On Oct. 7-8, more than 800 Grade 4-6 students, with their teachers and parent volunteers, gathered at the Kinark Outdoor Centre to take part in the 20th annual Haliburton-Muskoka-Kawartha Children’s Water Festival (HMKCWF).

Students engaged in hands-on fun at 37 activity-based learning stations set up across the site. Elementary schools from across the Trillium Lakelands District School Board and families of local homeschoolers were involved.

HMKCWF coordinator Kara Mitchell said more than 100 volunteers helped children explore the vital connections between water health, ecosystems, and personal and community well-being through motivational experiences.

The festival, a flagship program of the Haliburton-based charity FEEL (Friends of Ecological and Environmental Learning),is organized in partnership with U-Links Centre for Community-Based Research and Kinark. Significant volunteer support came from high school students in the Kawartha Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS)
program and Trent University students from the School of the Environment.

This year, 12 community partners including the Turtle Guardians, Kawartha Conservation, the Muskoka Watershed
Council and the Algonquin Highlands Fire Service enriched the programming through hands-on activities. Mitchell said, “students soaked in messages on water conservation, technology, protection and science and came to understand that their attitudes towards water matters and their actions can and will make a difference.”

With a milestone celebrated this year, many of the 90 parent volunteers said they were inspired through their initial
attendance as school children.

Mitchell added through the waterheroes. ca website, students can continue their water stewardship journey. Running until the end of April, students can enter the ‘big splash’ contest by sending in water friendly actions they pledge to do in the year ahead. Donated prizes will be awarded to individuals, classes and schools making inspiring positive impacts on local water systems through their actions.

Mitchell said the festival was possible thanks to support from a diversity of individual donors, local businesses and
service clubs. She added, “FEEL invites local businesses, organizations and individuals to consider donating at any
level to keep our impactful programming flowing.”

The festival will also recognize volunteerswith an event Nov. 1, noon to 3 p.m., at the Highland Hills United Church in Minden.

Mitchell said, “we’ll be acknowledging all supporters, including our groundwater volunteers and donors; those who have been consistent supporters for the past decade.” She said anyone curious about volunteering is welcome to attend.

FEEL says it is committed to advancing public awareness and appreciation of ecosystems through education. HMKCWF is their flagship program. Since the festival began in 2005, more than 16,000 children have benefited.

More information can be found at hmkchildrenswaterfestival@gmail.com, or www.ecoenvirolearn.org, hmkwaterfestival.ca or www.waterheroes.ca

Haliburton County Master Gardener (HCMG) Shelley Fellows said a free workshop being held in Minden later
this month will teach people new ways to beautify garden spaces at home and throughout the community.

The non-profit group is hosting a hands-on workshop for seniors aged 55 and up on Oct. 18. Beginning with
classroom instruction at the Minden Hills Cultural Centre in the morning, attendees will learn about sustainable
gardening practices before getting their hands dirty later in the day at Hyland Crest Long-Term Care – where HCMG is planting a new garden.

The project is being supported by a $10,000 seniors community grant through the Ontario government and can
accommodate up to 25 people.

“The reason we’re doing this as a two-parter is you can learn good things in a classroom setting, but if you really
want to remember them and build your skills, then getting some hands-on experience is important,” said Fellows, who will be leading instruction.

The training component will focus on how people can adjust their technique to account for physical limitations – ensuring anyone who wants to participate, regardless of condition, can do so.

Fellows will also offer tips on how to properly plant different species – from bulbs to shrubs to flowering
perennials. She noted all participants will receive a gift bag containing gardening supplies seniors may find helpful, such as an ergonomic trowel.

“No prior gardening experience or tools are necessary; the program will supply all of the skills development advice
and tools needed free of charge,” Fellows said.

The workshop begins at noon and includes a light lunch. Fellows expects to wrap things up at Hyland Crest by 3:30.

She noted the new garden will be called ‘Betty’s Place’, in honour of a former Hyland Crest resident who recently
passed away. A dedication ceremony will be held at 3:15 p.m.

“We heard Betty’s story when we sat down to meet with Hyland Crest staff about this project. She lived there for
four years and loved to garden – we all thought this would be a great way to honour her,” Fellows said.

The space will feature 150 daffodils, 160 crocus and 80 grape hyacinths, as well as elderberry shrubs, phlox and
peonies, cranesbill geraniums, false sunflower, coral bells, astilbes, ladies mantels, brunnera and some hostas and
ferns.

Fellows said there will be some native plants featured too, like bleeding heart cardinal flowers, creating a bright,
colourful display.

“There’s a lot of purples with pops of pink, yellow and red,” Fellows said. “Something nice for the residents and
visitors there to enjoy.”

Pre-registration is required. Anyone interested can sign-up online at haliburtonmastergardener.com or by calling 705
488-2613.