9:30 am
meet at the High Park main gates - southwest corner of Bloor Street and High Park Avenue
9:30 - 10:15 am
welcome and introduction to the program
short introductory, observational activity informally tallying the diversity in two different areas of the park.
Introduce and define the term “Biodiversity” and present a model for why “species biodiversity” is important to the stability of a habitat.
Learning Goal #1 - Understand how invasive species relate to biodiversity and habitat stability
Learning Goal #2 - Find two ways to evaluate biodiversity without having to survey every species in a habitat (indicator species).
10:15 - 11:15 am
Activity #1: Living Links - Invasive Species Edition
a role playing simulation exploring what happens to a stable ("native") ecosystem when there is an "invader" amongst the producers
11:20 - 11:50 am
LUNCH - in High Park; bring a bag lunch and 2 drinks (no opportunity to buy lunch); waste-free lunches are expected
12:00 - 1:15 pm
Activty #2: "Space" Invaders
an interpretive walk (heading to Grendier Pond) focusing on the recognition of common invasive plants including: garlic mustard, dog strangling vine, common plantain, European buckthorn, etc. as "indicator species" of decreasing biodiversity.
1:15 - 2:15 pm
Activity #3: Field Notes: Life in the Pond
an exploratory investigation identifying some of the different "consumers" that may be found in Grenadier Pond
a variety of species act as indicators for different levels of water quality.
2:15 - 2:25 pm
Wrap up and Goodbye (end of TUSC program and departure from Grenadier Pond)