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News

  • Forest Journal: What's Going on Under the Ice?

    Carrie Deegan
    January 24, 2023

    It’s that time of year again- the time when mere mortals can walk on water. Frozen water, sure, but it’s still one of the coolest (pun intended) ...

  • Mt Major Outdoor Classroom

    Dave Anderson
    November 22, 2022

    The students were enthusiastic during a group in-school presentation the prior week to get psyched for their Monday hike.

  • An Endless Summer to Remember.

    Dave Anderson
    November 21, 2022

    It snowed last night: a three inch thick coffin lid to our seemingly endless summer. The first snowfall arrives like a shot across the bow. We’d ...

Adventures in the Woods on a Snowy Day

Forest Society naturalist and students explore the Bradford Elementary School Outdoor Learning Trail
Dave Anderson
January 21, 2015
Education
Bradford Elementary School students gather for a photo during a winter activities hike on the Outdoor Learning and Fitness Trail. Learning winter tree identification and forest ecology with some mammal tracking opportunities in fresh snow!

On Friday, Jan. 16, I visited the Bradford Elementary School to lead 19 students on a winter activity day snowshoe hike on their Outdoor Learning and Fitness Trail. Bradford is a really nice school with enthusiastic staff, engaged parents and students very eager to get outside on the trails in the snow! Three parents joined our group as chaperones. The parents and teaching staff had tree questions of their own - of course.

Just beyond the playground and loop road behind the school, a wooden trailhead sign indicates the entrance to a network of walking trails with tree identification plaques and fitness stations. It is extremely fortunate that the Bradford Elementary School and local community leaders have worked together to establish such a valuable on-campus learning resource for the students. Congratulations, Bradford.  A forest field trip with no bus transportation required!

Bradford trailhead. Photo Joanne Palin

The snow provided perfect mammal tracking opportunities in addition to our focus on getting to know some of the trees in winter, particularly the conifers

When you ask students, "What kind of tree has needles instead of leaves - deciduous or evergreen?" They will always get it right.

Teaching about white pine ID

It gets a bit more confusing if you ask, "deciduous or coniferous?"

When you ask "What kind of tree is this?" The answer is invariably "PINE!!"   

"But which pine?"  Silence or some guessing.

We learned about white pine - five needles per bundle and whorls of five branches.  Also five letters in word "white!"

Red pine ID

We learned about red pine - two needles per bundle with reddish bark.

Hemlock ID

We learned about hemlock - with flattened, short stubby needles with two thin white stripes on each needle.

We talked about "friendly fir" and "spikey spruce" - and "which would you rather shake hands with?"

But we didn't find or see examples of those trees.

We experienced a snow squall with wild winds. We crossed a small, frozen brook by hopping from one bank to the other.

I liked that we braved the crossing of the brook – a little adventurous and daring for all, although safe.

I believe I learn as much from visiting groups as I teach/bring. The students and teachers teach me, too.

Bradford students circle-up

Something I really liked was an allowance of 10 to 12 minutes of unstructured “Free Play” time in the open area called the "Sand Arena." As the informal, tree talk program was wrapping up, the students ran around, rolled in the snow, made snow angels and interacted with one another on their own – without the naturalist talking to them or asking tree quiz questions. A great way to let students enjoy themselves after listening and asking questions.

Back at the backdoor to the multipurpose room at school, the winds kicked up just as we reached the door.  Our chilly group was blasted in the face with a wall of wind-driven swirling snow.  Just inside, it was all smiles as all enjoyed steaming cups of warm cocoa with or without marshmallows served by the friendly and enthusiastic teaching staff.

 

 

 

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Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests54 Portsmouth St.Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603.224.9945Fax: 603.228.0423info@forestsociety.org
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