Sample cricket flour cookies, take a guided hike or snap a selfie with a reptile – there are many ways to connect with nature at this rain-or-shine event
Staff, students and community residents are welcome to participate in Niagara College’s fourth annual Spring BioBlitz.
Organized by NC’s Office of Sustainability, the event will be held on Saturday, April 13 from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the College’s Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus.
A BioBlitz is a community approach to identifying plant and animal species on a property, over a specified period of time. The goal is to collect species information to better understand all of the organisms living on campus and to monitor how biodiversity is changing over time.
“The spring BioBlitz event provides students, staff, and the community an opportunity to connect with their surrounding environment and learn about all of the wildlife they have right in their backyards,” said Amber Schmucker, sustainability program and outreach co-ordinator. “This event provides students the opportunity to see how wildlife is all around throughout their day-to-day and allows them to connect with nature on a deeper level.”
NC Sustainability has organized a variety of activities brand new to the spring BioBlitz including guided hikes by Biophilic World Hiking Tours, cricket flour cookie sampling and a visit from Scales Nature Park.
Throughout the day, representatives from Biophilic World Hiking Tours will be guiding hikes along NC’s Wetland Ridge Trail. During this beginner-friendly hike, visitors will explore the picturesque natural landscape in the College’s backyard.
Adventurous participants are invited to sample cookies made with cricket flour– a new way to explore an environmentally sustainable alternative protein source. The cookies were prepared by students from the College’s Canadian Food and Wine Institute.
Visitors can also get a close-up look at nature’s scaly creatures. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Scales Nature Park will be on-site for visitors to learn about native Ontario reptiles through hands-on interaction. Scales Nature Park focuses on the conservation of reptiles, amphibians, and fish through education, research, and conservation activities.
This rain or shine event is free to the public. Sign up on Eventbrite.ca. Registration will be located in the NC Greenhouse starting at 6 a.m. on April 13.
In addition to the BioBlitz, an inaugural Polar Bear Walk will be departing from the Niagara-on-the-Lake Campus on April 13 to raise funds for World Wildlife Fund Canada. Organized by local residents, the walk will take place from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and will depart from the NC Greenhouse continuing to Woodend Conservation area. Details are available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/teams/2273621/
Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.
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