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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, "Valleys & People" supplement, 1986-01-15, Page 6Page (i THEWAWANOSH EXPERIENCE Ask <i child in the Maitland Valley watershed what a Wawanosli Ex­ perience is and they'll tell you, "Boots, Bubbles and Hugs, 1.1), a Tree, Owl I’rowl or Instinc ts for Survival." Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area is a 400 a< re parcel of rolling hills, natural hardwood forest and con- i ey orienteering courses during the WAWANOSH VALLEY CONSERVATION AREA OWNED AND MANAGED *Y THE MAITLAND VALLEY CONSERVATION AUTHORITY FINANCIALLY A illS rco IT 1HI PROVINCE OF ONTARIO Junior Conservationists set up several project summer months of 115. The1 cnurses will he used by both school and community groups attending programs al the Wawanosh Valley Conservation Education Centre. From left Io right, program participants are: Heather Moffat, Sandy Nicholson, Pam Shantz, Heather (niton, laura Vahoorne, ( indy Presant, Tanya Hostler, nol pic lured Jayne T hompson, leader. VISIT US AT MAPLE KEYS Sugar bush. What thoughts do you associate with these words? Do tall maple trees, sticky fingers and pancakes smothered in syrup come Io mind? Perhaps, an early spring walk with your family in the solitude of the spring forest sounds inviting. ■Just west of Listowek off Highway No. 86, Maple Keys Sugar Bush is the ideal location to experience the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of a sugar bush. Conservalion Authority acquired the property in 1972 with the intention of providing conservation related pro- gramsAind demonstrating multi pur­ pose resource management tec hniques on site. The somewhat decrepit barn granary was converted into a finished classroom using special employment :-----1------ Maple Keys Sugar Bush is open from 10 a.m. to 4 pan. during the maple syrup season. Public tours operate at regular intervals on weekends and maple products are available for side. When the snow begins to melt mid your family is showing signs cd' cabin fever, take that short drive to visit us at Maple Keys. We know you and your taste buds will enjoy a clay at Maple Keys. funding in 1983/114. When these renovations were completed, Wawanosh Valley had a Conservation Education Centre ready for business. The programs offered at Wawanosh are designed to reflect the Authority's goal, "to establish and undertake a program Io promote and enhance the conservation restoration, development and management of renewable natural resources associated with water, land and people." Aspects of soil, water, forestry and wildlife management are highlighted in the programs. I he first conservation education pro­ grams were offered Io sc lined groups in the fall of 19114. Evaluations and com­ ments proved Io be 1 very favourable and provided the incentive Io continue with a winter program. fifty pair of snowshoes were,pur­ chased with special employment funds. Further renovations were also completed in the Centre when Ideal Supply Company of l.istowel generous­ ly donated the materials for heating the c lassroom. A spring program finished the 19114/05 sc bool year. During the first year of operation over 1,00(1 children and adults had participated in the Wawanosh Ex­ perience. VVh.it are these programs all about? Stream studies, alias "Hoots, Hub- Ides and Bugs, I \ II", have students exploring the mysterious life forms found beneath the surface of the Belgrave Creek; its physical aspects and the importance of dean waler to the natural environment. Our shady forest friends, the trees, are interesting subjects too. "I.I). A Tree" allows the students Io use dues such as: burnt cornflakes bark, op­ posite arrangement and elephant skin bark, to identify some common trees. The forest management program gets the students involved in a first­ hand experience 1 as a Maitland Valley forester. These foresters are involved in taking a forest inventory and measuring tree height and diameter. Have- you ever wondered what it would be1 like Io survive as a mouse, raccoon or fox? "Instincts for Sur­ Dob Perkin a MVCA staff person talks to the public about the need to conserve our natural resources. vival" provides an opportunity for the students to learn about the delicate balance of nature, and the complex in­ terrelationships found in the ecosystem. Seasonal sensory walks allow the students to experience the natural en­ vironment by using their five senses: sight, smell, taste, tone h and hear. The most recent addition to the pro­ grams at Wawanosh are the project orienteering courses. The courses were designed by seven students (ages I(>• III) participating in the Ministry of Natural Resources Junior Con­ servationist Award Program. The J.C.A.P. program provides these students from all parts of Ontario with experience in a conservation related field. The students set up courses fur grades 5 and up on soil, water, wildlife and forestry management. Points of in­ terest, (control points) are indicated on the map. Students travel from one con- I rol point Io another and answer ques­ tions at each stop. Map reading skills ■ire strengthened and conservation awareness is imprmed. II is the hope of the Maitland Valley Conservation Authority that the students who participate in the con­ servation education programs will gain an awareness and appreciation for their natural environment and most importantly, a belter understanding of how we can work together to manage and conserve our resources. Today, Wawanosh Valley is a popular attrac­ tion (or school and community groups. In the 19115 Fall Program over 1000 students, kindergarten to grade I) have participated versus 383 in 1984. Authority staff will design ap­ propriate programs to assist your group in becoming more conservation conscious. If you're a group leader or teacher interested in learning more about the programs at Wawanosh contact the Maitland Valley Conservation Authori­ ty at (519) 335-3557. This is your personal invitation to visit us at Wawanosh for a "Wawanosh Experience." Please join us.