| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ontario’s Wye Marsh Offers Free Admission and Supports Midland Food
Bank.
 Wye
Valley Midland, Ontario…………. October 2006. The
Wye Marsh is opening its visitor centre and 3400 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,
“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.”
The signage program, an example of one of the many improvements, has
taken the Wye Marsh about 2 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 “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.”
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
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Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is located 35 minutes northwest of Barrie Ontario
in the heart of Southern Georgian Bay’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.
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