HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-05-23, Page 13THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1990. PAGE 13.
Children explore nature’s wonders at education centre
In the eyes of a child
Krissy Dilworth and Tyler Bragg take a close look at a nest of tent caterpillars during a walk through
the Nature Centre forest.
Elementary, Watson
Josh Jorritsmadoesacareful and thorough investigation of the
plant life at the Nature Centre.
Listening to the soothing sound
of a river trickling over its rock
course; watching as a bird of prey
hovers majestically above an open
field, or seeing for the first time the
purity of a trillium in bloom are
experiences that are not something
young people today often have the
opportunity to enjoy.
At the Wawanosh Nature Cen
tre, located on the Maitland River,
a few miles south-west of Belgrave,
about 5500 elementary and secon
dary school students this year will
spend time learning and discover
ing the very best that nature has to
offer.
Sessions are conducted on school
days throughout the year for nine
weeks in the fall, seven weeks
during the winter, and for nine
weeks again in the spring.
Pilot projects for the Centre
began in the early part of the
1980’s and the 420 acres are now
operated and maintained by the
Maitland Valley Conservation Au
thority. Funds are raised by the
Maitland Valley Foundation and by
charging a user fee of $30 per
school plus $1 per students.
MVCA employees Jayne Thomp
son and Esther Buck guide the
children through the sessions. Pri
mary classes usually participate in
an introduction to nature through a
seasonal “Talk and Walk” series,
while older children take part in
stream programs. Secondary
school students attend mainly in
the fall but do occasionally visit
during the spring sessions.
Special weekend sessions are
offered as a service for groups like
Cubs and Scouts, senior citizens
and 4H clubs arid the Beavers hold
their annual Jamboree there as
well. But, Ms. Thompson explains
that with only two employees on
staff at the centre, they are limited
Photos, stories
by Bonnie Gropp
in their ability to meet the demand.
Students are introduced to the
work done by the MVCA, which is
to care for the valley around the
river by conserving water, protect
ing wildlife and plantlife, and by
placing regulations and restrictions
on activities around the river.
During their visit, students learn
why our water must be kept clean,
why we need flowers and trees, and
how to prevent soil erosion and its
effect.
Wawanosh Nature Centre like all
other areas run by MVCA, is open
to the public as well, though the
building is closed on weekends. So,
on a sunny spring day or a crisp
winter one, as the leaves are
changing to their autumn hue or as
the summer sun drives you out of
the hot town, you can find content
ment on a walk through the scenic
valley of the Wawanosh Nature
Centre, an area brimming with life.
Trust me
Jayne Thompson, Conservation Education Technician at the Wawanosh Nature Centre, leads
children in a game that makes them look at the forest without using their eyes. In front are, Jason
Armstrong, left, and Cody Nichol.
How many:!
Sarah Seeds, left, and Krissy Dilworth, compare the “worms”
(pieces of coloured yarn) they discovered during a game at the
Wawanosh Nature Centre.
Warning
Areas marking where poison ivy can be found are well-marked
and off the trail.