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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1986-01-15, Page 22Page 6 T E WAWANOSH EXPERIE Ask a child in the Maitland Valley watershed what a Wawanosh Ex- perience is and they'll tell you, "Boots, Bubbles and Bugs, I.D. a Tree, Owl Prowl or Instincts for Survival." Wawanosh Valley Conservation Area is a 400 acre parcel of rolling hills, natural hardwood forest and con- iferous plantation. The Maitland Valley A�f Conservation Authority acquired the property in 1972 with the intention of providing conservation related pro- grams and demonstrating multi pur- pose resource management techniques on site. The somewhat decrepit barn granary was converted into a finished classroom using special employment .WAWANOSH VALLE Y CONSERVADON AREA O ?FS.$0 Aias MANAG W eV Tor MAITLAND VALLEY . CONSERVATION AUTHORITY PROVINCE OF ONTARIO t t. a Junior Conservationists set up several project orienteering courses during the summer months of 85. The courses will be used by both school and community groups attending programs at the Wawanosh Valley Conservation Education Centre. From left to right, program participants are: Heather Moffat, Sandy Nicholson, Pam Shantz, Heather Cotton, Laura Vahoorne, Cindy Presant, Tanya Hostler, not pictured Jayne Thomps, leader. VISIT US AT Sugar bush. What thoughts do you associate with these words tall maple trees, sticky fingers and' pancakes smothered in syrup come to mind? Perhaps, an early spring walk with your family in the solitude of the spring forest sounds inviting. Just west of Listowel, off Highway No. 86, Maple Keys Sugar Bush is the Weal location to experience the sights, sounds, scents and tastes of a sugar bush. WOO Keys Sugar flush is from AO amto4p. . maple syrup season.P'ubl operate at regular ihfue weekends and maple prodn available for sale When the snow begins and your family is showi of cabin ;fever, take that sh r; drive to visit us .: at Maple Kays. We know you and your taste bn+ will enjoy a :day at Maple funding in 1983/84. 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 to 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. The first conservation education pro- grams were offered to school groups in the fall of 1984. Evaluations and com- ments proved to be very favourable and provided the incentive to 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 Listowel generous- ly donated the materials for heating the classroom. A spring program finished the 1984/85 school year. During the, first year of operation over 1,000 children and adults had participated in the Wawanosh Ex- perience. What are these programs all about? Stream studies, alias "Boots, Bub- bles and Bugs, 1 & II", have students exploring the mysterious life forms found beneath the surface of the Belgrave Creek; its physical aspects 'and the importance of clean water to the natural environment. Our shady forest friends, the trees, are interesting subjects too. "LD. A Tree" allows the students to use clues 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 as a Maitland Vady ey forester. These foresters are invoIled in taking a forest inventory and measuring tree height and diameter. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to survive as a mouse, raccoon or fox? "Instincts for Sur - CE 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, touch 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 16- 18) 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 for 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- trol point to another and answer ques- tions at each stop. Map reading skills are strengthened and conservation awareness is improved. It 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 better understanding of how we can work together to manage and conserve our resources. Today, Wawanosh Valley is a popular attrac- tion for school and community groups. In the 1985 Fall Program over 1000 students, kindergarten to grade 8 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 r Deb Perkin a MVCA staff person talks to the public about the need to conserve our natural resources.