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The Conservation Commission visits the school for some tracking fun!
On February 1st, Conservation Commission members Arin Mills, Sandy Robinson, Jed and Nan Schwartz visited the Washington Elementary School children to teach them about animal tracking in the snow.
We met with three separate groups and gave them each time to explore and learn about tracking.
We had hoped to get the groups outside to make tracks in the snow, but mother nature intervened - taking away all the snow, so we ended up spending all of our time indoors.
The workshop, led by Arin Mills, began as we talked about all the animals that we might see in Washington in winter. The kids talked about the many animals and tracks they have seen. She talked about what clues you might use to determine which animal made a certain track.
Next, Jed helped demonstrate the gaits that different animals use when they walk and the children all had fun doing the different gaits with him. He was a good sport and definitely got his exercise! They learned about walkers, bounders, waddlers and gallopers and how they all make different track patterns in the snow. There were lots of laughs as everyone got down on all fours to walk, waddle, bound and gallop!
We borrowed several great kits from NH Fish and Game. The kits had pelts and rubber molds of tracks for many different animals. We broke into groups and each took turns participating in the activities laid out on tables. Nan created sheets showing walkers, waddlers, bounders and gallopers, with pictures of each animal and examples of their tracks. The children handled all the pelts and printed tracks with the track molds using ink. There were books and posters helping to identify animals and their tracks. Sandy shared a Moose antler shed, that was found locally. The kids had lots of great questions and comments to share.
Animal track Information sheets
Printing animal tracks using molds
Checking out the Pelts
At the end of the workshop the teachers gathered some handouts and track guides for each child to take home with them.
Many thanks to NH Fish and Game for lending us the kits and providing the handouts for the children to take home with them. Big thanks also to Mrs. Lull and all the teachers at WES for giving us some of their valuable teaching time with the kids.
We all had a great time and hope to come back soon!
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