Annual Environmental Field Days held for area fourth graders
Marinette, Wis. — The annual Environmental Field Days for Marinette County fourth graders was held Sept. 18-20, with 426 people attending including 387 students and 39 teachers and chaperones at four different sites throughout the county.
It is organized by the Marinette County Land Information Department. Presenting agencies and volunteers include Marinette County Land Information and Extension offices, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the aquatic invasive species FLOW program of the Lumberjack Resource Conservation and Development Council, City of Marinette Forestry Department, the Marinette High School fishing team, and the Wild Rivers Invasive Species Council.
This event was first held in 1992 to introduce natural resources to school children and was originally organized through UW-Extension.
EFD is held in four locations throughout the county: Marinette’s City Park, Peshtigo’s Badger Park, Lake Noquebay Park near Crivitz, and a site on county land in Dunbar. Area schools are assigned a specific location to attend, and the day of the event, small student groups rotate through the stations to learn about the topics. This year’s topics included forestry, fire control, water quality, invasive species (aquatic and terrestrial), insects, soil health, composting, fisheries, fishing tips, and a talk with a DNR conservation warden.
Teachers received quiz questions to review information presented at each station. Water and fruit snacks were provided for event participants. And a special guest — Smokey Bear — made an appearance at the Dunbar site, where students sang “Happy Birthday” for him. It was Smokey’s 80th birthday in August.
Without the support of local agencies, staff and volunteers, this event would not be possible. “Thank you to everyone who contributed time and effort to this event, especially the presenters and teachers/chaperones,” organizers said.
The City of Marinette Parks and Forestry Departments, the Peshtigo Parks and Recreation Department, and the Marinette County Parks and Forestry Departments provided event sites.