Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour

Here's a link to 6:20 of teasing to get you through to the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour's Red Deer stops on January 14 & 15, 2010.

Don't forget, tickets are available at the Nature Centre and at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Red Deer.

Here's the vid. Enjoy.

support the Christmas bureau

Support the Christmas Bureau.

Buy a book!
Give a book!
Book Purchasers for the Red Deer Christmas Bureau will receive a 10% discount.

Social Media Update

In an effort to keep you up to date with the comings and goings, programs and events and natural-history happenings, we have joined the Twitter-verse.

We will endeavour to tweet on a regular basis (there's no point in having you follow an inactive feed). We'll be feeding a blend of cool nature sightings, upcoming program reminders, eco-tips and suggestions for sustainability.

So, for those of you already hooked up with Twitter, follow us @NatureCentre. For those of you interested in trying out this new social media tool, create a Twitter account, log in and follow along.

Mobile Blogging

If you're trying to get in touch with any of the core interpretive staff at the Nature Centre this week, you're likely leaving messages on voice mail. Jim, Kathryn, Diane and I are at a Leadership Development conference in Kananaskis.

Through Thursday we're involved in a multitude of activities; the end goal being an action plan to keep WEES on track through the next five years.

Our first experience in K-country was dealing with the wind. Watching people from different parts of the province deal with huge winds was interesting. Those of us from central and northern Alberta were stunned by the volume and ferocity; those from the Lethbridge region were amused by the light breeze. However, when the facility manager drops by to let you know that there is an official wind warning - and has the head wound from a flying branch to prove it - everybody takes notice.

The facility at the Kananaskis Field station is located at the foot of a couple of mountains, east of Canmore. It is a stunning location that while a mere 100 metres off the highway, feels like a backcountry lodge. The food has been great, the buildings are spotless and the scenery is world class.

We're being filled with knowledge and being given the tools to take on the strategic planning needed to keep our organization fresh, viable and sustainable.

See you Friday folks.

Don't forget... Crafty Saturday runs the afternoon of the 21st at 2:00, Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour tickets are on sale and the Christmas Light Exchange is in full swing. Give the Nature Centre a call at 403-346-2010 for more information.

Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is Returning

The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is the Nature Centre's biggest, most important and most-fun annual, fundraiser. Check out the poster for rates, dates and times. Tickets are available at the Nature Centre or at Valhalla Pure Outfitters in Red Deer.

If you'd like to help us out, feel free to download the poster and either forward it to your email contacts or, print it and put it up at your place of work/school.

Bookstore News

Bookstore Newsletter for Dec09-Jan-Feb 10


Water—Birds need water year-round for drinking and bathing. . You can use a birdbath heater that has a built-in thermostat to warm up the water just enough to keep it from freezing. Never add antifreeze or other chemicals to the water. The bookstore has a good selection of Bird bath heaters. Its features include: 200watts, 120 volts, works in sub-zero temperatures, built in thermostat conserves energy, stainless steel guard and auto shut –off for safety, full three warranties, price $70.95
Singing Bird Clock Know the time and at the same time enjoy the hourly song of the birds. A wonderful Xmas present for only $38.95
Squirrel Feeders- The bookstore has some excellent squirrel feeders in stock. They have the large glass jar for the squirrel to crawl into to obtain his food. Only $39.95!!(NOT EXACTLY AS SHOWN).
Suggestions for Stocking Stuffers
1. A new product that will delite all nature people is our line of INsect Candy from HOTLIX. Kids and adults will love to have a package of it in their Xmas stockings. A Chocolate coverered ant package is only $3.95. The Larvets worm snax are $2.95

2. Booklets of animal stickers-@$2.50 each. Examples Birds, dogs, solar system, insects, spiders , frogs
3. Right angle prism-$8.95
4. Insect magnifier ,collector viewer box and tweetzers-$1.90
5. Pocket Naturalist Guides(laminated).Prices are $6.95 to $7.95. – Guides available include Albeerta Birds , Mammals, Alberta wildlife, Solar system, reptiles & amhibians, common rocks& pebbles.

Other gift suggestions
WE have a good selection of Coffees and teas from Just Us! Coffee Roasters Coop.














Be an Astronomer
Planisheres for our region are great and very educational and easy to use for children and adults.
Our Special
Regular $13.95
Special $12.95
If you purchase 3 or more $10.95 each


Other Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Animal globe-$5.95
Canada Wind Sock- $5.95
Animal Puppets- various prices according to puppet sizes

Late Season Squatters

Well we're in the first week of November, there's ice on the lake, the leaves have all fallen from the trees and the ground is frozen down to about an inch deep. Apparently none of that matters to these Trumpeter Swans and Canada Geese. Six swans and about ten geese remain on the West Lake in the Gaetz Lakes Sanctuary. The rest of the local flock appears to have flown south.

Help us Win Grant Funding

We've just submitted an idea to the Aviva Community Fund, a competition that could result in positive change for our community. If the new program initiative idea receives enough votes, it will have a chance at sharing in $500,000 to bring a greater understanding of our natural surroundings to new Canadians to life. All of us here at the Nature Centre would really appreciate your help in pushing the idea to the finals. Please vote for our idea at http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas.

Ah, autumn in Alberta

Remember a week and a half or so ago when the temperature was in the mid thirties Celsius? Yeah, I'm not entirely sure that I do either.

I hope everyone's enjoying the snowfall.

Oh, and just a reminder to be careful out on the Sanctuary trails for the next little while. Last night's winds probably took down a few trees. If you happen to notice any that are a danger, please give us a call at 403-346-2010.