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Learning In North Huron, 1992-10-07, Page 10PAGE 10. OCTOBER 1992. Hands on learning Each year thousands of students visit the Wawanosh Nature Centre to experience the great outdoors personally. Here the facility's Conservation Education Technician encourages a student to search for water life. • Special Orders • Greeting Cards • Fine Stationery • Maps Children experience nature by Bonnie Gropp Listening to the soothing sound of a river trickling over its rocky course; watching as a bird of prey hovers above an open field or see­ ing for the first time the purity of a trillium in bloom are experiences that are not something many chil­ dren often have the opportunity to enjoy. At the Wawanosh Nature Centre, located on the Maitland River, a few miles south-west of Belgrave, about 5500 elementary and sec­ ondary students visit yearly to learn and rediscover nature. Sessions are conducted on school days throughout the year. Pilot pro­ jects for the Centre began in the early part of the 1980s and the 420 acres are now operated and main­ tained by the Maitland Valley Con­ servation Authority. Funds are raised by the Maitland Valley Foundation and by charging a user fee. There is also some government funding for properties and trails, though grants for staffing costs were reduced and capital develop­ ment costs stopped last year. MVCA employees Jayne Thomp­ son and Esther Buck guide the chil­ dren through the session. Primary classes usually participate in an introduction to nature through a seasonal "Talk and Walk" series, while older children take part in stream programs and in more phys­ ical adventures such as the "Owl Prowl". Secondary school students attend mainly in the fall. Often weekend sessions have been held for groups like the Scout­ ing movement, senior citizens or 4H clubs. The Beavers have held their annual Jamboree at the Nature Centre too. Ms Thompson explains, however, that with only two employees on staff at the centre they are limited in their ability to meet demand. In addition to learning about the wildlife around them, students are introduced to the work of the MVCA. The Authority is responsi­ ble for the land in the Maitland River watershed, conserving water, protecting wildlife and plantlife and regulating and restricting activities around the river. Also visitors can leam why it is important to keep our water clean, why we need our 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, though the building is closed on weekends. Hsvt you • ENTERTAINMENT • INSPIRATION • INFORMATION • EDUCATION THE BOOK SHOP Blyth 114 Queen St S. 523-9141 Listowel 150 Wallace Ave. N. 291-2145 Owned by Charlotte, dr Lloyd Atten | LEARN SAFE SNOWMOBILING | DRIVER TRAINING COURSES SCHOOLS - EDUCATION Huron County Board of Education, 103 Albert Street, Clinton, Ontario. Mr. Robert Allan, Director of Education, 482-3496. ELEMENTARY Brussels Public School, Box 340, 650 Alexander Street, Brussels, Ontario. NOG 1H0, 887-9361. Principal Dave Kemp. East Wawanosh Public School, Belgrave, Ontario. NOG 1E0, 357-2960. Principal Ken Scott Grey Central Public School, Ethel, Ontario. NOG 1T0, 887- 6601. Principal Paul Statia. Howick Central Public School, RR 1, Gorrie, Ontario. NOG 1X0, 335-3566. Principal vvayne lessier. Turnberry Central Public School, RR 4, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0, 357-2548. Principal Dave Brereton. Walton Public School, Walton, Ontario. N0K 1Z0, 887- 6219, Principal Don Tremeer. Wingham Public School, 131 John Street East, Box 640, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0, 357-3270. Principal Marie Parsons. SECONDARY F.E. Madill Secondary School, 231 Victoria St. East, Box 120, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0, 357-1800. Principal Herb Murphy. (Night School Principal, Paul Elgie). SEPARATE SCHOOLS Huron-Perth Roman Catholic Separate School Board, P.O. Box 70, Dublin, Ontario. N0K 1E0, Mr. William Eckert, Director of Education. ELEMENTARY Sacred Heart School, 225 Cornyn Street, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0, 357-1090. Principal Jim Steffler. NURSERY SCHOOLS/DAY CARE Silver Circle Nursery School, 153 John Street, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0,357-2091. Wingham Day Care Centre, William Street, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0,357-2424. Wingham Nursery School, Josephine Street, Wingham, Ontario. NOG 2W0, 357-2362. Brussels Play School, Brussels Library, 887-6117, Barb Mutter. HURON COUNTY LIBRARY BRANCHES Auburn, Laura Chamney Belgrave, Mrs. Lamont Bluevale, Bonnie Greig Blyth, Pat Brigham, 523-4400 Brussels, Susan Nichol, 887-6448 Cranbrook, Carmie Newman Fordwich Gorrie, Mrs. J. Gowdy Walton Wingham, Paula Mackie, 357-3312 Developed by: Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs Classes November 19 & 24 ‘Must be 12 years of age Contact: Mark 887-6353 Cam 887-9338 e ? TRAILBLAZERS w • Safe, Marked, Groomed Trails • Family oriented activities • OFSC trail permits required B&W TRAILBLAZERS 345-2795 887-6353