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Survival of Species at RBG
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Students Tag and Release Monarch Butterflies

Investigating the survival of species of plant and animal populations at RBG

Tag and Release monarch butterfliesIn September, the Grade 12 biology class at Hamilton District Christian High spent the morning hiking the trails at the Royal Botanical Gardens. The RBG provides critical habitats for many species at risk.

Tag and Release Monarch Butterflies
In addition to enjoying the gardens’ attractions,  students had the opportunity to tag and release monarch butterflies. The RBG has been involved in monarch- specific projects through its education department in monarch biology and conservation. In the summer, caterpillars are reared for educational programs, showing the different life stages of monarchs. In the fall, monarchs are tagged, released and migration studies begin. It was this program HDCH’s students were thrilled to participate in.

Species at Risk
The students learned about Monarchs butterflies as well as other species at risk in Ontario, and the role that we in Southern Ontario can have in preserving biodiversity. The effects of invasive species like the Emerald Ash Borer and Mana Grass were apparent and students and learned about the methods being used to control them.

chickadeeIn addition to participating in an educational program, the students experienced biodiversity first hand. They had chickadees and chipmunks eating out of their hands; they observed herons, raccoons, ducks, turtles, cattails, beaver dams, woodpeckers and much more in their natural habitat.

Experiences like this make the principles being learned in Biology 12 come to life in real-world applications. HDCH’s students were thrilled to learn in the field with local experts.