Saskatoon Forestry Farm’s new addition brings critters up close

There is a new attraction for visitors to enjoy at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm.

The prairie marsh located at the back of the zoo can now be explored on the zoo’s brand-new pier. Visitors can explore the marsh and discover what animals and bugs call the waters their home.

Zoo Operations Manager, Jeff Mitchell, is excited to have this new exploration zone open to the public.

“We are celebrating our new accessible pier, thanks to Greg and Olivia Yuel,” said Mitchell.

The zoo welcomes guests to try their pond dipping experience to get a closer look at the pond’s lively ecosystem.

Kids can learn what creatures live in the pond during a free ‘pond-dipping activity’. (Payton Zillich/650CKOM)

“Kids can take a net and dip into the pond, and then bring up and see all of the wonderful critters that live in the pond,” said Mitchell. “It helps kids when they go home to really take the message of reduce, reuse, recycle, (and) be environmentally conscious.”

Mitchell said that their new pond-dipping activity has been a huge hit.

“We’ve already done almost two thousand pond-dippers and we just started July 1,” said Mitchell.

While standing out on the pier, Mitchell shared some of the life you can see at first glance. “We’ve got literally thousands of dragonflies, we’ve got all sorts of native wild birds, there’s all sorts of plants growing… A small little pond can hold a whole lot of life.”

Many creatures can be found in the pond, including Leeches and Dragonfly Nymphs. (Payton Zillich/650CKOM)

Pond-dipping at the pier is a free experience that will be available to visitors until September 2.