Summer Nature Program — Big Lake Environment Support Society

SUMMER NATURE INTERPRETATION PROGRAM

Twenty Years Strong 2003 - 2023

Some images from BUG WEEK

A bug in the hand …

Making young entomologists

Tiger Salamanders like bugs too! Although to eat. This one was looking under a rock.

We are excited to offer our first ever Birding for Beginners event on August 17th, 2023! 🦅🪶🔍

Join us for a captivating beginner birding class amidst the natural beauty of Lois Hole Provincial Park. Discover the fascinating world of avian life as we guide you through the basics of bird identification, binocular use, and habitat exploration. If you're completely new to birding or just starting out, this is the event for you!

Tickets are limited so sign up on eventbrite today to secure your spot! Click this link to register. (https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/birding-for-beginners-tickets-694854607837)

#stalbert #yeg #t8n #birding #free #nature #naturewalk #birds #summer

Owls Up Close

A special event was held Friday evening (Aug 4) “Owls Up Close” (Many thanks to Meghan for organizing it).

Calling all bird nerds and fellow wildlife enthusiasts! To end off our Nocturnal Animals theme, The Alberta Society for Injured Birds of Prey will be joining us for a raptor meet and greet this Friday evening! 🦉🌲

This is a fantastic learning opportunity to see two of Alberta’s most iconic owls up close, and to gain insight on local raptor rehabilitation efforts.

It was a great evening, very well attended with both sessions being full. The biologists from ASIBP talked about their owls, and showed them off for two hours. BLESS had a table of items so that kids (and adults) could hold a real wing from a Great Horned Owl or marvel at how sharp their talons are (very very sharp). Most people were amazed at how light the wing was. Check the photos below.

And the Snowy Owl

Lots of people arrived early, standing room only. Showing off and talking about the Great Horned Owl.

And cool stuff to look at on the BLESS table. A wing and the very sharp talons of a Great Horned Owl impressed everyone.

Photos of talons, snowy owl and great horned owl by Marjorie-Lynn Guhl, photo of the table by Meghan MacDougall, photo of the crowd by Miles Constable

Pond dipping

Meghan talking to a family about ducks, ponds and all that stuff. It’s a tough job, but someone has to do it.

Pond dipping is a perennial favourite.

In 2003 the summer environmental education program was started by Dan Stoker, a great environmental educator and President of BLESS.

BLESS sponsors summer education programs at Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park and the little log cabin at the corner of St. Albert Trail and Sturgeon Road. Prior to the COVID19 pandemic it was focused at the log cabin. In 2020 the program had to move outdoors with all sorts of social distancing, cleaning and masking rules. In 2023 we are going to try offering programming at both locations, please check our Facebook page for details.

At the cabin there are usually all kinds of great games and crafts going on throughout the summer with a weekly environmental theme. People of all ages are invited to come out and learn about the local plants and wildlife. Kids and parents alike can enjoy the nature centre's activities that teach basic ecological and environmental principles in a fun and educational way.

Summer activities are designed around our Young Naturalist Program. This program, geared towards elementary school-aged kids, provides local children with the opportunity to learn lots of interesting facts about the plants and animals that we have around the Big Lake and Sturgeon River area while working towards obtaining their official Young Naturalist certificate and possibly winning some prizes!

The program at the Park is less game-oriented and more focused on studying the surrounding environment, with bird watching and pond dipping being favourites.