2008 Youth Education Programs

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A World of Wonder Programs
Grades: Head Start, Preschool, Kindergarten; Length: 1 to 2 hours; Cost: Free.
Each month explores a different topic to help young learners grow in awareness of the world around them. Programs are interactive and include an activity or craft. Presented by US Fish and Wildlife Service, for reservations or information call 715-685-2645 or e-mail katie_goodwin@fws.gov. Can't make it to the Center? Some programs can be given in your classroom; ask Katie for details.

November - "Animals Around Us"
Animals of the National Wildlife Refuge System and Northern Wisconsin.

December - "Bird Buffet"
Area winter birds and special treats we can make for them.

January - "Animals of Snowy Forest"
What animals do to survive winter—hibernating or hunting.

February - "Winter Wetland"
Even in winter life in the pond is very active-see what is alive under the ice.

March - "Track Detectives"
Look at how animals move and the tracks they make.

April - "Moving Day" (for the birds)
What new birds are we starting to see? (Migrating birds, nests, and eggs).

May - "Eagle Eye in the Sky"
Raptors and their adaptations. (Programs may include live birds).                               ^Top

Anishinaabeg: Native People of Lake Superior Forests
Learning about honored traditions of hunting, fishing, gathering, and making all things needed from the earth provides the background students need to begin to understand treaty rights on ceded lands. Through videos, artifacts, crafts, foods, and Ojibwa language, students will gain cultural awareness and understand the importance of learning and living respectfully with the earth and with each other. Issue: Lack of knowledge about tribal treaty rights on ceded lands. Visions: People living respectfully with the earth and each other; passing on healthy forests to future generations.

European Immigration and Lake Superior Region Resources
Voyageurs, fishermen, loggers, miners — lured by seemingly endless resources. Railroads and ships — delivering lumber and iron ore to a growing country, bringing people from the east and from across the ocean — some hoping to farm the cutover -- all looking for a new life. Students study this rich cultural history and diversity while pondering impacts on native people and resources. Issue: Long term impacts from short-sighted resource use. Vision: Learning from the past in order to better plan for the future.                                    ^Top

Watershed Discovery
What is a watershed? Students will look at the water cycle and how precipitation effects this area. We will then move onto what exactly a watershed is. Students will explore Whittlesey Creek's and Lake Superior's watersheds by being immersed into their habitats. This program also combines art and language to help the students articulate and convey what they have learned. Issues: Watershed health, Lake Superior health. Vision: Understanding how we contribute to healthy ecosystems in our Region.

River of Words
River of Words is a long-term project, focused on watershed education, art and poetry. This program incorporates Watershed Discovery, but takes the program to the next level with more in-depth study of art and language elements. There is also an extended time spent in the watershed which allows the students to do more sampling and habitat exploration. Portions of the project are done on school grounds, at the Center and on Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge. This project needs the involvement of the school, volunteers and Visitor Center staff. Due to the extended nature of this program, please call to discuss options for your class. Issues: Watershed health, Lake Superior health, community involvement and conservation. Visions: Working toward healthy watersheds by reaching out to local communities and becoming active land stewards.                                    ^Top

Forests for the Future
Students will examine and contrast examples of natural resource exploitation vs. stewardship and the contrasting impacts on forest plants and animals. Aldo Leopold’s “land ethic” will be introduced. The overall goal is for students to understand the importance of forests for wildlife, jobs, products, and the functions they perform for the health of the region and the planet. It is hoped students will gain an understanding of what it means to let the welfare of future generations influence the way we live today. Learning experiences include forest exploration, hands-on plant and wildlife investigation, land stewardship activity and reflection. Issues: Habitat impairment, loss of biodiversity. Vision: Caring about the future, a land ethic for all.

Habitat Rehab
Much of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center property is like many other northern rural acres — cleared of valuable trees a century ago, drained, and left in a worn-out, low-value, weedy state. What can we do to heal the land? Students will learn first hand how timber-quality trees, wetlands, and native plants can be returned to the land, increasing wildlife habitat and diversity, value to people, and benefits to streams, estuaries, and Lake Superior itself. Students will also be asked to participate in a habitat rehabilitation project and should come dressed for outdoor learning and work (old long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and sneakers! Issues: Habitat impairment, invasive species. Vision: Healing the land, healthy habitats.                                                                                                         ^Top

Public Lands: This Land is Your Land
Students will investigate and compare different management areas and habitats in terms of soils, vegetation, and wildlife while rating study sites for ecological, social, and economic values. Students will also gain understanding of Ojibwe Treaty Rights to hunt, fish, and gather on ceded Lands. A celebratory perspective on how we all “own” wilderness and lakeshore property will be offered. Stewardship work will be included, when possible. The Ojibwe Story of the Pipe and Prophecy of the Seventh Fire will bring all elements of the program together. Students will then be given an opportunity to reflect on their relationship with the forest and their responsibilities to humankind and the rest of creation. A hands-on land stewardship project will reinforce learning. Issues: Inaccurate perceptions of treaty rights and equal access to resources and wild places. Visions: Citizens of different cultures respecting the land and each other, sustainability of our forests.

Caring for the Creek
Students will visit Whittlesey Creek National Wildlife Refuge and its watershed. We will explore topics like erosion, invertebrates, restoration, water quality, ecosystems and land use. This is a hands-on outdoor classroom. Classes will be engaged in sampling and plantings to help students understand the current condition of Whittlesey Creek and how to become better land stewards. This program will help give students a sense of place and help them understand how they are tied to their watershed and that it directly impacts them. Issue: Watershed health and land stewardship. Visions: Citizen action and habitat restoration. ^Top

Students learn how to protect our forests and waters through research, monitoring, and educating others. They will become knowledgeable about one or more of the following issues and gain the skills and inspiration needed to serve as a “watershed warrior”. This program is most effective when integrated with classroom and/or community goals. Ask about opportunities to plan closely with our Environmental Educator to coordinate classroom and field learning experiences. Issues: Invasive species, toxins, habitat impairment. Visions: Citizen action, environmental restoration.                                                              ^Top

On-the-water explorations using safe, stable, double-seated kayaks to experience the ecology of Lake Superior’s “freshwater estuaries”. Learn how the region’s geology, culture and history have shaped these unique coastal wetlands and what it being done today to restore and protect them. Most programs are conducted on sheltered Fish Creek estuary and may be customized to meet special interests. No previous experience necessary. All equipment provided. (Signed health forms and waivers required and will be provided with pre-trip orientation packet) Issues: Watershed health, coastal wetland restoration. Visions: Protection and rehabilitation of freshwater estuaries. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming including Title IX and ADA. (Please make the need for accommodation known prior to the scheduled program).                               ^Top

Be one of the selected high school students who will live and learn on Lake Superior, the world’s largest freshwater lake! Learn more about your personal leadership style using low and high ropes courses and climbing walls that offer safe, but challenging activities to build your skills. Get immersed in the Lake Superior environment. Explore its estuaries. Kayak to its sea caves. Investigate Lake Superior’s critical issues based on a sustainable model that balances social, environmental, and economic perspectives, including the broader issues of race, class and gender. Gain insight into the Lake’s cultural significance and the Anishinabe or Chippewa Tribe’s reliance on it as you interact with Tribal elders and educators. Let us guide you in developing the knowledge to take action on environmental issues that concern you. Students will lodge at Northland College’s Environmental Living and Learning Center dormitory, located in Ashland, Wisconsin, which recently became the second city in the nation to adopt a resolution to become an Eco-Municipality. Some nights will be spent camping on secluded beaches along the lake! Northland College’s Sigurd Olson Environmental Institute and University of Wisconsin-Extension educators, faculty, and field counselors, will facilitate your experiences in small groups together with guest speakers and area natural resource professionals.

The Navigator program is designed as an advanced experience for students who have attended Pathfinders, a similar program, or have exceptional leadership experience. This program allows students to put their skills to use by designing and implementing a service learning project that has a direct impact on Lake Superior.                                       ^Top