Helen Schuler Nature Centre reopens with new exhibits and programming

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The Helen Schuler Nature Centre has re-opened with a lot of new activities and art exhibits.Curtis Goodman examines Elaine Henderson’s “Landscaping Wilderness,”at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre. Photo by Richard Amery
“We’re open again after six months of being closed because of Covid ,” said Helen Schuler Nature Centre Resource Development co-ordinator Curtis Goodman.


“But the trails have always been open. We’ve done a lot of work to bring the inside experience outside,” he continued noting  there have been a lot of activities on the trail including choose your own adventure activities, children’s books and egg scavenger hunts.


“The scavenger hunt has been really popular. We had eggs placed where an actual nest would be. Some were really easy to find, others were almost impossible. We had people complaining when we took it down saying ‘I was going to bring my parents to see it next week,’” he recalled, adding the trails have been popular during the pandemic.


While they were closed, they built an outdoor amphitheatre for outdoor programming.
“It’s larger. It’s more accessible if you have a wheelchair or a walker. We’re getting larger groups like school field trips, so now everybody has a seat,” Goodman said.


 Now the Centre has re-opened, there is new programming inside.


Elaine Henderson’s “Landscaping Wilderness,” featuring paintings of beautiful landscapes, is open now.

“They’re really beautiful. She was inspired while working as part of an EMS crew in Alaska. They’re like what you would see at the end of the trail,” said Goodman, adding the paintings will be on display until July 31.

 There is also another exhibit “Built For Life on the Prairies,” which celebrates wildlife on the Prairies.


“It’s about how the animal survives, like why a pronghorn can run so fast,” Goodman said.


 While The Helen Schuler Nature Centre has re-opened, they have also made a few changes due to Covid.
“Most of our exhibits have been tactile and we’ve really had to pivot into more look and see exhibits,” he continued.


 Art has always been an important part of what the Centre offers.
 Before they closed due to Covid in December, they featured “Tree Whisperer,” a collaboration with the Textiles Surface Guild. And they offer an annual program with the Rotary Club of Lethbridge for young artists under 18 to submit their fine art, writing, photography, videography and music. The deadline is Nov. 15.
The Helen Schuler Nature Centre is open 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. daily, then expand to summer hours as of June 18 to  9 a.m.- 4 p.m.  Sunday through Thursday and noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

— by Richard Amery, L.A. Beat Editor
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