Ottawa Wildlife Strategy
- Overview
- Executive Summary
- Introduction
- Council Direction
- Ecosystem Context of the Wildlife Strategy
- Existing Planning Policies and By-laws with Respect to Wildlife
- Wildlife Construction Protocol
- Education and Outreach
- Preventing and Resolving Human-Wildlife Conflicts
- Animal Transmitted Diseases
- Creation of a City Wildlife Biologist Position
- Selected References
- Appendix A
- Appendix B
Let’s Talk Science – Backyard Wildlife Education Kit
As part of the Wildlife Strategy, the City has retained Let's Talk Science to develop a backyard wildlife education kit for use in elementary schools. Let's Talk Science is a national organization that supports educators in teaching science to children and youth. The Ottawa program is coordinated by Dr. Barbara Vanderhyden of the University of Ottawa, with the assistance of graduate student coordinators from the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. 225 volunteers from both universities deliver hands-on science workshops and other activities to 10,000 local children and youth every year in classrooms and other venues.
The purpose of the backyard wildlife education kit is to educate children about local wildlife, biodiversity and ways to co-exist with wildlife in our backyards, neighbourhoods and the greater community. Learning activities are designed to correspond with the provincial curriculum at each grade level. The kit also includes take-home material for children to share and discuss with their parents. Let's Talk Science volunteers will begin delivering the kit to local classes in September 2014. If you are interested in learning more about the backyard wildlife education kit, or would like it to be used at your school, please contact Let's Talk Science in Ottawa at ltsps@uottawa.ca or 613-562-5800, ext. 2909.