Minister announces Parks as Nature�s Classrooms program

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced a new educational program, Parks as Nature�s Classrooms, an initiative of the parks and natural areas division of the department.

"I encourage primary and elementary teachers to bring learning out of the classroom and into one of the provincial parks or natural areas by participating in Parks as Nature�s Classrooms, said Minister Furey. "It is a curriculum-based learning experience which was developed by parks and natural areas division in close consultation with the department of education, and consists of a set of nature-related educational activities."

The subjects of the learning program include rocks, minerals and erosion, weather, diversity of life, and habitats, among others, all of which follow the national science curriculum for grades one through six. Each subject ties in directly with the general topics covered in the school classroom.

This program will be offered until late September in seven of the province�s provincial parks and natural areas. Educators wishing to book a time period for their class(es) to participate must contact the interpreter at the applicable site directly. The locations involved are:

• Barachois Pond Provincial Park (709) 649-0048
  
• Burnt Cape Ecological Reserve (709) 454-7795
  
• Butter Pot Provincial Park (709) 685-1853
  
• Cape St. Mary�s Ecological Reserve (709) 337-2473
  
• J. T. Cheeseman Provincial Park (709) 695-7222
  
• Lockston Path Provincial Park (709) 464-3553
  
• Notre Dame Provincial Park (709) 535-2379

Additional information may be obtained by contacting Scott Andrews, program coordinator, Environmental Education/Promotion Section, Parks and Natural Areas Division, by telephone at (709) 729-5669, by faxing (709) 729-1100 or by e-mailing scottandrews@mail.gov.nf.ca, or by visiting Parks and Natural Areas Division�s website at www.gov.nl.ca/parks&reserves/

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2000 09 07 12:30 p.m.