www.reifelbirdsanctuary.com

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Winter home of the Snow Geese and one of Canada's top birdwatching sites.
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The Naturehood Program

Nature Canada has partnered with our Society from 2016 to 2020 to provide free Sanctuary nature programs to schools qualifying as "inner city" in the Greater Vancouver area. This was done through their Naturehood Program.

Visit the NatureHood website for more information!

"NatureHood inspires urban residents to connect with nature through celebratory events, educational and stewardship activities and events, and wildlife observation, all set in urban green spaces and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA). Through strong partnerships with grassroots naturalist clubs and allies across Canada, NatureHood promotes nature awareness at the local level and exposes a new generation of nature lovers, naturalists and citizen scientists to nature all around them." (Naturehood website)

Qualifying classes signed up to receive a free Sanctuary program and were also reimbursed for their bus costs out to the Sanctuary. The registration week for this program is understandably very hectic every fall, as many classes wish to participate. We do our best to provide the opportunity to as many classes as possible. We thought we would share some of the comments from the students, teachers, and our own program leaders here at the Sanctuary.

What did the kids say?

 

Votes On Favourite Birds:

Peregrine Falcon
Great Horned Owl
Black-capped Chickadee
Red-winged Blackbird
Sandhill Crane
Northern Saw-whet Owl
"The ducks"
Snow Geese

More Quotes:

BEST FIELD TRIP EVER!!!!
An amazing and scientific field trip!
It was great to learn so much scientific stuff about birds!
We really like the birds, this is a great place!
It rained but we had so much fun!
Birds are so cool! I had 20 chickadees land on me!
I came back to show my parents this place.

 

Teachers & Staff

(Staff) "The Great Horned Owl perched in the same tree for a few weeks was a favourite bird for the October classes. This species roosts every winter along the East Dyke, and the birds all have their favourite trees. Most people do not get a chance to see an owl in the wild, so this was a real hit with the students."

(Staff) Black-capped Chickadees are the favourites of winter classes, as these charming little birds will land on the hands of visitors for sunflowers seeds.(Teacher) "What struck me the most was watching some of my most hyper and emotionally distraught students actually be still for periods of time as they fed the birds. The looks of awe and wonder on their faces will be with me forever. For me, that was worth everything, right there in those moments."

(Staff)" It was probably not the best idea, in retrospect, to show the visiting class the White-footed Deermouse we had caught in our office, especially as they are very nimble and able to leap out of a bucket and bounce through a class of kids and under the bus they came in. There was much screaming, but an opportunity to discuss how the presence of rodents in the Sanctuary is what makes it especially good hunting grounds for owls and hawks. Always a teachable moment!"

(Teacher) " This was my first time at the sanctuary and I would definitely love to come again. Thank you so very much for offering such an incredible opportunity for us and our students, as well as for maintaining such a wonderful space for these amazing creatures."

(Teacher) "We did a Field Trip Report that was displayed at the school. The students also made a bird feeder that they designed using only recycled material. They shared the bird feeder and the names local birds with their Grade 1 Buddies. They also brought their bird feeders home to try and attract some birds."

(Teacher) " In grade 3 and 4 we teach about habitats, ecosystems, and animal adaptations. This field trip covers it all! We focused primarily on adaptations of birds (since we knew we were coming) and it was so powerful for students to have the opportunity to pick up and touch bird bones and discuss these adaptations. "

(Teacher) " Connecting students to nature is so important. If children are exposed to nature at a young age, then we think they will care for the earth throughout their lives because they feel more connected to it. "

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