WINTER IN PROVINCIAL PARKS 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     During the winter months, Provincial Parks go through a change in energy 
     
     expenditure. Although they remain open, the parks are no longer actively 
     
     catering to vacationers. The obvious exceptions are Brudenell River and 
     
     Mill River Provincial Parks, which have cross-country skiing and snowshoe 
     
     programs, and Brookvale Provincial Ski Park, which has downhill and cross- 
     
     country skiing. 
     
    
   
   
    
     An education program consisting of snowshoe trails and associated literature 
     
    

    
     has been developed with the cooperation of the Department of Education. This 
     
     program is oriented to grades four and six, although it would be of interest 
     
    

    
     to any student or youth organization. An associated program consisting of 
     
    

    
     school visitations with animal specimens provides an opportunity to discuss 
     
    

    
     ecology and how the animals of Provincial Parks cope with their energy expenditures. 
     
    
   
   
    
     To most animal species, the winter presents the time of greatest stress - 
     
    

    
     they must obtain food as well as combat the cold. The exceptions are those 
     
     animals which hibernate or fly south. Even though food is scarcer, consumption 
     
     must increase to counteract the new energy expended in keeping warm. For young 
     
     animals, this is combined with energy expenditures for growth. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Some small animals remain under the snow, making use of its insulating capacity 
     
     to protect them from extreme low temperatures. Animals such as mink, weasels 
     
     and shrews count on their high metabolic rate to produce heat to fend off the 
     
     cold. This means, however, that they must have a high food consumption. 
     
    
   
   
    
     ‘water animals, such as muskrat and beaver, count on the heat contained in water 
     
     (it doesn't drop below 0° C) to offset very low air temperatures. For the large 
     
     land animals, Such as foxes, their thickened coat of fur help keep them warm. 
     
    
   
   
    
     For the imported raccoons and skunks, the winter consists of a shallow hibernation 
     
     or dormancy during severe cold periods with bouts of active searching for food 
     
     during warm, sunny days. 
     
    
   
   
    
     If you or your group would like to know more about any of the animals, or any 
     
     Provincial Park winter program, please contact Provincial Parks at 892-743l.