3/19/2007

Volunteer naturalists educating young minds

Farmington Bay volunteer naturalists have been educating students about the Great Salt Ecosystem for the past three years. Students have seen waterfowl, waterbirds, songbirds and raptors during the migration and nesting seasons.

What do Farmington Bay WMA and the Utah State Office of Education have in common? The Utah State Office of Education recognized the importance of wetlands to the ecosystem. Wetlands are now included as part of the 4th grade Science Core requirements.

By combining the popularity of birding opportunities and education, volunteer naturalists at Farmington Bay conduct presentations to 4th graders, scout groups as well as the general public about wetlands and their importance to the ecosystem. Some of the activities include: bird identification, adaptations, migration paths and macro-invertebrates.

Farmington Bay has 12 volunteer naturalists who have dedicated their time and talents to teaching students. Students get the opportunity to view just a small portion of the 200 species that have been documented and 57 species that nest here regularly.

Teachers see the need of providing hands-on experiences by taking advantage of the Farmington Bay Learning Center. The volunteer naturalists expose the students to an authentic learning environment which makes a lasting impression on the students.

Volunteer naturalist Ritva Perkins says, "I enjoy working with the students. What is most rewarding about teaching is the gleam in their eyes telling me that they understand what I have just taught them. I hope they will remember what they have learned at Farmington Bay and someday become a naturalist as well."

If you or someone you know enjoys birding and would like to become a volunteer naturalist at Farmington Bay, trainings will be held on March 31st starting at 8:30 a.m. Contact Jodie Anderson at 801-791-8589 or Jodieanderson@utah.gov for more information.