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Environment Centre Program

Aquatic Biodiversity: Celebrating the Minuscule

Discover the fascinating underwater world of the tiny living things that we rarely see. Using dip nets and hand lenses, students will have the opportunity to study aquatic macro-invertebrates of all kinds. In this program, students learn proper collection and identification techniques, including how to use a dichotomous key. Under the careful guidance of our experienced facilitators, students will have the freedom to indulge in their in natural curiosity and explore the biodiversity of our local waterways.

Reminder: Due to the ephemeral nature of our local watershed, Aquatic Biodiversity is only available April 15th – May 15th of each year.

Resources:

Water Footprint Calculator: Resources for Teaching Water Conservation https://www.watercalculator.org/resource/teaching-conservation-with-water-footprintcalculator/ The Story of Stuff Project: An Educational Series of Animated Short Films https://www.storyofstuff.org/movies/story-of/ Canadian Geographic Education: Water is Life https://resources4rethinking.ca/en/resource/water-is-life

Post Visit Activities: (if applicable)

Did you know that wetlands help fight climate change? This short animated video explains how! Wetlands: A Powerful Carbon Sink https://www.ducks.ca/resources/educators/wetland-carbon-sink/ Is your local wetland or waterway in need of some rehabilitation? Why not organize an event to help? https://www.ducks.ca/resources/educators/taking-action-student-teacher-guide/ Participate in Citizen Science and get to know your local ‘Wild Lands’! Organize a BioBlitz and provide helpful data for local scientists and research groups. Here is a helpful link to get you started… https://www.inaturalist.org/pages/bioblitz+guide

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Curriculum Links:

* Curriculum links for this program are based on “The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Science and Technology

Feel free to contact us about modifying programs to suit older or younger students.

Pathway to Stewardship & Kinship

Landmarks 19. Explore Biodiversity 20. Plan an Environmental Project 22. Become a Citizen Scientist 24. Calculate Your Ecological Footprint 25. Develop Three New Outdoor Skills 26. Volunteer to Help in Three Different Ways 28. Rehabilitate Something Living that has been Damaged 30. Describe Your Ecological Self

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)