experiences include interpretive talks, wildlife encounters and ‘Meet the Keeper’ opportunities. “These are the types of experiences that tourists are looking for when they travel in Super, Natural British Columbia”, said Rob Purdy, General Manager.

The new Discovery Centre includes the 300 sq. m. BC EcoDicovery Gallery that stimulates learning and appreciation with regard to BC habitats and wildlife using fun family oriented interactive displays providing exploration of five eco-zones of the province: rainforest, mountains, grasslands, interior plateau and the boreal forest. Visitor experiences include whole body play activities for children; Wildlife encounters with small animals from each region of the Province; and Conservation Works kiosks devoted to positive messaging on natural resource stewardship and sustainable living.

The new Discovery Centre helps facilitate the Park’s Mission to connect people to BC wildlife and wild places in order to achieve a sustainable society in a healthy natural environment.

The Discovery Centre demonstrates BC Wildlife Park’s commitment to BC wildlife and sustainable living, says Rob Purdy, General Manager.

Leading by example is one of the main strategies that the BC Wildlife Park employs in its mission. The Discovery Centre is on track to receive Silver standing with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-Canada). A Kresge Foundation grant allowed the Centre to be built to the silver level of the LEED-Canada standard (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). The 1,000 square metre Discovery Centre is approximately 60% more energy efficient than a conventional style building. Green features including geothermal heating and cooling, innovative insulation, energy efficient lighting and water conservation features. These Green features are identified to visitors through interpretive panels and strategically placed Sustainability Labels. These include geo-thermal heating and cooling, waterless urinals, low flow toilets and energy efficient lighting. The building also utilized recycled materials and innovative and renewable wood products such as Timberstrand© roof decking.

The Silver LEED-Canada designation comes at a time when other accredited zoological facilities such as Vancouver Aquarium and Calgary Zoo are also pursuing green design and operations. “We care about the environment and are passionate about the welfare of our wildlife”, said Rob Purdy, General Manager. “Our energy efficient Centre will also save operating dollars for many years in the future”.

Another area of the new Discovery Centre, The Exploration Corner, was made possible due to a grant from the BC Ministry of Environment. This area will be a venue for wildlife encounters with one of the Park’s educational animals such as Birds of Prey that sit on an interpreter’s hand. Exploration Corner is an opportunity for visitors to find information on wildlife viewing, birding, BC Parks and outdoor recreation opportunities. The BC Wildlife Park and the BC Ministry of Environment have signed a ten year Memorandum of Understanding that outlines a partnership to work together to interpret BC wildlife and promote sustainable living on a provincial level.

The Discovery Centre will serve as the new entrance to the Park and include visitor amenities such as the new Naturally Yours Gift Shop that features the work of local artisans and the Great Blue Heron Café.

Funding for the new Discovery Centre was made possible by a lead gift from the City of Kamloops of $1.2 million as well as $2 million from the Canadian British Columbia Infrastructure Program. Weyerhaeuser Foundation and Kresge Foundation provided $120,000 and $85,000 respectively. The Discovery Centre has come in on time and on budget due to strong team work and a very dedicated and talented Board of Directors, staff and project management team.

Sir David Attenborough – the producer of ‘Life On Earth’ and ‘Planet Earth’ - recently lamented that today more and more of us live in cities and are losing any real connection with wildlife and the importance of a healthy natural environment. Addressing this issue is the purpose of the BC Wildlife Park - a place where ordinary people, especially children, can connect with living wildlife firsthand and learn how their actions can make a difference. People love wildlife.

Visiting a nature centre or zoological facility, and wildlife viewing and birding are among the most popular outdoor activities in North America. With the ageing demographics of our society wildlife viewing and birding are on the rise. Recent studies show that 145 million North Americans visit nature centre or zoological facilities each year and that wildlife viewing and birding are tremendously popular. In Canada there over eleven million visits to accredited zoos and aquariums each year.

The Vancouver Aquarium and the BC Wildlife Park are the only accredited zoological facilities in BC. Also, the BC Wildlife Park is the only accredited zoological facility in Canada that is located along the Trans Canada Highway where approximately 5 million vehicles pass each year. The Vancouver Aquarium is interpreting the marine wildlife of the province and showcasing the Marine Parks. The BC Wildlife Park is the best positioned facility in the Province to develop as a destination and provincially significant gateway attraction that will interpret the terrestrial wildlife of the Province.

For the benefit of our environment and for future generations, we welcome your support of the Discover Our Nature — 40th Anniversary Capital Campaign — To learn how you can help visit our web site at www.BCzoo.org. or contact the BC Wildlife Park Development Office at (250) 573-3242 ext 259. The BC Wildlife Park is open every day from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm with extended hours until 6:00 pm for June, July, August and September. Annual passes are a great bargain, as less than two visits pays for the cost.

For more information, please contact Rob Purdy, General Manager, BC Wildlife Park, at (250) 573.3242 or email rpurdy@bczoo.org, or Ms. Lee Morris, CEO, Tourism Kamloops, at (250) 372.8000 or lee@tourismkamloops.com.