The Royal Slug Migration Begins!

Each week, our class heads out onto the beautiful Nukko Lake Bear Trail for one of our most anticipated outdoor education traditions: tracking the Royal Slug Migration.

While the black slug (Arion ater) may not be native to BC—they originally hail from Europe and were first spotted in BC in 1941—we've grown quite fond of these slimy trail companions. Despite their status as a garden pest (noted officially since 1962), our approach is one of curiosity, care, and respect. We never step on them, even as we run to get our daily step goals in!

The highlight of our weekly walk is counting how many slugs we spot. In past years, we've seen up to 87 in a single day! Today’s official slug count was a modest but meaningful 8.

This year, our class decided to name the slugs we encounter—our first group has a delightful breakfast theme (with the exception of Jeff, who preferred to hang out quietly in the leaves).

The Royal Slug Migration brings laughter, wonder, and a lovely opportunity to slow down and appreciate the little things—literally. It’s a slimy, silly, and surprisingly scientific way for us to connect with our local environment.

Stay tuned for more updates from the trail… and of course, more slug sightings!