Come experience Helen Schuler Nature Centre’s outdoor winter wonderland and two new indoor exhibits.
Winter Wild Neighbours and The Power of Play are designed to spark curiosity, encourage connection and provide fun learning opportunities.
Education Programming Coordinator Jessica Deacon-Rogers says the holiday season is all about spending time together, and these two exhibitions offer the perfect way to do that. “Whether you’re exploring indoors or outdoors, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. We’re excited to provide a space where families and friends can connect with nature and each other.”
Visitors can also enjoy stay-and-play opportunities throughout the holidays with Busy Builders and Playstations Unplugged in the Community Room from Dec. 23 until Jan. 3.
Outdoors, check out engaging displays along the Nature Quest trail, as well.
With the year-round Winter Wild Neighbours exhibit, Deacon-Rogers explains, the focus is on wildlife you see in city parks, your neighbourhoods and in your own backyard. “As well as how they thrive throughout the winter. We have extreme winters. It’s a bit chilly out, getting colder as it’s in December and looking at how those animals can survive and thrive in southern Alberta.”
According to Deacon-Rogers, the exhibit will include interactive activities and will be changed seasonally. “So different pieces of it will change according to the season. In the spring, for example, we’ll have a section that focuses a bit more on young wildlife and dealing with babies found in spring.”
The exhibit, launched this week is the first part, “the winter piece.”
The Power of Play, Deacon-Rogers notes, focuses on the importance of play for people of all ages. “Regardless of whether you’re two or 82. There’s different types of activities that you can play. You can try out different building challenges.”
Deacon-Rogers says with the Busy Builders drop-in activity station, visitors can build with different materials, and Playstations Unplugged will have different nature-based board games and books available.
For outdoor activities over the holidays, Deacon-Rogers notes, the Centre will have two nature play pop-ups. “We’ll be outside from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 23 and Jan. 2. We’ll have staff facilitating play outside. Building with large objects – we have boards, tires, wheels, sticks and things like that. People can create and build in many different ways in those drop-in events.”
“We hope people can come down throughout the holiday season. There’s a lot of opportunities to stop by and spend some time with family or friends outside in nature,” Deacon-Rogers says.
As for what wildlife visitors might see when exploring the trails this holiday season, Deacon-Rogers notes – porcupines, white-tailed deer and rabbits might be out and about for your viewing and learning pleasure.
Visit the Nature Centre’s Website for more information on the exhibits and schedule over the holidays.
(Photo by Stan Ashbee)
