Hello WINGS subscribers,

Our programs have been in full swing over the past few months, which has meant a very busy summer and fall! In this edition of WINGS, we're excited to share with you what we've been up to, and what is currently happening with our many initiatives.

Guests at the debut evening of Patterns & Parallels at the Art Gallery of Algoma on July 12th, 2023.

Credit: Alex Flood, Soo Today.

Our new Travelling Exhibition and Learning Experience, Patterns & Parallels: The Great Imperative to Survive, was launched at an opening reception with a capacity crowd at the Art Gallery of Algoma (AGA) in Sault Ste. Marie on July 12th, 2023. Check out photos of the evening in our photo album.

On October 18th, Dr. Bondar returned to the gallery to deliver a talk for the Art Gallery of Algoma's fall lecture series. Groups from local schools also stopped by the exhibition on the same day to hear Dr. Bondar speak, take part in workshops, and view the images.

School groups enjoy the exhibition and a presentation by Dr. Bondar at the AGA

During its stay at the AGA, the exhibition was viewed by thousands of visitors including tourists who come through the city in the summer months on cruise ships from all over the world, people that take the fall colour tour by train north through the Agawa Canyon that starts in the Sault, as well as the local community. Feedback from visitors has been extremely positive. 

The exhibition has now travelled to Sudbury, and opened at Science North on November 10, where it will stay until Jan 7, 2024. Dr. Bondar gave a keynote presentation entitled Patterns & Parallels: Avian Migration, from Invisible to Visible at the opening to a capacity crowd of 200 enthusiastic attendees.

We hope you will be able to visit it at a location near you. If you have seen the exhibition, please share your photos and stories with us!

Science North Opening Day. In photo from left to right: Sarah Chisnell, Acting Director, Education and Northern Programs – Science North, Bonnie M. Patterson, Chair Board of Directors - The Roberta Bondar Foundation,

Dr. Roberta L Bondar C.C. O.Ont. M.D. Ph.D. FRCP FRSC FRCGS, Amy Henson, ‪Senior Scientist, Science Centre Operations, Franco Mariotti, Science North Bluecoat Emeritus.

For the 2023 Summer Camp Bondar Challenge, we had 10 summer camps take up the challenge. With more than 700 campers participating, it won't be easy to choose winners. The overall category and camp winners will be available to view on our website soon - stay tuned for updates!

Left: “Through the lens" by McKenzie (Ottawa Catholic School Board)

Top Right: "A Well Deserved Meal "by Nicholas (Greater Essex County District School Board)

Bottom Right: “Determination" by Emersons (Toronto District School Board)

Winners of the 2022-2023 season of the School Bondar Challenge, delivered by our partners at EcoSchools Canada, have been chosen! A total of 143 schools participated, and we received 453 submissions. Check out the link below to view the beautiful photographs and inspiring artist's statements of the winners.

Register with EcoSchools Canada to become a certified eco-school by participating in activities and programs like the Bondar Challenge!

Dr. Bondar will soon be starting her fall and winter field work, some of which involves following the Red Knot (Calidris canutus), one of the signature birds of the Space for Birds Project, in its winter habitat.

The endangered Canadian subspecies of the Red Knot, Calidris canutus rufa, has come to attention in recent years given its 70% decline in abundance in a span of 15 years as of 2016.¹

The rufa Red Knot is part of the sandpiper family, and has typical sandpiper characteristics: a long, streamlined body, long legs, and a long narrow bill to probe for food.² It is often described as robin-sized, reaching 23-25 cm (9-10 in) in length and having a wingspan ranging from 51-58 cm (20-23 in).³ Its plumage differs seasonally. The Red Knot has a dull grey plumage during winter and rusty red plumage on its chest and face with mottled brown scaling feathers on its head, hind neck, and wings in summer.³

The rufa Red Knot completes a long strenuous migration every year starting from its breeding areas in the central Canadian Arctic to its wintering areas in the US Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and South America, making several stopovers along the way at traditional staging grounds along the US East Coast and South America. They can cover up to 15,000 km (9,300 mi) one way during their migration.¹

1. Species at Risk Act – Recovery Strategy and Management Plant for the Red Knot (Calidris canutus) in Canada
2. PBS: Nature Works – Red Knot
3. The Cornell Lab: All About Birds – Red Knot

Follow the link at the button below, to read further about the Red Knot, and check out the story map of their extensive migration journey.

Our new website is officially one year old! The new version is a one-stop shop for updates about our current initiatives, educational resources, and more! Be sure to check it out!

Circle 129 is a community of the Roberta Bondar Foundation that was launched on January 22, 2022, at the 30th Anniversary event of Dr. Bondar's historic spaceflight. Supporters include people from various parts of the world who share Dr. Bondar’s belief in the importance of inquiry, creativity, and the conservation of our natural world.

The significant and on-going commitment of these individuals ensures that the organization can undertake long-term programming, and seize opportunities that make a positive impact. Join Circle 129 and enjoy unique opportunities to connect and learn with the RBF community.

Donations to RBF are put into action to decrease the growing nature deficit in society and inspire conservation of our natural world. Together we can make great strides in addressing the growing challenges of declining biodiversity, habitat loss, and a changing climate. Please take a moment and make your gift today using the secure form below.

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