National Association for Interpretation River Ramble Field Trip survivors of snow, sleet and rain. A first for some and a memory for all.

This is the first time canoeing for NAI member and Iowa State Student.

Snow, rain, or sleet didn't stop the River Ramble on the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.  The National Association of Interpretation (NAI)[1] held its Regional Workshop in Rochester, MN.  One of the field trip opportunities included visiting the Refuge.  Participants experienced canoeing on the Mississippi River and were able to capture this memory in a journal made specifically for this river trip.  Staff from the Refuge introduced them to the Know, What, How, Learned (KWHL)[2] model used to conduct environmental education programs on the Refuge.  They were asked, What do you know about Great Blue Herons?  What do you want to know about Great Blue Herons? How will we discover this information?, and What have you learned?   

Participants learned about the River Explorer partnership with Winona State University.  During the summer months we offer teacher workshops using Project Wet and Wild curriculums tailored to the Refuge.  After attending a workshop, the teachers can book a class field trip on-board the River Explorer.  Teachers and staff from the Refuge conduct the hands-on river activities.

They learned that the Service recently launched its Let’s Go Outside! initiative to encourage Americans to spend time outdoors. It’s a great way to foster meaningful experiences for the entire family and create a life-long connection to the environment. Recent research has shown it can also improve one’s overall health and well-being.  The Refuge staff shared the prototype of the Let’s Go Outside backpacks that are being created.  Each pack has 9 activity cards outlining activities that help develop a child’s sense of wonder by encouraging them to explore the neighborhood with binoculars, see like a bug sees and record findings in a journal.  These backpacks are being placed in local libraries and marinas so that families will have the opportunity to check them out and Go Outside![3]

The Refuge partnered with the NPS Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRA) on this river exploration.  Participants learned about MNRA’s  Big River Journey classroom, Journey to the Falls and River Action Days programs. 

Although it rained and snowed on the participants and the temperature topped out at 43 degrees it was a great day on the River! Six participants had never been on the Mississippi River, one had never canoed before, and three more had never been to Wisconsin.  It was a big first for many and a memory that was recorded in their River Journals to be remembered for many years.