NatureKids Love NB Nature
FEBRUARY 11, 2022 — Despite the quieter times here in New Brunswick during the pandemic, Nature NB’s Education Department has been busy with many successful school programs and NatureKids events!
December was filled with all things birds. Many schools participated in the Christmas Bird Count for Kids program, a citizen science program organized through Birds Canada. Not only do kids learn the value of these citizen science projects, they also get to test their binocular skills and see which birds are living in their school yard, which prompted lots of discussion. Besides learning to use binoculars, everyone loved learning different bird calls. As each program wrapped up, many kids could be heard singing “Cheese-burger”, mimicking NB’s provincial bird, the Black-capped Chickadee, or “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?” to imitate the Barred Owl.
Through our NatureKids program, we have installed many semi-permanent, interpretive signs at different schools and community trails across the province. Recently, winter signs were put up at Odell Park and Killarney Lake Park in Fredericton. Many people have already commented on how these signs have made their weekend walks with their kids so fun as they race from one sign to the next to learn all about how different species adapt to winter.
Signs have also been installed along the Sussex Nature Trail, where a support worker from a nearby behavior centre shared that “the signs have been a great addition to our walks. The kids at the centre enjoy learning all about the birds and have even been able to identify certain species on their walks!”. We are so glad they’re being enjoyed!
If there are no NatureKids clubs or interpretive signs installed in your area, no problem! We have lots of fun at-home activities for you to try! The best place to find these is on our NatureKids NB Facebook page, or by signing up for the NatureKids newsletter (‘Stay Connected’).
Now more than ever, it is so important for us to take in that fresh air and the beauty of nature that is all around us. Something as simple as going outside to observe the unique shape of each falling snowflake.
— Breagh Christie, Education Assistant
