Explorer March - April 2015

Meewasin Explorer
March - April 2015
Volume 22 - Number 2
Cities for People
Meewasin has been accepted as a Cities For People (www.citiesforpeople.ca) “convener”. Cities For People is an initiative
of the McConnell Foundation that hopes to establish a “national urban agenda” to encourage the federal government to
assist cities in sustainable development (infrastructure, economy, culture, etc.). Meewasin’s role as a regional convener
is to facilitate roundtable discussions with a wide variety of stakeholders and provide the results to the national Cities
For People team. The theme of the roundtables Meewasin will host is natural areas and active transportation corridors
in a regional context. This may provide the potential to inform the Planning For Growth process the City and its regional
partners are initiating. Meewasin has scheduled the first of these roundtables for February 26 at Wanuskewin Heritage
Park. Regional stakeholders from a variety of relevant sectors have been invited. This is exciting work that will build on
the discussions we have had with our board of directors.
Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin wants your ideas on what you can do to improve our watersheds! The
Agrium Caring for our Watersheds is a contest that encourages students to brainstorm ideas that ensure the health of
their local watershed. This contest is open to students, individuals or groups of up to 4 students in grades 7 to 12 in
Saskatoon and area. All you have to do is research your local watershed, identify an environmental issue, and submit a
proposal that offers a realistic solution to the question of: “What can we do to improve our watershed?” Students that
enter can win cash prizes for themselves, for their school, and funding to implement their ideas! Deadline for proposal
submissions is March 27, 2015.
To find out more information and to register for the contest visit the website at
http://www.caringforourwatersheds.com or contact Partners FOR the Saskatchewan River Basin at
partners@saskriverbasin.ca or 306-665-6887.
Did you know you can get the Explorer electronically?
Help us reduce our paper consumption and switch your paper
Explorer subscription to an electronic one.
Phone 306-665-6887 or email meewasin@meewasin.com and provide
us with your name and email address.
Visit our website meewasin.com
Find Meewasin on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @meewasin
Meewasin Valley Authority - 402 Third Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G5
Phone: 306-665-6887 Fax: 306-665-6117 E-mail: meewasin@meewasin.com
meewasin.com
Office Hours 8:15 - Noon and 1:00 - 4:30 Weekdays
Closed Weekends & Holidays
What's Happening at Meewasin
Open 9:00 to 5:00 Weekdays - 12:00 to 5:00 Weekends & Holidays
Meewasin Valley Centre
Interpreting Saskatoon's Built Cultural History
On Display at the
Meewasin Gallery from
March 2, 2015 to April 30, 2015
"Different Strokes Art Group Exhibit"
by Members of Different Strokes Art Group
Meewasin Pelican Watch 2015
Saskatoon residents have special visitors each summer. April through October American White Pelicans gather by the
weir to fish. These birds, once on the endangered species list, have been a beautiful sight on the South Saskatchewan
River since the late 1970s. Their arrival in Saskatoon is a harbinger of spring.
Meewasin has held a Pelican Watch Contest since 1996. Each spring, Saskatoon residents can guess the arrival time of
the first pelican to land between the CPR Bridge and the weir. However, it is more than a contest; it's an opportunity to
learn about the once endangered pelican.
Find Meewasin on Facebook
March
April
March 1 – Whatever the Weather For Everyone (1-4 p.m.)
Drop in to explore some of the weather extremes
Saskatoon has experienced throughout history. Make a silly
Whatever the Weather Teller to take home.
April 5 - Annual History Scavenger Hunt Day For Everyone (1-4:30 p.m.)
Thinking of going for an Easter walk in the river valley?
Come to the MVC with your family and choose from our
history and nature scavenger hunts to do together. Indoor
and outdoor hunts are available. It's a great way to enjoy
the day while learning about our city.
Complete a hunt and return to MVC for an Easter treat.
March 8 - Art Show Opening for - “Different Strokes Art
Group Exhibit” - (1:30-3:30 p.m.)
Come down to the Meewasin Valley Centre to view the
newest exhibit by this group of local artists. This exhibit will
be on display in the Meewasin Gallery for March and April.
Celebrate the Season Change
Arrival times of the pelican have been observed by the Saskatoon Nature Society, with the earliest arrival in the past 19
years being April 4, 2012 at 7:00 a.m. The latest arrival time to date was April 20, 2014 at 3:15 p.m.
Weekend Drop-In Craft at the MVC For Everyone (1-4 p.m.)
Keep an eye out for the Meewasin Pelican Watch contest March 1 - March 31, 2015.
March 14 & 15
March 21 & 22
ENTER ONLINE at meewasin.com
Meewasin & Affinity Credit Union Clean-Up Campaign
The Meewasin Valley Authority, in partnership for the 15th year with Affinity Credit Union,
is hosting the 35th Annual Meewasin & Affinity Credit Union Spring Clean-Up Campaign
from April 15 to May 15, 2015.
Last year’s campaign involved a new record of over 28,000 people who generously
donated their time and energy to this annual event to help keep Saskatoon beautiful! This
year you can participate by registering with Meewasin. Participants can choose an area to
clean, or have one assigned to them. Garbage bags are provided. A number of dumpsters
will be located throughout the city for both garbage and recycling thanks to Loraas.
The kick-off of the Meewasin & Affinity Credit Union Clean-Up Campaign will be at Caroline Robins School on Friday, April
17, and the clean-up will continue into May. Everyone is welcome to participate.
Please register online at meewasin.com, by calling us at 306-665-6888, or by dropping in to the Meewasin Valley Centre,
open seven days a week.
Find Meewasin on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter @meewasin
Meewasin Valley Authority - 402 Third Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G5
Phone: 306-665-6887 Fax: 306-665-6117 E-mail: meewasin@meewasin.com
meewasin.com
Follow us on Twitter @meewasin
Spring is in the air. Join us at the MVC to create spring
themed art with household items and things you collect
from outside.
Easter Break Programs - For Everyone (1-4 p.m.)
Get Back to Basics at the MVC with crafts that teach you
the basics of how common items are made! Drop in for
something different each day.
Monday, April 6 - Paper Making
Tuesday, April 7 - Paper Making
Wednesday, April 8 - Simple Book and Story Making
Thursday, April 9 - Simple Book and Story Making
Friday, April 10 - Yarn and Button Crafts
Saturday, April 11 - Yarn and Button Crafts
Sunday, April 12 - Yarn and Button Crafts
March 28 & 29 - Pelican Weekend For Everyone (1-4 p.m.)
Drop in to discover some fascinating facts about Pelicans,
do a scavenger hunt, play Pelican games, and make a
Pelican craft! You can also watch a short informational video
about these spectacular birds.
April 18 & 19 – Clean-Up Campaign Registration
Pop into the Meewasin Valley Centre to register for this
year's Clean-Up Campaign! Pick up an information package
and some bags, and help clean our beautiful city.
For more information please call 306-665-6888 or check out
our website meewasin.com.
Enter the Pelican Watch Contest while you're here by trying
to guess when they will return to Saskatoon.
For more information about our programs please
call 306-665-6888.
April 25 & 26 – Growing Buddies For Everyone (1-4 p.m.)
Come down to make your own grass growing buddy. Plant
grass seeds in a special pouch and decorate to give your
friend a special personality.
Please note:
Program cost is by donation to help cover supplies,
unless otherwise stated.
Above programs are for the general public.
If you wish to book a group program please call 306-665-6888.
A nominal fee may be charged for group bookings.
Meewasin Valley Centre - 402 Third Avenue South, Saskatoon, SK S7K 3G5
Phone: 306-665-6888 Fax: 306-665-6117 E-mail: meewasin@meewasin.com
meewasin.com
Open 9:00 to 5:00 Weekdays - Noon - 5:00 Weekends & Holidays
Beaver Creek Conservation Area
Interpreting Saskatoon's Natural History
Beaver Creek Programming
March and April
Bat Buddies
Beaver Creek Conservation Area is excited about bats! Come out and discover what bat species are
found in Saskatchewan and why we should all look forward to having them share our habitat. Visit the interpretive centre
to learn more these winged wonders.
Clever Canines - Sundays @ 2:30 p.m.
All animals have unique adaptations that help them survive in their habitat. Discover how clever canines are adapted to
find their prey by joining an interpreter each Sunday at 2:30 p.m. for an outdoor hike.
Nature Craft - Saturday and Sunday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Come out and discover another way to appreciate nature by creating a nature inspired craft. Offered every Saturday and
Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Craft cost is by donation.
Did you know?
There are 8 species of bats found in Saskatchewan, including the Little Brown Myotis, which is commonly
called the Little Brown Bat. On December 17, 2014, this once prevalent bat was added to the Species at Risk
Act , providing these bats and their habitat legal protection on Federal lands. You can also help this species
at home by putting up a bat box. Contact meewasin@meewasin.com for bat box plans.
Family Week at the Creek - April 6 to 10
Take time to come out to the creek this week to hike a nature trail, take an eye spy challenge, or explore the Sasktel Beaver
Pond Room inside the interpretive center. On Tuesday, April 7 and Wednesday, April 8, Meet the Bats at 1 p.m. and see
a Little Brown Bat up close, followed by a Bat Box Workshop. Box materials provided.
Call 306-374-2474 to register for the Bat Box Workshop. Space is limited.
Easter Bunny Count
April 4 - 12
Search and count the camouflaged snowshoe hares at the creek.
Enter your count and a chance to win a Folkmanis puppet.
About Beaver Creek Conservation Area
Beaver Creek Conservation Area offers the general public and schools opportunities to discover
the wonders of nature year-round. Hands-on activities in the interpretive centre offer children the
opportunity to learn more about Saskatchewan’s flora and fauna. All can enjoy a hike along a selection of
four nature trails. Beaver Creek is an ideal place to come out to enjoy the art of wildlife watching.
A Creek Forming A Valley; A Valley Forming Habitats
Beaver Creek Conservation Area - Follow Lorne Avenue South 13 km on Highway #219
Chip's Hot line: 306-374-2474 Fax: 306-665-6117 E-mail: meewasin@meewasin.com
meewasin.com