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Exhibition to Include Public Workshops on Role and Benefit Provided by these Biodiversity Champions
News from Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission
Posted February 8th, 2016 on Niagara At Large
Niagara Falls, Ontario – The Niagara Parks Commission (NPC) is pleased to present a new family friendly, educational exhibit “We are the Insects,” that opened on Saturday, February 6th and will continue until Easter Monday, March 28th at NPC’s Butterfly Conservatory.
One of many feeding stations at Niagara Park’s Bufferfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls, Ontario
Seven different educational zones will be established within the Butterfly Conservatory, to detail the important role played by insects in our environment. Visitors to the Conservatory will learn all about the advantages and interesting adaptations insects possess such as night vision, special hearing, enhanced smell, taste and touch, as well as defence mechanisms which allow them to not only survive, but thrive in their natural and increasingly settled habitats.
The “We are The Insects” exhibit was developed by the Montréal Insectarium, one of the largest insect museums in North America. A favourite of both children and adults alike, the museum is home to some 250,000 specimens of living and naturalized insects, an anthill and many other exciting natural displays.
As part of the exhibit, Niagara Parks is also pleased to be partnering with the Monarch Teaching Network of Canada, the Canadian Wildlife Federation and Natural Insect Control, to provide four educational workshops intended to further showcase the important role played by insects, as well as the steps one can take to foster a more vibrant and healthy habitat for these creatures, in your own backyard and gardens.
Further information on these educational workshops (attached), their cost and when they will be held, can be found by visiting www.niagaraparks.com/insects.
What better location to host such exhibit, than the Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory, North America’s largest indoor Butterfly Conservatory, where over 2,000 beautiful free-flying butterflies (insects) are displayed each day.
The fully accessible Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is located at 2565 Niagara Parkway, on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture. The new exhibit is included with regular paid admission and or your Wonder Pass Purchase. Detailed information on the Conservatory, its hours of operation, admission and parking rates, can be found at www.niagaraparks.com.
The Niagara Parks Commission is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
For more information, visit www.niagaraparks.com
We are the Insects Workshops
Monarch Teacher Network of Canada – Amazing Monarchs, Amazing Kids Workshop
Date: February 20 & March 12, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Demographic: Families (suitable for young children with care givers)
Cost: $7.50 per person (taxes not included)
Location: NPC School of Horticulture Lecture Hall
This Workshop Will Cover:
- The lifecycle and life history of the monarch butterfly
- Plants that attract monarchs
- How creating a rich habitat will help this Species of Concern
- Creating take-home milkweed seed balls for transplanting in your garden or open spaces during warmer weather
- Constructing a Monarch lifecycle plate to remember all stages where our actions can help protect this iconic orange and black butterfly.
Monarch Teacher Network of Canada – Make Your Garden Monarch Friendly Workshop
Date: February 20 & March 12, 2016
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Demographic: Adults
Cost: $16.50 per person (taxes not included)
Location: NPC School of Horticulture Lecture Hall
This Workshop Will Cover:
- The lifecycle and biology of the monarch butterfly
- Threats to the monarch population
- Native plants that attract monarchs
- Best practices for monarch friendly gardens
- Transplanting germinated milkweed sprouts into take-home containers
- Creating a holding cage to cover your milkweed plant, a layer of protection for vulnerable monarch eggs and caterpillars.
Natural Insect Control – Organic Gardening: Exploring Natural Insect Control for the Home Owner Workshop
Date: February 27, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Demographic: Adult Gardeners
Cost: $7.50 per person (taxes not included)
Location: NPC School of Horticulture Lecture Hall
This Workshop Will Cover:
- A microscopic view of some of nature’s best backyard warriors for natural pest control such as Aphidoletes aphidimyza (Midges), Stratiolaelaps scimitus (Mites) and Encarsia Formosa (Wasps)
- Bio friendly alternatives for controlling common yard pests such as aphids, earwigs, slugs and snails will be explored
- Alternative methods for creating a chemical free yard that is safe for you and your family
Canadian Wildlife Federation – Providing a Pollinator Paradise Workshop
Date: March 5 & March 19, 2016
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Demographic: Families
Cost: $7.50 (taxes not included)
Location: NPC School of Horticulture Lecture Hall
This Workshop Will Cover:
- What can be done by the typical urban family to increase pollinator populations
- How individuals can grow certain plants and garden in a way that protects beneficial insects and allows them to thrive in their new habitats.
- Learn how to create an ideal home for the pollinators of this region. Attendees will receive a pollinator plant kit to take home so that they can start their very own Pollinator Paradise in their own backyard.
- Hands on activities will include building a Pollinator Paradise Pot to take home.
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