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Second Clearwater River Cleanup Day Yields a Bounty of Trash Over 2,680 pounds of metal and almost three tons of trash were collected over three days of river cleanup along the Clearwater River. The river is one of the more popular rivers sought by sport fisherman in northern Idaho due to its abundant steelhead fisheries. The first clean-up day was held in early September, but volunteers quickly realized that additional work days would be required to really make a difference. Two additional work days were held on September 22 and 23. Volunteers from a variety of groups, including a local 4-H club, County Commissioners, Bonneville Power Administration, Idaho Fish & Game and BLM spent two additional days along sections of the river collecting scrap metal and garbage. The events were sponsored by the Clearwater Management Council, a multi-county and agency board that works to improve the quality of the river for the people that use it. The group has already planned next an event for next year on August 11, 2012. Shoshone Field Office Takes Part in Educational Event More than 350 fifth graders from Gooding, Shoshone, Wendell, Camas and Bliss school districts participated in the annual Little City of Rocks outdoor education event on September 29. Shoshone Field Office Cultural Resource Specialist Lisa Cresswell provided an introduction to Southern Idaho archaeology and Outdoor Recreation Planner David Freiberg taught the kids about Snake River Plain volcanic geology. Other stations included water quality (Soil Conservation District), fish and wildlife (IDFG), and paleontology (NPS). This program is presented annually by the Gooding and Lincoln County Soil Conservation Districts.
Take it Outside Program Features Owls of the Northwest The crowd starting gathering at the Coeur d’Alene BLM pavilion along the shores of the Spokane River well before the Owl Hoot program began at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25. The evening event was organized and funded through a Take it Outside grant prepared by Coeur d’Alene BLM Environmental Education Specialist Beth Paragamian. Paragamian was assisted by volunteers from the Coeur d’Alene Audubon Society, from students who help at the Wildlife Education Center and guests from the Spokane Valley Outdoor Learning Center.
Burley Field Office Hosts Bicentennial Celebration of Astorian Fur Trappers Hosting over 200 students for a unique outdoor learning experience in the Snake River Canyon is no small feat. But thanks to the tremendous organization and careful attention to safety by the Burley Field Office staff and the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission, the students within the Twin Falls School District enjoyed a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity. Shifting between five different stations every twelve minutes, the students learned about archaeology, wildlife, geology, botany and the history of the Astorian Fur Trappers. They also learned about the Hunt Party Disaster, where one of the fur trappers/explorers lost his life in the broiling rapids of the Snake River.
“Exploring Wild North Idaho” Day Camp Engages Youth in the Outdoors Coeur d’Alene BLM Wildlife Education Specialist Beth Paragamian orchestrated and conducted the “Idaho Discoveries” Day Camp near Coeur d’Alene, ID as part of the BLM’s Take It Outside program. The day camp, one in a series of activities funded through a youth initiative, included 15 youth between the ages of 8 and 12. Daily explorations in different types of habitat allowed the youth to investigate the occupants within the area including birds, fish, butterflies, insects, reptiles and amphibians. A volunteer artist provided pointers on drawing wildlife while the attendees completed journal entries; sketching wildlife and writing notes about their discoveries. Funding for the program provided supplies and transportation along with tote bags and journal/sketch book for attendees to keep. Paragamian, who has conducted thousands of educational and outreach programs, said it was a wonderful experience for all who participated and illustrates, “how nature and wildlife make connections with people.” She was moved by their excitement and eagerness to learn about wildlife and different habitats and how appreciative they were. Paragamian, who has already received several thank you letters from attendees’ parents, summed up the week-long camp by stating, “I also had the best time of my life!”
Students of Mrs. Montoya's fourth grade class from St. Edwards Catholic School learned about lava-tube caves, cave life, cave conservation and cave safety while on a field trip to the Tee-Maze cave system on May 14. Hiking through multilevel cave passages, squeezing along narrow tunnels and helping each other up and down ledges gave the students an opportunity to experience an adventure most of them had no idea existed on nearby public lands. As part of the FO's Take it Outside Program, designed to get kids off the couch and out learning about and experiencing their public lands, many of the kids decided this may have been the best field trip they had ever taken.
Twin Falls Elementary Students Enjoy Guided Visit to Black Magic Canyon BLM-ID Twin Falls Elementary School fifth graders visited the uniquely sculpted lava rock of Black Magic Canyon in April. As part of BLM's Take it Outside Initiative, BLM staff and geologists took a group of 22 kids and chaperones on a self-discovery tour through the spectacular canyon. The kids were thrilled to learn about the geology of the native Wood River channel and the effects of erosion on volcanic rocks. Spirits were high as the kids climbed and scrambled among the unique “bathtub” features scoured into the rock. They also spotted a few voles and watched as owls soared silently through the canyon. The Shoshone FO is busy with Take It Outside adventures for Magic Valley area elementary students this spring. On Friday, May 7, 60 third graders will participate in a nature hike/scavenger hunt in Black Magic Canyon; the following week, 60 second graders will hike through Little City of Rocks. Finally, on May 21, 56 fifth graders will tour Tee and Maze Caves north of Shoshone. Want to find out about Environmental Education events in South-Central Idaho? Call the BLM Twin Falls District Office, 208-736-2350
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