Workshop members receive an introduction to questing from Steve Glazer of Valley Quest before setting out on the trail. (Photo Credit: Sean Brophy, USFWS)

We all had a great time and are very excited about the future of questing on the North Coast. (Photo Credit: Sean Brophy, USFWS)

Brainstorming the quest led by Steve Glazer of Valley Quest. (Photo Credit: Sean Brophy, USFWS)

by Sean Brophy, Humboldt Bay NWR

When you put over twenty motivated, dedicated and focused environmental educators into a room to brainstorm, great ideas are bound to surface.  Such was the case August 15, 2008 during “The Questing Workshop,” hosted by Deputy Project Leader Shannon Smith at Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

Quests are place-based “treasure” hunts in rhyme that can be undertaken by children and/or adults working together.  It is a way for communities to celebrate their rich natural and cultural history, stories and special places.  Questing is yet another way to encourage visitors from both near and far to utilize their senses to experience more of the special places we call home, and is a great addition to the “People in Nature” toolbox at Humboldt Bay, or any National Wildlife Refuge.

Although Quests are increasingly common in the eastern United States, it is a relatively new in the west.  The goal of the workshop was to develop a Quest for the Shorebird Loop Trail of the refuge.  Over the course of the day, participants learned to create movement clues and teaching clues, different styles or formats a quest can be presented in, and not least of all a deeper appreciation for the refuge.  They titled their Quest “A Place in Between,” owing to the refuge’s location between upland and bay, its role as a migratory stepping stone on the flyway and its cultural history between wild and developed.  An example of a clue using both movement and teaching from the Quest developed at the workshop was:

Stay on the road past post seven you go

To a line of trees; white spotted bark they will show.

These trees are called alders with water near their feet,

A perching place for birds looking for a quick bite to eat.

If you look close, tiny cones you may see,

With their broad green leaves pine trees they’ll never be!

Wind from the ocean trims their branches neat,

But on their sheltered side flowing lichens find a seat.

Look for dead branches where birds like to be.

When they look across this landscape what do your think they see?

The completion of the Quest reveals a “treasure” box, containing a stamp unique and relevant to the Quest, a sign-in book asking for participant’s experiences, and other activities and games to use at the site.  All participants in the workshop are very excited about the bright future of questing and the benefits it will provide for families, friends and all other groups that will enjoy a network of quests.  For more information about questing, contact Shannon Smith at Shannon_Smith@fws.gov or visit workshop leader Steve Glazer of Valley Quest’s website at www.vitalcommunities.org.