On
June 4, and June 5, Mrs. Fent’s sixth grade science students at West Middle School took a field trip
to the Gibraltar Bay Unit in Grosse Ile, a part of the International Wildlife
Refuge. There, the park rangers conducted a variety of activities with the
students.
The
activities included a scavenger hunt, a hike and migration and sturgeon activities.
The students enjoyed the trip immensely. During the trip the beauty of the
environment was appreciated.
With
the assistance of the park naturalists, Mrs. Fent’s class became immersed
in nature. Students learned the identity of many of the plants native to our
area. They were surprise by all the obstacles that interfered with bird
migration.
Those
obstacles include powerlines, powerful storms, loss of habitat and predators.
The naturalists also explained how Sturgeon -- once threatened by pollution, overharvesting and dredging –
have made a healthy comeback. Laws and reefs have been put in place to
guarantee the sturgeons’ continued survival in the Detroit River.
The
wildlife that was observed on our nature walk included deer, swans, Blue heron,
Redwing blackbirds, turtles, the song of a bullfrog, scat and a variety of
wildflowers.
Everyone
from the school thanks the naturalists from the International Wildlife Refuge
for their guidance and information on this successful visit. Mrs. Fent’s
students came away with a greater knowledge and appreciation of the outdoors.
West
Middle School believes that the emphasis that the science department has put on
exploring our neighboring habitats will begin a lifelong love and respect for
the natural world around us.
Submitted
by Sara Bochenek
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