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Issue: 2016-03-24, Photo: Nellie Dale
Bunnies anticipating the upcoming egg hunt
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Issue: 2016-03-24, Photo: Nellie Dale
Elk
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Issue: 2016-03-24, Photo: Nellie Dale
Elk Signage
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Issue: 2016-03-24, Photo: Nellie Dale
Yukon Wildlife Preserve sign
Past Lynx and Mountain Goats, too,
By the pasture of Woodland Caribou
Find a nice place to sit and take in the view
That’s where you’ll find the bonus clue.
Well, that is not a 2016 clue, but one from a past Egg-stravaganza event at Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
Lindsay Caskenette, Manager of Visitor Services, is busy getting ready for the 2016 Egg-stravaganza event, scheduled for Easter Monday, March 28, 2016. The Preserve will be open from 10 am to 5 pm and visitors can participate in the egg hunt anytime during those hours. Members of the Preserve can visit for free while regular visitors will pay the daily rate. Egg-stravangza participants will find the first clue at the Visitor Centre. The solved clue tells the participant where to go to find the next clue. A Preserve map is provided. The hunt will take place on the front loop with the Golden or bonus clue placed on the back loop. The more adventurous will want to walk the extra kilometres to find that Golden Clue, I am sure. The event is open to all – from youngsters to grandparents! A wonderful family event, it will add fun to your Easter weekend. After the last clue, participants make their way back to the Visitor Centre for chocolate treats. Last year’s event rivaled the June Open House with attendance at the Easter event numbering around 600.
The Yukon Wildlife Preserve (Kilometre 8 or Mile 5, Takhini Hot Springs Road) is open year round – trails are spectacular for skiing or biking. The Preserve is home to 13 species of northern Canadian mammals in their natural environment. The wildlife viewing and photo opportunities are truly magnificent.
My grandchildren Darwin and Aria Murray are regular visitors to the Preserve. It is a great place for stretching those novice ski legs in the winter. Aria perfected two wheel bike riding there last summer. Darwin loves the animal information at the Preserve. Aria loves the animals and feels lucky there is such a wonderful facility so close to home.
Both Darwin and Aria remember the 2015 Egg-stravaganza. I quote Darwin: “I loved the “adrenalin rush” when I figured out the clues”. It sounded like solving the mystery was as much fun as the treats available afterward.
The mission statement sums up the Preserve’s philosophy: To promote knowledge and foster appreciation of Arctic and boreal ecology through the creation of a centre of northern education, conservation and research excellence at the Yukon Wildlife Preserve.
Hope for a sunny, spring day on March 28. And make your way out to Yukon Wildlife Preserve for animal viewing, clue solving and chocolate treats.The regular bus tour schedule is in effect for this date, as the egg hunt is an extra event. The bus leaves the Visitor Centre at 10 am and 2 pm. Visitors can walk the grounds that day as well.