Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society is thrilled to share newsworthy moments with you!
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In the past year, our efforts have resulted in significant support of nature-based programs, capital enhancements at the Nature Centre, and awareness of our role in the community. Read on to learn more about the successes and achievements of 2023.
Are you passionate about environmental education and the importance of nature? Are you an active community leader who wants to support nature interpretation in Lethbridge? We want you!
Thank you to our community of supporters! We appreciate your involvement and encouragement. Together we are helping to connect people with the great outdoors! We provide opportunities for interactive educational experiences and memorable moments in nature…
The results are in! We are happy to report that this year's Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink was a success!! Thank you to everyone that donated and supported the fundraiser. In total our donors contributed $17,510. This amount was then matched 50% by the Calgary Shaw Charity Classic Foundation, adding $8,755, for a total of $26,265!!
We are thrilled to announce the installation of a Little Free Library at the Information Kiosk at the Nature Centre! We need your help to fill the Little Free Library. Do you have old guidebooks destined for good will? Do you have nature-focused children’s books that you need to find a new home for?
We only have 6 days to finish fundraising for the Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by Altalink. This opportunity offers up to a 50% match on donations!
We are thrilled to share Nature Alberta's Nature Kids latest resource - the new and improved Nature Heroes Activity book! Download this great resource for fun nature activities that will help you earn the Nature Heroes Certificate!
Until August 31, 2023, every dollar you donate to the Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society will be matched up to 50%, giving your gift a much greater impact.
We are proud to announce a significant donation received from the Lethbridge Garden Project Society in support of the Nature Centre’s Prairie Living Roof.
In December 2022 we were thrilled to report that the first ‘Welcome to Canada’ program was a success. We are happy to provide an update that the program continues and has expanded in scope to include more activities and program partners. The City of Lethbridge wrote a great article to capture the highlights from the second program - read on to learn more.
We are proud to partner with Environment Lethbridge again to offer the ‘Moving Beyond Climate Anxiety Workshop’ to help you discover your inner strengths as a climate leader. Using an appreciative inquiry model, this workshop uses personal storytelling to help you explore your connection to the natural world and give you confidence to make future contributions as a climate leader.
Shaw Birdies for Kids presented by AltaLink will match up to 50% of donations! From March 1 - August 31, 2023, make your donation in support of our Nature Centre go even further.
In the past year, our efforts have resulted in significant support of nature-based programs, capital enhancements at the Nature Centre, and awareness of our role in the community. Read on to learn more about the successes and achievements of 2022.
Are you passionate about environmental education and the importance of nature? Are you an active community leader who wants to support nature interpretation in Lethbridge? We want you!
As we celebrate the start of a new year, now is the best time of year to renew your Friends of HSNC Society membership or to become a new member.
On December 31, 2022 we celebrate 10 years since our organization was incorporated as a society! We also celebrate 5 years as a registered charity!! To celebrate our first 10 year milestone we ask you to consider making a tax-deductible donation towards our Endowment Fund.
We are proud to work with Rotary Club of Lethbridge East and Helen Schuler Nature Centre to present the work of the next generation of artists. This annual showcase of creative expressions from youth aged 18 and under will be on display in the Community Art Gallery at the Nature Centre again in fall 2023. Over the past six years we have been fortunate to showcase 227 up-and-coming youth artists!
We are proud to announce two amazing contributions towards nature play in Lethbridge! Recently we received a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta. We also received a $500 grant from The Georgina Foundation. Both grants will support our Nature Play Space Kiosk project!
Chris Fisher, author of “Birds of Alberta”, delighted an audience with his tribute to birds on a chilly December 2nd afternoon at the Nature Centre. The presentation was part of the Travel Adventures series. It was a reflection on a life well-traveled, influenced by birds and their diverse beauty. It reminded us that birds offer a vital, extra sense of wonder and meaning for our lives.
We are proud to report that our Welcome to Canada pilot program was a success! This was the first of several planned programs that will take place over the next year. This will support new Canadians connect with Lethbridge's amazing natural spaces. We seek to foster a sense of belonging, as well as comfort and familiarity in spending time outside. Thirty-eight new Canadians took part in the first program.
We are thrilled by the prospect of the LINK Pathway as it will help visitors of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge and the Alberta Birds of Prey Centre in Coaldale to be able to walk, run, bike, or rollerblade between these two premier nature-based attractions. Interpretive signage will offer educational opportunities for pathway users to learn about “here” and what makes our region unique. It will also support people in spending more time outside!
GivingTuesday is a time to come together to celebrate giving and participate in activities that support charities and non-profits; to thank, help, give, show kindness, and share what they have with those in need. This year GivingTuesday is on Tuesday November 29 - you can help us to ensure the long-term health of quality environmental education in our community!
On Sunday October 30 we hosted the Gallery Closing event for this year’s Inspired by Nature: Youth Art Exhibition. Participating artists were invited to the Nature Centre to be recognized for their artwork that was on display at the Nature Centre from September 20 - October 30, 2022. The event provided an opportunity to meet and thank the artists in person.
On Friday October 28 we hosted the second Travel Adventures in this year's series. Local photographer John Krampl delighted a full house showcasing 'Wildlife Lethbridge'. The presentation offered a glimpse at the natural beauty found in Lethbridge’s parks year-round. It was clear that Lethbridge’s river valley is a destination for wildlife photographers.
We are proud to support opportunities for new audiences to experience the amazing natural spaces in Lethbridge. With this project, our goal is to identify and reduce barriers facing newcomers so that we can ensure we are doing our part to provide a welcoming and inclusive community for all who call Lethbridge home. Ultimately we want to support programs that welcome new Canadians and introduces them to their new home.
In partnership with the Rotary Club of Lethbridge East, we are proud to present this year’s Inspired by Nature: Youth Art Exhibition. This annual showcase of the next generation of artists is an opportunity for youth aged 18 and under to display their artwork in the Community Art Gallery at the Nature Centre. The exhibition will be on display from September 20 to October 30, 2022.
We are excited to support the development of a new Information Kiosk at the Nature Centre. The kiosk will feature: maps, information panels, interactive trail-based activity information, as well as a little library. Construction is scheduled to begin soon with final installation expected by year-end 2022.
Friends of the Helen Schuler Nature Centre Society are proud to announce four Travel Adventures presentations that will take place over the coming months. Travel Adventures is an ongoing series where local world travelers share their adventures with photographs that will help you discover the plants, animals and people of places you’ve always dreamed of exploring.
A signature project led by our Society was the Co-op Community Outdoor Classroom at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. We started fundraising for the project in 2018 and construction was competed by year-end 2020. After more than a year we have experienced some great moments in the space that we wanted to share with our amazing community of supporters.
The Lethbridge cultureLINK bus route is a fare-free bus route connecting six major attractions in Lethbridge, running from June 27th to September 5th, 2022. Available roughly every 20 minutes, the cultureLINK is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint while discovering Lethbridge!
