Biodiversity Day

May 4th, 2014

MUNBG

Biodiversity Day

Internatational Day for Biodiversity
Come and Explore Our Island Biodiversity
Date: May 22, 11 – 3 p.m.
Location: MUN Botanical Garden field centre, 306 Mount Scio Road

Registration is not required. Everyone is welcome. Rain or shine.

2014 is the International Year of Island Biodiversity and on May 22, Biodiversity Day, we are celebrating at MUN Botanical Garden.  Salmonier Nature Park and MUN's Ocean Sciences Centre will join the Botanical Garden in offering a full day of programs, activities and nature hikes which explore our province's unique biodiversity.

Learn all about our provinces’ local mammals from Salmonier Nature Park, including what to do when you encounter a coyote or bear.  Nature Park staff will be on hand to answer all your questions and to show their fascinating collection of “Touch Table Items”.   

The Department of Ocean Sciences' marine public education program (PEP) is presenting an interactive activity "Come and Explore the Ocean Creatures".  Features of the program will include a touch tank, where visitors can experience a never - ending variety of local marine invertebrates and a Harp seal video presentation. Marine interpreters will be on hand to answer questions and explain current research initiatives at Ocean Sciences.  They will be joined by Field Operations and Outreach, Oceans Learning Partnership (OLP).

Botanical Garden education staff will host special biodiversity nature hikes, including the special plants and environments we have here on the island of Newfoundland. Check out some plants up close under a microscope and meet some of the non-native critters who live in our field centre.

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. This is a day to reflect on the state and value of biodiversity. The theme Water and Biodiversity was chosen to coincide with the United Nations designation of 2014 as the International Year of Island Biodiversity.