Happily wet feet
Lauren Vane
A wetlands preserve -- home to nearly 30 species of birds, a
population of reptiles and amphibians, a half dozen species of
mammals and a variety of plants -- is a giant backyard for the city,
yet few Huntington Beach children get the opportunity to explore the
Bolsa Chica wetlands.
Members of the Bolsa Chica Land Trust hope that will change as
they bring the Miracles of the Marsh program to area schools,
introducing students to this local treasure.
“Kids get excited; you feel you’re doing something,” said tour
coordinator Linda Wolfe.
In a change from a regular Tuesday morning in the classroom, a
trail of students from Peterson Elementary School followed a docent
and made their way to the Bolsa Chica lower mesa. As the group trod
deeper into the ecosystem, the rush of Pacific Coast Highway faded
away and the students were surrounded by nature. Armed with
binoculars to scout out plant and animal life, they were ready to
learn.
From area history to water cleanliness, the docents provide an
interactive lesson on the environment that sticks with the students
long after they leave, Wolfe said.
Carol Koelle, a docent who specializes in water quality, gave the
students a demonstration of how trash gets into the water and
pollutes the wetlands. She explained to the students that, aside from
trash, no one should ever leave anything in or remove anything from
the Bolsa Chica.
Third-grade teacher Carol Krogstad said her students studied the
wetlands’ ecosystem for months in preparation of their visit to Bolsa
Chica.
“They love it,” Krogstad said.
To experience a classroom lesson come to life enhances the
students’ grasp on the material, Krogstad said.
“It’s much more meaningful,” she said. “It also produces a great
writing experience for them.”
The Land Trust provides a slide show for the students beforehand,
so they can identify plants and wildlife during their visit, said
executive director Marc Stirdivant.
“They have a wonderful time; it’s a wonderful exercise for them,”
Wolfe said.
The Bolsa Chica Land Trust started the Miracles of the Marsh
program three years ago. More than 1,200 children have spent time
exploring and learning about the coastal ecosystem this year.
The docent-led tour is free and, because many of the schools that
participate in the program cannot afford field trips, the trust pays
100% of transportation costs for Title One schools.
“We want kids to come and learn about the Bolsa Chica,” Stirdivant
said.
The program has 17 docents who participate by leading tours and
giving presentations to the students, Stirdivant said. Most docents
are retired teachers interested in the environment, he said.
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