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Students, teachers enjoyed 2011 NatureFest

 

Over 112 fifth graders and their teachers from four counties (left) attended this year's NatureFest at Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The students at right learned map and compass skills as they participated in the Niobrara Treasure Hunt.

VALENTINE – A collection of hands-on nature activities helped to educate and entertain over a hundred fifth graders from Boyd, Brown, Cherry, and Rock Counties Wednesday at the fourth annual Nature Festival at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge near Valentine.

The Niobrara Valley Outdoor Education Partnership (NVOEP) sponsored the festival, and presenters included natural resources professionals from area agencies and organizations. Sandi Kinzer, Chief of Interpretation and Education for the Niobrara National Scenic River, served as this year’s event coordinator.

“NatureFest was a rousing success! Sharing our wonderful local natural resources on such a beautiful day with excited kids – who wouldn't have fun?” said Kinzer.

Despite the considerable “eeeewwww!!” factor, students waxed enthusiastic about learning to identify wildlife scat (droppings) using realistic plastic replicas. Led by Tracey Nelson, Operations and Outreach Coordinator for The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve, and staff from the Northern Prairies Land Trust, students learned a plethora of “factoids” about wildlife digestion and various uses of scat. Did you know that some animals use their scat for protection or to mark and defend their territory? Or that other animals use it for home-building? Students paid attention and did very well on the “poop quiz” at the end of the session.

Michelle Garwood, the Niobrara Council’s education programs assistant, led the Niobrara Treasure Hunt, in which students learned to use a map and compass to locate hidden treasures as they discovered fun facts about the Refuge and the Niobrara River. Dan Foster, Superintendent of the Niobrara National Scenic River, and Interpreter Adrianne Johnson led the youth on an “Incredible Journey,” in which students pretended to be water droplets as they learned about the earth’s water cycle.

In “Waterfall Wisdom,” led by Tim Storm of the Middle Niobrara NRD, students examined rock layers and area hydrology to learn how and why there are so many waterfalls along the Niobrara River, but few elsewhere in Nebraska.  UNL Extension Associate Pam Bauer of Ainsworth led the students in a game of “Environmental Jeopardy,” in which students tested their knowledge about natural resources.

“Other activities included “Tree-mendous Trees,” led by National Park Service Interpretation Ranger Bill Stall, in which students learned about what makes leaves green; “How Animals Learn What to Eat,” a lesson in selective grazing led by Valentine NRCS resource conservationist  Marla Shelbourn and soil conservationist Callie Kreutner; and a “Predator or Prey” exercise led by Troy Davis, the Fire Management Officer at Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.

The students were appreciative. One Bassett Grade School student said, “I learned how to use a compass, and I even found a TREASURE by using a compass to follow the clues!” Another added, “I learned a lot about predators and their prey.  I learned that animals sometimes take risks to go find better food.”

The teachers were also very pleased with the event.

“All our 5th grade students had a fantastic time,” said Valentine teacher Kris Krolikowski. “They enjoyed all the activities and felt that they learned a lot. They especially loved the scoop on poop, compass activity, chlorophyll activity, water cycle, and how animals choose their food activity. When they returned they brain-stormed facts and were able to recite that the digestive food tube is usually 4 times longer that the body of the animal. All in all, we all thought it was truly an exciting, fun and educational day.”

Bassett teacher Tami Cosgrove agreed. “Personally, I thought it was wonderful to see my students so excited about the beautiful scenic Niobrara River,” she said. “Sometimes we forget how lucky we are to have such beauty so close to home!”

Later in September, the NVOEP sponsored a related activity at Smith Falls State Park, Natural Resource Day, for the entire Keya Paha County elementary school.

  

 

In the activity “Tree-mendous Trees,” National Park Service Ranger Bill Stahl (left) helped Ainsworth fifth graders learn about what makes leaves green. The students used hammers to make leaf prints to take home with them. At right, students show off photos of the animals they correctly matched with scat replicas.
Fire & wildlife workshop draws crowd

 

The event offered a mix of interesting speakers and a field tour.

LYNCH – Fifty landowners and others interested in prescribed fire attended the Prescribed Fire and Managing for Wildlife workshop in early July.

Niobrara Valley Prescribed Fire Association president Carl Simmons welcomed the participants and gave an update on the association, now in its third year. During the morning presentations speakers discussed fire ecology, burning in deciduous woodlands, and the effects of fire and grazing on grassland birds.

The afternoon tour featured several areas that were burned this past spring to reduce eastern red cedar encroachment. The pastures were brilliantly green with healthy grasses and forbs, and dotted with dead cedar trees. Gerry Steinauer, a botanist with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, held an impromptu plant identification session during the tour.

Association board members Perry DeKay and Rick Pritchett described how each unit had been burned and challenges they faced.

Simmons was pleased with the large turnout. "I think this is one of the best workshops we've had yet," he said.

The workshop was co-sponsored by the Niobrara Valley Prescribed Fire Association, the Northern Prairies Land Trust, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, and the North Central Nebraska RC&D, with support from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.