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After School | Native
Wood | School Garden & Consulting | Ecological Education Strategy Habitat observation and nature journaling Setting: 1. The six diverse habitats on the farm are prairie, cropland, forest, horticultural cropland, orchard, and river. 2. At school the diverse habitats are on site gardens and natural areas. Environmental and ecological education principles shared: 1. Develop an understanding of what a habitat is 2. Develop an understanding of the inhabitants of the habitats 3. Develop an understanding of the changes in habitats with the changing seasons 4. Develop your inquiry skills (ask questions) 5. Develop an ability to sit still and observe the habitat around you 6. Develop an understanding of how to use your senses to uncover the many layers (beauties) of nature 7. Develop an ability to record what is in the habitat both in general and in more specific terms 8. Develop an understanding of your impact on the habitat 9. Develop an understanding of quiet observation and journaling to help tap into the quiet reservoir deep inside which offers children and youth peace, tranquility, and a place to reflect on life’s decisions Ecological Education Strategy: Utilize garden to study impact of food production on nature Setting:
Environmental and ecological education principles shared: 1. No pesticide use protects the environment and helps bring insect ecosystem into balance 2. Develop knowledge of predators and means to attract them, accept that some insect damage is acceptable and sometimes helpful 3. No herbicide use to protect environment 4. Use human power to control unwanted plants, hoeing, pulling 5. Use mulch to control unwanted plants, conserve water, and build soil 6. No synthetic fertilizer use to protect environment 7. Develop a basic understanding of the soil and feed it with compost, green manure, minerals, and organic matter 8. No use of synthetic chemicals to control diseases 9. Develop an understanding of basic plant pathology and accept the fact that a plant that is diseased was weak in the first place and this weakness was caused by some stress/deficiency that must be corrected 10. Develop an understanding of crop rotations and how each crop can benefit the next 11. Consuming organic produce helps people avoid chemical contact and provides a better product. Ecological Education Strategy: Health and Nutrition from Nature Setting:
Environmental and ecological education principles shared: 1. The more whole foods we eat the better our health will be 2. Eat lots of colors in your fruits and vegetables 3. Food not only fills our bellies it also nourishes our health 4. Outings in nature offer boundless opportunities for exercise Ecological Education Strategy- Practicing Resource Management Setting: The Farm’s 15 acre forest of native trees Environmental and ecological education principles shared- 1. The forest did not grow solely for us it grows in spite of us 2. Be thankful for what the forest offers and use its resources very wisely 3. Using native wood from tree to finished product is the work of a true craftsman and it connects one to where they live Ecological Education Strategy: Capturing the Wonders of Nature in Photography Setting: Beautiful nature photographs can be taken at any location Environmental and ecological education principles shared- 1. A photograph can freeze in time a moment of beauty so that we may share that beauty with one another 2. A nature photograph tells two stories, one about the subject and another about the photographer 3. A nature photograph allows us to take something from the habitat without disturbing it School Garden Consultation and Development Ecological Education Strategy: Taking Learning Beyond the Classroom to On Site Gardens/Natural Areas Setting: Gardens/Natural Areas on School Grounds Environmental and ecological education principles shared: 1. With Community Assistance all schools can have a setting for outdoor learning 2. Gardens/Natural Areas are designed with student input 3. Gardens/Natural Areas help schools meet curriculum objectives 4. Gardens/Natural Areas help increase student exercise 5. Gardens/Natural Areas are a perfect place to discuss nutrition with students 6. Students take great pride in their gardens/natural areas Ecological Education Strategy: Utilize local food in the lunchroom to connect children to their food Setting: School lunchroom, WCFEC fruit and vegetable gardens Environmental and ecological education principles shared: 1. Eating closer to home greatly reduces the negative impact on the environment 2. Local food is fresher and contains more nutrients which are lost in foods that have to travel great distances 3. Local food connects students to place 4. Using local food in the lunchroom connects farmers to eaters and strengthens the community 1. Assist families in developing at home gardens 2. Visit home gardens and assist families in maintaining gardens 3. Assist WCFEC participant neighborhoods in developing neighborhood gardens 4. Visit neighborhood gardens and assist neighbors in maintaining gardens Environmental Summit for Children and Young Adults During Earth Day Week, the Whispering Cottonwood Farm Educational Center participants host an environmental/ecological summit for children and young adults. The summit focuses on our local environment/ecosystems and what we need to do to protect them. As guides WCFEC participants take groups of students to each of the Farm’s habitats. At each habitat an expert discusses the habitat with the visitors and then visitors are asked to offer ideas to help us protect the habitat locally and nationally if possible. At the end of the week these ideas are combined and they are delivered to the governor either personally or via a carrier. |