Raising awareness of conservation issues and developing an appreciation for the wonders of nature are essential to the conservation of our watershed. The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority provides a number of resources to the general public and to educators in particular. These include:

LIBRARY

STUDY KITS

DISPLAYS

BROCHURES

CONSERVATION AREAS

The Conservation Library Visit the Conservation Library at the Conservation Authority Office. Browse through our large selection of information on nature and conservation. Books, videos, movies, kits and more. Many items available for Free loan. To discuss your subject area or for more information call the Conservation Authority office at (807)344-5857. The Conservation Library is accessible during normal office hours, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our on-line Bibliography contains a comprehensive list of books and reports in our office.

Hazelwood Lake Study Kits Study Kits to help educators plan field trips are available from Lakehead Conservation. The Kits are designed for use at the Hazelwood Lake Centre & Conservation Area, but can be used in any natural setting. Cost: $25 per kit to purchase or Free loan. Six titles are now in the series: Mammals Birds Soil Watersheds Wildflowers Wetlands

Each kit contains:
BACKGROUND:	information about the particular subject for use by the educator in preparing lessons and conducting activities
ACTIVITIES:	ten or more activities ranging from crafts to field studies to games; details on appropriate grade level, time, materials, group size and step-by-step instructions are provided
ACTIVITY SHEETS:	pages that link to specific activities or can be used idependently; use for data recording, follow-up exercises or evaluation purposes; free to copy
ALSO AVAILABLE: Mission Island Marsh Conservation Education Kit - Wetlands: Science Grades 10-12. Produced by the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority. Note: This kit is designed to be used for a complete unit on wetland ecosystems. This kit is specific to Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area and describes outdoor field studies which may be conducted at Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area.

Displays Available The Conservation Authority has a good selection of Exposystem panels and a variety of displays available for loan to a classroom or school library. Arrangements should be made with the Community Relations Officer at least one month prior to scheduled time. LRCA staff will assemble the display and provide support material on a limited number of topics including wetland ecology, water management, conservation and outdoor recreation. Teachers should be specific about the topic(s) they wish to cover and proposed media.

Brochures Available from the LRCA Office Our selection of brochures may have the information you are looking for. Drop by the office or phone to inquire about the various titles, including: Explore Our Conservation Areas Map, notes and directions to Conservation Areas are provided. Lakehead Region Conservation Authority Annual Report The Annual Report summarizes Lakehead Conservation's activities for the past year. Limited quantities available. Forest Community Trail: Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area The trail is a 2.5 km loop and will require 1 hour to complete. The guide discusses aspects of forest ecology, such as food chains, soil, levels and natural recycling. Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area and Centre Contains information and maps on this excellent natural area. Conservation Area Directions and trail maps for most of our popular areas including The Cascades, Silver Harbour, Little Trout Bay, Hurkett Cove and Cedar Falls. Visit the office to pick up your brochure today. Purple Loosestrife Purple loosestrife is a non-native plant that is threatening wetlands across North America. Learn how to identify and control this invader. Life By The Water This colorful, informative brochure deals with cring for shorelines, streams and lakes. Learn how living around waterways impacts the eco-system. View the brochure online. Water's Edge Each one of us can impact the health of lakes and rivers. What we do on the land is reflected in the water. This brochure will explain how that happens and what you can do to minimize your impact. Anyone planning to do work around the water should read this brochure.

Conservation Areas & Locations for Group Outings
The Lakehead Region Conservation Authority manages 2500 hectares of conservation lands, many of which are suitable for field trips. Listed below are some favourite spots and notes for a successful field trip. For other information or to view a map, go to the Conservation Areas page. HAZELWOOD LAKE CONSERVATION AREA and HAZELWOOD LAKE CENTRE: Located at the end of Hazelwood Drive, Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area is an excellent location for full day activities.
Features:	Lake, grassy areas, forest trails, beach, marsh, dam Hazelwood Lake Centre building for indoor work during your field trip Self-guiding Forest Community Trail booklet.
Suitable Activities:	All forms of outdoor activities; particularly full day programmes Forest ecology vs. field ecology. Limnology - particularly open lake. Limited wetland studies.
*Well suited for activities in all seasons. Large indoor work space available for rental. (Advance notice required). Program Kits available. Call for more information about specific topics. MISSION ISLAND MARSH CONSERVATION AREA: Located on Mission Island across the Jackknife Bridge off Walsh Street. Within the City limits and suitable for half or full day activities.
Features:	Shoreline marsh, excellent examples of vegetation communities of a wetland (submergent, floating, emergent). New man-made wetland lagoons Short boardwalk - access to wetland features. Viewing mound for bird watching. Viewing scopes 2 km of nature trails Interpretive pavilion with wetlands display panels Open field for study of upland vegetation. Education Kit available
Suitable Activities:	pond studies freshwater ecology of lakes water quality sampling marsh ecology aquatic invertebrate sampling avian species land use planning exercises comparative studies: upland vegetation vs aquatic vegetation; man-made vs. natural wetlands vegetation studies
Note: Wind off the lake can be quite cold. Students should be advised to bring extra clothes, hats and gloves. *Also consider the Neebing Marsh located at the mouth of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway. Access to the Marsh is along the recreation pathway from 110th Street. MILLS BLOCK AGREEMENT FOREST: Located on John Street between Belrose Road and Mapleward Road just seven minutes west of the Expressway. Turn left into parking lot at Community Hall Road. Suitable for full day or half day activities.
Features:	Excellent examples of active beaver lodges, dams and beaver ponds. Aspen and birch forest. Excellent hiking and walking. 4 km trail
Suitable Activities:	wildlife management forest management beaver studies pond studies tree ecosystems geology - gunflint formation examples of reforestation
CASCADES CONSERVATION AREA: Located within the City limits at the end of Balsam Street. Turn left off the Expressway and follow Balsam Street to its termination. Suitable for half day activities.
Features:	mixed aspen-pine forest rock outcrops on the Current River hiking trails new pavilion with interpretive displays on geology, watersheds, forest ecology and tree species
Suitable Activities:	examples of reforestation example of proper use of Hazard Land tree ecosystems wildlife viewing - birding geology
*Students must be well supervised when near the rapids. ACCESS PATHS ALONG THE NEEBING/MCINTYRE FLOODWAY: Access the pathway system at the diversion structure on Ford Street and follow the suggested route outlined in the brochure. A brochure highlighting a walking tour of the Neebing/McIntyre Floodway is available from the Lakehead Conservation office.
Features:	dry channel diversion structure floodway channel aquatic vegetation, e.g. cattails numerous bird species, e.g. ducks and red-wing blackbirds examples of streambank erosion
Suitable Activities:	complete unit on water management excellent example of remedial water management streambank erosion history of Neebing and McIntyre Rivers study of flood plains and flood plain management
For directions and maps, go to the Conservation Areas page.

NOTES FOR FIELD TRIPS TO CONSERVATION AREAS

CALL AHEAD: Teachers considering a field trip to a Conservation Area should notify the Conservation Authority at least one week prior to your trip. By notifying us, we will be able to advise other groups who may be considering the same date, advise our maintenance staff, keep records on group usage and assist you in planning your day’s activities. WATER: Please note that drinking water is not available at any of our Conservation Areas. Students must bring any food or beverages they require, preferably in reusable containers to minimize garbage. WASHROOM: Washrooms are available at Mission Island Marsh Conservation Area on a seasonal basis only, generally from Victoria Day weekend to Thanksgiving. These dates may be shortened due to weather. Outdoor facilities are available year round at Hazelwood Lake Conservation Area. Teachers may wish to bring jugs of water, soap, paper towels for clean-up after field studies. COLLECTING: In order to minimize impacts on the natural environment of our Conservation Areas, we request that no specimens be removed from the Conservation Areas. Students may collect insects and other specimens for short-term observation. These should be treated with the respect due to all living things. Aquatic life should be quickly transferred to buckets or jars of water from where they are being collected. All specimens should be returned to their point of collection immediately following your studies. No living plant material should be collected (i.e.) no picking flowers or cutting twigs. SAFETY: An adequate number of supervisors will help make your field trip a safe one. You should carry a small first aid kit. Most of our Conservation Areas are in semi-remote areas. The school bus should remain on-site in case emergency communication is required.

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Lakehead Region Conservation Authority P.O. Box 10427; 130 Conservation Rd. Thunder Bay, ON  P7B 6T8 (Canada) Telephone:(807) 344-5857  Fax:(807) 345-9156