Bog Explorations
Join us for this exploration of Hidden Valley Nature Center’s bog to learn about the plants and animals that inhabit this special ecosystem, and what makes this wetland unique and sensitive! Naturalist Lynne Flaccus will lead participants of all ages as we explore the surrounding forest and the edges of the bog, using our own observation skills to make discoveries.
Have you ever wondered what makes a bog different from other types of wetlands? What type of plants grow there and why? What adaptations do they need to survive? Why do some plants have fuzzy leaves? And why are some bog plants insectivorous (they don’t have teeth, do they)?
As we walk the trail to the bog, we’ll look for patterns in the forest that help us see differences and similarities between the surrounding uplands, and what we find in the bog. What are the birds, mammals and reptiles living in and around the bog? What types of insects make their home here? Enjoy observation games and a small scavenger hunt to discover the inhabitants of the bog. We will do our explorations from the boardwalk, to help protect this fragile wetland, there is so much to see, smell, feel and hear without even getting wet feet!
Please meet outside at the Welcome Center promptly at 10:00 a.m. Participants should bring a water bottle, snack if you choose, insect protection, and sturdy walking shoes or boots (depending on recent weather, you might want footwear for muddy trails to the bog.)
And don’t forget to bring your own curiosity and nature detective skills!
A note to educators
There is immense value in getting students outside, even for short amounts of time, to explore the natural world. Research is continuing to show that taking kids outdoors benefits social-emotional learning and leads to greater focus when students return to the classroom. For many teachers, this may seem daunting for a plethora of reasons from short class blocks, behavioral concerns, ticks, access to trails, and the perceived difficulty of meeting learning goals in an unconventional setting. Teachers may also be new to learning about the ecology of their setting. This Naturalist Workshop Series is designed to help address the concerns and challenges of taking students outside and grow your comfort level facilitating class learning goals within and beyond the playground.
Each program will provide an opportunity to observe an educator teaching to a group of students. We will provide supplemental materials for teachers to bring back to school, content you can use with students, and time at the end to ask questions and brainstorm ways you can transfer the lesson to your school's unique setting.
We hope you will step outside with us and bring what you experience back to your schools!