Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve hosted a family winter program Dec. 1 and 8 at the Research and Education Centre located along the shores of Redberry Lake. The calm - 10 C temperature was complemented with some sunny breaks and light snow, making it near ideal conditions for the outdoor event.
This program was supported by the Saskatchewan Outdoor and Environmental Education Association (SOEEA) and Sask Lotteries.
Participants paid a nominal fee for the afternoon's activities including learning how to snowshoe. The snowshoes were on loan from Fort Battleford and provided an opportunity for the 20 young children, youth and adults, over the two dates, to experience the outdoors skimming across the snow surface. After a briefing and quick lesson on snowshoeing at the Research and Education Centre, the energetic group proceeded on their 45-minute trek out along Redberry Lake through wind-protected areas with shrubs and trees.
This environmental atmosphere was ideal for witnessing many small animal activities such as a squirrel's nest, beaver-fallen trees, remnants of where deer rubbed and scraped branches and evidence of porcupine and rabbit presence. The staff also made reference to the many rodents living within the area and explained how these animals prepare for winter survival. The groups also identified rabbit, deer and coyote tracks. The colourful shiny redberries that stood out against the white landscape were easily identifiable.
Participants arrived back at the centre and enjoyed warming up with hot chocolate, donated by Hafford Fine Foods, and barbecued smokies at the firepit.
A quiz was arranged with four questions about winter including questions on animal tracks and how animals adapt for winter survival with prizes from, in part, Cabela's and Eb's Source for Adventure.
Participants were also presented with an opportunity to browse through the centre and view the displays featuring local history, culture and local environment as well as information on the Redberry Lake Biosphere Reserve and other Canadian and international biosphere reserves.
