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Show The Park Record Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues, March 18-21, 2017 C-3 Enjoy Sunday Craft classes at Swaner Weekly event open to all ages By SCOTT IWASAKI The Park Record The Swaner EcoCenter opened in 2008 with a mission. The nonprofit, located at 1258 Center Drive at Kimball Junction, is “dedicated to preserve the land and the human connection to the natural landscape, but also educate the local and broader communities about the value of nature and nurture both the ecosystem and the people connected to it.” The people the statement refers to includes all ages, especially children. In 2005, before the EcoCenter was built, the Swaner Preserve, which now reaches 1,200 acres, hosted field trips for students in grades four and five. Today, the EcoCenter offers spring and summer camps, an ecosystem-themed climbing wall, Little Naturalist Story Times, hands-on exhibits and familyfriendly tours and outings. A new free weekly program called Swaner Sunday Crafts will start on Sunday, March 19. The environmentally themed sessions, will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “We will alternate the theme each week, and will try our best to use recycled materials to make the craft,” said Ashleigh Hammond, ecohost and volunteer coordinator. “This is just one way the craft fits into the EcoCenter’s mission. Kids who participate in the first craft session this Sunday will make animals out of wine corks. “I work at a restaurant and I have been collecting these corks,” Continued From C-1 Sierra Club presents moose talk ing for Klaus. “I found it interesting that the animals have to be funneled down and encouraged to find the crossings,” she said. “Once they do, though, most learn quickly, although there are some that have problems. “Since I’m originally from Wyoming, I know that pronghorn antelope don’t like crossing in underpasses, but a biologist figured out if they installed mirrors at either side of the crossings, the antelope would look and see another pronghorn and feel it is OK to cross.” Klaus has known Cramer since college. “I met patty when we both were in graduate school at Montana State University,” she said. “I was working on my Ph.D. in ecological genetics and she was working Hammond said. “I believe the next craft will use egg cartons.” A volunteer will oversee the sessions, which are open to all ages. “Since I am the EcoHost, I will be here, but we will have another volunteer who will help the kids,” Hammond said. “And there is no limit to the number of children who can come participate.” The idea to offer a Sunday craft session stems from the monthly Little Naturalist Story Times that feature book readings and a craft. These crafts will give them additional ideas of what these animals or plants are while catering to their creativity...” Ashleigh Hammond Swaner EcoCenter volunteer coordinator “Anytime we do that, kids will immediately gravitate to the craft, and we find a lot of times that younger kids want to be interactive in some ways,” Hammond said. “So, we have been thinking about doing something more often and more consistent over the past few months.” The idea built momentum over the past few months since Hammond took over the volunteer program. “Not only is this good for our visitors, but it gives the volunteers at the Swaner EcoCenter something more to help with,” she said. Still, the underlying goal is to introduce children to environmental issues and nurture a love for conservation. “We want the EcoCenter to become kids’ gateway to nature,” on her masters at that time.” Cramer then moved to Florida and received her Ph.D., studying wildlife crossings and moved back to Utah to work with UDOT. Klaus felt Cramer’s research would make a great presentation. “In general, we try to present environmental-based programs that have community interest,” Klaus said. “For example, we have been doing monthly socials. Our last one was at Molly Blooms and we had Wendy Fisher talked about raising money to preserve Bonanza Flats.” Last year, the Wasatch Back chapter of the Sierra Club participated in the Live PC Give PC day-long fundraiser, said Klaus, who is the volunteer co-lead for the nonprofit’s Our Wild America Campaign. “Some of the money we raised is helping bring Patty to Park City,” Klaus said. While the crossings do help, Klaus said the situation of animals being struck by automobiles isn’t going away anytime soon. “As for the wildlife finding its way into residential areas, it’s not their fault,” she said. “We have actually moved into their habitat. We are the ones who are encroaching Charter our 44' Fountaine Pajot catamaran, RENDEZVOUS, in either the British or US Virgin Islands. SailRendezvous.net 435.640.1400 ASHLEIGH HAMMOND Wine corks will be used to make animals during the Swaner EcoCenter’s inaugural Swaner’s Craft Sunday on March 19. The event will run weekly from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Hammond said. “Not only do we want kids to go outside and interact directly in that element, we also want them to learn about animals, plants and specific items that have to do with nature. “These crafts will give them additional ideas of what these animals or plants are while catering to their creativity. If you reach younger kids, they have more of a chance to think of the environment and sustainable issues.” A craft session for all ages will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday, starting March 19, at the Swaner EcoCenter, 1258 Center Drive at Kimball Junction. The crafts will be naturethemed. For information, visit www.swanerecocenter.org. on their property, and that’s something we have to consider when we build our subdivisions. “You can build them on a small footprint that leaves a lot of open space for the animals to use, or you can sprawl out, which leaves the possibility of the animals coming closer to people.” Still, Klaus sees the benefits of living close to wildlife. “For me, to know there is wildlife and to occasionally see animals increases the pleasure of living here,” she said. “I know people love seeing animals. So we have to make sure that we try to help them stay healthy and cross roads without causing damage to others and themselves.” Ecologist and researcher Patty Cramer, who has been commissioned by the Utah Department of Transportation to study wildlife and highway crossings in Utah, will give a presentation called “Why Did the Moose Cross the Road” from 6:30-8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 22, at the Swaner EcoCenter, 1258 Center Drive at Kimball Junction. The event is $5 for the general public and free for Swaner EcoCenter members. For information, visit www.swanerecocenter.org. The Park City School District’s Preschool registration for the 2017-2018 school year is ongoing at the Park City School District Office, 2700 Kearns Blvd. *We still have spots at each school, including the full-day 4-year-old class at McPolin. Parents must complete a preschool registration packet as well as provide the student’s birth certificate, immunization record, proof of residency and pay a $35 non-refundable registration fee. Please call 435-645-5600 or visit www.pcschools.us (link is under Schools, then Preschool) for more information. GROW YOUR BUSINESS! 10 HOT Tips & Tools To Improve Customer Engagement & Retention FREE GUIDE at ProClassWebDesign.com/FreeGuide Complimentary Consultation: 435.631.2595 Info@ProClassWebDesign.com YOUR LOCAL SKILLED NURSING AGENCY CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SERVING OUR LOCALS. THANK YOU PARK CITY! Come see us for FREE Blood Pressure Clinics • Park City Senior Center: Every 2nd Monday of the month 11a-1p • Park City Wal-Mart: Every 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month 1:30p-4p. Services: 435.647.3765 In-Home Nursing Care Rehabilitation Therapy Social Services Specialized Wound Care Diabetic Assistance Medication Management Hospice Care La Pre-escolar de Park City tiene espacio disponible en cada escuela primaria, incluyendo la clase de día completo en McPolin. Si está interesado en inscribir a su hijo o hija, por favor venga a la oficina del Distrito Escolar de Park City (2700 Kearns Blvd) para una aplicación . Los padres deben completar los papeles de inscripción tanto como proveer el certificado de nacimiento, cartilla de vacunas, prueba de residencia y pagar $35 que no son reembolsables. Por favor llamen al 435-645-5600 para más información. |