The Yreka FWO teamed up with the Klamath Natioanl Forest and the Siskiyou County Office of Education at an annual field trip for students from Montague Elementary School. About 25 students attended the after-school event and learned how to use binoculars and received a lesson on local wildlife and fish. (photo: USFWS)

by Noah Ellis, Yreka FWO
On March 9, 2009, the after school program at Montague Elementary School participated in the annual Greenhorn Nature Day at Greenhorn Park in Yreka, California.  Three agencies were responsible for putting on the event; taking the lead was Jason Singleton of the Siskiyou County Office of Education (SCOE) with support from both the Klamath National Forest and the Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office (Yreka FWO).

The afternoon started with a lesson on binocular use from the Forest Service’s Sam Cuenca, who explained how binoculars work, as well as how to use them effectively.  The students were then led on a bird watching walk where they observed a number of species including coots, ducks, geese, and gulls. 

Jennifer Jones, a biologist with the Yreka FWO and Noah Ellis, coordinator of the Yreka FWO’s Connecting People with Nature program, helped the students along the way, giving individual attention to each of the 25 students in attendance. 

Next, there was the stuffed animal hunt.  Barbara Freeman of the SCOE hid various stuffed animals around the park, and the students were given hints about the stuffed animals, and then they used their binoculars to locate the hidden stuffed animals.

Jones and Ellis assisted the students in creating fish prints, which allowed each student to connect with nature in an artistic and creative way.  Students painted a rubber fish which was then ‘stamped’ on to a piece of paper so the kid’s could take home a keepsake from their afterschool adventure. 

This event is a great example of how a simple program can make a lifetime impression on young people.