25
Apr
2012
300 area elementary school children are going to spend time in the "wilds" this week learning about our natural habitat. ECO Camp is coordinated by the Rock Island County Regional Office of Education in conjunction with the following organizations all who were involved in creating ECO Camp 12 years ago - a true partnership:
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Soil & Water Conservation District
Department of Natural Resources - District Forestry
Department of Natural Resources - Fisheries
The first ECO Camp was Fall 2000 and we do 2 days each fall and 2 days each spring. We have had over 7,000 students attend ECO Camp over those 12 years. We have been able to provide transportation funding for schools in need so the field trip is free!
ECO Camp Basics:
Professional biologists, fisheries experts, and soil scientists are just some of the leaders who will share their expertise with students who attend ECO Camp on April 26th and 27th at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve from 9:30 am -2 pm.
Purpose: Students will gain a basic understanding of environmental ecology and skills for wise natural resource management and use in Illinois.
Over the two days, over 300 4th-6th grade students from area schools will travel to six, 30-minute sessions throughout the day.
Schools attending:
Thursday:
Logan School, Moline
CR Hanna, Orion
Friday:
Eugene Field, RI
Riverdale, Port Byron
The stations and what they'll learn:
A. Habitat composition - Students learn about different ecosystems and their composition such as wetlands, lakes, streams, and soils.
B. Management - Students learn about land and water management. Students learn the importance of maintaining stream banks and farming practices to prevent soil erosion and water pollution. The fisheries biology station teaches children about the importance of maintaining appropriate populations of fish and also the importance of keeping our waterways clean.
C. Responsible action - Students learn about soil erosion and how they can help prevent soil erosion on a small scale. They also learn about responsible farming practices that prevent soil erosion and water pollution by actively experimenting with a simulation.
D. Biodiversity & Communities - Students learn about many species of fish and the types of organisms that they feed on for survival. Students also learn about the many organisms that live in the soil. At the wetlands learning station, students learn about all the different types of organisms (birds, amphibians, mammals, insects, etc.) that live in the wetlands
E. Populations - Students learn about populations of fish in Lake George and why it is important to determine what types of fish are flourishing and the general populations of fish and macroinvertebrates to gauge the health of the lake.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Soil & Water Conservation District
Department of Natural Resources - District Forestry
Department of Natural Resources - Fisheries
The first ECO Camp was Fall 2000 and we do 2 days each fall and 2 days each spring. We have had over 7,000 students attend ECO Camp over those 12 years. We have been able to provide transportation funding for schools in need so the field trip is free!
ECO Camp Basics:
Professional biologists, fisheries experts, and soil scientists are just some of the leaders who will share their expertise with students who attend ECO Camp on April 26th and 27th at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve from 9:30 am -2 pm.
Purpose: Students will gain a basic understanding of environmental ecology and skills for wise natural resource management and use in Illinois.
Over the two days, over 300 4th-6th grade students from area schools will travel to six, 30-minute sessions throughout the day.
Schools attending:
Thursday:
Logan School, Moline
CR Hanna, Orion
Friday:
Eugene Field, RI
Riverdale, Port Byron
The stations and what they'll learn:
A. Habitat composition - Students learn about different ecosystems and their composition such as wetlands, lakes, streams, and soils.
B. Management - Students learn about land and water management. Students learn the importance of maintaining stream banks and farming practices to prevent soil erosion and water pollution. The fisheries biology station teaches children about the importance of maintaining appropriate populations of fish and also the importance of keeping our waterways clean.
C. Responsible action - Students learn about soil erosion and how they can help prevent soil erosion on a small scale. They also learn about responsible farming practices that prevent soil erosion and water pollution by actively experimenting with a simulation.
D. Biodiversity & Communities - Students learn about many species of fish and the types of organisms that they feed on for survival. Students also learn about the many organisms that live in the soil. At the wetlands learning station, students learn about all the different types of organisms (birds, amphibians, mammals, insects, etc.) that live in the wetlands
E. Populations - Students learn about populations of fish in Lake George and why it is important to determine what types of fish are flourishing and the general populations of fish and macroinvertebrates to gauge the health of the lake.
