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Tiffin Centre for Conservation receives funds for mud kitchen

March 10, 2022   ·   0 Comments

The Tiffin Centre for Conservation will soon have a new mud kitchen for its Tiffin Nature Program.

The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority received a $1,000 donation from the Retired Teachers of Ontario to help with the project.

The Program is geared towards children ages two-and a-half to six years old and encourages open-ended play in nature.

By focusing on the process, children will build a relationship with nature, develop fine motor skills, and learn how to cooperate with others who are also using the space.

“We’re very excited to start this project,” said Naomi Saunders, Manager of Education at NVCA. “The Tiffin Nature Program started last fall and children were using muffin tins, spatulas, pots and pans. The mud kitchen will provide a permanent creative space that mimics a kitchen, equipped with a sink, stove and counterspace. Add water, dirt, rocks, sticks and imagination and you never know what we will be cooking up.”

The mud kitchen will be built by NVCA’s Lands Team. The funds from the RTO will be used for purchasing wood and other materials.

“Every year, we set aside approximately $4,000 for grants that go towards local non-profit groups and organizations that have projects that would benefit children, seniors, or the community,” said Glenn Conduit, President of RTO/ERO District 17-Simcoe County. “The mud kitchen for the Tiffin Nature Program is one of ten projects we are supporting this year. The District 17 executive is very pleased to support the creation of the mud kitchen which will be enjoyed by young students for many years to come.”

The Tiffin Nature Program is located at the Tiffin Centre for Conservation.

With a forest cabin as home base, it has over 300 acres of forest, meadows, wetlands, and ponds.

By Brian Lockhart
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

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