Conservation, Conversation, and Opportunity

Join Us this Summer in Whispering Woods and the Centennial Natureground!

WHO = YOU!

You are heartily encouraged to join the fun and festive Community Conservation Bees in Brentwood Heights. The Friends of Dr. E.W. Coffin Society will again be hosting regular conservation bees throughout the growing season in Whispering Woods and the Centennial Natureground, caring for our native and reclaimed rough fescue prairie spaces right here in our shared community.

Please join us, whether for a few minutes or a few hours, during any or all of the following 10 events during July and August. Stewardship first is encouraged, but don’t let that stop you from coming to the Potlucks!

WHEN:

• 8 Wednesday Evenings, 6:00-8:00 p.m. July 7, 14, 21, 28, August 4, 11, 18, 25.
       Refreshments!

• 2 Weekend Mornings, 9:00-11:00 a.m. July 10 & August 21. Potlucks!

SPECIAL GATHERINGS:

• Wednesday, July 7. POTLUCK SNACKS, TREATS, WINE & CHEESE at 8:00

• Saturday, July 10. POTLUCK BRUNCH at 11:00

• Saturday, August 21. POTLUCK BRUNCH at 11:00

• Wednesday, August 25. POTLUCK, SNACKS, WINE & CHEESE at 8:00

WHERE:
Meet at the Prairie Amphitheatre in Whispering Woods, just off Brenner Drive NW, or in the adjacent Centennial Natureground on the west side of Dr. Coffin School, at 5615 Barrett Drive NW. Dress for the weather, and for gardening! Although there will be some gloves and hand tools available to share, it would be helpful if you brought your own. We will be working in both Whispering Woods and the Centennial Natureground. Arrive and assist as you’re willing and able, and please BYO H 2O.

YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES:

Rack up your service hours and community volunteerism. Be mentored in prairie stewardship issues.

If you are in youth programs such as the Duke of Edinburgh Young Canadians Challenge, Scouts, Guides, Youth Volunteer Corps, and other situations where you need or want to volunteer your time, then you are encouraged to join in. Participation Certificates provided.

BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION IN NOSE HILL PARK:

In honour of this International Year of Biodiversity, the City of Calgary Parks is hosting a Speaker Series along with its conservation projects in several of Calgary’s natural area parks. In Nose Hill Park, there are 3 sessions you may wish to attend:

• Saturday, August 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Meet: Parking Lot – 64 Ave & 14 th  Street NW Entrance

Speaker: Dr. Ted Pike, Wading Through Weeds & Butterfly Creeds ; Knapweed & Nodding Thistle Pull

• Thursday, August 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Meet: Parking Lot – Berkley Gate & 14 th  Street NW Entrance

Speaker: Polly Knowlton Cockett, Reading the Land – Nose Hill’s Story ; Knap & Nod Pull

• Saturday, August 14, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Meet: Parking Lot – Berkley Gate & 14th   Street NW Entrance Speaker: Greg Sutor, Nosey about Nose Hill’s Fescue and Flora ?   - Knap & Nod Pull

To be notified about the schedule, to learn more about native plants, weeds, and grassland conservation, and to keep up with impromptu gatherings, please sign up for our listserve, as below. We welcome you to the growing circle of Neighbours as Stewards of our local spaces.

Environmentally yours,
Polly Lee Knowlton Cockett, environews@shaw.ca