By Susan Howe, MMLT Volunteer
On August 24, the sun was shining on more than 150 children and adults as they explored the trails at High Lonesome Nature Reserve, just outside Pakenham Ontario. It was the 2024 edition of the annual Festival of the Wild Child, hosted by the Mississippi Madawaska Land Trust (MMLT).
All the activities were designed to support the theme Roar against climate change, and tempt children of all ages to meet the mice, birds, flowers, salamanders, frogs, and even ticks that are part of our changing natural world so they can find ways for us to live together safely.
Because forest fires have become a widespread danger to wildlife and forests, a mock campsite was set up to demonstrate campfire safety and give some practical ways that children can help when camping.
TickTalk, in partnership with Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit, was a new feature. Participants learned the difference between black-legged ticks and dog ticks and which can carry Lyme Disease. They could even see a preserved tick specimen of each type.
In the popular Pond Life activity, the children put on rubber boots to explore Joel’s Pond. Biologists helped identify all their amazing discoveries, such as blue-spotted salamanders and the eastern toe biter!
There were more scientists in the Research Tent. Two Carleton University PhD students talked about their research studies, one on salamanders and one on the jack-in-the-pulpit, and they encouraged the children to do studies of their own.
Expert naturalists were at the 150-year-old Old Oak Tree to share identification tips and fun facts about trees and shrubs, and some of the fungi and birds that depend on the trees for a home.
Once they started thinking about the relationship between birds, plants, and trees, the children could follow the Pollinator Path, where they played bug bingo by spotting the different pollinators and how they spread plant seeds! [In partnership with the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists.]
The Magical Fairy Trail, a scavenger hunt for fairy villages, ferns, amethyst, acorns, and butterflies, taught the children to recognize and respect even the tiniest elements of the natural world.
Younger children were delighted with the new Storybook Trail where they followed the pages of Chris Hadfield and Kate Fillion’s The Darkest Dark along a trail. There was also a storybook tent with a little reading area with blankets in the forest. 
As a sign of respect for our natural heritage, posters along the shoreline of Turtle Pond explained to children and parents what a land acknowledgment is and why it’s so important to understand how the land was and what it is today.
While people were enjoying the barbecue lunch provided by the Almonte Civitan Club, they had the opportunity to learn about and donate to the Chatson Woods Nature Reserve, a proposed new property acquisition for MMLT to protect. A very practical way for adults to take a stand against climate change!
MMLT appreciates the support from our sponsors – The municipality of Mississippi Mills and the Mississippi Valley Field Naturalists.