The magic of the holidays
As we come to the end of an extraordinary year, we wish you peace and good health this holiday season, and encourage you to look to nature for moments of wonder and joy.
Get outdoors. Marvel at the intricate design of a snowflake. Delight in the birds that stay for the winter. And when indoors, connect with us for engaging online content. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and visit us on nature.ca.
Snowflake fun
Draw a snowflake with your fingertips
Tiny ice crystals, snowflakes are miracles of beauty—unique masterpieces of design. Bring the magic of snowflakes into your home! Make your own digital snowflake with our fun online tool, or create a paper one: https://nature.ca/snowflakes
Last chance to see
Planet Ice
Have you ever hopped over some ice floes, stared at a wolf's reflection in an icy watering hole or beckoned a mammoth out of a snow squall? You can do all those things, and more, as you explore the power of ice and snow over 80,000 years in the special exhibition, Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages. Buy tickets in advance at nature.ca. Don't delay; Planet Ice is only on until January 3. Be sure to check our holiday hours: https://nature.ca/en/plan-your-visit/hours
Special video series
Science Moments
Our experts share cool facts about the science of ice and cold, exploring topics presented in our Planet Ice: Mysteries of the Ice Ages exhibition. Dr. Danielle Fraser tells us which animals survived the last Ice Age and which ones went extinct. Dr. Scott Rufolo talks about humans' adaptations to their cold environment. Watch the entire series!
Nature-inspired gifts
Holiday shopping at the Nature Boutique
For your holiday shopping this season, head to our Nature Boutique! The delightful assortment of nature-inspired merchandise—books, toys, minerals, fossils, jewellery and authentic Canadiana—is guaranteed to please nature enthusiasts of all ages. Shopping at the boutique does not require a ticket, but all guests will need to check in with our staff upon arrival, and given access as capacity limits permit. Visit nature.ca for holiday hours.
Fun facts
Botanical holiday traditions
Native to Central America, pointsettias (Euphorbia pulcherrima) are a popular adornment in many households around the world at this time of year. Did you know that the red parts of a poinsettia are not actually part of the flower? They are modified leaves called bracts that serve to attract pollinators. The flowers are the green orbs in the centre of the red bracts. Read about other botanically-linked holiday traditions, such as mistletoe, in this blog post.
New for teachers!
Virtual school workshops
Calling all teachers! Book your class (grades 3-7) for our new virtual workshop on minerals launching in March. Highly interactive and curriculum-linked, the presentation covers the rock cycle, types of rocks, mineral formation and uses, and more! Enjoy demonstrations and highlights of our Earth Gallery.
Behind the scenes
Virtual Open House
Go behind the scenes and enjoy fascinating glimpses into the many areas of science happening at our Natural Heritage Campus, the museum's research and collections facility. In this latest video, Dr. Kamal Khidas shares the history of the museum's vertebrate collection.
Editor: Laura Sutin
Questions or comments can be sent to lsutin@nature.ca
Photos:
Holiday header: Image by Andry S from Pixabay
Pointsettia: André Karwath © André Karwath
