Red Deer River Naturalists share events and newsletter for March 2024

The goal of the Nature Central program is to celebrate the protected areas in central Alberta and to increase appreciation, thoughtful exploration, non-consumptive use, and ecological understanding of the areas.

The program will host a winter snowshoeing/walk this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Alberta Parks Open Creek Natural Area. Approximately a one-hour from Red Deer, attendees can turn north onto Range Road 51 to reach the area west on Hwy 53 from Rimbey.

The area is predominantly tamarack and black spruce patterned muskeg with some poplar and upland pine forest.

Interested participants can register by email at epc.rdrn.nature@gmail.com. A meeting point nearby will be arranged.

March 20: Flower Focus Group Meeting

Held at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre in the Marjorie Wood Gallery from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., the event will be hosted by Don Wales discussing “Fall Wildflowers of Scotland’s West Highland Way”.

March 21: RDRN March Monthly Meeting Speaker Series

From 7 – 9:00 p.m. at the Kerry Wood Nature Centre’s Theatre room, the guest speakers will be students from Red Deer Polytechnic’s Biological Science Degree Program, including Felix Beever, Meghan Heistad, Isaiah Johanson, Isaiah Johnson, Meggie MacKenzie, Kayde McMullen, Sanjana Sharma, and Abbey Van Heuvel.

They will be presenting a variety of research topics from Red Deer to Costa Rica like “Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Hatchling Success”, “Ghost Crab Population Density”, “Native Bee Genetic Identity”, and “Is Nuclear Power a Sustainable Necessity?”

The students are hoping to be professional biologists and begin their research careers with projects spanning three weeks to three months.

March 23: Bird Focus Group Walk Field Trip

Hosted by Chris Olsen in Calgary, the trip will begin at the Carburn Park (67 Riverview Drive SE) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and end at the Inglewood Bird Sanctuary (2425 9 Ave SE) from 2 – 5 p.m., meeting in the main parking lots at each location. Guests can attend for one or both of the events.

Carburn Park is a large natural area park nestled along the Bow River. It features two man-made ponds, a regional pathway and numerous wildlife and waterfowl to experience. The Inglewood Bird Sanctuary is an ecological safe haven, surrounded by a bustling city, that connects people to their wild neighbours and the wonders of nature.

March 30: Bird Focus Group Walk

Held at the River Bend Golf & Recreation Area – Perimeter Trail from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., attendees are to meet host Chris Olesen in the main parking lot.

For both Bird Focus Group events, all are welcome including non-RDRN members as well as birders of all skill levels.

Attendees are encouraged to bring their binoculars and camera/phone. The RDRN have two birding binoculars, courtesy of a City of Red Deer Community Better ParticipACTION grant, that can be borrowed by new participants on a first-come-first-served basis.

Guests are also directed to wear layers and sturdy hiking footwear that are water resistant with ice cleats, as required by the season. Organizers say some trails are on rough terrain and while distances vary, they may be up to five kilometres long. Attendees are to carry their own water, an energy snack, and notify Olsen of any potential personal medical issues.

Their newsletter can be found on their website.

(Supplied)

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by rdnewsNOW Staff

Red Deer River Naturalists share events and newsletter for March 2024

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