Life lessons : Shelburne Free Press : https://shelburnefreepress.ca

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Life lessons

A community-based education program is in the planning stages at Procyon Wildlife Veterinary and Rehabilitation Services in Beeton, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Shell.
Supporters and volunteers saved gas receipts and diligently registered them online to realize this goal, in competition with many other charities vying for funds.
A strong team of volunteers including administrators, teachers, and a fourth year biology student, plan to offer a program that shows the importance of preserving wildlife and their habitats. Wildlife is often adversely impacted by society. By sharing animal facts, Procyon hopes to provide a fun and challenging experience that teaches people to live in harmony with wild animals, and reduce unnecessary orphaning and injury.
An outreach program for grade four students will be taken to schools. Grade four was chosen as the initial target group for wildlife appreciation because at this age, children are keenly interested in their surroundings and are mature enough to understand the message being conveyed. Printed material will be sent home with students to educate their families about the Procyon centre and its purpose.
Hands-on displays will be used as learning tools, and a video presentation will follow an animal from its arrival at the centre to its release. Why the animal was admitted and what treatment it received will be discussed.
Students will be informed about habitat, environmental changes, natural parenting methods for various animals, how to protect animals in the wild, and why that is important. How to deal with problem animals so they don't end up at the centre for treatment is also a proactive goal.
Other programs will be geared to various adult and children's clubs that can visit the centre.
Procyon Wildlife is located at 6441 7th Line, Beeton, on a scenic natural area on the Beeton Creek. One-way glass is already in place indoors, so the facility can be toured without visual contact between people and animals. Keeping the animals wild is paramount to their successful release. The site is suitable for small groups of 15-20. This number can easily be accommodated in the present meeting room and parking lot.
The start date will be late 2015.

By Penny Gilbertson

Post date: 2014-10-08 14:16:39
Post date GMT: 2014-10-08 18:16:39
Post modified date: 2014-10-15 14:02:04
Post modified date GMT: 2014-10-15 18:02:04