On Wednesday May 20, 2015 the East Lake Resource Conservation District was proud to host the annual “Field Days in the Creek” at Diamond D Ranch outside Middletown. Approximately 130 fourth grade students from Coyote Valley, Minnie Cannon and Cobb elementary schools participated in this interactive educational event on the banks of Putah Creek, where the emphasis was on seeing, touching, and learning about the natural world and natural resource management in an outdoor setting.
The children moved from one demonstration station to another over the course of two hours. Presenters included Katherine Blyleven from the Lake County Agriculture Department talking about native plants and invasive weeds; Dean Enderlin discussing local geology; Ben Ewing from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife demonstrating backpack electrofishing; Korinn Woodard and Kate O’Donnell from the Natural Resources Conservation Service providing a close up look at different soil types; Carolyn Ruttan from the county Department of Water Resources talking about invasive mussels; and Joe Koschik from the US Forest Service discussing forestry and fire protection and providing a close up look at the anatomy of a real fire truck. Several goats in an adjacent field belonging to the Middletown High School farm provided a bonus attraction.
After the demonstrations and hands-on activities, the students settled in for lunch -- when who should appear but Smokey Bear! It was hard to tell whether the presenters, the students or the organizers were having the most fun on this beautiful day in the South County.
The children moved from one demonstration station to another over the course of two hours. Presenters included Katherine Blyleven from the Lake County Agriculture Department talking about native plants and invasive weeds; Dean Enderlin discussing local geology; Ben Ewing from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife demonstrating backpack electrofishing; Korinn Woodard and Kate O’Donnell from the Natural Resources Conservation Service providing a close up look at different soil types; Carolyn Ruttan from the county Department of Water Resources talking about invasive mussels; and Joe Koschik from the US Forest Service discussing forestry and fire protection and providing a close up look at the anatomy of a real fire truck. Several goats in an adjacent field belonging to the Middletown High School farm provided a bonus attraction.
After the demonstrations and hands-on activities, the students settled in for lunch -- when who should appear but Smokey Bear! It was hard to tell whether the presenters, the students or the organizers were having the most fun on this beautiful day in the South County.
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