There will be twice the nature fun this summer as St. Albert’s nature centre reopens for business — now in two locations.
The Big Lake Environment Support Society’s summer nature program returns this June 26. The venerable free initiative offers hours of nature-based education to kids of all ages all summer long.
BLESS got some extra COVID-19 relief money from the federal government this year and was able to hire two nature centre interpreters, said returning interpreter Loreena Nieuwenhout. While she creates a program guide and runs activities at the original summer nature centre cabin by the St. Albert Trail bridge over the Sturgeon River, new hire Meghan MacDougall will run registered and drop-in events at Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park.
MacDougall, a St. Albert resident and conservation biology student at the University of Alberta, said she was a lifelong fan of birds, fish, mammals, and the outdoors, and has for the last two years used Lois Hole Park to train her bird-spotting skills. She said she hopes to help park visitors connect with nature and become its stewards.
“It’s their future, and we want to have a sustainable future where we have these spaces to enjoy,” she said.
MacDougall said she plans to run drop-in and pre-registered activities at Lois Hole Park from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Mondays to Fridays, with an emphasis on outdoor natural experiences. Nieuwenhout said she would have more sit-down events, particularly crafts, at the cabin Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Nieuwenhout encouraged residents to take a survey on the BLESS Nature Centre Facebook page on the kinds of activities the summer nature program should offer. Respondents can win a bug-catching or pond-dipping kit.
Nieuwenhout and MacDougall said they hope to someday bring the nature centre to other spots in St. Albert, such as the Grey Nuns White Spruce Park.
The nature centre runs until Aug. 25. Visit www.facebook.com/BLESSnaturecentre for details.
