Kids learn cold science with Winder Wonder
By Nelson Daily Staff
Tumbling down snow banks is nothing new for kids, but learning about the science of snow puts a whole new spin on it for them in Winter Wonder.
Elementary school students will be taking ecology classes in the snow during Wildsight’s Winter Wonder trips in Nelson this month.
Winter Wonder is an environmental education program developed by Wildsight. It provides winter ecology lessons to students in Kindergarten to Grade 3 around the Columbia Basin.
Wildsight has nine environmental educators who are taking Winter Wonder to schools in 22 communities.
The kids learn about the ecology of cold — how plants and animals adapt to winter, and why they need winter — during half-day field trips to the great outdoors.
The twist? This great outdoors is usually just around the corner from their schools — a short walk away.
More popular than ever, the Winter Wonder program schedule is half done for the year.
“This year Wildsight educators are providing Winter Wonder to 115 classes,” said Monica Nissen, Wildsight’s education program manager in Nelson. “It’s a record — more bookings than ever.
Nissen said core funding of Winter Wonder has always been provided by Columbia Basin Trust (CBT). What’s new this year is having the capacity to offer the popular field trips for no charge.
About Wildsight • www.Wildsight.ca
Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada’s Columbia and southern Rocky Mountain region.
This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America.
About Columbia Basin Trust • www.cbt.org
CBT delivers economic, social and environmental benefits to the residents of the Columbia Basin. To learn more about CBT programs and initiatives, visit www.cbt.org or call 1-800-505-8998.
