connect with nature

Connect With Nature: Build a Backyard Weather Station

Everyone is familiar with the old saying “April showers bring May flowers” but how many people can say they’ve tracked the changes in springtime weather that bring us those oh-so-beautiful May flowers? With spring just beginning and those good old April showers on their way, now is the perfect time to become a backyard scientist and track the changes in the weather with your very own homemade weather station!

Explore the History of Altona Forest

Location

Altona Road Parking Lot
1884 Altona Road
Pickering, ON L1V 1M8
Date: 
Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 10:00am

Enjoy an interpretive hike guided by experts from the Altona Forest Stewardship Committee. Learn about the wonders of nature using the history of Altona Forest as a starting point. This is a rain or shine event, so make sure you dress appropriately and wear proper footwear!

For more information and to register, contact Mary Williams at 416-661-6600, ext. 5753

Connect with Nature: Go Star Gazing

There are few things that can compare to be beauty of a starry night. Star gazing is a great way to soak up Mother Nature and unwind from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. Here are a few tips to help make the most of your star gazing experience.

Winter Fun Day

Location

Pinhey’s Point Historic Site
270 Pinhey's Point Road
Dunrobin, Ontario
Date: 
Monday, February 20, 2012 - 11:00am

Escape from the city to Pinhey's Point Historic Site for a day of winter fun. Take a horse-drawn sleigh ride, explore the site on snowshoes while keeping a look out for animal tracks, learn winter survival skills and warm up with hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire. Cost: $6/person, $10/pair, $16/family.

Family Christmas Crafts

Are you looking for a fun and creative way to pass the time between opening presents and shoveling snow?

Here are two easy crafts that are fun for children and adults, and can be made with materials that can often be found lying around the house this time of year.

Walnut Boats

What You Need: Walnuts, short pieces of candle wick, beeswax, an old pot, a tray or bowl, matches or a lighter, and water.

Connect with Nature: Join a Christmas Bird Count

Did you know that the Christmas Bird Count is the oldest citizen science survey in the world?

In 1900, American ornithologist Frank Chapman asked birders to head out on Christmas Day to count the number of birds they see and submit their results to the first "Christmas Bird Census." Today, over 2200 Christmas Bird Counts take place across Canada, the United States, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with the results amassing a huge database that reflects the distribution and number of winter birds over time.

Waterton Winterfest

Location

Waterton Lakes National Park Waterton Park, AB
Date: 
Friday, February 17, 2012 (All day)

Come and enjoy four days of winter fun in the magic surroundings of Waterton Lakes National Park.

The Waterton Winterfest, with snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, horse-drawn carriage rides and other activities, takes place on Family Day weekend in February.

Join us at the Little Prairie picnic shelter on the Akamina Parkway for a hot drink before warming your soul on the ski and snowshoe trails. Bring your own gear or rent skis and snowshoes from the Waterton Lakes Lodge or Waterton Glacier Suites. Guided trips will also be available.

Connect with Nature: Enjoy a Winter Activity

Whether we like it or not, winter weather has arrived! Snow and sub zero temperatures have ushered in a brand new season of fun outdoor activities, not to mention some stunning winter landscapes. Here are a few of the outdoor activities you can look forward to enjoying over the next few months:

Connect with Nature: Celebrate Universal Children's Day

Did you know that November 20th is Universal Children’s Day? The United Nations first proclaimed this day in 1954 to promote child welfare across the world. There’s few better ways to celebrate than helping a child connect with nature!

Connect with Nature: Set up a backyard bird feeder

As the weather gets colder and some birds prepare for a long winter at home, this is a perfect time to set up a backyard bird feeder. Backyard feeders provide birds with a good source of energy for the cold winter months and create excellent bird watching opportunities. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your backyard birding experience.

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