Wetlands Children 39;s Activities
Katina Piccirilli
Earlier this year, the COA Foundation submitted an application with the North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the University of North Carolina System, for the trail to become an ecoEXPLORE Hotspot. The Foundation received approval this spring and is proud to announce this wonderful partnership with the North Carolina Arboretum and the additional educational and recreational opportunities on the trail.
The ecoEXPLORE Hotspot provides children with endless outdoor adventures on the trail while piquing their curiosity for discovering new things in the wetlands. Our inclusion as a hotspot location includes our trail location at ecoexplore.net and gives families the opportunity to take photos of their various observations on the trail, uploading them to an online biodiversity database at iNaturalist.org.
TRACK Trails: The program features a network of TRACK Trails, which are designated hiking trails that are specifically designed for kids. These trails offer self-guided adventures with interactive features and educational signs along the way.
Adventure Journals: At the beginning of each TRACK Trail, kids can pick up a free adventure journal. These journals contain activity guides, prompts, and space for kids to record their experiences and observations during their hike.
Nature-themed Activities: Along the TRACK Trails, kids will find various activity stations (scavenger hunts, wildlife observation points, nature quizzes, etc.). These activities are designed to engage kids with their surroundings and help them learn about the natural environment.
Online resources: The Kids in Parks website provides additional resources, including printable activity guides and educational materials. Families can access these resources to continue the learning experience at home or as they explore other sections of the parkway.
Welcome to our Education Corner! Here we hope to provide parents and teachers of students in grades Pre-K through 12 with all the materials they need to integrate wetlands learning in their students' curriculum. The following are links to sites (mostly government and non-profit based) that have lesson plans for wetlands activities, including group experiments and investigations, reference material, fact sheets and even suggested reading. If you would like to add another site to this list please contact the webmaster and share the address. What age group should the materials be geared towards? All Ages Elementary School Middle School High School Special Programs For All Ages Project Wet - interdisciplinary water education program for educators
Broad-based water resource activities developed, field-tested, and reviewed by over 600 educators and resource managers working with 34,000 students nationwide. USGS: Fragile Fringe - A Guide for teaching about Coastal Wetlands
Multi-unit curriculum on wetlands, including an age-appropriate focus for elementary, upper-elementary and middle and high school students. This site also includes a reading list of relevant books for grades pre-K through 8. Wetlands Classroom Activities
Hands-on experiments for every age group. The following are examples: grades K-3: Water in the World, Build your own water cycle; grades 4-7: Non-point Source Pollution, Build your own aquifer, grades 8-12: Source Water Protection: Ground Water, Build Your Own Watershed. The Water Sourcebook Series
These PDF files contain 4 volumes appropriate for Grades K - 2, 3 - 5, 6 - 8, & 9 - 12. The Series explains how the water management cycle affects every aspect of the environment. The curriculum provides strong science and math content, but also links these subject areas to social studies and language arts. Each Water Sourcebook contains hands-on activities and investigations, fact sheets, reference materials, and a glossary of terms. Adopt-A-Watershed
Adopt-A-Watershed uses a local watershed as a living laboratory in which students engage in hands-on activities, making science applicable and relevant to their lives. It weaves education with the community developing collaborative partnerships and reinforcing learning through community service.
Wetlands Reading List, Grades Pre-K- 12
Books can transport readers right into wetlands. This comprehensive reading list include such favorites as The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard and Chesapeake by James A. Michener. Full identification information is listed for each book, as well as a synopsis and comment about its contribution to the list.
Surf Your Watershed
Just enter your zip code to learn about the watershed in your neighborhood. Each zip code includes information about "citizen-based groups at work in this watershed" (brought to you by Adopt-A-Watershed) and local "River Corridors and Wetlands Restoration Efforts" for those interested in community involvement.
Environmental Careers: Wetland Ecologist
Provides a thorough wetland ecologist job description including employment and working conditions and required training. Also a database of other environmental oriented jobs and links to internship and career-related sites.
The Florida Master Naturalist Program
FMNP is a state-wide adult education extension program for persons interested in learning more about Floridas environment, seeking educational contact hours, or wishing to increase their knowledge for use in education programs as volunteers, employees, and ecotourism guides. The FMNP includes courses in 3 subject areas Freshwater Wetlands, Coastal Systems, and Upland Habitats. Students receive 40 educational contact hours including classroom learning, field trips, and practical experience in interpretation. Cost per course is $200. Students receive detailed course manuals and, upon completion, UF certificates, patches, and pins denoting their area of expertise (e.g., Wetlands Naturalist) and are registered in the UF database of Florida Master Naturalists.
Water Drop Path Program for Girl Scouts
A wetlands education program where Girl Scouts (Brownies, Juniors, Cadettes and Seniors) can earn a patch while making a difference in their community's wetlands.
Educating Young People About Water
This searchable database will lead you to information on curriculum in 140 water-related topics, including, but far from limited to Wetland ecosystems. Each piece of curriculum is explained in detail, but must be purchased (at this site) from sources around the country.
Top of Page
Wetlands are exactly as they sound: lands covered by shallow water. What many people don't realize is that these unique expanses have a very important impact on our earth and how it functions. Fun facts about wetlands for kids, printable activities, and books can all be great tools for helping your kids learn about these beautiful biomes.
Marshes are not always full of water and they can contain fresh water, salt water, or a combination of both. A tidal marsh forms near a body of water like a river, bay, or stream and its water level rises or lowers with the tide. Conversely, an inland marsh forms near a lake or river when the water table is high.
Swamps form in floodplains or other areas with bad drainage and always have wet soil or standing water. The main difference between a marsh and a swamp are the type of plants growing in them. Swamps have trees while marshes don't.
Bogs only contain fresh water because they are fed by rain and exist in northern climates inside lake basins with poor drainage. The ground in a bog feels like a squishy sponge and is covered by peat, which is decaying plant matter.
Wetlands cover around 6% of the Earth, but in the last few decades, the United States alone has lost half its wetlands. About 30% of the threatened or endangered species living in the United States live exclusively in wetland habitats.
There are lots of things that harm or threaten to harm wetlands and the animals who live there. Can you spot these harmful items hidden in this landscape? Click on the image to download and print the wetland search and find. Color the whole page and circle the harmful items as you discover them. If you have any trouble, this guide has tips and tricks to help with troubleshooting.
There are many animals and creatures living in wetlands and they're all part of a food chain. Use this worksheet to test your knowledge on what different animals eat in this habitat. Click on the image to download the worksheet then click on the print icon. Draw a line from the animal on the left to the food it eats on the right.
Kids can use these resources to learn while adults can use them to talk to their kids and teach them about the wetlands. Of course, nothing helps children learn better than actually experiencing the wetlands. If you have this type of biome nearby, consider taking kids to see actual wetlands to help reinforce what they're learning!
The Wetlands Education Center is the newest development at Cattail Marsh. The education center overlooks the Cattail Marsh Boardwalk and offers spectacular views of birds and wildlife from its elevated wrap-around porch and classroom.
Located inside Tyrrell Park overlooking the Cattail Marsh boardwalk, the Wetlands Education Center provides spectacular views of birds and wildlife from the elevated wrap-around porch and classroom. Since it's opening fall 2018, the Wetlands Education Center has quickly become a popular gathering place for bird watchers and nature enthusiasts of all levels. Visitors from all over the world enjoy taking in the scenic views. Improvements and additions to the Center are ongoing, the most recent developments include new fencing, landscaping and development of a Pollination Garden, beautifully painted picnic tables, and educational and directional signage.
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