Have a Wild about Nature adventure at the Biosphère

The Biosphère Environment Museum, invites young people and their families over the spring break, February 26 to March 13, to take part in its discovery and adventure-packed program Wild about Nature. Come and join in the indoor and outdoor fun while discovering some secrets about biodiversity.

Discovering winter’s biodiversity with Pehr Kalm

Back in 1749, botanist Pehr Kalm was astounded by the variety of species living on Île Sainte-Hélène. Come and join him at the Biosphère and let yourself be guided in an outdoor adventure in which you are the hero! The clues you uncover will help you acquire the combination to his precious safe and see what’s in it! Duration of activity: 30 minutes.

Biodiversity rally

Participate in a rally that starts with the magnificent giant photos of the outdoor exhibition Tightly Knit. You will discover fascinating aspects of Canadian biodiversity and extend your knowledge of the species that are highlighted during the activity. Duration of activity: 15 minutes.

Also on the program for this busy week: the animated science feature Wanted: Pollinators, which presents the role of birds, bees and other pollinating insects in maintaining biodiversity; the film Man and His World; and the exhibit Water Wonders, with its eight interactive modules that allow you to play games, conduct experiments and tackle challenges such as solving the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle, creating energy and even walking on water. The ONE | Outifts from a New Era exhibit will amaze visitors of all ages. It showcases 16 fanciful outfits made from mass consumption goods, accompanied by art videos and soundtracks produced by the Canadian music scene.

Two green roofs

As part of its 15th anniversary celebrations, the Biosphère installed two green roofs and created an indoor garden that reproduces three Canadian ecosystems. Visit the Biosphère to see these new installations and learn more about the environment and technologies for green housing.

The green roofs show how the installation of planted roofs in urban areas can benefit the environment by helping to counter heat islands, dampen noise, boost energy efficiency and purify the air and water,Two types of green roofs--extensive and intensive--are demonstrated. The Biosphère roofs also allow people interested in acquiring this technology to learn about available options. The roofs cover 242 m² and are visible from the museum lookout.

The Biosphère has redesigned its indoor garden as a conservation area for plants. The plants in the garden are all indigenous to North America, and some are vulnerable or threatened in Quebec. The garden tour includes various interpretive components, such as a game for identifying ecological gardening allies to promote awareness about the functioning of various natural ecosystems and the importance of conserving them.

The Biosphère was already considered a green building when it was built in 1995. Its new roofs add to its set of existing green technologies, including two wind turbines, a geothermal heating system, wetlands for wastewater treatment and solar panels (the Ecoologicial Solar House).

Admission to the Biosphère is free for those aged 17 and under (does not apply to organized groups). Please note that the museum, located on Île Sainte-Hélène in Montréal, will be open on Monday, February 28, and on Monday, March 7. Visit www.ec.gc.ca/biosphere for more information on museum programs and hours.