|
Mission: To actively
trigger participants interest, passion, and appreciation for the natural
environment they live in. Hands-on activity increases awareness and
generates long term value systems.
Target Group: Students grade 4-12. Enthusiastic adults.
River Ranger status would be achieved on a point system, with points
from two separate categories as qualification requirements.
The two categories are:
In-Field Environmental Learning and Environmental Cleanup.
An In-Field Environmental Learning example is a field trip for a mussel survey along with
video presentations and a search for other river critters and artifacts.
Another feature of the outing is the collection
of snail shells and creation of a decorative bottle display to contain them.
This idea stems from the interest shown in a Regional River History Center
of New Ulm display, which includes a clear glass bottle found in the
Cottonwood River. Partially filled with sand and numerous snail shells it
was unique enough to add to our mussel display. Young people exhibit a
natural curiosity and interest, spending significant time turning the bottle
to change the sand/snail shell locations.
Locating decorative clear plastic bottles and decorative sand in a craft
shop we offer youngsters an opportunity to create their own shell-bottle
displays, collecting the shells themselves. A trial field trip confirmed the
learning value of the project. Easy to find materials–most sandbars are
loaded with shells–along with multiple bottle and color choices unleashes
their artistic urges, creating a lasting memento and a fun outdoor
environmental learning experience. All materials are portable and not site
specific. Hands-on participation at its finest!
Environmental Cleanup requires participation in a clean-up project .
There are numerous group opportunities already in place for this. Also,
public input has resulted in several new specific target project
considerations.
The Reward Incentives are a RIVER RANGER button, a certificate, and
ownership of the Snail Shell Art Bottle.
Hopefully, the program’s greatest reward will be
the kindling of a lifelong environmental interest and the creation of a more
conscientious citizen. |
