Christmas and Winter for the Animals 

In December and January, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) Education staff were delighted to host over 600 Kindergarten, Grade 1 and 2 students for our Christmas for the Animals and Winter for the Animals programs at Fanshawe Conservation Area. The wintery weather certainly cooperated with us, leaving a snowy landscape for the students to explore and enjoy! 

Students made lasting memories of meeting new forest friends during a puppet show, who shared with the students their winter survival strategies. Then there is a read aloud story time and, depending on the program selection, a song that had students jingling bells while singing about sleigh rides, or singing a catchy tune that reinforces what our bird friends do when it starts to snow!  

Outside, students had the opportunity to feed local winter birds developing an understanding and empathy for the animals that stay active in the winter months. Students also searched for signs of local wildlife, left gifts of sticks and leaves in piles for our new puppet friends, and made snow-angels to celebrate this snowy season! 

To see more photos, visit our Flickr album.