Ontarios Wye Marsh Offers Free Admission and Supports Midland Food Bank on Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend



The Wye Marsh is opening its visitor centre and 3,400 acres in the beautiful Wye Valley for free on Sat. October 7th. Free admission is being provided to all of the residents in Ontario to show the many exciting changes that have taken place over the past year -- in return guests are encouraged to bring a donation to the Midland Food Bank.

The Centre has added a new interactive exhibit about wetlands and biodiversity. A camera mounted on the tower sends live images to a TV in the exhibit hall, where there is also an indoor observation beehive. The Ontario Trillium Foundation funded both of these projects. The Marsh has upgraded many of the signs on their trails including identification signs for wildflowers and wildlife that might be encountered. New programming additions include the Birds of Prey Show, and raptor enclosures including an open view to the Owl habitat from the lobby of the visitor centre. The Marsh has expanded the canoe programs to include an in depth guided eco-tour taking visitors deeper into the Wye Valley to view a greater selection of wildlife.

Laurie Schutt, Executive Director at the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre, says, 's8220;A number of changes have been made over the past few years based on questionnaires and guest responses. We have worked hard at getting our visitors more involved with interactive shows and exhibits to enable a better understanding and appreciation of our unique environment here in the Wye Valley.'s8221;

The signage program, an example of one of the many improvements, has taken the Wye Marsh about two years to implement with the help from volunteers and funding from the Healthy Wetlands Healthy Communities Fund sponsored by a partnership between Ducks Unlimited and Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Wye Marsh has become multi-lingual with self-guided audio tours. Wands are available for French, German and English languages. These wands were made possible through funding from the Midland Quota Club.

Schutt adds 's8220;appropriate signage and our audio tours help visitors get the best trail hikes for the time they have to spend at Wye Marsh, and encourages repeat visitors and positive word of mouth comments.'s8221;
    
Open house visitors will be able to hike take a guided hike and enjoy the fall colours; take a guided canoe trip into the marsh; enjoy one of our Wet & Scaly reptile shows; or, Birds of Prey Shows. Refreshments will be offered throughout the day. Admission is free with the much-needed donation of a non-perishable food item for the Midland Food Bank or a cash donation.

Continuous activities throughout the day:

Hiking at the Marsh: Guided hikes very hour starting at 9:30-3:30. Plus free hiking on the 30 km. of trails taking visitors through the beautiful Wye Valley.

Canoe through the Marsh: Guided canoe trips every 20 minutes through the Marsh last approximately 45 minutes.

Reptile Show: Two shows one at 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. with interpretation about Wye Marsh snakes, turtles, frogs and many other area reptiles and amphibians.

Birds of Prey Show: 1:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m. See the Wye Marsh naturalists interact with hawks, owls, and falcons as they talk about raptor habitat and behavior.

Bee House Presentations: Meet a beekeeper and discover the secret world of honeybees. Taste a sample of their honey and learn what it takes to make this incredible treat.

Meet Wye Marsh Naturalist: Wye Marsh naturalists will be available to discuss many of the interesting on-going environmental education programs including the Trumpeter Swan re-introduction program, bird counts, and more.

Displays of Wye Marsh Programs: See examples of what the staff and volunteers do including Stewardship, Research, Junior Naturalist Program, Volunteerism, Education, Swans and Birds of Prey Program

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is located 35 minutes northwest of Barrie Ontario in the heart of Southern Georgian Bay's8217;s Historic Resort Destination -- Midland Ontario.

Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre continues to expand and provide improved outdoor experiences and environmental education for school groups, scouts and guides, international visitors.

Laurie Schutt can be contacted at 705 526-7809.





Ontarios Wye Marsh Offers Free Admission and Supports Midland Food Bank on Canadian Thanksgiving Weekend