megram - Index

megram - Guide To Spring Fun In Ottawa's East End - Index

In recent years National Wildlife Week has
sparked a host of activities designed to
encourage us to befriend our natural
spaces, such as environmental clean-up
activities, planting for wildlife, and building
nesting boxes for endangered bird species.
Many individuals have been recognized for
their sustainable contributions to conservation.
However, conservation requires the
help of everyone. We need to be aware of
the problems faced by wildlife and the erosion
of the natural habitat around us. Many
species of wildlife are becoming extinct
every day; but each person can help by
becoming more aware of what they are and
how we can help prevent these horrific losses.
That is what the National Capital Region
Wildlife Festival aims to accomplish.
For the past 22 years, steered by the
Canadian Wildlife Federation and the
Canadian Wildlife Service of Environment
Canada, the National Capital Region has
celebrated National Wildlife Week. The
working committee has included most of
the major government and non-government
Wildlife in the City
A Week to Celebrate Our
Natural Species
agencies that have taken up the crusade to
promote wildlife and wildlife habitat in the
region. The festival celebrates National
Wildlife Week in and around the month of
April each year; and organizations around
the region, including schools and libraries,
join in the activities to foster public awareness
and promote conservation practices.
This year’s theme “Pollinators” will
play a large part in crafting the festival.
Activities are slated to take place in March
and April. Here are a few dates to mark on
your calendar:
• A three-day exhibit at Billings Bridge
Shopping Centre on March 28, 29, and 30
begins the festival with information, giveaways,
mascots, face painting, and a silent
auction.
• A poster contest for children will be
double-judged, once for local winners and
again for the national Robert Bateman competition.
Several branches of the Ottawa
Public Library will host interesting presentations
on bees, plants, exotic travels, and
much more.
• Several local naturalists will introduce
Due West/Due East Magazine • Spring 2008 Ottawa Page 38