River Rovers to meet up this summer at the Biosphère!

Montreal, Que. – May 30, 2006 – Environment Canada’s Biosphère today unveiled its summer River Rover programming, which will take place between June 10 and September 10. Jean Langlais, Director of the Biosphère, announced the highlights with the Honourable Michael Fortier, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, in attendance.  The new programming ill showcase the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence River watershed, and enable visitors of all ages to gain a better understanding of the environment issues facing this immense territory. Exhibitions, multimedia presentations and interactive activities that are both informative and entertaining shall be offered. As well, during River Rover Sundays in July and August, the entrance price will only be $2, and several free activities will take place outside. 

Free Entrance from June 3 to 11

As part of the Canadian Environment Week, and as a prelude to the new programming, the Biosphère is also pleased to offer free entrance (does not apply to groups and guided tours) from Saturday, June 3, to Sunday, June 11. Visitors can fully benefit from various activities and exhibits, such as Water Wonders!, Planet Bucky and particularly Moving Giant, as part of the River Rover programming. They will also be given an ECO-Tips sheet showing what can be done for our environment.

River Rover Sundays at $2  

Every Sunday in July and August, the entrance price will be only $2. In turn, Jacques Cartier, Samuel de Champlain and Mathieu Da Costa will greet visitors, entertaining and surprising them with various historical stories about the St. Lawrence River. Children can also have their faces painted like fish and participate with their families in a free series of outdoor activities, backed by music from the well-known traditional group, Cercamon.  The general public can help create group sculptures from recycled bicycle wheels based on the theme Wheel of Destiny led by renowned artist Céline Thivierge.

River Rovers

With its summer programming from June 10 to September 10, the Biosphère is focusing on the St. Lawrence River to help visitors learn more about the interest of citizens of all ages in the river, the environmental challenges facing it, and its secrets. The River Rover Rally has been designed to be active and fun, and so you will not miss any part of the programming.   

The Moving Giant, the Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Ecosystem exhibit introduces the cornerstone of the new programming. With its interactive games, mock-ups, videos, various modules and even a Cap Diamant climbing wall, the young and the young at heart will have fun learning about the many issues regarding this vast territory.

Keeping Current on the St. Lawrence is an interactive multimedia activity, which lets visitors follow the trail of the research sailboat, the Sedna IV, on the St. Lawrence River, during the summer of 2004, and meet people who feel passionately about the river and are worried about the impact of climate change. Many issues will be discussed, including biodiversity, human health, navigation and, of course, climate change.  

There will also be two new unique photography exhibits, 2001-2005 Escale Nautique Retrospective and The St. Lawrence River, which display some 50 winning photos from the past six annual photography contests sponsored by L’Escale Nautique magazine.  The Biosphère is also very pleased to contribute to the 2007 edition by sponsoring the new category River Rovers, where pleasure boats, sailors, fishers, scientists, vacationers and people of all ages can share their love and passion by taking pictures of magic moments with people working or living in harmony with the river. The winning photos from the five contest categories will be on display at the Biosphère in the summer of 2007.

The young and young at heart will also learn about the greenhouse effect by participating in an actual scientific experiment at the Aqualab and make a mobile about the St. Lawrence River using recycled materials in the Creation Workshop.

From June 19 to September 8, the Biosphère is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day. A 25% discount will be given to people using green transportation, such as walking, cycling, inline skates or public transportation. For more information, please call 514 283-5000 or visit the Biosphère Web site: www.biosphère.ec.gc.ca.

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