Science and Nature Speaker Series – October 24, 2007

With Hallowe’en approaching, Dr. Brian Hickey will speak at the Cornwall Public Library on October 24, 2007 at 7 pm. In his talk, “Bats – Myths vs Reality”, Dr. Hickey will dispel some of the myths you might have heard about bats, and provide some amazing facts about these fascinating creatures. The Science and Nature Speaker Series is made possible by a grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

Water Festival

St. Lawrence College and the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences were the hosts of the Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival on September 26 – 28, 2007. The 3-day festival is directed at children in Grade 4, and promotes positive messages of water conservation and preservation. Assisted by volunteers from the Environmental Technician Program at St. Lawrence College, Ecole secondaire La Citadelle, and Ecole secondaire publique L’Heritage, approximately 750 students visited the festival! Thanks to the Eastern Ontario Water Resources Committee, Ontario Power Generation, Children’s Water Education Council, the Prescott-Russell Stewardship Council, the Resource Stewardship Council of S,D &G, TransCanada Pipelines, The Retired Teachers of Ontario, and St. Lawrence College, the Water Festival continues to operate with no admission fees or costs to parents or participating schools.

Science and Nature Speaker Series – September 19, 2007

The Science and Nature Speaker Series resumed on Wednesday September 19 at the Cornwall Public Library with a talk by Dr. David Bird from McGill University. Dr. Bird gave an entertaining talk about birds and the world of avian reproduction. Organizers were thrilled to welcome a large crowd as the Speaker Series continued after the summer break.

Rotary Adventures in the Environment

On September 17 – 19, the River Institute and the Sunrise Rotary Club hosted five high school students for an interactive experience in environmental science. Rotary Adventures in the Environment is a unique opportunity for students to pique their interest and further their knowledge. Pictured here at Mullin Forest is Julie Street (educator - St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences) Auston Markell (Rothwell-Osnabruck School, Ingleside) John de Belle (MacDonald High School, Montreal), Susan Lopez (Rotarian), Katelyn Mahoney (Cornwall Collegiate and Vocational School, Cornwall) Front row - Katie Burke (Rotarian), Rosalie Murton (North Dundas District High School, Chesterville), Myra Juckers (Gananoque Secondary School, Gananoque)

Eco-Friends Summer Camp

Another successful summer camp has wrapped up, and counselors Natasha St. Pierre and Brianne Vervoorn are back to university. Approximately 140 young scientists enjoyed the science and nature-based activities at Eco-Friends Camp this summer.

Frogs at CHEO

The River Institute recently transported a pond to the school children at the Rehabilitation Centre of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. Jordan Kevan de Haan and Julie Street created a pond in the classroom, complete with live frogs, crayfish, snails, and insects! The children learned all about frogs and other pond creatures, and were able to hold and touch the specimens. Squeals of delight and fascinating questions were heard. This is one of the new deliverables in the Special Needs Program at the River Institute.