NLIS 4
September 13, 2005
(Environment and Conservation)


2005 Parks as Nature�s Classroom program gets underway this week

Environment and Conservation Minister Tom Osborne announced today that the Provincial Parks and Natural Areas Division of the Department of Environment and Conservation is offering the Parks as Nature�s Classroom fall school program again this year, which runs from September 13 to October 5.

�Our parks and reserves are not only open for camping and nature viewing during the summer, they also become �natural outdoor classrooms� for educators and students in the fall,� said Minister Osborne. �This province-wide outdoor educational program has become a popular event, attracting over 2,000 students each year. Indeed, our province�s protected parks and natural areas offer students ideal natural learning environments.�

Parks as Nature�s Classroom is a curriculum-based school educational program jointly developed by the Department of Education and the Parks and Natural Areas Division. It is implemented through the interpretation program in seven provincial parks and two ecological reserves this season. The program�s goal is to get students and educators into protected areas and natural outdoor ecosystems and learn hands-on the scientific principles and concepts in the outdoors through a trained park/reserve interpreter.

The minister noted that he is pleased to see La Manche and Barachois Pond Provincial Parks joining the list of parks and reserves this year who are offering the Parks as Nature�s Classroom program to schools. The 2005 program is being offered at the Butter Pot, Lockston Path, La Manche, Notre Dame, Pistolet Bay, Barachois Pond, J.T. Cheeseman Provincial Parks and the Cape St. Mary�s and Burnt Cape Ecological Reserves. The program is offered to Grades 1-6. Schools must register through the respective parks by contacting the park/reserve interpreter.

�I encourage schools and educators to take advantage of this wonderful curriculum-based outdoor learning program and wish everyone an enjoyable and rewarding educational experience in our parks and reserves this year,� added Minister Osborne.

The following are contacts for bookings:

Butter Pot Provincial Park, Interpreter, Andrea Martin, (709) 685-1853
Lockston Path Provincial Park, Interpreter, Barbara Lynn Randell, (709) 464-3553, 427-8052
Notre Dame Provincial Park, Interpreter, Lisa Pollett, (709) 535-2379, 535-2919
J. T. Cheeseman Provincial Park, Interpreter, Lorna Lafosse, (709) 695-7222
Barachois Pond Provincial Park, Interpreter, Gordon Lucas, (709) 649-0048
La Manche Provincial Park, Interpreter, Catherine Organ, (709) 685-1823
Pistolet Bay Provincial Park/Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve, Interpreters, Elizabeth Smith/Jackie Bessey, (709) 454-7795, 454-7570
Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve, Interpreters, Jason McGrath/Chris Mooney, (709) 277-1666
For more information on the program, please contact Geoff Bailey, Program Coordinator, at (709) 635-4531

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612

2005 09 13                    11:45 a.m.


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