Current Restoration Projects by Niagara Parks
Niagara Parks has established a reputation of land stewardship. Their Environmental Mission Statement to "improve environmental quality and sustainable development throughout the Parks system for the benefit of visitors, employees and associates" was adopted in 2000 and it is reflected in their many preservation and environmental initiatives. Niagara Parks is involved in several important projects that help meet their mandate to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of the Falls and the Niagara River corridor for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency. Their projects are based on principles of conservation, education, environmental management, innovation, preservation and restoration.
Location: Niagara Parks' restoration/environmental improvement projects are taking place all over Niagara. Some projects are site specific, occurring in places such as Queen Victoria Park, the Niagara River, Niagara Glen, the River Parkway, Duffrin Islands, the town of Fort Erie, the Niagara Escarpment, and the Niagara Gorge. Others are Niagara Park-wide initiatives (i.e. recycling and composting program and the Spare the Air program).
Phone: (905) 356-2241 (Niagara Parks Commission Administration)
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Targeted Age Group: Grades 7-12
Program Costs: Visiting these sites is free of charge as they are all open to the public.
Booking a visit: Reservations are not required to visit any of the sites.
Programs Offered: While there are no formal programs offered by Niagara Parks related to their restoration projects, a visit to these sites can still be an exciting and educational experience for your students on the importance and process of restoration. Because the projects are all varied in their goals and methods, you can choose the site that best suits your teaching/learning goals. Or you may prefer to visit multiple sites in close proximity and have your students make comparisons, discuss the pros and cons of each, etc. Click here to read about the various projects and chose the one(s) that are best for your class.
Before visiting any sites, I suggest an in-class exploration with your students of human impact on the environment, tipping points, and what a restoration project generally entails. The Eco Tipping Points Project provides some excellent lesson plans and resources that you could use as a model to teach these ideas. Of these, I recommend Changing Nature's Course, which allows students to learn how humans alter the physical environment and what kinds of solutions can reverse the damage, and Town Hall Meeting, which uses group problem solving and role-playing to teach students about environmental crises and the problem-solving skills needed to deal with them through case studies.
Before visiting any sites, I suggest an in-class exploration with your students of human impact on the environment, tipping points, and what a restoration project generally entails. The Eco Tipping Points Project provides some excellent lesson plans and resources that you could use as a model to teach these ideas. Of these, I recommend Changing Nature's Course, which allows students to learn how humans alter the physical environment and what kinds of solutions can reverse the damage, and Town Hall Meeting, which uses group problem solving and role-playing to teach students about environmental crises and the problem-solving skills needed to deal with them through case studies.
All the above information (except programs offered) was taken from the Niagara Parks website. For additional information please visit http://www.niagaraparks.com/about/environmental-protection.html. Program ideas and resources came from The Eco Tipping Points Project (see links for details).