Talking Trees
Alice Lake
A nature walk to learn how Indigenous people utilize the land for food, medicine, technology
Each plant, each tree has its own special story. On this nature walking tour you will hear the stories of how shíshálh (Sechelt) Coast Salish & Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) People have been utilizing the land for food, medicine and technology for thousands of years. Your Talaysay cultural ambassador guide will share our ecological practices, ancient and contemporary history, stories, legends and Indigenous ways of living (knowing) with you.
What to Expect
Each Talking Trees tour is unique; shaped by the land, the season, and the stories of those who walk with us.
Your journey begins with a land acknowledgment and gentle introduction from your Cultural Land Ambassador. Together, you’ll walk among towering cedars, maples, firs, and wild berries, exploring how Indigenous peoples have lived sustainably in this region since time immemorial. Through engaging stories, hands-on teachings, and sensory invitations, you’ll discover the traditional uses of plants and trees for food, medicine, technology, and culture.
Along the way, you’ll learn about the “Tree of Life”, its sacred gifts, from transportation, housing, clothing, and ceremony. Your guide will share how Indigenous communities have practiced stewardship, selective harvesting, and reciprocal relationships with the land.
Each experience is shaped by the season and the group’s interests. You’ll be invited to slow down, notice the forest’s intricate details, and reflect on our connection to the natural world. No experience is required, just a willingness to listen, learn, and be present.
Every tour includes a cup of Indigenous tea, a moment for gratitude, sharing, and community.
Where We Meet
We gather at Alice Lake Provincial Park, meeting beside the main parking lot washrooms before beginning our walk into the forest together. The trail moves through a rich coastal ecosystem shaped by towering conifers, freshwater systems, and the long ecological history of this region.
Talking Trees is a journey into the relationships between plants, people, and place. As we walk beneath cedar, hemlock, fir, and the diverse understory that surrounds them, your Cultural Land Ambassador / Guide shares stories that illuminate how these forests have sustained Indigenous communities since time immemorial. Guests learn how local plant knowledge connects to food, medicine, technology, and land-based teachings: all while experiencing the forest through a lens of reciprocity and respect.
Alice Lake offers a calm and shaded setting ideal for slowing down, observing patterns in the land, and discovering the cultural and ecological significance of the plants that thrive here.
Accessibility: Alice Lake’s main trail system is fully wheelchair accessible. The paths are wide, well-maintained, and mostly flat, with compact surfaces suitable for mobility devices, strollers, and guests with varying levels of mobility. Accessible parking and washrooms are available at the meeting point beside the main parking area.
Book this Tour
Ready to join us? View dates and reserve your spot below.
If no time slots are visible, the tour may not currently be scheduled. Gift cards remain available, and we welcome inquiries about future dates.
Before Your Tour
What to Bring
Good walking shoes
Layered clothing - dress for the weather
A water bottle on warm days
A water resistant jacket on rainy days
Weather Information
We operate our tours and programs in the rain.
The company reserves the right to cancel when extreme weather and wind impacts safety.
Guest Protocol
Tours start promptly
Arrive 15 minutes prior to tour start
Late guests or missed tours are not reimbursed
Individual booking cancellation: 48 hours notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Group booking cancellation: 10 days notice prior to tour is required and a 20% administration fee applies
Cancellations with less than the required notice are 100% non-refundable
