Archery was a huge hit with both kids and adults.(photo: USFWS)

Senora B. uses the spotting scope to view birds in the distance on Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. (photo: USFWS)

Beatrix Treiterer, acting refuge manager at Stone Lakes NWR, interacts with a young visitor. (photo: USFWS)

by Erica Szlosek, External Affairs
For the past three years children of regional office and Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office  employees have been given a glimpse into the life of a Service employee, thanks to a nationwide shadowing program. This year, Take Your Child to Work Day, was held April 23.

Organized by Pacific Southwest Regional Office Budget and Finance Analyst Dara Rodriguez, the day was put together to give children an opportunity to spend a portion of the day outside enjoying the Sun River Unit of Stone Lakes National Wildlife Refuge (near Elk Gove, Calif.) as well as a chance to experience the range of work activities of their parents’.

“It was a fantastic day, really our best event yet,” said Rodriguez. “This year 36 children participated and with the support of our partners, for the first time activities included archery, a Junior Duck Stamp lesson, hiking and photography.”

Every child received a specially-designed t-shirt to commemorate the day then boarded the bus south. Once at Stone Lakes the group was split into three and for the next 45 minutes children and adults alike had the chance to spend the time learning the intricacies of archery through the California Fish and Game “Archery in the Schools Program,” instructed by Robert Moore. The National Archery in the Schools Program was adopted by California in 2005 and became the 35th state to do this. According to Moore it is changing lives one arrow at a time!

Other activities included hiking with Assistant Refuge Manager Beatrix Treiterer and Recreation Planner Amy Hopperstad, or learning about waterfowl through the Junior Duck Stamp Program from Kelly Rathburn from California Waterfowl. For every Junior Duck Stamp art entry that is received, California earns $1.00 for conservation education.

“It was hard to tell who enjoyed the activities more, the children or the parents,” Rodriguez added.

After a quick picnic lunch everyone re-boarded the bus back to the office and received a goody bag filled to keep alive the outdoor experience. Then it was time for the kids to get to work shadowing their parents in the office before heading home for the day.

A number of the kids sent in thank you letters detailing their favorite parts of the day:

“I learned how to shoot a bow and arrow and it was really fun. When they put balloons on the targets I actually popped one - man it was so fun. I also learned about water fowl and parts of their body that make them adapted to where they live.  Finally we went on a hike and saw lots of interesting insects and animals like butterflies, flies that disguised themselves as bees, and all kinds of birds.  We also saw cows.  The cows were so cute I just wanted to squeeze them!” Senora.

“I liked the butterfly! I liked the bow and arrow! I like the bird nest. I like taking pictures!” Kara, age 7.

“I learned about wildlife. I spent time with my mom and had fun. I learned more about waterfowls – the ones with skinny feet are great for standing in the mud without sinking. I saw a weird one with lobe feet that are great for running on water. I saw animal skulls, claws, and where they could be found. I saw a lot of swans. They are very beautiful birds. I really like archery, it is very cool. I want to do that again next year,” Tavanta, age 12.

“I enjoyed the archery, and the nature walk. I learned about waterfowl. I learned that we need to improve our environment, that it is being polluted by some vehicles,” Liy-Niesha, age 9.

“The thing I liked the most was shooting the bow and arrows. On our nature walk we saw wetlands, birds, and cows. It was fun to take pictures of all the wildlife. I can’t wait to [do] it again next year!” Zac, age 7

“Today I learned about wood ducks directed by a professional girl who studies the wood duck and her name is Kelly. She explained three very important parts of the wood duck to survive the cold water and the winter. They are the beak, feathers, and its webbed feet. They use their feet to swim and go under water. Kelly also told us that their feathers are to fly and keep warm, also their feathers are to migrate. Wood ducks use their beaks to catch their food. There also was archery. Who was directed by Robert Moore. Many people did excellent. I learned how to make my target and hold the bow and arrow. There are two types of bows – compound and recurve. I guess I did good enough. I definitely had fun. We did a nature walk around the reserve. I also had fun there too. I saw one skunk, many butterflies, several cranes, dozens of cows and a crawdad. The walk was wonderful and I had a great time. I think my mom did a lot better this year,” Desiree, age 10.

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Learn more about the  Service's Connecting People With Nature Initiative