Explore: Victoria Boat and Fishing Show, pruning lessons, a nature hike and more

Pearkes Arena will be jammed with new boats, products and displays for the Victoria Boat and Fishing Show, Friday to Sunday.

Billed as the largest boat, fishing and outdoor consumer trade show on Vancouver Island, the event boasts 29 exhibitors in 2,800 square metres of exhibit space.

The show has outdoor experts, unique exhibits and an array of tackle, gear and boats to choose from.

“This is truly a family-oriented show with a wide variety of exhibitors,” said Sean Libin, vice-president of marketing at Canwest Productions, which produced the show.

He had a special nod to Island Outfitters, whose store was gutted by a fire in January.

“They haven’t been able to open their store, so their appearance at the show is the first opportunity they will have to reconnect with the loyal customers in the boat and fishing community — and to thank them for all their support,” said Libin.

Free seminars include: Salmon Fishing Techniques, Options for Saltwater Fishing around Southern Vancouver Island, Just for the Halibut and Rockfish Revival: Using MyCatch to help rockfish recover, one descent at a time.

The Victoria Fish and Game Protective Association will be on hand with an air-gun range for youngsters and adults.

Shockwave is bringing its Motorsports Toyota Late Model Stock Car, VRX RACE and Offshore Marine Experience simulators to the show as well.

Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors and students, $15 for a family pass for two adults and children under 16 (to a maximum of eight in the group) and free for children 16 and younger.

The event runs 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday at Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.

For more information, go to victoriaboatshow.com.

Hands-on pruning lessons at Royal Roads

Get hands-on instruction on how to properly rejuvenate your fruit trees at the Winter Pruning Party, Saturday at the Walled Garden at Royal Roads University in Colwood.

Hosted by the B.C. Fruit Testers Association, the event is an opportunity for gardeners to learn how to get the most from their fruit trees by winter pruning.

Bring your pruners for some hands-on experience on espaliers and standard trees.

The event is free to join. It runs 10 a.m. to noon Saturday in the orchard within the Walled Garden at Royal Roads University, 2005 Sooke Rd., Colwood. (Follow the signs to the walled garden). Remember to bring coins for pay parking ($1 per hour). For more information, go to bcfta.ca or Barrie Agar at barrie.agar@royalroads.ca.

Wake up with a wander in the forest

Bring your preschooler and any family member who is mobility challenged to explore the sights and sounds of a park at Sensory Snoop, a guided walk Sunday at Francis/King Regional Park.

The family-friendly program, guided by a CRD Regional Parks naturalist, is geared especially for those five years and under.

Wake up your senses on a wander through the forest. You will be encouraged to look for winter colours, listen for birds calling, smell forest perfumes and more.

The program is free to join but pre-registration is required, as space is limited. It runs 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Francis/King Regional Park in Saanich. Meet-up details upon registration.

The Nature Centre and the Elsie King Trail in the park are both wheelchair-accessible.

Try to arrive 10 minutes before the start of the program. Please leave pets at home. For more information, go to crd.bc.ca/parks-events.

Underwater noise and whales topic of lecture

Learn how whales and seals in the Canadian Arctic are changing their behaviours in response to underwater noise at Listening to the North: Studying How Underwater Noise Impacts Arctic Marine Mammals in a Changing Climate, Monday at the University of Victoria.

The program is hosted by the Victoria Natural History Society. The speaker is Dr. William Halliday, an associate conservation scientist with the Wildlife Conservation Society of Canada.

Halliday will discuss how he studies whales and seals in the Canadian Arctic using underwater listening (i.e. acoustic monitoring). Discover how these animals are changing their behaviours in response to decreased sea ice and increased human activities.

The lecture is free to attend. It runs 7:30 to 9 p.m. Monday Rm. 159, Fraser Building at the University of Victoria. Be aware that it’s pay parking at UVic. For more information, go to vicnhs.bc.ca.

Drop-in to learn about wetlands

Take the whole family for an afternoon of discovery at Wondrous Wetlands, a drop-in event at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary on Sunday.

The event, sponsored by the Victoria Natural History Society, helps people understand what makes a wetland such a great place to enjoy and protect.

Nature lovers of all ages can join in on hands-on activities such as pond-dipping for live wetland creatures. There will also be crafts and games.

Admission to the all-ages event is by donation ($5 suggested). Drop in anytime between noon and 3 p.m. Sunday at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Rd. For more information, go to Facebook.

Spring comes early at Butchart

Catch a glimpse of what’s to come at the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden, now until March 15 at Butchart Gardens.

The outdoor gardens might still be asleep, but indoors, spring has arrived in the form of fragrant flowering shrubs and flowers.

You can stroll along a flagstone pathway while breathing in the subtle fragrance of bed of daffodils and tulips alongside tropical plants and orchids creating a fantasy garden.

Flowering cherry, witch hazel, and other flowering shrubs provide a backdrop to a footbridge over a pond with goldfish.

The annual indoor garden is also a popular wedding and vow renewal venue. Check in advance of a visit because the space closed to the public on certain dates because it has been booked for private parties.

Entry to the Spring Prelude Indoor Garden is included in the price of regular admission. Butchart Gardens is open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. until Feb. 29 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the month of March. The garden is at 800 Benvenuto Ave., Brentwood Bay. For more information, go to butchartgardens.com.

Learn about Vancouver Island’s black settlers

Discover Victoria’s rich history of black settlers at Mifflin Winstar Gibbs and the Black Pioneers, tonight at Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum.

February is Black History Month and a good time to discover the history of black settlers who came to British Columbia at the invitation of Governor James Douglas. The idea was to populate Vancouver Island in the face of the threat of American annexation in 1858.

Ron Nicholson of the B.C. Black History Awareness Society gives an illustrated lecture about early merchant, community leader and politician Mifflin Wistar Gibbs and other pioneer members of Victoria’s black community.

Tickets are $10. The event starts at 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are required and are only available through tinyurl.com/rmrcs9h or at Ross Bay Villa, 1490 Fairfield Rd.

Make origami artwork from outdated nautical charts

Listen to tales of the early explorers on the Pacific Northwest Coast as you turn outdated nautical charts into works of art at the Nautical Chart Art Workshop, Saturday at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia.

At the workshop, you will learn the process of creating three-dimensional nautical chart art, using origami techniques.

Learn how to frame your piece in a shadow box to proudly display it at home.

Choose from one of many local charts that are now outdated but were once used by sailors along the British Columbia coast.

During the workshop, you will hear tales of early explorers and how their cartography work affected the development of the province.

The workshop is designed for people of all skill levels.

The cost of the workshop, which includes supplies, is $34.99 plus GST. It runs 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Maritime Museum of British Columbia, 634 Humboldt St. Due to the popularity of workshops, registering in advance is recommended.

For more information, go to mmbc.bc.ca.