Nature Bulletin No. 534-A   Septmeber 7, 1974
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
George W. Dunne, President
Roland F. Eisenbeis, Supt. of Conservation

****:WORKSHOPS AND FIELD TRIPS FOR TEACHERS

The Forest Preserve District, as a part of the educational program 
conducted by its Department of Conservation, again is offering a series 
of three-day workshops and another of one-day field trips, during this 
school year, for teachers in the schools of Chicago and suburban Cook 
County.

Only a few decades ago, most Illinois people resided on farms or in 
small towns. They lived close to the soil. From childhood they had 
been so familiar with the out-of-doors that special schooling in 
ecology, plant life, wildlife and land management seemed superfluous.

Since those days, urban areas have grown enormously while rural 
populations have dwindled to a small fraction of the total. These urban 
dwellers are just as dependent upon the land and its natural resources 
as is the farmer or the small town businessman. Environmental 
education and an understanding of the vital needs for wise use of our 
natural resources have become increasingly necessary as integral parts 
of the educational processes at all levels.

The Forest Preserve District, in cooperation with the public and 
parochial school systems of Chicago and Cook County, has developed 
a broad program of outdoor education. An essential part is devoted to 
encouraging schools to make more and better use of the 64,000 acres 
of preserves. Such use is growing from teacher participation in field 
trips and demonstrations offered by a training program which has 
three phases -- summer courses for college credit, three and five day 
workshops, and one-day field trips .

As announced in the "box" at the foot of this bulletin, the Forest 
Preserve District is offering three 3-day and two 5-day workshops at 
Camp Sagawau this autumn. These are conducted through the 
cooperation of the Superintendent of Chicago Public Schools and the 
Cook County Superintendent of Schools.

Reservations for one-day field trips by groups of teachers, during this 
autumn or next spring, may be made now by arrangement with our 
office. Such trips have proven an effective way to give large numbers 
of teachers a brief introduction to the out-of-doors and the many ways 
in which the Forest Preserve District's natural areas can be utilized for 
classroom instruction. In the suburban public schools and the 
parochial schools the dates are usually chosen on days set aside as 
"institute' or "in-service training days. "

On a typical day, two or more naturalists spend the day with the 
teachers in the field. Their objective is a well-rounded approach to the 
natural history, an opportunity to collect teaching materials, and 
suggestions for field trips and classroom projects. School aquariums 
and terrariums, geology, trees, shrubs, wildflowers, insects, aquatic 
life, waterfowl and other wildlife are seen and discussed on leisurely 
walks and a visit to one of our nature centers. At noon, all eat paper-
bag lunches .