In-School Programs
Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s conservation educators are dedicated to building relationships between youth and their natural world. During the months from November to April, ABCA staff will meet you at your school, nearby or virtual location to deliver any of the following In-School Programs.
Please feel free to consult with conservation educators to see if they can develop and deliver specialized programs to meet your curriculum needs.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) conservation education staff have made a concerted effort to evaluate and redesign classroom programs for virtual and outdoor spaces. ABCA has used all available documentation and protocols to make programs safe and suitable for learning in any type of space.
Download the flyer for in-school programs for the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) watershed:
Secondary School Spring Program Flyer 2022
- Environmental Education with ABCA Virtual, Schoolyard and Field Trips Spring 2022 – 1 MB (Large) PDF file
ABCA Watershed Elementary School Flyer Spring 2022
- Watershed Elementary School Flyer Spring 2022 – 2 MB (Large) PDF file
Maitland Valley MVCA Elementary School Flyer
- Environmental Education for Your Students Spring 2022 – ABCA Conservation Education for Maitland Valley MVCA Elementary Schools Flyer – 1 MB (Large) PDF file
Special Offer
A special offer for watershed schools from March-April 2022 includes a limited number of sponsored soil and water-focused programs in-school programs virtually and in your schoolyard, thanks to a grant from NextEra Energy Canada, LP and Cordelio Power (please note that this offer does not apply to all in-school programs).
Download a Watershed Schools Map.
In the Classroom:
Levels
River Safety for Elementary Schools
River Safety for Elementary Schools
Snowshoeing for Everyone
Snowshoeing for Everyone
Primary
Growth and Changes in Animals - In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
How is a beaver different from a snake? Learn about some amazing adaptations as you explore the animals' groups.
Water in the Environment – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
Journey through the water cycle. Explore the properties and importance of water moves through games and experiments.
Growth and Changes in Plants – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
Become an herbal superhero as you discover how plants make their own food and form the basis of any food pyramid.
Soils in the Environment – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
Dig in and discover what is hiding in the soil. Learn about the properties of soil through demonstrations and hands-on exploration.
Ecosystem Explorations – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
This outdoor, schoolyard-based program uses facilitated activities to explore science concepts. Hear about mapping through story. Explore distinct areas of your school Yard and make observations.
Natural Curiosity – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
Develop your students’ natural curiosity and awareness of the natural world through schoolyard, inquiry-based learning. Contact ABCA staff to discuss a nature theme and extend your students’ current learning..
Junior
Species at Risk – In Your Classroom, Schoolyard, or Virtual
Learn why some species struggle for survival while others thrive. Explore the natural and human-related factors affecting aquatic animals. The Canadian Nature Fund sponsors the program from September-March.
Ecosystem Explorations - In your Schoolyard
This outdoor, schoolyard-based program uses facilitated activities to explore science concepts. Develop knowledge and skills to complete an inventory of distinct habitats of your schoolyard. Students will practice using a dichotomous key.
Habitats and Biodiversity in the Schoolyard
This outdoor schoolyard program introduces students to the concepts around habitats and biodiversity through facilitated activities to develop knowledge and skills to complete a schoolyard bioblitz! Grade 6 students will be taught how to use a dichotomous key.
Intermediate
Ecosystem Explorations - In Your Schoolyard
This outdoor, schoolyard-based program uses facilitated activities to explore science concepts. Develop knowledge and skills to complete an inventory of distinct habitats of your school yard. Students will collect abiotic and biotic information about their assigned study area.
Get to Know Your H2O – In your Classroom or Schoolyard
Look at river systems and watershed science. Learn about connections between human activities, water quality and the health of the watershed. Hands-on activities demonstrate how water can be polluted and cleaned.
All Rivers Lead to the Lake – Virtual
Start at the river’s edge and explore watersheds and watershed science. Learn about connections between human activities, rivers and water quality. (Recommended for more in-depth look into human actions and best management practices on water quality in local water systems)
Senior Level
Careers in Conservation – In your Classroom or Virtual
Supported by NextEra Energy and Cordelio Power for ABCA Watershed Secondary Schools. Learn about the different jobs and positions at Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority and how you can prepare academically to be part of this exciting field. Grade 10 Career Studies
Get to Know Your H2O – In your Classroom or Virtual
Supported by NextEra Energy and Cordelio Power for ABCA Watershed Secondary Schools. Dive in and learn about where the water you use every day comes from, where is goes after you’re done using it and how your use affects the overall water system, both natural and human constructed. Grade 11 Chemistry
Climate Change – In your Schoolyard
Participate in active games and demonstrations to help understand how the carbon cycle works and how climate change impacts our local environments. Grade 10 Science; Grade 11 Geography
Species at Risk – In your Classroom or Schoolyard
Learn why some species struggle for survival while others thrive through participating in hands-on activities. Explore the natural and human-related factors affecting local aquatic animals. Grade 9 Science; Grade 12 Resource Management Canada Nature Fund sponsors the program from September-March.
Save Our Soils – In your Classroom or Schoolyard
Dig in and discover what soil is made of. Investigate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil. Soil sampling and demonstrations help with understanding how to manage soil. Grade 9 Geography; Grade 11 Physical Processes, Grade 12 Resource Management
All Grades
Snowshoeing – In Your Schoolyard
Jump into the snow and experience first-hand how snowshoes are used to travel during the winter. Learn how different animals are adapted to movement in the snow and search for tracks.
Games and activities will be adjusted for age and interest.
River Safety in Your Classroom or Virtual
Keep a safe distance from creeks and rivers especially during times of fast-moving water.
In our River Safety program for schools, students learn about making good decisions around water so they can be safe during any season.
The river safety program is delivered to schools at no charge thanks to the support of local municipalities.
The program teaches about safe practices near rivers and lakes.
Curriculum connections include: Personal Safety; Primary (Seasons); Junior (Habitats); and Intermediate (Water Systems).
For the River Safety program (formerly Spring Water Awareness Program) visit this web page:
Questions?
If you have questions please contact Denise Iszczuk or Nina Sampson, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Educators via our staff directory.