Education

The content of this page was taken from the final project report submitted to the Real Estate Foundation by the British Columbia Conservation Foundation.

Although restoration is a necessary component of park maintenance, education is a valuable proactive tool for effective park management. A component of this summer's project focused on community education and awareness of grassland ecosystems.

Outlined below are educational programs that occurred this summer.

Elementary school educational hikes
During the 1999 project, a 2.5 hour guided educational hike was developed. The hike included six stations and a fill-in-the-blank worksheet. Topics covered on the hike included forest ecology, noxious weeds and biocontrol, wildlife trees, human impacts on grassland ecosystems, geology, and fire ecology. Due to the project's late start, only five classes were able to participate before summer break.

Elementary school grassland ecology presentation
This year a grassland ecology presentation was developed for elementary schools. During the 30 minute presentation, we discussed the differences and similarities between the two main grasses found around Kamloops and how climate determines whether we have a grassland ecosystem or a forested ecosystem. Next we talked about the benefits of grasslands for wildlife, etc. andhow we can reduce our impact on grassland ecosystems. Then we divided a bluebunch wheatgrass plant into many small plants and each student planted their "mini" plant into a container to grow over the winter. In the spring, the class will choose a site to restore with their new plants.

Monday evening community hikes
Every other Monday, a 2-3 hour guided hike was offered; seven hikes in total (June-August). The hiking difficulty alternated between easy and challenging. The format for the hikes was casual with open dialogue between the guide and the participants. Response was excellent and many hikers came to more than one hike.

Creatures of the Night hike
Local bat expert, Blair Hammond, led a 2.5 hour evening hike to search for elusive night time creatures. A slide show was set up in the forest where Blair discussed habitat and habits of common crepuscular animals, such as bats and owls. Next we listened for bats using a bat detector and called for owls. The hike was also very popular.

Boy Scouts evening hike
Response from a participant on the Creatures of the Night hike was so enthusiastic that they requested a special hike for their Scouts group. This was arranged and a separate hike was organized.

Newsletters
Two newsletters were published: Summer and End of Summer. These newsletters were distributed electronically or by mail to members of the Friends of Kenna Cartwright Park and other interested citizens.

Media events
Newspaper articles and two TV interviews increased public awareness of our project.

Web page
A website is critical to inform all the project partners and the general community about the project. This fall, the Kenna Cartwright Park website was refurbished to include up to date information and the Friends of Kenna Cartwright Park Society newsletters. The web page is located within the BCCF website.