The ultimate goal of this project is to create a model mini Biosphere. In order to do this, the students must understand the meaning of a Biosphere. To best understand the concept of the Biosphere we took a group of 15 students to visit Manitoba's only Biosphere Reserve at Riding Mountain National Park located in western Manitoba. Onanole Elementary School - another UNESCO school - was kind enough to host our visit to the Riding Mountain Biosphere Reserve.
While in Riding Mountain we stayed at Camp Wannakumbac. We took in presentations from the Executive Director of this Biosphere Reserve - Valerie Pankratz, followed a GPS Geo-cache course, toured various areas of the park and learned about the relationship the local communities have established with the Biosphere Reserve in order to be successful. Onanole Elementary even put on a 100 mile brunch, supplying a huge meal that was made exclusively with local products.
Students were able to truly appreciate the beauty of this reserve when a guide from Parks Canada led a caravan to the bison reserve. During this outing they spotted 2 Foxes, 1 bull Moose in rut, 4 Elk, a few Deer and many Plains Buffalo.Before trying their hand at calling moose and wolves, they visited remnant Tall Grass Prairie that transitions to Boreal and Deciduous forests. This prairie is currently roamed by a herd of plains bison. They learned of the relationship that exists between these animals and their habitat.
Not only did our students learn about the Biosphere Reserve, they also made connections with students who live within this area. Our students are excited to meet up with Onanole again and have already begun to plan their school's visit to Winnipeg and the NPG! Many thanks to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for their support in making this partnership possible.
While in Riding Mountain we stayed at Camp Wannakumbac. We took in presentations from the Executive Director of this Biosphere Reserve - Valerie Pankratz, followed a GPS Geo-cache course, toured various areas of the park and learned about the relationship the local communities have established with the Biosphere Reserve in order to be successful. Onanole Elementary even put on a 100 mile brunch, supplying a huge meal that was made exclusively with local products.
Students were able to truly appreciate the beauty of this reserve when a guide from Parks Canada led a caravan to the bison reserve. During this outing they spotted 2 Foxes, 1 bull Moose in rut, 4 Elk, a few Deer and many Plains Buffalo.Before trying their hand at calling moose and wolves, they visited remnant Tall Grass Prairie that transitions to Boreal and Deciduous forests. This prairie is currently roamed by a herd of plains bison. They learned of the relationship that exists between these animals and their habitat.
Not only did our students learn about the Biosphere Reserve, they also made connections with students who live within this area. Our students are excited to meet up with Onanole again and have already begun to plan their school's visit to Winnipeg and the NPG! Many thanks to the Canadian Commission for UNESCO for their support in making this partnership possible.
The following is a link to the photos from this excursion....more to come...
