Why an Interview,,,

Over the years we have been able to meet and talk with some very interesting people. They have shared with us their knowledge and have provided us with a great deal of insight as to how and why festivals and events work and why they are so important to our communities and to the Province of Ontario. With this in mind, we decided that we wanted you to meet and hear from some of the wonderful people who work so hard to provide us all with such wonderful Ontario Festivals and Events! We are pleased and proud to present "THE INSIDE SCOOP"!

Friday, February 28, 2014

"Fabulous Family Fun" ~ Importance of the Fair & Facilities" ~ Ancaster Fairgrounds

 


“The Fair is a great community to volunteer in.”“The Ancaster Fair is all about “Fabulous Family Fun!”

THE INSIDE SCOOP presents Kathy Smith, Manager

Ancaster Agricultural Society and Ancaster Fairgrounds
 
 
Our interview continues … These Scoop answers can apply to everyone!
How important is the “Ancaster Agricultural Society” and how does it impact your community today? Otherwise stated … Why do you think Ancaster Agricultural Society is an important part of our society and the community today and what role do you see as its importance?
Importance of the Fair  ~ “When the Fair began in 1850 the role was to give farmers an opportunity to showcase their products and hopefully have other farmers buy their products, whether that was seed for the grain crop or livestock to increase a herd. This is no longer the role of the fair but farmers are still showcasing their products now so that the large urban population of the area can see what is involved in their food production. 
Many families used to have a member involved in farming but we have gotten farther and farther away from this and so the Fair represents an opportunity for people to see farm animals and meet the people that produce their food”. 
Importance of the Facilities ~ “The facilities are very important to the community for many reasons: we provide facilities for families to celebrate important events in their lives. Community groups use the facility to hold fund raisers for their community projects. The 4-H program uses the grounds to hold meetings and achievement days to further the development of their members in the skills they are being taught. The fairgrounds become a meeting place for families, friends, and communities to gather and celebrate”.
Stay tuned for more with Kathy Smith, Manager of the Ancaster Agricultural Society and Ancaster Fairgrounds and don’t forget to check out their website at http://www.ancasteragriculturalsociety.ca/. … Next SCOOP: Success, Demographics, Planning!

 
 

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Controversy ... Or Knowledge? ... Ontario Visited finds out ...Toronto Zoo

This series of Blog articles comes from our recent “Behind the Scenes Tour of the Toronto Zoo” with Katie Gray, Public Relations Supervisor. Ontario Visited toured with Festival Nomad Correspondent’s Carol Law (Volunteeerscan.ca ~ Volunteer systems Consultant) and Ron Clifford (www.ronclifford.com ~ Professional Photographer). With extra our extra correspondent and photographer, we were able to focus on the generous amount of information being provided by the Toronto Zoo staff for this wonderful opportunity. We would like to share our insight, knowledge and experiences with you. Hope you enjoy the series!

Controversy … Or Knowledge! …

I asked, during our walk-about, if visitors might be distracted by the many “fun activities” at the Zoo and perhaps don’t realize the importance of all that the Toronto Zoo contributes. I also asked if there were visitors who were “in distain” of some of the innovations the Zoo offers to visitors. Specifically I refer to the Kids Discovery Zone (Splash Pad) and the new high tower Gorilla Climb Ropes Course.
Controversy occurs in most of our society, from the “nature lover” to the “fun time goers” to the “conservationist” to the “economical goers”. Everyone has their “own opinion” about what is right or wrong, perceived or not, and the Toronto Zoo has many visitors attend for many reasons. In today's civilized society, Katie Gray, Public Relations Supervisor, tells us, they try to provide people with excitement and fun for the whole family, and once they are here, they try to provide them with information and education about the animals, and hopefully with the ways they can help. The Toronto Zoo welcomes visitors to come out and let them (the Zoo) "show you". The Zoo is becoming more and more sophisticated and creative in the way they are sharing their knowledge.

 
Our Future …
I asked Katie about nutrition and the prospect of “endangered species” becoming extinct, and, what ramification that would have on our world. Katie tells us, they try to create a natural habitat for the animals here at the Zoo, as it is vital for the Zoo animals as well as the habitat and species that surround the premises. The best way that we can help the endangered species in the wild, is to learn as much as we can from them in a captive environment, one that is as close to their natural habitat as possible, and then use that information to help them in the wild.


While there has been a “lot of media coverage for the Giant Panda Exhibit”, the panda staff was anxious to share some of the “Behind the Scenes” with us. They are enthusiastic about a “flagship program” where their knowledge will be shared with other organizations. Although Zoos around the world have different weather systems, the habits and behaviors of the species react different in different environments. For Our Future, the Toronto Zoo'sFacebook Page” is assisting with information overload. It is quick and can be a wonderful time saving device for sharing information, in a possible critical timeline.
Stay tuned for more exciting insight from the Toronto Zoo Behind the Scenes Tour ~ Year Round Experience!... Safety at the Zoo … In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Toronto Zoo website where you can view ongoing amazing “in-the-moment” videos and so much more at www.torontozoo.com. Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

"On-Line Dating" ... Ice Bear Unit" ... Ontario Visited tours Toronto Zoo

This series of Blog articles comes from our recent “Behind the Scenes Tour of the Toronto Zoo” with Katie Gray, Public Relations Supervisor. Ontario Visited toured with Festival Nomad Correspondent’s Carol Law (Volunteeerscan.ca ~ Volunteer systems Consultant) and Ron Clifford (www.ronclifford.com ~ Professional Photographer). With extra our extra correspondent and photographer, we were able to focus on the generous amount of information being provided by the Toronto Zoo staff for this wonderful opportunity. We would like to share our insight, knowledge and experiences with you. Hope you enjoy the series!

On-Line Dating … In-House Research …

 

The research “Behind the Scenes” is rich in leadership. An in-house psychology department plays an intricate role in the development of such programs as “on-line dating”, the “e-harmony for animals” as it were. If we look at the Panda’s for example, it is critical to not have “in-breeding”. The oncology and fertilization process is vital to remain pure.

The Toronto Zoo prides itself on their “In-house Research Nutrition” programs. The Zoo can sell its canine diet to supplement some of the nutrition research programs, for example.

The Zoo tries to capitalize on all their exhibits seen in the public as the educational piece for all. As the Toronto Zoo has many new and creative innovations, we found out that other Zoo’s around the world are “happy to work” with them to share knowledge and experiences. The Toronto Zoo certainly has demonstrated their success and it is clear how much the Zoo contributes to society.

Ice Bear Unit …
On our walk-about at the Tundra Trek … not only are the Polar Bears amazing to watch, I was fascinated to learn the Toronto Zoo helps our environment by using the Ice Bear unit during off-peak electricity time during the middle of the night, when demand on the grid is low to make the large blocks of ice the Polar Bears require. As the ice slowly melts off it helps cool the air in their environment as well. The Ice Bear storage technology is the Zoo’s latest green technology and can be seen just outside the Caribou CafĂ©.

During our tour, the question came up, how does this Ice Bear unit save Polar Bears? The answer … "if we all continue to use more energy, the more power stations we use mean more greenhouse gases being emitted into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases increase the global warming effect = less ice in the sea". I have to imagine it must impact the longevity of our environment and our world.
With the initiatives that the Toronto Zoo is taking, there's a lot more that you can learn on their website. There are a number of other initiatives that the Zoo is involved with to help save polar bears, and they were recently introduced to the public via YouTube. The newest sensation is a baby polar bear cub, which should be on exhibit by the spring.  Breeding programs will help the animal care staff at the Zoo learns more about polar bears so we can help them better in the wild.

Stay tuned for more exciting insight from the Toronto Zoo Behind the Scenes Tour ~ Controversy … Or Knowledge? … Our Future … In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Toronto Zoo website where you can view ongoing amazing “in-the-moment” videos and so much more at www.torontozoo.com. Enjoy!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

"Coolest Technology" ~ Toronto Zoo ~ Ontario Visited checks it out

Toronto Zoo ~ Behind the Scenes Tour
Welcome to Ontario Visited Behind The Scenes Tour …


This series of Blog articles comes from our recent “Behind the Scenes Tour of the Toronto Zoo” with Katie Gray, Public Relations Supervisor. Ontario Visited toured with Festival Nomad Correspondent’s Carol Law (volunteeerscan.ca ~ Volunteer systems Consultant) and Ron Clifford (www.ronclifford.com ~ Professional Photographer). With extra our extra correspondent and photographer, we were able to focus on the generous amount of information being provided by the Toronto Zoo staff for this wonderful opportunity. We would like to share our insight, knowledge and experiences with you. Hope you enjoy the series!

Although the Toronto Zoo Health Centre is not open to the public, a lot goes on “Behind the Scenes” that are critical to our World! Yes, our World! Although the Health Centre is not “for entertainment”, it does provide a critical component to the Toronto Zoo, the Rouge Valley and the World.
Ontario Visited had the distinct pleasure of a “Behind the Scenes” tour arranged by Katie Gray, Public Relations Supervisor. The Toronto Zoo coordinates with international agencies to share their experiences, insight and knowledge. The Zoo has over 710 acres of “green space”. The encroachment of development can be seen all around. However, fortunately these lands are now protected and named in both Provincial and National Parks. There is integration of walking trails and access through to the Rouge Valley Park and York Region Transit connects visitors to both. Many staff and volunteers offer amazing programs and educational tools to the community and to visitors from around the world.
Our Journey Begins …
The Toronto Zoo has a mandate to address environment, polices, produces and makes recommendations that will lessen our ecological footprint in the Rouge Valley and the Earth! What does that mean to you?
With our ever changing environment, habitat and ecology, it seems fit that a world renowned facility such as the Toronto Zoo takes great pride and steps to conserve, preserve, protect, educate and enhance many aspects of these topics.
While walking through the Toronto Zoo we stopped by their “Zootique” gift shop located near the front entrance. ZooPoo paper products were for sale. I wondered what they meant by ZooPoo. While being a creative unique “gift item”, ZooPoo is the “Coolest Green Technology”.
Green Roofs …


If you are walking by the Australasia Pavilion, you might take the time to “look up” at the Green Roofs. Green roofs, also known as 'living roofs' or 'eco-roofs', are the wave of the future in sustainable design, and the Toronto Zoo is “surfin' right along with them!” While the term “green roof” could mean many things, it refers here to a roof with one or more extra membranes, including a waterproof and root-proof section that is covered by various types of vegetation. The green roofs on these buildings filter particles from the air and converts carbon dioxide (CO2) into oxygen. The cool air around the building reduces urban heat saving energy costs. The insulation sound benefits the animals and visitors alike.

Stay tuned for more exciting insight from the Toronto Zoo Behind the Scenes Tour ~ On-Line Dating … In-House Research … Ice Bear Unit …  In the meantime, don’t forget to check out the Toronto Zoo website where you can view ongoing amazing “in-the-moment” videos and so much more at www.torontozoo.com. Enjoy!