By Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat’s wetlands celebrated on Sunday

May 21, 2017 | 4:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Despite the arid nature of Medicine Hat, local park interpreters are protecting and conserving the many wetlands that dot the city’s landscape.

One of the larger wetlands is located in Kin Coulee Park behind the Lorne Holden Softball Field.

Last year, the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program elected to install a small dock along the water to make it easier for residents to observe the wetlands.

On Sunday, the dock was returned and Park Interpreter Marty Drut said it’s been a fantastic addition over the last year.

“We wanted to get a little bit better access to the pond, so people could come out onto the dock, get a better look at the pond, and do some sampling from there,” said Drut. “So, that’s why we have the dock. It’s removable, so they can take it out in the winter time so it doesn’t get damaged, and put it back again in the spring so we can use it again.”

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A number of animals call the Kin Coulee wetlands home, including various birds, amphibians, insects, reptiles, and molluscs.

Drut said it’s vital to continue the conservation of these key eco-systems.

“Of course, it’s very dry here in this part of Alberta,” he said. “Wetland loss has been quite significant in our area because of a lot of reasons. Probably only about 25-30% of the original wetlands are remaining.”

Crews were on hand on Sunday to collect samples, and direct visitors on which organisms are alright to catch and study.

Drut said one of the most enjoyable parts of the job is educating the many kids that visit either on field trips or on their own.

“You get them looking at insects, or invertebrates swimming around in the pond, or frogs, or anything like that,” he said. “And, that’s the best time to teach them about that stuff because as they go forward as adults, then they have a better appreciation long-term.”

Most of the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program takes place at Police Point Park, though Drut added the wetlands at Kin Coulee are the largest in the city.