Training Log Archive: Charlie

Earth Day festivities at Ratlum. ~170 3rd graders showed up today in waves. I think 3 school buses, but maybe 4. 7 classes in all. Kids had sessions at the bear den, at the bridge at Big Down Marsh for birds, green frogs, dragonfly nymphs and a water snake, and at the little pond for tadpoles, water bugs of various kinds and salamander eggs. Perhaps the high point of the trip is the chance to ride on the tire swing, hung by J-J all these many years ago. I do the bear den station. The other two stations are manned by naturalists from the local Nature Center, long time friends of ours. A bit hectic, but reasonably smooth. We have been doing this now since about 1998, I think. Many refinements in technique over the years.