This week and next, over 250 4th graders are enjoying "School to Nature" led by volunteers of Caledonia Conservancy land trust at Trout Ponds Prairie, a public access nature preserve at 4819 4 Mile Road.
The students enjoy being at their outdoor classroom to learn and see habitats of wildlife, organisms that live in pond water and what plants live on a prairie. Halfway through their 2 hour outdoor classroom they get to see Root River and stand near the shore and see the water flow. The School to Nature program started in 2010 and in its short existence the program has welcomed over 2500 students from area schools.
Volunteer nature leaders, many who are retired teachers, guide 4th grade students through the winding nature trails, to see and hear different habitats on the Prairie, Ponds, Woods and River. The nature leaders have been trained and use the Wisconsin DNR "Project Learning Tree" curriculum in a wonderful environment where kids can enjoy hands on learning about how nature's rhythm and balance are part of all our lives and how climate change and environment affects all creatures on this earth.
The spring program takes place in May at Tabor Woods, 5131 Tabor Road. Sixth graders from Gilmore, McKinley and St. Rita's School take part in that program.
Caledonia Conservancy gives many thanks to Racine Community Foundation and Root-Pike WIN who have helped fund this successful program through equipment needed and resources to environmental learning and helping with busing the students to their outdoor classrooms on preserved natural land the Conservancy owns and maintains which includes walking and equestrian trails for public access. Both the spring and fall School to Nature programs are held at no charge to the schools participating.
Caledonia Conservancy's School to Nature program also has a display of a mounted Great Horned Owl and other birds of prey whose habitats exist outdoors and the students get to see first hand the beauty of these birds. All of this information is shared through a curriculum based worksheet that the students complete and students, teachers and volunteer leaders all complete an evaluation sheet on their outdoor nature field trip experience.
Caledonia Conservancy is a not-for-profit accredited land trust - a mark of distinction that recognizes organizations for meeting national standards of excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent. For more information about School To Nature or about how to donate to Caledonia Conservancy see www.caledoniaconservancy.org or email sdewalt@wi.rr.com or suzi.caledoniaconservancy@gmail.com
