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Make a Splash at Fort Normandeau by writing a love letter to our water resources

Red Deer River Watershed Alliance is planning Canada 150 event with partners
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The vital role of rivers in this nation’s history will be celebrated in love letters at a family Splash Canada 150 event at Fort Normandeau on Earth Day.

Kids and their parents can participate in everything from insect hunting to poetic writing at the celebratory event on Saturday, April 22, hosted by the Red Deer River Watershed Alliance and partners.

“The whole family will be engaged, so everybody will realize the important role water has played in Canada’s history,” said Jeff Hanger of the Alliance.

Love letters to the river will be written, and turned into a public artwork. Rivers, lakes and other water resources “do so much for us, this is a way of giving back,” said Hanger, who hopes the sight of birds soaring above the water will provide some inspiration.

Four $50 gift certificates to Mastermind Toys will be awarded to certain writers who stay for the 2 p.m. draw.

Although the Alliance produces educational material for the school curriculum, the 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Earth Day events will feature “the fun side of that,” through a range of arts and culture and outdoor activities, including a community barbecue sponsored by NOVA Chemicals.

Storytelling, crafts, and water testing will also be happening, as well as an examination of insect life. Generally, the more “benthic macro-invertebrates” are found in the river, the better the water quality, Hanger added.

Other community organizations will also have booths and activities at Fort Normandeau on Earth Day.

The Splash event is being co-hosted by the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society and the City of Red Deer. It’s made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between the Red Deer and District Community Foundation and the Government of Canada.

lmichelin@reddeeradvocate