The Marvellous Marmot
Calgary WildlifeMeet the marvellous marmot, Marmalade! Discover the wonderful world of Alberta's mountain marmots.
Quick Facts
Format
In-person Outreach
Cost
215
Grades
Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 4, Grade 7, Grade 10, Teachers / PD, Grade 12, Grade 6, Grade 9, Grade 5, Grade 8, Grade 11, Homeschool
Length
Single session (under 2 hours)
Group Size
5–45 students
Language
English
Time of Year
Fall (Sep–Dec), Summer (Jul–Aug), Spring (Apr–Jun)
Setting
Indoor
About This Program
Meet Marmalade, Calgary Wildlife's very own hoary marmot ambassador! Discover the fascinating lives of these charismatic mountain dwellers and enjoy a special up-close encounter with one of Alberta's most charming rodents.
What to Expect
This interactive, 30–45-minute presentation is delivered by a Calgary Wildlife educator and trained animal ambassador handler at your school or organization. Participants explore Alberta's marmots through engaging visuals, fascinating wildlife facts and real stories from our rehabilitation hospital, followed by a special visit from Marmalade, our live hoary marmot ambassador. For Marmalade's comfort and well-being, presentations are limited to a maximum of 45 participants and must take place in a quiet, indoor space away from dogs, cats and other distractions. A separate, quiet room or staging area is required for Marmalade to rest before and after her appearance. Participants will have an opportunity to observe Marmalade up close, but touching or handling her is not permitted. A TV or projector with audio is required; if one is not available at your location, we can bring our own. Important: This program is seasonal and depends on Marmalade's natural hibernation cycle, typically running from May through September. Her participation is always voluntary, and programs may occasionally need to be adjusted, rescheduled or cancelled due to weather, health or her willingness to participate. We use positive reinforcement and never force Marmalade to attend.
Curriculum Connections
This presentation supports science learning through the exploration of animal adaptations, habitats, biodiversity, ecosystems and seasonal behaviours such as hibernation. Participants investigate how marmots survive in alpine environments, their ecological roles and the impacts of human activities on wildlife. Content can be adapted to suit different age groups and grade levels.
Subjects
Topics
Accessibility
Physical Accessibility
Our educators travel directly to your school or facility, so physical accessibility depends on your venue. This presentation is primarily seated, with participants observing Marmalade and engaging in discussion. Participants can enjoy the program without needing to stand, move around or physically interact with the animal.
Neurodiverse Accommodations
Our presentations incorporate visual, auditory and observational learning to engage different learning styles. Educators can adapt pacing and delivery to accommodate participants' individual needs. Because Marmalade is a live animal, a calm environment is essential, and we ask participants to avoid sudden loud noises or movements during her visit. Please contact us in advance to discuss specific accommodations.
How to Book
To book The Marvellous Marmot, visit our online booking page, select your preferred date and time, and submit a booking request. All requests are manually reviewed to ensure Marmalade's availability and that the venue is suitable for her needs. Once your request has been approved, you will receive an invoice with instructions for online payment. Please note that this program is seasonal, typically available May through September, and limited to a maximum of two back-to-back presentations per day. For questions about venue requirements, group sizes or special accommodations, please contact education@calgarywildlife.org.
About the Organization
