Thanks to a partnership among the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Salem District, Molalla RiverWatch,

A view of Aquilla Vista.

Inc., and the Molalla River School District, some Oregon middle school students are creating a place where they can learn about nature. The 20-acre Aquilla Vista Environmental Education Research Area is located on BLM land outside the city of Molalla, about 60 miles southeast of Portland, Oregon. Aquilla Vista, —“Eagle’s View”—is named for the area’s spectacular view of the Molalla River Valley, above which golden eagles soar.

Spring, a time of new life and growth, is also a signal that it’s time for students and teachers from Molalla Middle School to embark on their annual field trips. In Spring 2000, over 400 students joined BLM resource specialists and members of Molalla RiverWatch at Aquilla Vista. The day-long events involved a combination of learning and hands-on work. Students divided into groups of 10 to study pond and forest ecology, ecosystem comparisons, and plant identification, and also worked on building and improving trails in the area. At the end of the day, the students made presentations about what they learned to the rest of their classmates.

“This program is not only teaching kids about the environment, but it is also giving them a sense of stewardship,” says BLM Ranger Nick Teague. “These kids have been coming out here year after year and they’re proud of what they’ve accomplished. They tell their friends and parents about what they are doing at Aquilla Vista and hopefully this will carry on as they grow into adults.”

Wearing hardhats for safety, students construct hiking trails under BLM supervision.	Students enthusiastically load gravel to apply to newly built trails.	BLM forester Michael Barger shows students how to use a compass.

Follow-up meetings with participating teachers also reveal excitement and support for the program at Aquilla Vista. For example, one teacher shared the fact that a student who had been disruptive in class previous to his involvement in an Aquilla Vista trip was now a better student overall, and that his grades had improved dramatically.

BLM Ranger Nick Teague (left) confers with a teacher after a day's session.	Teachers participating in Aquilla Vista field trips have as much fun as their students.

“Our goal is to create a fun learning experience and encourage an understanding of the complexity of different ecosystems for students and other visitors,” said Kay Patteson, Molalla RiverWatch Executive Director. “Many students have also developed leadership skills and expressed an interest in continuing their higher education in environmental research.”

Beginning in March and continuing through the end of the 2001 school year in June, students will return to Aquilla Vista, many of them for their second or third year. They will conduct more nature studies and work to improve their special place in the outdoors. What they learn and experience will not only shape their lives, but also the lives of those who follow them. They are creating and leaving a legacy for future generations.

Kay Patteson of Molalla RiverWatch (left) helps a group of students to compare the various ecosystems that are present at Aquilla Vista.	A seventh-grader works on a report that she will present to her classmates at the end of the day.	A student catches a few winks during a 45-minute lunch break.

For additional information on this program, please contact Nick Teague by email at Nick_Teague@blm.gov or contact Molalla RiverWatch at riverwatch@molalla.net.