Education Programs
The education programs offered by the Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park are designed to encourage the use of critical thinking and active learning through a variety of hands on and exciting activities. From observing animals at the park to exploring items from our biological collection, students will engage in many activities that promote an appreciation, sensitivity, and respect for nature and wildlife.
The Shubenacadie Provincial Wildlife Park offers education programs that differ in length, topic, and location. Our education programs are designed to facilitate all interest and comprehension levels, including grades Primary to 12, universities, special interest groups, and the general public. They vary in length from approximately 1 hour to 3 hours. Topics of our programs include different aspects of wildlife and nature such as conservation, animal characteristics, habitats, and biodiversity, to name a few.
Planning Your Visit
These helpful hints and explanations of wildlife park policies will allow you to make the most of your visit to our facility.
- Leave food for animals at home.
- Check the weather and dress accordingly.
- Persons under 14 should be chaperoned.
- Take your litter back with you to recycle, reuse and reduce.
- Bring your own food and beverages.
Our Education Programs are divided into three groups: School Programs at the Park, Outreach Opportunities, and Group Programs, which are described below. Please click on the type of program you are interested in to find out more information regarding cost, time, and topics offered to meet your needs.
- School Programs at the Park are available to school groups and are offered on site. They are designed to meet Nova Scotia Department of Education Curriculum Outcomes.
- Outreach Opportunities are available to schools or other groups and take place at your facility. We bring artifacts from our collection to your facility, anywhere in Nova Scotia. Outreach programs are designed to meet Nova Scotia Department Education Curriculum Outcomes.
- Group Programs are available to the general public, education and special interest groups.
Please note that our site is wheelchair accessible. You can view our park map here.
Program Outlines for Teachers
- Animal Adaptations
- Animal Growth and Changes
- Classification of Biodiversity
- Data Collection in Sustainable Ecosystems
- Habitats
- Needs and Characteristics of Living Things
- Species at Risk
- Using Your Senses in Nature
- Wetland Ecosystems
Park Tours Self Guided and Guided
The Shubenacadie Wildlife Park is happy to welcome organized groups to the park throughout the year.
From 15 May to 15 Oct, all groups planning a Self Guided Tour do not need to prebook.
If you are a school group from the following Nova Scotia School Systems, the park admission fees for students, teachers and school designated chaperones are waived.
- Regional Centres for Education
- Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP)
- Mi’kmaw Kina’matnewey schools (MK)
All other school groups and non-school groups pay regular admission fees.
All buses and vehicles must check-in at the Toll Booth. If travelling by bus, please have one person exit the bus to provide the name of school or organization and the number of students/youth, children, and adults visiting. If there are participants travelling separately, they must arrive after the bus has checked in at the Toll Booth and provide the organization name.
During self-guided tours, teachers/group leaders are responsible for the safety of their group and to ensure the Park rules are followed. The Toll Booth will provide additional information on arrival.
Please allow 2-3 hours for a tour of the wildlife and wetland trails and consider lunch in the picnic park and a walk down to St Andrew’s Marsh. You can finish-up with an ice cream treat and take in the gift shop at the Wetland Centre!
Guided tours are available year-round and must be pre-booked. Please contact wildlifeparkbooking@novascotia.ca for availability and program fees.