**** Forestry Media Release

Nova Scotia is celebrating Canada’s Parks Day on Saturday, July 20, with fun, nature-based activities and unique learning experiences for families.

“Provincial parks are the best places for people to enjoy the outdoors and spend time with their families,” said Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin. “Canada’s Parks Day is a great opportunity to visit a provincial park and enjoy our province’s rich natural and cultural heritage.”

Visitors to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park can learn all about bears at the teddy bear picnic. Kids can bring their favourite teddy bear and a snack for story time every hour starting at 10:30 a.m.

Other events include:
— paddling basics for canoes and kayaks, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and fly-tying, wildlife displays and other outdoor activities 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Dollar Lake Provincial Park, Halifax Regional Municipality
— make and fly a kite, 10 a.m. to noon, interactive forest firefighting display with Smokey Bear, 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and wildflower walk, 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., Blomidon Provincial Park, Kings County
— barbecue, face painting and provincial firefighting crew demonstrations, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Five Islands Provincial Park, Colchester County
— scavenger hunt and barbecue, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Ellenwood Lake Provincial Park, Yarmouth County
— games and prizes for kids and hands-on Learn 2 Fish sportfishing workshop, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Porters Lake Provincial Park, Halifax Regional Municipality
— lobster trap building demonstration, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Thomas Raddall Provincial Park, Queens County

A complete list of events is online at https://parks.novascotia.ca/events .