On the surface, a pond may seem devoid of life, but Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park staff are aiming to teach the public that they are anything but.
This Saturday at the Cochrane Farmer’s Market, Glenbow staff will present a demonstration of their Pond Exploration program.
The program involves ‘dip-netting’ to discover the different aquatic life present within a fresh water ecosystem.
Participants discover aquatic insects, frogs and salamanders that live in the pond as well as the birds and mammals that depend on the pond.
The demonstration aims to educate audiences about the different ways creatures adapt to the water environment and the food web in place at the pond.
The presentation is done within the context of water quality and health. Participants can observe various water quality tests and learn what finding various species means for the health of the water.
The demo is meant as an introduction to the park as a whole, this program in particular and the types of family programs offered.
Various species of local aquatic life will be on-site, giving families an opportunity to learn about creatures they might not have realized live in freshwater environments.
Visit grpf.ca for more information.
