CWF Launches New Summer Institute in Nova Scotia

The Canadian Wildlife Federation Learning Institute is launching a new wildlife and biodiversity course through Acadia University July 4-11 featuring field trips to key conservation areas led by prominent science and education experts.

 “We are providing field-based learning experiences in Nova Scotia’s unique ecosystems, including updates on species at risk such as Blanding’s Turtles, Ribbonsnakes and Piping Plovers,” said Wade Luzny, Executive Vice President of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. “CWF invites the general public to share the experience by watching video clips which will be posted to our website cwf-fcf.org beginning July 9.”

Dr. Leo Elshof of Acadia’s School of Education along with leading scientists from Acadia University are facilitating the new Summer Institute. They are joined by professors from the University of Lethbridge, the University of Quebec in Montreal and Memorial University as well as an instructor from Lethbridge College and a secondary school science teacher from Horton High School in delivering the personalized learning program. The ten participants enrolled in the Summer Institute are from Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and the North West Territories. They will be working closely with local conservation experts at the following sites:

• Bridgewater the morning of Monday July 6 at the Mersey Tobeatic Research Institute, a non-profit co-operative working with researchers at Acadia University to survey deep lakes in the Mersey and Medway watersheds.
• Kejimkujik National Park the afternoon of July 6 to investigate Blanding’s Turtles, Ribbonsnakes and forest ecology. The program continues July 7 at Kejimkujik Seaside Adjunct where brackish ponds, salt marshes and tidal mud flats are ideal habitat for migratory waterfowl and shorebirds including guillemots, cormorants and piping plovers. Dr. Steve Mockford and graduate research assistant José Lefevbre of Acadia University lead this investigation. Dr. Mockford is involved in the population genetics of several species of reptiles.
• Berwick July 8 to explore riparian and agricultural issues with Dr. Soren Bondrup-Nielsen, an author and Acadia University professor of Ecology and Conservation Biology. His latest book, A Sound Like Water Dripping: In Search of the Boreal Owl, is a popular account of new research on this secretive species.
• The Bay of Fundy mud flats the morning of July 9 to investigate estuarine life with Dr. Graham Daborn, Professor Emeritus at Acadia University.
• Acadia University’s Irving Centre the afternoon of July 9 to explore conservation and sustainability through the creative arts with environmental education specialist Dr. Alan Warner. 

For more information, including a complete schedule of activities and background about the teaching team, visit cwflearninginstitute.org.

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About the Canadian Wildlife Federation:

The Canadian Wildlife Federation is a national non-profit organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of our natural world. By spreading knowledge of human impacts on the environment, developing and delivering educational programs, sponsoring research, promoting the sustainable use of natural resources, recommending policy changes and co-operating with like-minded partners, CWF encourages a future in which Canadians can live in harmony with nature. Visit cwf-fcf.org.

The Learning Institute, a new component of CWF’s well established education program, is conducting strategic and scholarly research, creating, piloting and studying educational innovation and technology-based learning; improving and advancing professional practice and promoting innovative learning about wildlife issues.

Media may download and use film footage from cwf-fcf.org.

For interviews or photo opportunities contact:

Heather Robison
Media and Community Relations Officer
Canadian Wildlife Federation
306-550-4155
heatherr@cwf-fcf.org
cwf-fcf.org