Tree House Project Chosen

The dream of our founder, Dan Bouwman, for Heartland Forest
has been realized by the establishment in 2006 of our Forest
Discovery Educational Program for school age children. The
program, headed, written and co-ordinated by Paul Philp, has
seen and continues to make its presence known in our local
school system and beyond. Now, Dan dares to dream on.

His new dream is of a fully accessible Tree House using a
Universal Design concept to make the adventure of exploring
the forest even more enjoyable for all.

The house will nest approximately 6-8 feet above the forest floor and be connected to that floor by a gradually sloped ramp some 70 feet long. The ramp will be constructed in 20 foot lengths with resting porches between each section to accommodate wheelchair accessibility to the house itself.

Heartland Forest is currently looking for suitable partners and sponsors to make the tree house a reality. A list of what will be needed is available by contacting Dan Bouwman at his email address - danb@heartlandforest.org or
by telephone at (905) 651-5249

Toronto Zoo Visit Educates the Educators

Despite the unexpected return of the cold and wet weather Dave Ireland, Curator of Conservation Programs - Toronto Zoo and Ian
McIntosh, Co-ordinator Adopt-A-Pond - Toronto Zoo managed to wow a class of teachers from the Niagara Region with their
stories and knowledge of Wetland Fauna. The trip to search and discover these creatures in their natural habitant after the 2 hour
presentation was the icing on the cake.

Wielding his net, Dave lectured as he searched, encouraging the group to turn bark fragments,fallen branches and leaves on the forest floor as they joined in the cold and damp examination.

It seems the creatures did not want to cooperate and hid from the inclement weather and the searchers but, perseverance prevailed and a few specimens were identified and viewed.

        
First a Brown Snake then a blue spotted salamander and a clutch of wood frog eggs were discovered. Their objective obtained, the group retired to discuss what had proven to be a very educational and worthwhile learning experience.

Our thanks to Dave Ireland and Ian McIntosh of the Toronto Zoo and the elementary and high school teachers from
St. Catharines, Fort Erie, Port Colborne, Niagara Falls, and Smithville who attended, for making the day a huge success.

Signs Now Dot The Trail

Thanks to the efforts of Paul Philp, our Education and Special Events Coordinator, those who wander the trails of Heartland Forest will now be able to identify various trees and creatures that occupy our forest. Paul designed and constructed the signs with the help of Dayna Bailey, our Niagara College Co-Op Student. Doug Large, Webmaster, did the sign layout and design.

Additional signs will be evident in the future in what is our effort "to educate the general public and promote stewardship and preservation of the forest and wetlands."

 
The Spring/2007 issue of News from Heatland was written and edited by Doug Large
For information on any subject it contains contact the webmaster.
Your comments are solicited.

Copyright @ Heartland Forest.org
Classroom Goes Through Transformation

Thanks to the talent and outright care Dawn Perrynowski, our latest staff volunteer and very welcome Assistant Special Events and Education Coordinator, our classroom has been transformed into a Nature Dream.
The addition of a full wall mural, umpteen drawings and a tremendous layout it now shows exactly what we are about. No picture here . You must see to appreciate.