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Sanctuary seeks crafty seniors

Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary sets up skill-sharing plan

Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary is getting crafty with plans for future growth.

The sanctuary and educational centre is seeking seniors interested in teaching and learning handiwork of all kinds for its senior’s craft program.

The primary focus of the federally-funded program is to see seniors with carpentry, textile and paper craft skills volunteer to pass on their skills to other seniors. The items produced, from birdhouses to bee condos to dried flower greeting cards, will reflect the conservational focus of the sanctuary, while using materials found on site.

Robyn Burton, manager of administrative services at Swan Lake, says there’s also an inter-generational aspect to the program.

“Seniors would be able to come and help kids put together a bird house (and) would pass on the knowledge that they had learned,” she said. “There’s a bunch of different levels to it.”

The items will be sold in the nature house gift shop to support the program into the future.

The program is made possible through a partnership with Saanich Silver Threads, where most workshops will take place. A quilting class is the first to be offered.

Depending on the level of interest, the program should be self-sustainable by the end of the year.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Burton or volunteer program co-ordinator Betty Leitch at 250-479-0211.