Many kids participate in after school activities, most of us likely played hockey or soccer, took piano lessons, maybe even had past times like video games or reading. But wouldn’t it have been cool to participate in a program where you get to explore and learn about nature? Well today, kids in Welland have that option! Let me introduce Nature Seekers.

Nature Seekers is a recreational program that encourages youth to unleash their curiosity by participating in citizen science and conservation projects, educational nature walks exploring unique biodiversity, playing active games and creating crafts – all while empowering youth to help create a better future for nature and wildlife. The founder and program director of this amazing program is Lisa Bacon!

Lisa is an incredible person with a passion for conserving wildlife and sharing her knowledge of nature with those around her, especially youth. Lisa has always enjoyed a career working with children and youth as a PSW and being a Girl Guide Leader. Lisa was able to combine what she enjoyed about her old job with her true passion, nature and wildlife! She founded Nature Seekers and gets to pursue her dream, which is not something that can be said for everyone. Lisa is more than qualified for this important role, as she is a National Geographic Certified Educator, Principal Atlasser with Ontario Breeding Bird Atlas-3 and is a board director of the Niagara Falls Nature Club.

The 8-week sessions with Nature Seekers allow youth to have a unique hands-on outdoor learning experience. The sessions and activities are seasonal, so each session provides new experiences. For this upcoming 8-week Fall session, children will get to participate in Monarch Butterfly tagging, milkweed restoration, intro to birding and bird ID, invasive species work, active games, and crafts! This first session will be for youth ages 9-12, but Session #2 opens up to ages 6-17!

Lisa really just wants children to be able to unplug from the online world we currently live in and unleash their curiosity outdoors! Lisa explains that there are actually many health benefits to being surrounded by nature. For example, time in nature reduces anxiety and stress levels, while increasing creativity. Children who are immersed in nature early on, are likely to want to protect it when they grow up, and we definitely need more people like that in our world!

How can we make changes to improve our environment? Lisa says, if you are able to plant native trees or any native plants species on your property, that is super beneficial! Pollinator gardens for butterflies, bees and hummingbirds are also great. These things provide habitat, as well as a food source and that is so important because habitat loss for our native species is happening at an alarming rate.

Lisa is thrilled to be able to connect others to the natural world and inspire them to care about nature as much as she does. This is an amazing, unique opportunity for children living in Welland, let’s teach the next generation about the importance of conservation! There are still some spots available for Session #1 this Fall, and registration closes September 15th, so be sure to contact Lisa to secure your spot! It is also important to note that all COVID-19 protocols will be followed during Nature Seekers sessions. Thank you, Lisa for stepping up to teach our youth about the importance of preserving nature!

Website: https://natureseekers.ca/

Facebook: @NatureSeekers.Ontario

Instagram: @nature_seekers.welland

Nature Seekers