The James Farm Ecological Preserve created in 1998, owned by Sussex County and managed by the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays, hosts 7th and 8th graders for field trips, where they are toured around the preserve and are taught all about the environment and ecology. I was lucky enough to tag along on a few of the field trips where we helped out the teachers.
 |
| The observatory facing one of the marshes |
Dennis, the Center's Schoolyard Habitat Coordinator, runs the program and knows just about everything there is to know about James Farm. As he led me and half the group through the woods, he taught the kids about the history of the farm, all about wetlands, watersheds, and soil quality. Alice and Karen, two other teachers, lead the second half of the kids out to the beach where they learned about the abiotic water quality factors and learned how to seine. Seeing the kids all dressed up in their overall waders was adorable. They surprisingly caught over 8 different species, where Alice and Karen then helped identify them.
 |
| The beach at James Farm |
As the technology era continues to grow, I was worried that younger kids would not be interested in what the 150-acre farm had to offer. I was joyed to see how much the kids loved it and wanted to come back with their friends and family. The teachers truly love being outdoor educators and the James Farm has so much to offer educationally.
This park features two miles of marked hiking trails, three observation platforms, a beachfront boardwalk and much more. Open all year round, it is definitely a beautiful place that I will be returning to even when I'm not working!
--Caitlin
No comments:
Post a Comment