Schools program a big success!

Jordan Ann Kevan, Education Coordinator at the River Institute, has had a busy year organizing and delivering education programs to elementary and secondary school students. "This year (Sept 05 - June 06), over 2100 school children participated in education programs through the River Institute!", Kevan says.

The school programs are designed to meet with the Life System Strand of the Ontario Educational Curriculum, and are presented at Cooper Marsh, the River Institute, or in-school. A diverse array of programs are available to meet the needs of every grade level. What a unique opportunity for students to discover science hands-on, and for teachers to meet curriculum requirements at the same time!

This program is offered in English and French. This year, the most popular programs for elementary schools were: Frogs and Friends, Pond Life, and Insects and Imposters. The most popular high schools programs were: Fish Sampling and Analysis, and Invertebrate Sampling and Analysis.

"We are already taking bookings for next year." says Ms. Kevan, "We also provide excellent indoor classroom or laboratory programs that can be delivered during the winter months."

For more information, contact Jordan Ann Kevan, Education Coordinator, St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, Tel: (613) 936-6620 ext. 224

Another Successful Water Festival!

On June 1st and 2nd, 400 students from 9 different schools in Eastern Ontario gathered at the Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival held at Femme Drouin in Casselman, Ontario.

The Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival allows students to learn how to respect water resources and the environment while having fun. The festival brings together teachers, governments, industries and the community to educate students on the fragility of water as well as its importance in the environment.

The next Eastern Ontario Children’s Water festival (bilingual), will be held at Upper Canada Village from October 11-13, 2006. For more information please contact Jordan Ann Kevan, Education Coordinator at the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences or visit: http://www.riverinstitute.ca/Festival_English/index.htm



Le 1ier et 2 juin, 2006, quatre cents étudiants venant de 9 écoles différentes se sont réunies au Festival de l’eau pour enfants de l’Est ontarien, situe à la Ferme Drouin à Casselman, Ontario.

Le Festival de l’eau pour enfants de l’Est ontarien permet aux étudiants d’apprendre à respecter les sources d’eau et l’environnement tout en s’amusant. Le festival réunit des enseignants, le gouvernement et la communauté pour éduquer les étudiants sur la fragilité de l’eau et l’importance de l’environnement.

Notre prochain Festival de l’eau (bilingue) serait situé au Upper Canada Village du 11 au 13 octobre, 2006. Pour plus amples informations, vous pouvez contacter Jordan Ann Kevan, la coordinatrice, au (613) 936-6620 ou vous pouvez visiter le site web : http://www.riverinstitute.ca/Festival_English/index.htm

River Institute Hosts Open House - Sat. June 24

On Saturday, June 24 (from 10 am to 3 pm), curious minds of all ages are invited to a special day of discovery - a hands-on Open House that will give you the opportunity to participate in real experiments! Come and watch as scientists demonstrate fish sampling techniques. You can put on hip waders and help sample invertebrates and plankton in the river! Observe and assist researchers as they radio-tag and track fish!

Organizer and River Institute biologist Bruce Doran says, “People often wonder what we do at the River Institute. This is a great opportunity for everyone to come and interact with scientists and learn about the work we are doing”. In the laboratory, you will see exotic species such as zebra mussels and the spiny water flea. Find out how these water species arrived here at Cornwall, and how they affect our river. Learn about techniques for testing water for bacteria and other pathogens. Ask questions about the mosquito monitoring program and West Nile Virus in our area. “Staff and students will be here to take part in the interactive displays and answer questions – we are looking forward to a great day – rain or shine!” Doran says.

This interactive day of discovery is open to all ages - bring your curiosity!
Contact the River Institute for more information at
613-936-6620

2006 Eco-Friends Summer Camp

May 30, 2006

2006 Eco-Friends Summer Camp

The Eco-Friends Summer Day Camp is preparing for its 10th exciting summer! Held at Cooper Marsh in South Lancaster, and run by the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences with the collaboration of the Raisin Region Conservation Authority and the Cooper Marsh Conservators, the camp gives children ages 6 to 11 the opportunity to explore nature by participating in activities such as nature walks, frog catching, pond-dipping, games, arts and crafts, and science activities.

The Eco-Friends Summer Day Camp develops children’s interests and skills in environmental science and technology through fun and interactive programs. To cater to everyone’s interests, each week of camp is based on a different environmental theme. Some of this year’s themes include: ‘Something’s Fishy’, ‘Creepy Crawlers’, ‘Our Wild World’ and ‘Mad Scientist Week’.

Returning camp programmer, Heather Robertson, is looking forward to another fun-filled summer. “I am especially excited about our new science-based activities like radio-tracking, fish dissections, and microscope explorations. We’ll also be using global positioning systems together with compasses, binoculars, and digital cameras on our scavenger hunts.”

Renée Lalande, another returning counsellor and the camp’s art specialist, is equally enthusiastic about this summer’s activities. “This summer we will explore the marsh to discover its beauty and to interpret what we observe through art and creativity”.

This summer’s camp is sponsored in part by Ontario Power Generation and the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. Their financial contribution will be spent on a variety of new equipment and resources for the camp including: interpretive books for the Cooper Marsh library, bird house kits, a digital camera, material for a terrarium, and craft supplies.

The Eco-Friends Summer Day Camp program begins July 4 and continues until August 18. The popular program fills up quickly, and parents are encouraged to register their children as soon as possible. To register or to receive more information about this year’s camp, please contact the River Institute at 936-6620.