On the weekend we had a unique experience at the Bow Habitat Station here in Calgary. As part of National Wildlife Week and A Walk for Wildlife event, this family event included crafts, fish feeding, scaly friends, face painting and more.

The Bow Habitat Station is situated in Pearce Estates Park close to downtown Calgary and along the Bow River. The site of a fish hatchery, it is a pretty neat experience for kids. Touring the hatchery was just part of the fun, as the kids squealed in delight over the thousands (actually 28000) of fish of all shapes and sizes swimming around and around, there was also many different wildlife organizations there. There was the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Friends of Fish Creek and Species at Risk to name a few. All with different displays, activities and information for the kids (and parents too).

I thought the event was very well done with lots to do. When you entered the station you got a map and a scavenger hunt where you visited 6 stations, answered a question about wildlife and then got a stamp. These were well placed throughout the facility with some on each level. At the end, you returned your map and received a ballot for a draw for one of 3 family prize packs.

We got to feed the fish along the way, which the kids loved, getting an entire tube of fish food each. This was a riot to watch as the fish literally jumped and the water bubbled and swirled as they vied for their food. We saw live reptiles and snakes, Matthew even got to hold a boa constrictor!

On the upper level of the station, there are beautiful interactive displays for the kids teaching them about peat, dams, what fish eat, etc. (I got a bit of a shock when I stepped onto the ‘peat’ myself, a display with a very soft area to stand on). We did fish imprints and had our faces painted, we saw a huge White Sturgeon and learned that the Bull Trout is Alberta’s provincial fish. It was a really great event.

I had thought that this event was going to be outside, and we had prepared accordingly, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it was indoors. I do plan to go back though as there is an outdoor wetland interpretive walk through Pearce Estates, as well as a lovely picnic area and playground. They also have a kids fishing pond that they stock from May to October which we are totally going to check out!

When leaving the event I asked the kids if they enjoyed it and what there favorite part was. Of course they said that they liked it all. But Matthew piped up and said, “Mom I’ve decided that I am either going to be a pilot or a nature scientist when I grow up.” I think that our little outing had a profound effect on him, don’t you?