On December 19, 2020, the Friends of Woodhaven Nature Conservancy Society, UBC, and the City of Kelowna Neighbourhood Grant program hosted a wonderful event called "Nature Without Barriers." On Zoom of course!
Ten people joined us as we talked about three fun, family-friendly projects people can do in the neighbourhood and in our homes and in Woodhaven during these covid-isolating times.
1. Sketch Nature! Artist Susan Neilson introduced us to "Sketch Across Canada"- a project of the Robert Bateman Foundation where you're invited to create nature-sketches and share your finished artwork on social media. The Friends of Woodhaven acquired a whack of sketchbooks from the Foundation and we are giving them away for you to begin! Go to Woodhaven park, open the mailbox inside the gate, and take a free sketchbook. And do some sketches in the park. The winter wonderland is pretty gorgeous right now! Get more info about this project on the Robert Bateman website: https://batemanfoundation.org/sketch-across-canada/
2. Keep A Critter List! Ahlam Bavi and Nancy Holmes created a Critter Check List. Come to Woodhaven and pick up your own free list of many of the animals and some plants that are commonly seen in Woodhaven park. A great way to enjoy not only the park but also the beings that live with us here in the neighbourhood. Keep a life list and check off all the species that you have seen. You may be surprised at the richness and diversity of life in this part of the Okanagan.
3. 3D Animated Animals! Ahlam Bavi launched her wonderful creations of 3D digital animals. With a smart phone in hand, you can have great fun with in the park and in your own home placing deer, bear, eagles and butterflies in whatever environment you find yourself.
In order to do this you need:
• An Android smartphone running Android 7.0 or higher / iPhone running iOS 11 or later
•Google Chrome for Android/iOS
Go to Google images and type in "deer" in the search bar (or "bear" or "eagle" or "butterfly"). Scrolling down the page you should find a symbol like this:
Click "View in 3D," point your mobile device towards the ground and then move it around. At the top your screen a 3D creature will appear, standing in front of you! You can take a photo of it and send it to us in any of these ways:
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/friends.of.woodhaven/
Facebook (Friends of Woodhaven Nature Conservancy page)
Email to ahlam.bavi@ubc.ca
Okay, this is a strange way to walk in the woods but it makes for plenty of giggles! So grab your smart phone, head over to Woodhaven (4711 Raymer Road) and pick up your sketchbook and and your critter check list . Let's make art, stay safe and healthy, and learn about the wonders of the world around us.
Thanks to the City of Kelowna for the grant and to the talented digital arts and humanities student Ahlam Bavi who was inspired by Woodhaven to create this project.