Connecting Kids with their Environment
By Laura Clemmer

Recently, the staff SFEG had the pleasure of working extensively with the 1st through 6th graders of Clear Lake Elementary's VISIONS program. This experimental program, which we hope to adapt and do more regularly, involved an in-class presentation and three field trips, one to our native plant nursery and two to a restoration site, where the students did riparian planting. Through site tours, games, planting demonstrations, and other activities, students learned about salmon, habitat restoration, water quality, native plants, birds, wildlife, and the "web of life" that connects it all. Perhaps it is said best in their own words:

Students in grades 1-6 from the Clear Lake Elementary School VISIONS class
went on field trips to learn about salmon habitat. They wrapped up their
experience by planting trees along the East Fork of Nookachamps Creek.

"I love the fieldtrips because I use to groan when my teacher said that we are going to learn about salmon. But you make it fun! Now when my teacher says it's time to do something about salmon I jump with joy. Thank you for helping me understand, and thank you for all your time and effort to make the field trips fun!" -AM

"Thank you for all you done for us. I'm very glad I got to come my favorite field trip was the last one because we got to learn how to plant a proper way. You had to dig twice as big as the plant and you have to break up the roots and makes sure the roots aren't upside down or it will get confused because it can't turn around and it will die." -JC

"Thank you for the time that you gave us at the watersheds. It was very fun to go on the nature hike and play all those games. Is my tree doing okay because I'm hoping that I may be able to plant another tree over there someday if it was okay with you…"-M