Kids can learn about nature on the Bug Safari

From Staff Reports
·2 min read

CANANDAIGUA —Ontario County Cornell Cooperative Extension is planning a nature series for youths interested in hands-on activities involving fauna and flora.

The yearlong series of nature education experiences begins with a Bug Safari at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Ontario County Cooperative Extension building. This free event for ages eight and up will feature an hourlong bug hunt for the big five – bees and wasps, beetles, butterflies and moths, flies, and true bugs.

Make new friends, yes, even with a praying mantis, during Ontario County Cornell Cooperative Extension's nature series for youths.
Make new friends, yes, even with a praying mantis, during Ontario County Cornell Cooperative Extension's nature series for youths.

An informational session about the 4-H Wildlife Habitat Education Program (W.H.E.P.) club will be offered at 10:15 a.m. for parents, as will registration for future programming.

All sessions after the initial Bug Safari workshop will be $5 per session or $40 to reserve a spot at each session for the entire year. There is a small additional cost for out-of-county or non 4-H youths.

Get an up close look at nature with the help of the Ontario Cornell Cooperative Extension's upcoming nature series.
Get an up close look at nature with the help of the Ontario Cornell Cooperative Extension's upcoming nature series.

The 4-H WHEP club will meet eight times from June to May 2023.

Programming this summer includes a nature journaling class at Cumming Nature Center on Wednesday July 13, and Raptor and Wildlife Identification at Wild Wings Raptor Education Center on Tuesday, Aug. 9. More hands-on sessions are in the process of being confirmed.

In addition, youths will be involved in an online community group to develop their own Homegrown National Park as part of the Doug Tallamy national effort to convert portions of yards into bird- and butterfly-friendly habitats. Weekly online wildlife information and games will also be part of the W.H.E.P. page.

The Thistle and Shamrock 4-H Clubs participate in outdoor education activities.
The Thistle and Shamrock 4-H Clubs participate in outdoor education activities.

Youths who participate in these in-person and online sessions will be considered for the W.H.E.P. educational contest at the New York State Fair in August.

NYS Master Naturalist and 4-H Leader Nina McCarthy will be coordinating these opportunities.  The in-depth activities are appropriate for youth able to attend most sessions and participate in hands on fieldtrips for three to four hours.

For more information, contact Sarah Wilhelm at sab423@cornell.edu or call (315)552-7262.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Kids can learn about nature on the Bug Safari