Kids go looking for critters in Moose Jaw River

With nets in their hands, children searched the river banks of the Moose Jaw River in Wakamow Valley for water bugs on Thursday.
The children were participating in a critter dipping program that was sponsored by the Moose Jaw Public Library.
Wading through ankle deep water or hanging off the dock, children dipped their nets into the water to find water bugs, minnows, tadpoles and even the odd snake.
"This is so cool," said eight-year-old Kadin Robbins. "I never knew there were so many neat things in the river. I want to catch the snake."
Moose Jaw River Watershed steward Tammy Myers was in charge of the program and said it was important that children learn about their environment.
"I want them to be able to look at a river and know there is more to it than just water and cat tails," said Myers.
Myers hopes some of the children walk away from the experience excited about science and the environment.
"This is the generation that will be taking care of our planet soon and I want them to respect their environment at a young age," said Myers.
She said it was also important the children learn to be safe around water and be aware of one another while near the water's edge.
There were three different stations the children rotated through during the day: catching water bugs and fish, participating in a natural treasure hunt and playing Macro Invertebrate Mayhem which was a lot like the game British Bulldog.
During the treasure hunt the children were looking for something natural that was green, white, orange, and brown. They were also on the lookout for frogs and certain kinds of leaves and trees.
"The idea is for the kids to be able to identify different species of plants and bugs in the park," said Myers.
Playing Macro Invertebrate Mayhem the children learned about "bad bugs" like mosquitoes, black flies and leeches and "good bugs" like the mayfly, dragonfly, and stove fly.
"I didn't know so many different bugs existed," said Lacey Robbins, 7.

Colin Dewar can be reached
at 691-1263.