COLD LAKE – Families gathered under the tall trees of Cold Lake Provincial Park on July 30 for a bug-hunting, bird-spotting outdoor experience as part of Nature Quest, a free family event hosted by Cold Lake and District FCSS in partnership with Alberta Parks.
“We just partnered with Alberta Parks, and we have families come out here and they meet us at the provincial park,” said Tanya Wilson, Family Resource Network Facilitator with FCSS.
This year’s event featured a significant increase in interest compared to last year.
“We had, I think, only about 24 participants last year. This year we have 78 people that have registered. So, it's around 20-ish families. So quite a bit bigger of a showing today.”
A highlight of the event was a guided bug hunt, where Alberta Parks staff led families along nature trails to collect insects and place them in “bug hotels” for observation.
After the bug hunt, Alberta Parks staff explained the importance of insects in the ecosystem and emphasized the value of protecting the environment.
“Alberta Parks is only here until noon, they're just here with us for two hours, but we're here until 3 p.m. today just to give a family-friendly environment so families can hang out for the day at no cost,” said Wilson.
Afternoon activities included lawn games, a bird bingo walk, and a nature scavenger hunt, giving kids a chance to explore local trails, spot some of Cold Lake’s 200+ bird species, and learn more about the ecosystem.
The Nature Quest event was part of the revived Family Adventure Program.
“I've just been being a facilitator for the Family Adventure Program for the last two years. It was an older program that we had a few years back . . . So, we revived the family adventure program and it's an opportunity for all families to kind of get together. We have kids that are registered all the way up to 16 years old . . . and then their families and caregivers.”
The goal is simple but meaningful.
“I'm hoping that they just have an opportunity to just learn a little bit more about our ecosystem and just how to protect our environment. We have lots of kids that are a little shy when it comes to bugs,” said Wilson.
“So just knowing that there's something that's not to be feared, maybe overcoming a little bit of those fears or hesitancies to even just explore our parks and all of nature that's around.”
