CCFW to host ‘Wild about Wildlife’
Free educational event for kids K-12 to be held Oct. 3 at Lee-Cape public library
Cape Coral’s protectors of wildlife are putting on an event geared toward education for youths.
The Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife, in partnership with the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library, will present “Wild About Wildlife!,” a free educational event designed to help students in grades K-12 discover and connect with Cape Coral’s unique wildlife and environment.
The event, which had its first showing last year, takes place Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library.
“Last year’s Wild About Wildlife was such a big success that CCFW decided to bring it back this year, with the hope of making it an annual event,” said event chairperson Paul Bonasia. “The Cape Coral Public Library also felt the event provided a valuable experience for students and was well executed, so they offered to partner with us this year.
“The partnership has allowed us to make several significant changes. We have expanded the event beyond the large meeting room into other areas of the library, added live animals, and extended the event from three hours to five hours. We’re fortunate to have the library as a partner. They have also helped publicize the event, and we’re hoping these changes and the additional exposure will result in an even larger turnout this year.”
Wild About Wildlife is touted as an experience that will provide students and families with an opportunity to explore the wonders of Southwest Florida’s environment through interactive activities, science demonstrations, creative nature crafts, wildlife exhibits, and educational experiences designed to make learning about conservation both fun and inspiring.
“The event was originally the idea of a Cape Coral High School student and was created to educate young people about the importance of protecting the wildlife that lives alongside us in Cape Coral and to foster greater environmental awareness,” Bonasia said. “This free event gives children an opportunity to see live native animals up close and participate in hands-on educational activities and crafts. Our goal is to help children develop an appreciation for the wildlife and natural environment around them and inspire them to become the future stewards of our city.”
Participants will have opportunities to:
• Meet and learn from environmental experts and educators.
• Participate in live science demonstrations and experiments.
• Engage in hands-on nature-related crafts and activities.
• Discover local wildlife through interactive exhibits and live animals.
• Learn about wildlife and conservation through the Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library’s books and educational resources.
Bonasia said it is extremely important for young people to understand and appreciate the wildlife and natural environment they grow up around.
“As they become adults, we hope they develop a sense of ownership and responsibility for protecting the environment in which we all live,” he said.
Bonasia added that the program is guided by a quote from Senegalese conservationist Baba Dioum that states, “In the end, we will conserve only what we love; we will love only what we understand; and we will understand only what we are taught.”
“That captures what we hope to accomplish with Wild About Wildlife — helping children understand and appreciate the wildlife around them today so they will become responsible stewards of Cape Coral’s natural environment in the future,” Bonasia said.
Library grounds are also home to several burrowing owl burrows, giving visitors an opportunity to catch a glimpse of Cape Coral’s official city bird while they’re in attendance.
The Cape Coral-Lee County Public Library is at 921 S.W. 9th Terrace.
For more information, visit ccfriendsofwildlife.org/events.
To reach CJ HADDAD, please email cjhaddad@breezenewspapers.com