Awaken your students to the wonders of nature!

Come and explore the natural world in our outdoor classrooms. Let us make hands-on discovery the key to your student’s learning. Our program mission is conservation through education. We strive to provide students with meaningful, enjoyable, outdoor learning experiences to instill in them a sense of belonging and responsibility.

Our programs teach environmental awareness and appreciation, to lead students toward further investigations and environmental actions.

Program Instructions: Things You Should Know Before You Visit.

2007—2008 Program Guide

2007—2008 Registration Form

Traveling Nature Trunks flyer

Below is a list of the programs currently offered at Howell Wetlands.

Butterfly Buzz

Where do butterflies go in the rain? Where do they go at night, or for the winter? How long do they live? Why do they have a proboscis? Hike through the prairie with the butterflies that call it home to explore what the buzz is all about. (Recommended for

early fall.)

Best fit for grades K-5

IASS: k.1.1, k.4.1, k.4.2, 1.1.2, 1.4.2, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 2.4.1, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.4, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 5.4.4, 5.4.7

Cost: $3/student

Survivors

Can you break open a nut with your nose? Could you catch a songbird with your bare feet? There are animals that can. Discover the different adaptations animals have for surviving in different habitats and niches with activities, games, and a hike.

Best fit for grades 3-5

IASS: 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 4.4.6, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.7

Cost: $3/student

Water Dance

Have you ever been water bug fishing? Discover the world of aquatic insects. Dip nets in the marsh, and catch an incredible diversity of aquatic insects to observe through magnified viewers. See the insects dance before our eyes as they tell a story about the quality of the water they live in.

Best fit for grades 1-5

IASS: 1.1.2, 1.1.4, 1.3.4, 1.4.2, 1.4.4, 2.1.2, 2.4.1, 2.4.4, 3.1.2, 3.4.1, 3.4.2, 4.4.2, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.7

Cost: $3/student

WOW! (Waters Of Wetlands)

Did you know that we are drinking the same water that dinosaurs drank? How does nature recycle and filter its water? What is a watershed? Discover why wetlands are big players in recycling, filtering, and storing water. Explore water quality parameters with hands-on activities.

Best fit for grades 3-5

IASS: 3.4.6, 4.1.5, 5.1.1, 5.3.4, 5.4.5

Cost: $3/student

Raptor Rhapsody

Raptors have ruled as top predators for thousands of years. Why? Comprehensively explore their specific adaptations, habitats, and niches with an up-close-and personal look at these magnificent creatures (live and uncensored!).

Best fit for grades 2, 3, 5

IASS: 2.12, 2.4.1, 3.4.1, 3.6.3, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.7

Cost: $3/student

Web of Life

All life is connected in a web of life….a food web that is. Explore what eats what in the wetland, prairie, and forest habitats as we hike through the Howell Wetlands. Bring your imagination, camouflage, and predator instincts.

Best fit for grades 1-5

IASS: 1.4.4, 2.4.3, 3.4.1, 3.4.4, 4.4.2, 4.4.3, 5.4.4

Cost: $3/student

Tree Factories

How do trees grow? Why do the leaves change colors? Can you identify a sycamore tree? Can paper, rubber, and medicines all come from trees? Discover a tree’s parts & processes, build a tree factory, and test your knowledge with a fun tree products quiz. Take an adventure hike to identify different kinds of trees and their importance to people and to wildlife.

Best fit for grades 2, 3, 5

IASS: 2.1.3, 2.4.1, 3.1.2, 3.4.2, 5.4.7

Cost: $3/student

Habitat By Humanity

We build houses for people, but is it possible to build homes for our wildlife? Would you know how? During a hike and activities, discover what makes good wildlife habitat and the impact people have on it. Create tools for conserving and improving habitat for wildlife.

Best fit for grades K-5

IASS: k.1.1, 1.4.3, 1.4.4, 2.1.6, 2.4.2, 2.4.3, 2.4.5, 3.4.1, 4.4.3, 4.4.4, 5.4.4, 5.4.5, 5.4.6

Cost: $3/student

Seasonal Hikes

Autumn Amble (Sept-Oct)

Take an autumn hike to view nature’s palette and to learn how and why leaves change colors. Look for migrating birds, and discuss why they are flying south before winter. How do other animals prepare for the colder weather ahead?

Frozen Foray (Nov-Jan)

Wildlife activity does not stop during the winter. Many creatures stay busy even during the cold winter months. This walk will allow us to see some of the signs of animal activity while we discuss how nature winterizes itself.

Wetland Blossoms (April-May)

Cardinal flower, partridge pea, and marsh milkweed are just a few of the many wildflowers that bloom at Howell Wetlands during the spring. Come and take an afternoon hike with the Wetlands staff to learn to identify some of these common wildflowers.

Customized Programs

Do the above listed programs not meet your classroom needs? Do you see a WWNP program you like, but would prefer to go to the wetlands? Call Lauren Preske at (812) 499-2952, and she’ll customize a program specifically for your group!

Off-Site Programs

We will bring a part of the wetlands to your classroom, day-care, church or club to teach a program of your choice. The naturalist will utilize live animals, activities and other visuals to convey the program concepts. Call Lauren Preske at (812) 499-2952 for information.