We know the woods around our homes and along our favorite trails are filled with wildlife, but who exactly is living there? In this workshop, naturalist Susan Keefer will help unravel the mysteries of identifying which animals are active but unseen along ponds and in the forests around us.
Participants will learn to identify animal tracks by the shape of the footprint, length of the stride, walking style, and the habitat in which they are found. We’ll examine plaster casts of animal tracks and use tracking id cards (which participants can take home) to see which feet belong to which animal. As well as looking at the prints made by different animals, the group will learn how different animals walk. Knowing which mammals bound, diagonally walk, hop or waddle, will allow even unclear tracks to be identified.
After an introduction to tracking in the Barn, the group will venture out on a hike in search of animal signs including scat, chews, trails and holes. Join us as we search the landscape for signs of animals that are likely living in your woods as well.
Please wear shoes you can hike in and bring water. As always bug spray is suggested.
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!