Did you know… that as a group, Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities are the province’s single largest experiential education provider? They offer lands for learning, purpose-built environmental education facilities, and proven outdoor education programs in partnership with 59 of Ontario’s 72 district school boards as well as countless sponsors, partners, and supporters. They also reach more than 400,000 students annually!

Locally, over 10,000 students, from across Grey and Bruce, as well as parts of Huron and Wellington Counites, participate in over 50 different environmental programs provided by Saugeen Conservation. The programs are curriculum-based offering hands-on investigations into our natural world; designed to help educate and foster stewardship of our local water, forest, and soil resources.

Nancy Griffin, SVCA’s Conservation Education Coordinator has been teaching for over 30 years. “With increasing demands on kid's and parent's schedules to fit in sports and various lessons, along with more screen time availability, I've seen a definite decrease in the connection between kids and nature over the past 20 years. It’s been called ‘nature deficit disorder’. Getting kids outside gives them the opportunity to use some of their natural curiosity to explore their surroundings, using all their senses. It also gives them a chance to release some of that bottled-up energy through using their imaginations and play.”

Saugeen Conservation offers their programming in a number of different venues, including, in-school, at local conservation areas and at Bruce Power Visitors’ Centre. Each varies according to season, program, grade, and age. SVCA is extremely grateful for the help and support of local sponsors in helping our youth learn about and appreciate the natural world.

During these difficult times, kids can get outside and do some exploring in their own backyards! Encourage them to take photos of animals and plants and try to identify them. Plant trees and shrubs that create wildlife habitat and flowers that attract butterflies.

“By getting outside you can make personal connections with nature. It helps relieve stress, decrease blood pressure, and improve your mood. Something we can all benefit from", continued Griffin. For more information on conservation education programs offered by the SVCA, visit www.svca.on.ca.

Remember, "In the end, we will conserve only what we love, we will love only what we understand, and we will understand only what we are taught." - Baba Dioum, Senegalese forestry engineer and environmentalist

source: media release, Saugeen Valley Conservation