Maple Syrup

Maple Syrup

This program is ONLY AVAILABLE late February to early April.
The maple syrup program at Forest Valley is offered during the early spring when the ground is starting to thaw and the maple sap is flowing.  Classes who are participating in the maple syrup programming have the opportunity to explore, investigate and take part in this unique Canadian experience.    This is a cross-curricular program which addresses components of STEM, Eco-literacy and Aboriginal Education.

In Grade 4 Maple syrup as a study of…. 
Habitats & Communities (Changes to habitats can affect plants and animals and the relationships between them.) 
How might the production of maple syrup impact the forest habitat? 

  • Tap only maple trees that are large enough. 
  • Stay on trails to protect tree roots and young trees. 
  • Do not use pesticides. 
  • Use renewable sources of energy. 
  • Leave dead trees on forest floor. 
  • Show care for all trees. 
  • Show care for animals and their habitat by walking quietly through the woods. 
  • Spring can be a stressful time of the year for animals as they’ve just made it through a long, hard winter; many animals are nesting and preparing for their young. 

Political and Physical Regions of Canada 
Why is Ontario a good place to make maple syrup? 
 

  • Maple syrup can be made only in a small part of northeastern North America. Other parts of the world either don’t have the cold nights-warm day combination or the right trees (e.g. sugar maples) to make maple syrup. 
  • In Canada, Quebec is the biggest producer of maple syrup at 81% of world production. Ontario, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia produce about 3% each. There are other types of tree syrups that are harvested in different parts of the world (e.g. palm syrup, birch syrup). 
  • Maple syrup production has long been a tradition in Canada. Early settlers were introduced to the process by the First Nations people. Sugaring off is an important tradition in many parts of Eastern Canada. Festivals and celebrations are held. The traditions are reflected in such things as song, social customs, folklore, dress and food.