Vancouver Naturalist - Nature Vancouver

YOUNG NATURALISTS’ CLUB of British Columbia
www.ync.ca 604-985-3057
President: Daphne Solecki Executive Director: Jennifer Swanston
YNC Vancouver Co-ordinator: Eva Nagy evnagy@shaw.ca 604-929-4286
YNC Vancouver Trip Report:
November 2010 & February 2011
by Eva Nagy
The Young Naturalists’ Club of BC celebrated its 10th
Anniversary last year. Following is a report by Jennifer
Swanston, YNC Clubs Coordinator on the big event:
On Saturday, November 20, the Young Naturalists’ Club of
BC was delighted to share our “Recycle, Up-cycle, Buy-less“,
hands-on 10th Birthday Party with the Stanley Park Ecology
Society. Hosted at the Pavilion, it was a wonderful day, with a
sprinkling of snow on the ground making Stanley Park more
beautiful than usual. Member families from the Vancouver,
Stanley Park, Lynn Canyon and Home Learners YNC groups
shared in an afternoon of nature with still life artistry, Japanese
Gyotaku fish printing and wrapping paper creations. Our display
of gifts made from recycled materials provided some great
gift-giving inspirations. Robert Bateman donated a beautiful
signed print to YNC, and we held our draw for this treasure
right before we served our ladybug and flower-covered birthday
cake. Everyone enjoyed a great party and went home stuffed
with ideas, artworks and birthday cake…on to the next decade of
YNC!
- Jennifer Swanston
Only the North Vancouver YNC based in Lynn Valley Ecology
Centre had a program in January: STAYING WARM. Children
explored and learned the ways that animals keep warm in winter.
They also enjoyed some story-telling, crafts and a walk to
complete the program.
WINGS and FEATHERS was the title of our February program,
held in the Bird Lab of the Beaty Museum at UBC. The
program was lead by Ildiko Szabo, Honorary Assistant Curator
of the Cowan Vertebrate Museum. Ildiko continues the tradition
of Dr. Rex Kenner in providing interesting programs for the
Young Naturalists. Part of what fascinates us most about birds
is that they can fly. It is the magic of the feathers that make up
a bird’s wing that makes it possible. Ildiko showed us a great
variety of wings, from tiny hummingbirds to unbelievably large
great heron wings. We learned not only why wings come in
different shapes, sizes and textures and colours, but were also
able to touch and feel the difference of the delicate wings.
For the second half of our program, Ildiko took us through the
museum, and then in the auditorium we had a chance to step
back in time. We were invited to ask questions from a young
Charles Darwin about his life, his experiences on board of the
HMS Beagle and of course about writing the famous book On
the Origin of Species. Dr. Greg Boyle, in the role of young
Darwin, answered the questions of the audience. I was rather
impressed by the many well informed inquiries from the younger
generation as well as their parents.
My sincere thanks go to the leaders who helped, by donating
their time and expertise and providing great programs, to
develop the knowledge of our budding naturalists.
YNC EXPLORER DAYS - Upcoming trips
March – Musqueam Creek Tour, learning about juvenile
Coho, with Terry Point
April – The Bizarre Life of Barnacles, with Sheila Byers
May – UBC Farm - Caterpillars, with Heather Kharouba
YNC’s 10th Birthday Cake,
photo by Eva Nagy
YOUNG NATURALISTS’ CLUB of British Columbia
is for young people aged 5 to 14. A one-year individual or family
membership is $25. Family memberships receive one copy of
NatureWILD magazine, four times a year and a membership
pack for each child of 5 and up. For more information go to
www.ync.ca
Vancouver Naturalist March 2011 15