EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - WATER AND WETLAND PROGRAM COORDINATOR
The Lagoon Society is seeking an enthusiastic and energetic individual to fill the position of Wetland and Water Program Coordinator at our Iris Griffith Centre.
The deadline for applications has now passed. Thank you to all who applied. We plan to conduct interviews during the week of August 18. The anticipated start date for the position is September 1 (negotiable).
NATURE SCHOOL A WINNER IN GREEN YOUR CAMPBELL CASH CONTEST
We are thrilled to announce that our Nature School Program was voted as one of top five projects in The Tyee's Green Your Campbell Cash Contest.
The contest encouraged BC residents to consider donating their $100 climate action dividend cheques worthwhile to projects in BC. Please consider donating your climate action dividend cash to support the Lagoon Society. With your help, we can continue to promote sustainability, foster responsible environmental stewardship, and ensure protection of our natural environment for future generations. Click here to support the Lagoon Society. All donations over $10 will receive a charitable tax receipt.
CHILDREN'S DROP IN PROGRAMS - AUGUST 16th
Dipping and Aquarium Care - from 11 am to noon. Come and find out about the wonderful creatures that lurk in the nature reserve wetland and pond. Tadpoles, frogs, turtles, salamanders, newts and maybe something completely different are all just waiting to be discovered. You may also be invited help our summer student care for the aquaria and feed the specimens on display in our lower floor classroom.
Arts and Crafts - 1 pm to 3pm . Join our summer student in a variety of nature oriented arts and crafts. Bring your ideas and enjoy being creative with nature. $5 per child to help cover the cost of materials.
Parents and caregivers are asked to stay on site. Why not bring a lunch and make a day of it? There are nature trails to explore and educational displays for children of all ages. For more information please call Kathy Gray at 604 883-9201.
TURTLE RESEARCHERS SEEK PUBLIC ASSISTANCE
In 2007, the Lagoon Society initiated the Sunshine Coast Faunal Survey (SCFS) to identify and prioritize key sites for the conservation of wildlife species on the Sunshine Coast. Last year, researchers surveyed sites of conservation concern for bats and amphibians. In 2008, the SCFS has broadened its scope to include the Western painted turtle. Habitat loss and road mortality have put this species at risk of extinction. Please do your part by reporting all turtle sightings to David Stiles at 604-989-1007 or dastiles(at)telus.net. We are especially interested in knowing whether you have seen turtles on roads or digging around in sandy areas, indications of nesting activity. Click here for to learn more about the Faunal Survey.
Click here for turtle observation form (Word)
Click here for turtle observation form (PDF)
SCIENTIFIC PAPER HIGHLIGHTS STICKLEBACK DISCOVERY
A new paper published in the Canadian Journal of Zoology highlights the thrilling scientific discovery - a new stickleback species pair discovered in a lake on Nelson Island. The new species were discovered in June 2007 when Freshwater Ecologist and Lagoon Society Chair, Dr. Michael Jackson, Dr. Jennifer Gow of UBC and "Coastwise" John Dafoe, went on an expedition to Nelson Island, after they learned that the island had possibly been overlooked in earlier surveys. Click here to learn more about the stickleback discovery.
Click here to read the stickleback paper (PDF)
SUNSHINE COAST BIOBLITZ
The Lagoon Society would like to thank the many people who contributed to this year's First Ever Sunshine Coast BioBlitz. The weekend of celebrating and counting biodiversity was a huge success with the attendance of a dozen out of town specialists, many local naturalists, families and individuals who all joined at the Iris Griffith Centre to help count close to 600 different species of plants and animals.
This free event was funded by the generosity of The Federation of BC Naturalists, The Pender Harbour Wildlife Society and PetroCanada, and organized by the Lagoon Society.
We plan to make the BioBlitz an annual event and look forward to seeing you at the next BioBlitz in May 2009.
Stay tuned for BioBlitz summary data - Coming soon!
Click here for BioBlitz Photos
Click here to learn more about the BioBlitz
SHARE A RIDE TO REDUCE IMPACT ON ENVIRONMENT
Visit the Sunshine Coast Ride Share page at SuncoastCentral.com. Folks with cars and folks without can benefit from using this webpage which links people in need of a ride with drivers who are looking to reduce their fuel costs and impact on the environment.
The Iris Griffith Centre Nature School Program
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The Iris Griffith Nature School offers a unique learning environment where on-site classroom sessions are reinforced by extended periods of time spent in the outdoors observing a diversity of habitats and plant and animal species and recording thoughts through art, poetry and prose. Elementary school teachers from the Sunshine Coast have the opportunity to move their classrooms to the Iris Griffith Centre for an entire week for hands-on exploration which is a catalyst for further environmental learning at school.
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How You Can Help
The Lagoon Society is a Charity and the Board of Directors and Committee members all volunteer their time and expertise to the Society. We are also proud to employ skilled and talented people.
We rely on your generous support to allow us to carry out our many community, school, and interpretive programs. Please help support the Lagoon Society today by becoming a member, making a donation, becoming a volunteer, buying Lagoon Shop products, participating in our Legacy Program, or becoming a corporate or private sponsor.
WEBSITE MAP
The Lagoon Society is very grateful to the generous contributions of the many private individuals, businesses, foundations, community groups, corporations, and government agencies that make up our many sponsors.
We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
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Ruby Lake Lagoon Nature Reserve Society
RR#1 Site 20 C16
Madeira Park, BC, V0N 2H0
Phone/Fax: 604-883-9893
Email: info@lagoonsociety.com |
Iris Griffith Interpretive Centre
15386 Sunshine Coast Highway
101 North (1KM south of Ruby Lake)
Phone: 604-883-9201
Open Daily 10AM to 4PM
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