The following indoor presentations are available. Most presentations average 45 minutes in length with 15 minutes for questions and answers. Cost is $100.00 to $120.00 for a local presentation ( south of 401 including Prince Edward County and the immediate Trenton, Belleville, Deseronto and Napanee area) ). For greater distances, the fee will need to be adjusted accordingly. Presenter supplies projector, laptop computer, projection screen, power cords and applicable props. Microphone and amplifier are also available if required, at no extra cost.
* For a list of what presentations are coming up locally, scroll down to the bottom of this page. *
POWER POINT PRESENTATIONS
The Big Freeze: We see wildflowers bloom in spring, insects start to buzz at the first hint of warmth, birds arriving from somewhere in large numbers, and reptiles and amphibians on the move again. But, did you ever wonder how these plants and animals prepare for the winter, much less survive it? This Power Point presentation looks at the process and reminds us that we really don’t have to worry much about their survival.
The Millennium Trail - a trail for all seasons: This new Power Point presentation takes a detailed look at this former CN railway line, running 52 km from Picton to Carrying Place. Both the human history and natural history are dealt with in this presentation, along with how it all came about. Meet some of the people who use the trail, and discover their fascination for this now popular cross county route. This presentation is now available. A brochure will also be available outlining the route and detailing the distances between the various access points, and where one can park.
Beyond the Beech - a look at Woodlot Critters: This has become a popular presentation for owners of woodlots. What does your forest or woodlot contain besides beech, maples, oaks and conifers? You will be surprised after viewing this presentation as we look at everything from the larger, more obious mammals, right down to the smallest mammal in North America - the pigmy shrew. Learn about millipedes, pill bugs, fungi, ferns and wildflowers, and see what birds either nest in your woodlot, or use it as a feeding ground during migration.
The County Is Hopping - But It’s For the Birds: Prince Edward County is strategically located in eastern Lake Ontario, and lends itself well to being a popular staging area for migrating birds in the spring. The County now has an impressive list of 345 species of birds that have been known to occur within the boundaries of Prince Edward County. It is our little Point Pelee of eastern Lake Ontario, the site of a popular Birding Festival every May, and a destination now for avid birders.
Nearby and Natural: This Power Point presentation takes a look at many of the natural areas within easy driving distance of Belleville. We look at provincial parks, conservation areas, nature reserves, hiking trails, cemeteries, and some of those nooks and crannies that you may not have been aware of in your quest for nature. Learn about the Menzel Nature Reserve, Sandbanks, the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area, and the Scuttleholes, just to name a few. You will be surprised what’s out there.
Keep It Natural - And They Will Come: How do I enhance my backyard to attract wildlife? This Power Point presentation offers a few hints on what shrubs and trees to plant, bird feeders and nest boxes, and looks at the basic needs of wildlife. The presentation also looks briefly at how to preserve shorelines (show can be adapted to concentrate on shorelines only). Nesting boxes on display and plenty of handouts.
The Sunflower Cult: The popularity of bird feeding is at an all time high. Learn how to get the most out of this popular hobby. Is birdfeeding wrong? Will birdfeeding upset normal migratory habits? Will birds learn to depend on me and starve if I forget to feed them? You will be surprised at the myths that the soothsayers have generated over the years, and how safe and rewarding this hobby really is. The presentation also looks at bird feeders and bird feed, and what to consider when making your purchase. Plenty of handouts on the subject.
Backyard Magic - Getting the most from compost: The cost of garbage disposal keeps going up. One of the ways we can save, in addition to recycling, is by composting. Learn how easy it is to set up a composter in your backyard. If done properly, composters are odourless, and the resulting black earth is great for gardens, flower beds, potted plants, lawn dressing.....you name it. Learn all the different things that you can compost, and find out what you should avoid adding to the composter, and how to deal with composter rejects. All the bad things you have heard about composters are just myths. Learn how to have fun with cores and peelings.
Thoughts from the Pied Piper of Nature: For almost 25 years, Terry Sprague has seldom been on a hike without instinctively glancing over his shoulder to make sure everyone is okay. Learn about some of the cool places he has taken people, and the topics they discuss - everything from natural history to human history. His hikes are about more than just birds - its stories about mammals, herptiles, insects, wildflowers, sawmills, logging camps, agriculture, and the people who shaped these areas. After seeing this presentation, you will want to register for one of his interpretive events.
The Fall and Rise of the Bald Eagle - a success story in Prince Edward County: The disappearance of the bald eagle from Prince Edward County in the 1950s is a sad story. Now, some 50 years later, the majestic bald eagle has returned with up to 20 individuals being present every winter as they venture south in search of better feeding areas. Now we want them to return as a nesting species. Find out what contributed to the eagle's disappearance, where they nested historically, some of their habits, and what we are doing to encourage the bald eagle to once again return as a nesting species in Prince Edward County.
Our Natural Heritage – Prince Edward County, a natural gem: Our latest endeavour, this presentation draws our attention to the wealth of both natural and human history in Prince Edward County. We look at the County’s foundation, and how limestone rock, from the finely ground sand at Sandbanks to the impressive limestone shelves along the shore, and how limestone has played a role in the formation of islands, spectacular cliffs as well as collapse dolines such as Lake on the Mountain. Learn the story of the famous Ameliasburgh Inlier, the mesa at McMahon Bluff, cattail marshes, wooded swamps, Sandbanks Provincial Park, shipwrecks, waterfalls, and the colourful history of Main Duck Island. We will also look at the South Shore Important Bird Area and the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area. Learn how these areas have all contributed to shape the county we know as Prince Edward. You will leave with a better understanding of why Prince Edward County has become such a tourist Mecca. Customized presentations are available.
Prince Edward County Conservation Areas - yours to enjoy: There are 11 conservation areas in Prince Edward County. Can you name all of them? In this presentation, we spend some time at each of these conservation areas and reveal a few stories about these properties, why they were set aside as conservation areas, their background, their history and a bit about the special plants and animals that call these areas home, and with today's budget constraints, what is being done to maintain them. Check out the ovenbirds at Macaulay, the old foundations at Beaver Meadow, the panoramic vistas at Little Bluff, the story of Roblin Mills at Harry Smith, and the prairie smoke at Massassauga, to name just a few of the special attributes these special areas have to offer. And meet some of the volunteers who keep the trails maintained, ensuring that your visit will be pleasant and rewarding.
The Toxic and the Invasive In Our Midst: Do you know how to recognize poison ivy - giant hogweed - baneberry? Do you know why common buckthorn, purple loosestrife, and dog strangling vine are considered "invasive"? What about the knotweed, goutweed and periwinkle in your garden. Learn about these invasive and sometimes toxic plants that we have around us here in Prince Eedward County.
N E W P R E S E N T A T I O N ! !
Exploring the Frontenac Arch: The Frontenac Arch is a geological feature ridge of ancient granite, the backbone of eastern North America, that joins the Adirondack Mountains to the Canadian Shield at Algonquin Park. In this presentation, we look at some of the natural features in places like Algonquin, Depot Lakes, Rock Dunder, Charleston Lake, and Frontenac Park. Note: Available by February 01, 2013
For more information and to contact us about these events, click here
PRESENTATIONS by Terry Sprague COMING UP
