- FWS photo

A Junior Naturalist Program was initiated at Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge this summer.  The program was geared toward educating and entertaining grade school age children.  It provided an opportunity  to not only reach out to young people within the local area but also give them something to do this summer, get them away from the electronic games and get them into the outdoors.

Amanda Griffin generated the idea for the porgram and developed all of the events.  She recently had completed a Masters Degree working on least bitterns at Squaw Creek. She lives in the local area and was hired as a temporary employee.

The programs were held every Thursday evening starting at 7:00 p.m. either at the refuge headquarters or at the outdoor classroom from June 28 through September 27.  There were 16 classes/events held with a total of 394 participants. Average attendance each week was approximately 25.  Twenty-two of the children signed up and completed the program.  Some of the classes included topics on the marsh, woodlands, scavengers, reptiles,seeds, soils, birds, beaver and insects.  In mid-September, the group captured and tagged monarch butterflies.