Updated: Fri May. 29 2009 18:49:04

ctvcalgary.ca

A new educational and environmental program has been launched at Spruce Meadows.

Grade 4 students from Midnapore Elementary were the first to experience the Eyes on the Wetlands program.

The new initiative includes classroom studies run by Ducks Unlimited for Grade 4 to Grade 6 students.

Students also get to walk around the grounds and observe wildlife in the wetlands. On Friday, the students got up close to Canada geese adults and their goslings.

"One of the things with the project is that it really highlights and focuses on the wildlife corridor that still exists here through the Radio Tower Creek Wetland and how the rural-urban interface impacts it ," says Ian Allison from Spruce Meadows.

Eyes on the Wetlands is a partnership between Spruce Meadows, Imperial Oil, Ducks Unlimited and Parks Foundation Calgary.

The Imperial Oil Foundation hopes the project sparks interest in science and the environment at an early age.

"Our commitment is $400,000 to help preserve and conserve these wetlands and to educate through the Ducks Unlimited project on wetlands restoration and conservation," says Monica Samper from Imperial Oil.

Up to 5,000 schools students are expected to take part in Eyes on the Wetlands each year.

Spruce Meadows officials say their facility and the surrounding wetlands are open to everyone all year long.

For more information about the program, click on here or on the link to the right.