Go back to Wildlife Festival Highlights 2002

Thursday, March 27: 7:30 p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., Ottawa:
Perspectives on Nature Lecture Series: Insects as Our Allies in the Fight Against Pesticides: Discover how the study of insects and their behaviour has revealed new and exciting alternatives to pesticides and herbicides in this talk by entomologist Jeremy McNeil. (Bilingual presentation)
82 people attended. A very successful event

Saturday, March 29: 1 - 4 p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St., Ottawa:
Adult Workshop Series: FrogWatch: Learn about native frogs, their habitat and how to identify them, both visually and by sound, in this presentation by the Canadian Nature Federation.
18 participants out of a possible 20. Well-received

Wednesday, April 2:

	Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. (at Metcalfe), Ottawa. 9th Annual Poster Contest Awards Ceremony: Winners of the Poster Contest are bused with their classes to the Museum for a wildlife presentation by Michael Leveille of the Educarium Dinosaur Nature Centre, a visit to the Museum and an awards ceremony.
Approximately 150 children (6 classes) were bused to the Museum as a result of one member of their class winning a prize. The winner received personal prizes and prizes for his/her class. All children enjoyed a wildlife presentation by Michael Leveille of the Educarium with drawings to illustrate the effects of invasive species on an ecosystem, and a tour of the Museum.

Wednesday, April 2: 7 p.m..:
Nepean Centrepointe Library, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean:
Butterfly Behaviour: More Than Pretty Colours: Butterflies are known for their beautiful wing patterns and elegant flight. However, like any animal, they also have complex and fascinating behaviour patterns. Peter Hall, co-author of the Butterflies of Canada and a life-long butterfly observer, presents a slide show of these insects acting out their complicated lives. Come and see Canada's carnivorous caterpillar as well as the amazing Monarch migration.
An outstanding 34 people attended this slide presentation at Centrepointe Library. Peter Hall, co-author of Butterflies of Canada, presented his best photographs depicting butterfly behaviour. There were many, they were fantastic and they were all taken in the local area.

Friday - Sunday, April 4-6: Mall hours:
Carlingwood Shopping Centre, 2121 Carling Avenue, Ottawa:
Wildlife Awareness Event: Exhibits by approx. 30 wildlife organizations (wild animals, mascots, lots of giveaways etc.) Friday, April 4, was a special day devoted to school visits.
30 organizations from government, non-government national and local groups, nature schools, animal farms and associations, and other groups interested in preserving wildlife and wildlife habitat set up displays. Friday was organized as "School Day" and approximately 200 students from D. Roy Kennedy and Our Lady of Fatima came on planned field trips. There were activities for the students that involved a greater understanding of the difference between native and invasive species, and their respective impacts on ecosystems. Ten t-shirt draws were made. Nine students from Lisgar Collegiate Environmental Club and 10 youth from Katimavik Rockland dressed as mascots and painted faces. A large cake donated by Loblaws was shared by visitors. 61, 379 people visited the shopping centre on the weekend, about 6-7,000 of whom could be attributed to the Festival. A huge success.

The exhibitors were: 1. Alba Wilderness School 2. Baxter Conservation Area 3. Canadian Wildlife Federation 4. Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society 5. Canadian Wildlife Service--Environment Canada 6. Friends of CEFO/Amis de Forêt LaBlanche 7. Educarium Dinosaur Nature Centre 8. Ferret Rescue Society 9. Fletcher Wildlife Garden. 10. Friends of the Jock River 11. Friends of Petrie Island 12. Girl Guides of Canada 13. Greenspace Alliance of Canada's Capital 14. Katimavik 15. Little Ray's Reptile Adventure 16. Look & Listen Day Camps and Edible Wild 17. McSab Farm 18. Ontario Parks, South East Zone 19. Ottawa Amphibian & Reptile Assoc 20. Ottawa Duck Club 21. Ottawa Field-Naturalists' Club 22. Ottawa Rideau Trail Club 23. Ottawa Stewardship Council 24. Outaouais Wood Carvers 25. Outdoor S. B. Outdoor Education Centres--Bill Mason and MacSkimming 26. Papanack Park Zoo 27. Sierra Club--Ottawa Group 28. TD Friends of the Environment 29. T.U.R.T.L.E. S.H.E.L.L. 30. Wildlife Artists

Saturday, April 5: 1 - 4 p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. (at Metcalfe), Ottawa:
Henri Goulet, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, will be on hand with live specimens of exotic insects to present their origin and invasive behaviour. www.nature.ca.
Popular with visitors who really like to interact with scientists and discover intriguing specimens and equipment. A very successful event.

Monday, April 7: 7 p.m.:
Nepean Centrepointe Library, 101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean:
Portraits of Nature: Isabelle Nicol, nature interpreter, shares her knowledge and love for nature and wildlife, and shows her favourite slides. "A photographic tour of the seasons and the remarkable events which bring these creatures into our lives-- a kaleidoscope of colourful and fascinating images."
An audience of 16 attended this slide presentation at Centrepointe Library. Naturalist, Isabelle Nicols, took us of a tour of the local flora and fauna pointing out the sure signs of the changing of the seasons. Along with her photographs, Isabelle brought with her many interesting specimans for people to get a close look at.

Thursday, April 10: 4 - 8:30 p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. (at Metcalfe), Ottawa.

Awards Presentation and Silent Auction: Presentation of the Awards for Excellence in Environmental Conservation and silent auction featuring wildlife-related products and services. Reception, fabulous door prizes.
The Master of Ceremonies was John Lacharity, host of CBC's Ottawa Morning show. Catherine Dumouchel welcomed guests on behalf of the Canadian Museum of Nature. Sponsorship from TD Friends of the Environment was officially presented to Madeline Kallio, Coordinator, by Dave Poff, Manater, TD Canada Trust Pretoria Branch. Approximately 150 guests with a keen interest in native and alien species enjoyed the presentation by Philip Fry of the Old Field Garden, the opportunity to bid on the 54 silent auction items and the cold buffet. Awards for Excellence in Environmental Conservation were presented to individuals and groups whose long-term commitment to conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitat have had significant, sustainable impacts. Presentations were made by Ed Wiken, Director of Wildlife Habitat Canada, to Erich Haber for the Individual Award; Colin Maxwell, Executive Director of the Canadian Wildlife Federation to ACRE (Action Chelsea for the Respect of the Environment) for the Group Award; and by Trevor Swerdfager, Director-General of the Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment Canada to Castor Valley Public School for the Youth Award. A posthumous award was presented to Scott Findlay on behalf of Nicole Bruinsma whose vision created ACRE.

Catherine Dumouchel	John Lacharity	Philip Fry	Madeline Kallio & Dave Poff

There were great door prizes.

The silent auction was a huge success, there were lots of great items on which to bid
including a butterfly box and paintings.

The food was great and the service superb!  Eileen Clifton's gang kept it coming!

Saturday, April 12:1:00 to 4:00 p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. (at Metcalfe), Ottawa:
Hands-on Science: Michele Gauthier and Dennis Wright, Fisheries and Oceans, will highlight many fish species introduced in the Great Lakes / St. Lawrence and how they are affecting our native species. Info (613) 566-4700 or www.nature.ca
Popular with visitors who really like to interact with scientists and discover intriguing specimens and equipment. A very successful event.

Tuesday, April 15: 7 p.m.:
North Gloucester Library, 2036 Ogilvie Road:
The Galapagos Islands: Roy John shares his voyage to the enchanted Galapagos islands in the central Pacific. See the unique flora and fauna the way Charles Darwin did in his epic voyage on the HMS Beagle. Learn of the changes brought about by human settlement and the introduction of alien species, and the efforts to retain the island's pristine nature. For information, call (613) 748-4208
On a very stormy evening, 15 people managed to make it to the North Gloucester Library for this slide presentation. Naturalist, Roy John, took us on a journey to the Galapagos Islands, a very popular and yet very environmentally sensitive destination. Included were great examples of invasive and exotic species introductions and their impacts on the local wildlife and their environment.

Thursday, April 17: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.:
Stony Swamp Parking Lot, Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club, Nepean:
Family Nature Walk at Stony Swamp: Naturalist Martha Webber will encourage participants to discover the wonders of the night sounds and sights of nature in spring.
A cold evening brought out 8 people to see the early spring woods, Canada geese, ducks and lots of stars. After playing frog calls, they heard the spring peepers.

Friday, April 18: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.:
Stony Swamp Parking Lot, Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club, Nepean:
Family Nature Walk at Stony Swamp: Naturalist Martha Webber will encourage participants to discover the wonders of the night sounds and sights of nature in spring.
15 people came out on a warmer night to see early spring woods. Two beaver, Canada geese, ducks, spring peepers and wood frogs were seen or heard.

Wednesday-Friday, April 23-25: YM/YWCA Outdoor Centre, Kanata:
Fifth Annual North American Envirothon competition featuring students from 12 high schools who strive to be the best at topics ranging from forests and soil to wildlife aquatics and wildlife management.
Groups of five students rotated between indoor and outdoor stations, and learned to identify trees, about soil ecology, dendrology, the value of forests and urbanization. Carine Wilson Secondary School was the winner and will go on to the provincial finals.

Thursday, April 24: 8:00 - Noon:
Jack Pine Trail Parking Lot on Moodie Drive, south of Hunt Club Rd., Nepean:
Guided Nature Walk at the Jack Pine Trail : Early Spring Field Trip for Adults. Join naturalist Tony Beck for this delightful hike into one of Ottawa's most diverse natural areas. Experience marsh, forest and field as they awaken from winter. Bring waterproof footwear, binoculars and insect repellant. Listen to weather forecasts and dress accordingly.
Very successful. We had approximately 30 people which was exceptional for a weekday. Sunny, but unseasonably cool.. Wildlife activity was slow. We found some migrating and resident birds, all expected in the area. We had good looks at Hermit Thrushes, Wilson's Snipe, sparrows, woodpeckers and kinglets. Snowshoe Hares and Porcupine also provided some entertainment.

Friday, April 25: 8:00 a.m. - Noon:
Mer Bleue Boardwalk Parking Lot at end of Ridge Rd., E of Anderson Rd., Ottawa E:
Guided Nature Walk at Mer Bleue Bog: Early Spring Field Trip for Adults. Join naturalist Tony Beck for this wonderful walk into one of Ottawa's most unique natural habitats. Experience the bog and surrounding environments after the spring thaw. Amphibians and insects come out of hibernation while migratory birds arrive from the south. Bring waterproof footwear, binoculars and insect repellant. Listen to weather forecasts and dress accordingly.
Very successful. We had approximately 30 people which was exceptional for a weekday. Sunny, but unseasonably cool.. Wildlife activity was slow. We found some migrating and resident birds, all expected in the area. We had good looks at Hermit Thrushes, Wilson's Snipe, sparrows, woodpeckers and kinglets. Snowshoe Hares and Porcupine also provided some entertainment.

Saturday, April 26: Mall Hours: Billings Bridge Plaza:
The Earth Day Ottawa EcoForum with a satellite planting of trees from noon to 3 p.m. at Brewer Park. Shuttle transportation between sites. Call (613) 733-TREE for info
27 exhibitors this year with with good crowds all day. The weather was cool and drizzly for the tree planters, but they got ~1000 species in the ground, and picked up 35 bags of garbage in Brewer Park. All in all, we were quite happy.

Saturday, April 26: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.:
Open House at Wolf Grove Woods:
Explore the woods and harvest wild edible plants with botanist, Martha Webber. Bring a lunch and supplement it from the wild. Meet at Metcalfe Park in Almonte. Information: (613) 839-5217
15 people, including 2 children, enjoyed a cookout and discovering wild leek. Overcast, but no rain.

Wednesday, April 30: 7:00 p.m.:
Orleans Library, 1705 Orléans Blvd., Orleans
Jim Robertson, exceptional wildlife photographer, presents a number of two-projector AV multi-media slide shows:
Petrie Islands:Dawn to Dusk: waterfront picnic area, nature trails, turtles, wild flowers and various birds and other animals, such as the Great Blue Heron, raccoons and beavers.
Springtime in Ottawa: Ottawa's daffodils and tulips.
A Year in the Life of a Forest: annual life cycle of a Maple Forest with musical accompaniment, featuring wildflowers of the hardwood forest.
Bruce Peninsula: orchids and other plants that grow in the unusual environment of the Bruce Peninsula.
Wonderful World: spectacular sights of Banff and other Rocky Mountain National Parks. Program reservations and information: (613) 824-1962
An audience of 38 attended this series of slide presentations at Orleans Library. Photographer, Jim Robertson, presented six two-projector slide shows, all accompanied with pre-recorded music, two of which included narration. There were many local images as well as some magnificent shots from our very photogenic Rocky Mountains, it is a wonderful world.

Thursday, May 1: 7p.m. - 10p.m.:
Canadian Museum of Nature, 240 McLeod St. (at Metcalfe), Ottawa:
Invasive Species Workshop: an evening of presentations and displays organized by the Ottawa Stewardship Council on invasive species: plants, insects and other groups. (613) 831-2253
Click Here to view the details

Saturday, May 10: 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.:
Fletcher Wildlife Garden
International Migratory Bird Day: Guided walks around the garden and displays about migratory birds in the Interpretive Centre. (613) 798-1820
About 50 people came to the open house and participated in the several bird walks around the 16 acre garden. It was a glorious warm, sunny day with good numbers of birds to see. Many migrants had obviously arrived overnight - just in time for IMBD! Our two leaders for the bird walks were Celia Bodnar and Dave Moore.  Everyone had a good time.

Mercredi à jeudi, le 14 à 16 mai: Collège Alfred, Alfred, Ontario:
L'Envirothon Franco-Ontarien vise à augmenter les connaissances des questions environnementales chez les jeunes gens au moyen d'études en classe, d'excursions sur le terrain et de compétitions en plein air portant sur les thèmes suivants : le monde aquatique, la foresterie, les sols, la faune. En Francais. Si votre école ou groupe est intéressé à prendre part au programme, communiquer avec Suzanne Lafrance par téléphone au (613) 679-0936.