Nature Exchange – John Janzen Nature Centre Exhibit/Program

The Cause

The Edmonton Nature Centre Foundation (ENCF) was established in 1979 with a mandate to raise funds for the ongoing development of the John Janzen Nature Centre. Our newest project includes the redevelopment of an existing exhibit room to create Edmonton's only "nature exchange" program!
The Nature Exchange is a unique and innovative learning place that will rely on the trading of natural items and information about them. The purpose of the project is to inspire people of all ages to explore the world around them, learn as much information as they can about it, and share that information with the Nature Centre staff when trading for points for their items. The points can then be used to add new natural items to their collection, or banked for use at a later date.
How will it work?
At the new Nature Exchange you can trade things made by nature - like rocks, shells, fossils, pine cones or feathers - to name a few. Trading is based on points. Points are awarded for your item and for what you know about it (Information), what makes it different from similar ones (Specialty) and its overall Quality.
Step 1 - Bring items from nature to us!
Bring natural, collected items to the John Janzen Nature Centre's new Nature Exchange. Trained staff will initiate a discussion with you about what the object is, where it came from, why it is special and any other details that you think are important.
Step 2 - The Exchange or Trade
You will then have a chance to negotiate (if you'd like to!) for points that our staff will give you, based upon a series of criteria. Some of these criteria are based on the ethics of collecting and regional availability, while others are based upon each trader's enthusiasm, initiative and determination, as well as the following key items:
Information: What knowledge can the trader share with us about their item?
Uniqueness: What distinguishes the item from other similar items?
Quality: What condition is the item in?
The more information you know about your item, the more it will be worth!
Step 3 - Open an Account
The Nature Exchange will have its own accounting system... kind of like a bank account. Points can be used immediately or banked in the Nature Exchange trading data bank and used for future trading for items in the Nature Exchange's constantly rotating collection.
Step 4 Take It Home
Visitors can take their traded items home to enjoy and add to their collections, or bring them back in to trade at the Nature Exchange for other items.

Who Will it Benefit?

The purpose of the project is to inspire people of all ages to explore the world around them, learn as much information as they can about it, and share that information with the Nature Centre staff when trading for points for their items. All visitors to the John Janzen Nature Centre - whether you are 1 or 101 - will benefit from the new Nature Exchange. While the Nature Exchange will be primarily targeted to children (including schools and other groups), everyone is welcome to participate. Items collected through the Nature Exchange will be displayed along with information about the items for the benefit of everyone visiting the Centre. Actively participate as a Nature Exchange enthusiast or simply stop by to view the exhibits and learn about the items others have collected.