| Kids have a field day at "Forest Field Day" |
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Students learn about wildlife species in Oregon forests
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Reaching consensus on how to manage "Grandma Petersen's" forestland is the dilemma facing sixth-grade students fortunate enough to attend this year's "Forest Field Days," hosted by Forests Today and Forever.
Hosted by private landowners on private landowner properties, the program gives students and area educators a natural resource learning opportunity while helping students and teachers meet state benchmark standards. The fun-filled event is packed with learning opportunities - including four "stations," and a full curricula.
Stations include:
- soil and water
- recreation
- forestry
- wildlife
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ODF Forester Jordan Ryder and Prairie Mountain students
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Oregon Department of Forestry staff have been instrumental to the program's success. "As far as I know, department staff have been helping out since the inception of Forest Field Days," says Program Coordinator LaRae Ash. "They're really a great support, always, especially the Western Lane District stewardship foresters Jordan Ryder, Joe Lynch, Bob Johnson, and Paul Clements. They always step up, and sometimes for two days. Good teachers and great with the kids," she adds.
The annual event got its start in 1985 when forest products leaders and other forestry enthusiasts in Lane County recognized the need to expose more members of the public to concepts of forest management and stewardship.
This year, Forest Field Days are being held in Lorane, Sweet Home, and Florence. Middle schools participating this year include Shasta, Prairie Mountain, Meadowview, Oaklea, Mountainview, Cascade, Mapleton, Jefferson Arts & Technology, Hawthorn, Foster, Oak Heights, and Siuslaw.
Visit Forests Today and Forever for more information
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