Session 1: May 21st at the Kamloops Sports Council.  Introduction to the Venables Valley and Mantra Music Event: Join us for an introductory event that will delve into the details of the beautiful Hare Krishna community in Venables Valley. This session is a prerequisite for anyone interested in registering to visit the valley on May 28th. The event will feature a presentation about the community, accompanied by live, traditional, meditational music. This will provide a unique opportunity to experience the culture and spirituality of the Hare Krishna community.
Session 2:  May 28th A trip to the Hare Krushna community.  Tour to Venables Valley: Exploring the Hare Krishna Village, also known as Saranagati Village. The name “Saranagati” means surrender to the Lord, and the approximately 30-35 families residing there live by the principle of surrendering the results of their actions to the service of Lord Krishna The village features a stunning temple, a goshala (a shelter for protected and worshiped cows), and a school that is aligned with the BC school district and also teaches according to the ancient traditions of India. Remarkably, the entire community lives off the grid, without access to gas or water lines. Some families have been residing here for over 45 years. Many community members also engage in small-scale farming, growing their own basic produce. We have had some success with growing wheat and look forward to expanding our efforts in the future. The community is known for its simple, vibrant, and colorful culture. Regular programs and gatherings are organized, attracting many visitors who come to witness the community’s warmth and hospitality. We look forward to welcoming you to Venables Valley and sharing the beauty of our community. Lunch will be provided.

We will tour lower and middle grasslands in the Ashcroft area looking at native and seeded grasslands, wildfire recovery, invasive plants and grazing use. Led by Mike Dedels, Executive Director of the GCC (Grasslands Conservation Council). We will arrange carpooling from Kenna Cartwright Park parking just east of the prison. Please dress for the weather, wear good walking shoes and bring enough food and drink for the day.

On this field trip, we will briefly review the different types of land conservation mechanisms in BC and then go for a short walk on NCC’s Lac du Bois Conservation Area to review of some of NCC’s more recent land management projects on the property. We will go for a meander and find a nice spot to have lunch and answer any questions participants have about NCC and the things we see that day.