Visitors Wild About Wildlife in Wellington
Sue Capon | Aug 12, 2018 | Comments 0
Families gathered in Wellington Friday to meet Stephen Hawking, Dante the falcon, learn about native reptiles and maybe hold or touch a snake. They were also invited to learn about water, bugs and native flowers.
The event was the final of six in the region hosted by Quinte Conservation staff and summer students focusing on interactive activities exploring nature.
Maya Navrot, Quinte Conservation’s Education and Stewardship Coordinator, said some of the activity stations had been running since early morning as families were eager to make their way into the park.
For some, the first stop is the wildflower station where participants learn how to make a plant pot and take a seedling home to their own garden. This year, wild bergamot; meadow sweet and yellow shrubby cinquefoil seedlings were offered.
“Each year we have different wildflowers and it’s nice to hear from families coming in every year to get a new wildflower to add to their garden,” said Navrot. “They tell us about how the flowers from past years have done over the years,” said Navrot.
Eight-year-old Darcy Barnes, however, headed straight for the tubs of water to investigate creatures who live in streams.
“She’s been here for more than an hour,” said her grandma Mary Kay Morris. “Even when she was a little girl she would go out in the backyard and play with little critters, put them in boxes and bring them to grandpa, or her mom.
Darcy’s grandpa James Robert Morris is a retired biologist and is her inspiration.
“I’m going to be a marine biologist when I grow up. My grandpa’s a biologist,” Darcy said as she sifted through the water looking for bugs. “I found a boatman but he’s so fast, I just can’t get it. I’ve caught the dragonfly three times and I’ve caught the mayfly larvee four times.”
“Children aren’t naturally afraid of the environment,” her grandma said. “Sometimes they’re taught to be afraid of it.”
Parker Garden was not admitting any fear, but he remained undecided about meeting the snakes on scene for inspection and careful handling, so he brought his own stuffed and assuredly friendly snake to the gathering.
His sister, Camryn, however was proud to show dad Rob, the finger she used to touch one of the snakes she met.
“She’s braver than me,” dad laughed.
Nature discoveries will continue as the Wild About Wildlife events received a $1,500 boost from Union Gas during Wellington’s event.
Navrot said the company’s continued support helps Quinte Conservation offer the events throughout the watershed at no cost to the participants.
“Because of contributions received from Union Gas over the years, we have had the opportunity to further strengthen the education programs in our communities. This means that our watershed initiatives are becoming stronger as youth are learning the importance of a healthy watershed.”
The 2018 Wild About Wildlife days took place in six communities throughout Quinte Conservation’s watershed during the months of July and August.
Quinte Conservation is a community-based environmental protection agency serving 18 municipalities in the watersheds of the Moira, Napanee and Salmon Rivers and Prince Edward County.
More information about Quinte Conservation is available at www.quinteconservation.ca.
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