Discover Nature on Family Day, February 16

Feb 11th, 2009 10:55 AM

Media Release Attn: Community/Wildlife/Environment Reporters and Editors Discover Nature on Family Day, February 16 (Peterborough, Ont) Everyone is invited to Discover Nature on Family Day at Fleming College, 599 Brealey Dr., on Monday, February 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Activities and presentations for both adults and children to encourage enjoyment of nature will take place throughout the day. Lunch is included in this free event. Pre-registration is required by February 9. The event is being organized by Ontario Nature with the support of their member organizations, the Peterborough and Kawartha Field Naturalists and the Peterborough County Stewardship Council, a local group operating within the Ontario Stewardship program of the Ministry of Natural Resources. Well-known outdoors author and speaker, Kevin Callan, will kick off the day with a presentation in Fleming's cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. Callan is the author of twelve books, including the best selling The Happy Camper, a popular series of paddling guides, as well as his latest book, Wilderness Pleasures: A Practical Guide to Camping Bliss. For over twenty years, Callan has toured across North America speaking at major nature and canoe events. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, as well as the winner of four National Magazine Awards and three film awards. After the presentation, everyone will have a chance to have lunch sponsored by the Community Fisheries and Wildlife Involvement Program. In the afternoon, the group will divide into two groups. Children aged five to twelve years old (approximate ages) accompanied by their parents will participate in outdoor activities such as snowshoeing for beginners, how to use binoculars for bird watching, winter survival skills demonstrations and more. The second group will gather inside in the lecture theatre where there will be several presentations. Mike McMurtry, Natural Areas Ecologist from the Natural Heritage Information Centre of the Ministry of Natural Resources will speak about Natural Heritage in the Peterborough Region; Lorraine Norris, Senior Fish and Wildlife Technical Specialist, also with MNR, will speak about Raptors (Hawks and Owls) of the Peterborough Region; and Gary and Dianne Westlake, local Master Gardeners, will talk about Native Plant Gardening. "The partners hope to offer a glimpse into the world of natural heritage and illustrate the importance of maintaining the diversity of local plant, animal and bird populations," says organizer Peter Mabee, Stewardship Coordinator, Peterborough County Stewardship Council of the MNR. "We want participants to have a chance to participate in outdoor activities that many may not have experienced before." Ontario Nature and Ontario Stewardship strive to educate the public on the importance and value of natural heritage. Other partners are the Victoria Land and Water Stewardship Council, Ministry of Natural Resources, Camp Kawartha, Peterborough Master Gardeners and Fleming College Pre-registration is mandatory for this event, and registrations must be received by February 9, as space is limited. Contact Peter Mabee at 755-1951. Further information is available at www.ontariostewardship.org/peterborough. - 30 - For more information, please contact: Clare Mitchell, Nature Network and Regional Programs Manager, Ontario Nature (416) 444-8419, ext. 243 OR clarem@ontarionature.org Ontario Nature protects wild species and wild spaces through conservation, education and public engagement. It connects thousands of individuals and communities with nature through conservation groups across the province (charitable registration #10737 8952 RR0001). For more information, visit www.ontarionature.org.

Environmental Communication Options' Media Releases

Discover Nature on Family Day, February 16

Feb 11th, 2009 10:55 AM