The Miami Outdoor Ed Class were recently in Deloraine to help the Manitoba Burrowing Owl Recovery Program. Every spring they place artificial nest boxes in selected habitats where they know burrowing owls are located. Students were out to help them put in some new ones. This is the second year of helping with the spring dig. Since it is usually only one or two people that they can afford to send out, they very much appreciated several extra hands. Students managed to put in three nests in the time they were able to be there. They also assisted in setting up the release pens (not in the photos). They will release several breeding pairs in the next few weeks (they have been raised in the Assiniboine Zoo for this purpose).
Since Burrowing Owls are an endangered species in Manitoba, Teacher Wil Kalinowski felt it was important that students get involved in some type of project to help out.