UPDATED September 7, 2026
We're in the news!
Thanks to CBC's Creator Network and video producers Carmen Gilmore and Paul Cluett, the Saskatoon Young Naturalists are featured on CBC. It was an exciting project for the Young Naturalists.
Bluebird Trail Video:
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7075886
Bluebird Trail News:
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/bluebird-trail-conservation-scientists-birding-9.7045172
Bluebird Trail Radio Interview:
https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-66-the-morning-edition-sask/clip/16198070-become-citizen-scientist-bluebird-trail
Welcome to the Saskatoon Young Naturalists. 2026 is our 58th year of hands-on conservation education!
The Young Naturalists program is a collection of nature-based activities designed for kids aged 5 to 11 years and their families.
TO REGISTER for any of the activities listed below, please send an e-mail to naturekids@saskatoonnature.org (or saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com) (Both e-mail addresses go to the same location. I usually respond within 24 hours.) Registration is taken on a first-come basis and space is limited on most activities. At least one adult must accompany your child on each Young Naturalists activity. You can register for any Young Naturalists program at any time. Each Young Naturalist activity is an individual activity, separate from the other activities. You must register for each activity separately (however you can register for more than one activity at one time).
Young Naturalists’ activities are open to all ages and offer nature-based activities designed for families. Content is geared towards the 5 to 11 year old range. We operate on the belief that children’s (and parents’) learning is enhanced when the parents/guardians are present. Parent/Guardian supervision is required on all Young Naturalists’ Programs.
The Saskatoon Young Naturalists’ began in 1968. The Young Naturalists is a joint program with the Saskatoon Nature Society and the Saskatoon Zoo Society. Thanks to these organizations most programs are free of charge unless otherwise noted.
Upcoming Programs
Sandhill Crane Field Trip
Saturday, October 3, 2026
9:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon
Cost: Free
Space is limited. Advanced Registration is required.
Please e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
A field trip south of Saskatoon to look for migrating Sandhill Cranes and other wildlife. We’ll have binoculars and a spotting scope along to demonstrate how these tools can improve your wildlife watching experience. Parent Advisory: we will be walking along the shoreline of the South Saskatchewan River on this field trip. Space is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information. At least one parent/guardian/adult must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Northern Saw-Whet Owl Field Trip
Limited Dates in October
7:30 to 10:30 p.m.
Space is limited. Advanced registration required
(E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information).
Naturalists at Night!
We will join naturalists Martin Stoffel and Bruce Boldt as they collect scientific information from migrating Saw-whet Owls.
The banding station is very small, so our group size is limited on this field trip. Please note this is a "past the usual bedtime" late evening/night program and may not be suitable for younger children.
The Northern Saw-whet Owl does not start to migrate until after the first really cold night. They also migrate at night, so this can be a late night! Once you are registered I will keep you updated on when a date will be set. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information. At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Bird Feeder Workshop
Saturday, November 14, 2026
1:00 p.m.
Affinity Learning Centre, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Cost: $5.00/ child
Enrolment is limited. Advanced registration is required.
(E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register)
Learn about how a bird feeder can be used for winter bird watching and how you can become a Citizen Scientist to track bird populations! Bring a hammer and build your own bird feeder to take home. Enrolment is limited. Pre-registration is required. e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register or for more information.
Allergy alert: Sunflower seeds are used in this program.
2026 Christmas Bird Count for Kids
10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(Multiple bird count walks throughout the day at the top of each hour)
Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo (Affinity Learning Centre)
NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE come-and-go program that is open to EVERYONE of all ages.
The Young Naturalists are hosting our 12th annual CBC4Kids – A Christmas Bird Count for Kids.
Meet at the Affinity Learning Centre. Between 10:30 and 2:00 we will be doing bird count walks through the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo at the top of each hour. (11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.) Stay for one round of bird counting or come for the whole day! Warm up with cookies and hot chocolate between bird walks.
E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail,com for more information.
Tracks and Scats
Saturday, January 16, 2027
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Affinity Learning Centre at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo
Cost: Free
Enrolment is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register.
We’ll look at the basic animal track patterns for some of the common animals found around Saskatoon. If weather permits we’ll do a little exploring for animal tracks in the snow. And we’ll also make a plaster track craft you can take home.
Enrolment is limited. E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org to enrol or for more information.
Chickadee Pishing
Saturday, February 6, 2027
Beaver Creek Conservation Area
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Enrolment is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
It is a birding field trip to the Beaver Creek Conservation Area. We'll check out the different birds on our hike to the bird blind and feeding station. But the stars of the show are the Black-capped Chickadees! Pishing is the time-honoured technique of attracting birds for a closer look. The chickadees at Beaver Creek are well accustomed to pishers, so it is a great place to practice the technique. Dress warmly and give it a try. Cost is free. Bird snacks are provided (feel tree to bring one for yourself). Bring your binoculars if you have some. E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org for more information or to sign up for this field trip. At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
Owl Pellets
Saturday, March 13, 2027
1:00 - 2:30 p.m.
Affinity Learning Centre (Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo)
Cost: Free
Enrolment is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register.
In this indoor session we’ll take a look at the ecology of the Great Horned Owl in Saskatchewan and learn all about owl pellets. What’s an owl pellet? More importantly, what’s inside an owl pellet? Find out at this exciting presentation.
Space is limited. E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org to register or for more information.
At least one parent or guardian must accompany children on all Young Naturalists’ programs.
Birdhouse Workshop
Saturday, April 10, 2027
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $10.00/child
Affinity Learning Centre (Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo)
Enrolment is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register.
Join the Young Naturalists for this National Wildlife Week program and our 58th year of constructing birdhouses. Spring is just around the corner so it is time to prepare for the bluebirds and Tree swallows return from their winter migration. These cavity-nesting birds will be looking for suitable nesting sites. We can help them out by making your own birdhouse. You can take your birdhouse home or donate it to the Young Naturalists for use on the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail.
Space is limited. Advanced Registration is required. E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org to register.
Crocus Hike
Saturday, April 24*, 2027
1:00 p.m.
Northeast Swale
E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
Celebrate Earth Week with the Young Naturalists as we walk on the native prairie of the Northeast Swale to look for Prairie Crocus and other signs of spring. Cost is free, but advanced registration is required. E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org to register or for more information. At least one parent/guardian must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
*The date for this program may change depending upon the blooming time for the crocus.
Great Horned Owl Field Trip
Tentative for May, 2027
E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com for more information
Pond Dipping Field Trip
Saturday, May 15, 2027
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Pike Lake Provincial Park
Cost: Free
A daily or seasonal Provincial Park Pass is required to enter Pike Lake Provincial Park
Enrolment is limited. E-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
Join the Young Naturalists for our hands-on nature activities including our search for wild dragons, damsels, fairies, and frogs* – and other aquatic invertebrates too. We will even check out the nature trail for Poison Ivy (really)! Space is limited on this very popular program so register early! E-mail naturekids@saskatoonnature.org for more details or to register.At least one parent/guardian/adult must accompany your child/children on all Young Naturalists activities.
*Dragonflies, damselflies, fairy shrimp, and frogs.
Mary Houston Bluebird Trail
June 3 to July 6, 2027
Multiple field trips throughout June.
Cost: Free.
Space is limited on each trip.
Advanced Registration is required.
e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register.
Did you know the Young Naturalists have been monitoring bluebird populations around Saskatoon since 1969? Join naturalists Greg Fenty as he works with bluebirds and Tree Swallows along the Mary Houston Bluebird Trail. This activity takes place over the whole month of June with multiple field trips. Space is limited on each field trip, so advanced registration is required (e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register). This year we have two meeting locations. One on the west end of Saskatoon for field trips to the Grandora and Pike Lake area, and one on the south end for field trips to the Blackstrap area.
Check out https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7075886 for more information.
July Butterfly Field Trip
Wednesday, July 7, 2027
1:00 p.m.
Northeast Swale
Cost: Free
Advanced Registration Required
e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
Join the Young Naturalists as we explore the Northeast Swale in search of butterflies and other insects, along with their favourite wild flowers. On this field trip we learn the proper techniques for catching (and releasing!) and observing butterflies. We hope to catch a variety of butterflies and other insects (and probably the odd spider and harvestman) to learn about their ecology.
August Butterfly Field Trip
Wednesday, August 11, 2027
1:00 p.m.
Northeast Swale
Cost: Free
Advanced Registration required.
e-mail saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to register
Join the Young Naturalists as we explore the Northeast Swale in search of butterflies and other insects, along with their favourite wild flowers. On this field trip we learn the proper techniques for catching (and releasing!) and observing butterflies. We hope to catch a variety of butterflies and other insects (and probably the odd spider and harvestman) to learn about their ecology.
Young Naturalists Programs for Groups:
Due to enrolment restrictions, the Young Naturalists’ Program is normally unable to accommodate groups (the program is designed for families). If you have a special interest group (such as Scouts, 4-H, school group, etc.) please email saskatoonnaturekids@gmail.com to arrange a special program for your group. There may be a charge for this programming.