Outdoor education brings classroom studies to life. The St. Clair Region Conservation Authority (SCRCA) is excited to welcome students back to the Lorne C. Henderson Conservation Area for traditional in-person field trips during the 2022-2023 school year. Most programs are 2 hours in length but can be modified to suit your needs.
Forest Inventory
Using biotic and abiotic forest indicators, students analyze the health of two distinct survey sites – a mature forest and a plantation. Students explore the definition of a forest, its complexity and fragility; as well as the ‘value’ of a forest based upon differing perspectives. A culminating hands-on restoration activity is available on request. Topics discussed include resource management, habitat restoration, species inventories, indicators of biodiversity, the role of plants in the ecosystem, invasive species and human impact on the environment.
Curriculum Links: SNC1D, SNC1P, SBI3C, SVN3M, SVN3E, CGC1P, CGF3M, CGR4M, CGR4E
Healing Hike
Connects specifically to Mental Health and Student Well-Being
Research continues to grow connecting time spent in nature with human health. Studies have shown that time spent in the forest improves both physical and mental health. Join us for a ‘healing hike’ where a nature guide leads the group through a series of awareness building, stress-reducing activities allowing students to experience these benefits first-hand. Students record heart rate, breathing rate and stress rates before and after the hike to add a measurable component to the experience.
Water Quality 101
Students participate in a stream assessment, modelled after the Ontario Benthic Biomonitoring Network (OBBN) protocol. Students will learn the basics of water quality based on three data sets – physical characteristics, water chemistry, and benthic invertebrate communities. In this ‘field lab’ students will use real-time observations, specimen collections, and data sets to complete their own water quality study.
Curriculum Links: SNC1D, SNC1P, SNC2D, SNC2P, SBI3U, SBI3C, SCH4C, SVN3M, SVN3E, CGC1D, CGC1P, CGR4U, CGW4U, THH3E
Education Programs
For campsite reservations call:
A.W. Campbell Conservation Area:
519-847-5357
L.C. Henderson Conservation Area:
519-882-2280
Warwick Conservation Area:
519-849-6770