Forest Talk Radio at Laurier Woods Wins Provincial Conservation Areas Award
(October 30, 2019 - North Bay, ON) The land managers and staff of Ontario’s 36 Conservation Authorities voted Forest Talk Radio – a unique blend of storytelling, science and environmental education - the winner of the 2019 Conservation Areas Innovation Award at the 13 Annual Conservation Areas Workshop October 25.
Forest Talk Radio is a smart-phone application which turns a fungus into a radio show host who uses a storytelling format to share information about tree ecology in the Laurier Woods Conservation Area. Multi-media artist David Merleau created the online application with site-specific data collected from the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA), and inspiration from Fred Pinto, an internationally recognized forester and president of Friends of the Laurier Woods.
“The Forest Talk Radio application is a fun and creative way to experience the natural heritage of Laurier Woods Conservation Area. It’s a new way to explore and learn, thanks to David Merleau whose passion for the woods and his craft create an amazing experience for us all,” said Troy Storms, NBMCA’s Manager of Lands and Stewardship who accepted the Award on behalf of the project partners during the Conference in Orillia.
The Friends of Laurier Woods, a non-profit charitable organization, is pleased to host the 6th Annual Louise de Kiriline Lawrence Nature Festival to be held at the Laurier Woods Conservation Area Saturday, August 17, 9am – 3pm.
Organized in conjunction with the Nipissing Naturalists and the North Bay- Mattawa Conservation Authority, and delivered by community volunteers and businesses this festival celebrates North Bay's beautiful natural heritage. Laurier Woods Conservation Area comes alive with professional and amateur naturalists who will introduce guests of all ages to the hidden treasures of forests and wetlands. Included in the days activities are Hawk Display with falconer Luke Thomson, Build a Bird House with Home Depot & the Nipissing Naturalists Club, the History of Plants with Fred Pinto, Birding Hike with Rachel Sturge, Insect Hike with Brent Turcotte, Beaver Hike with Fred Pinto, Aquatic Insects with North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority, Forest Quiz, and Harry Potter Themed youth crafts & activities. The festival is free for all to attend. For more details visit www.laurierwoods.com.
Louise de Kiriline Lawrence, an internationally renowned naturalist, author and nurse, lived west of Mattawa where she studied wildlife and ornithology. She wrote over 500 reviews, 17 scientific papers, and 5 books on birds and animals and contributed regularly to Audubon Magazine. Lawrence passed away at the age of 98 in 1992. Her written work is stored in the National Archives in Ottawa. Memorabilia of her life will be on exhibit at the festival.
The Friends of Laurier Woods was established as a volunteer body to manage the area as a nature preserve; to develop an interpretive trail system, boardwalks, viewing platforms, and rest areas; and to promote the area for low-impact, day-use recreation. The Laurier Woods Conservation Area is owned and managed in partnership with the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority.