Understanding Canadian Geese
Ever been dive-bombed by a feathered fiend with a serious attitude problem? Or perhaps tiptoed through a minefield of… well, you know? I’m talking about Canada geese! Those seemingly serene birds can turn your beautiful garden into a disaster zone causing you to lose expensive plants and a lot of time trying to re-grow grass. And while we appreciate their majestic flyovers from afar, their close encounters can be a real honk-er of a problem. Girls will learn about Canada geese behavior, habitats, flight patterns and why in some cases, they need to be managed. Scouts will also learn about the trained border collies that help manage Canada geese populations in urban areas, where their numbers and breeding locations cause aggressive behavior towards humans and pets, chaos when the birds literally stop traffic, cause property and crop damage, and make summer public swimming areas toxic with their waste. Scouts will gain a solid understanding of a working dog vs a service dog. Finally, the Scouts will learn the negative consequences of humans feeding wildlife and encouraging them to stay and nest in urban areas. There is a domino effect of devastation when humans feed wildlife food that is not well tolerated and can cause permanent defects that can ground these birds for life and kill them.
The opportunity is a live and in person presentation available to scouts in Cuyahoga, Medina and Summit Counites at a normal troop meeting spot, local library, park or other meeting place where the Scouts usually meet. The Scout leader can choose the location where it is most convenient for the girls to meet. Please keep in mind, if you want my co-worker, Bud the Border Collie to be present, you need to pick a location that will allow a dog on the property. The presentation can be done without him, but he sure is cute. The presentation is free of charge. If the location chosen by the Scout leader has a rental fee, that is covered by the troop. If girls are working towards a badge, any materials required to meet badge requirements will be supplied by the individual Scout or troop. If there is something specific/unique I can provide, I will discuss with scout leader on an individual basis.
Please reach out through email at clegoosegirl@gmail.com to inquire on my availability. I will be as accommodating as possible.
Caregivers are not required to attend, but are more than welcome. The more the public is educated, the more aware and understanding they are when these birds migrate back into Ohio, mate, molt and migrate out. It is a fascinating cycle of life with a bird that has so many unique features many of us never see to truly appreciate.
Bud, my co worker, is a trained border collie. He is well behaved and usually avoids strangers. Scouts will be reminded he is not a pet he is a working dog, and therefore responds differently. They need to let him come to them vs them “loving” on him. He does love attention, but it is on his terms. If any Scout is afraid or skittish of dogs, I will keep him leashed. Please remind Scout leaders to ask if anyone attending is allergic to dogs – so a plan can be put into place to limit exposure, do the presentation outside, or leave the dog at home.
