It was a perfect, sunny day for our visit to the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge and a perfect way to pull together some of the things we have learned this year. Before we left, we talked about what to look for and to listen for.
Here was our list:
- Animals (last time we went, one of our dad's spotted an American Bittern!)
- Native and non-native plants
- Native American treaty site - the first treat made in Washington state. It was called the treay of Medicine Creek.
- Conservation efforts - the dikes have been removed and the water flows freely throughout the estuary.
We learned all about the different types of habitats
and had some great hands-on experiences.
The refuge has an estuary, a riparian forest, a river, permanent freshwater wetlands, and seasonal freshwater wetlands all in one beautiful place.
We were given the opportunity to think like zoologists, botanists, ornithologists, entomologists, ichthyologists, carcinologists, and herpetologists!
We used our scientific research and recording skills.
We played!
We got to use binoculars and honed our observation skills.
We experienced native plants.
We experienced this non-native, invasive clinging plant.
We saw lots of wildlife including ducks, turtles and baby owls.
We saw how the Native Americans used to live on this land.
Thank you to all the knowledgeable and passionate volunteers who took us on a wonderful nature walk through the wildlife refuge.
Still wondering what a carcinologist is?
Good, then you're thinking like a life long learner,
exactly what we're hoping our Seabury students are becoming.
Google it! I had to!! :)
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