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Kids can search
for wetland animals
On Saturday, April 7
Learn about the
outdoors at Wetlands for Kids event
Do you know how to quack like a duck?
Have you ever wondered what the inside
of a beaver’s house looks like?
Do you know what sort of little living
things call a Missouri lake or stream home?
If you’re a kid in St. Louis, you
can find out about all sorts of outdoor things at the Wetlands for Kids
event on Saturday, April 7. The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the
August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area in St. Charles County.
This event will show city families
how easy it is to experience outdoor fun in Missouri. Also, the Busch Conservation
Area is within easy driving distance of even inner city neighborhoods.
A lot of the displays let the kids
participate.
Kids also will get a chance to take
away free things they’ll enjoy throughout the year.
For instance, you’ll get a free membership
in Greenwing. That’s the kids division of Ducks Unlimited. Membership includes
a year’s subscription to the kid’s magazine, The Puddler.
You also can qualify for free tree
seedlings that you can plant at home.
The whole Wetlands for Kids event
is free. And there is no advance registration. You just show up and take
part in the activities you like.
The event is being run by the Missouri
Department of Conservation. It’s co-sponsored by The Monsanto Fund and
Ducks Unlimited.
While you’re at Wetlands for Kids,
be sure to ask for information on year-round outdoor activities for St.
Louis area families. For information and directions, call (636) 441-4554.
Kids learning archery.
Here’s a complete list of activities
at the Wetlands for Kids:
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Retriever dogs: Experienced trainers
will give demonstrations on how their dogs retrieve ducks and other waterfowl
during hunting trips.
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Duck calling: Kids can get lessons
from experienced callers on how to make duck calls.
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Beaver lodge: Kids make beaver
tails and then get to crawl through a giant, man-made beaver home.
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Archery: Kids will get a chance
to shoot with a bow and arrow, just like the Native American Indians did
years ago.
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Check on wetlands wildlife: Kids
will collect samples with nets for things that live in Missouri’s streams
and lakes. They can also see and feel snakes and frogs.
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Wildlife trapping: A member of
the Missouri Trappers Assn. will talk about the history of trapping in
Missouri. Fur trading was big business in St. Louis’ during pioneer times.
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World Bird Sanctuary: Kids can
see live birds and learn the history of birds of Missouri.
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Live fish displays: Conservation
biologists will exhibit Missouri fish in a large aquarium.
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Duck wing maze: You search for
clues in a giant maze to discover the name of a species of ducks.
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A watershed model: See a large
model of a river watershed and learn how wetlands help to keep it healthy.
There are also booths and displays about
birds and forests. Also, you can stamp out pictures of various outdoor
scenes.
A retriever dog
in action.
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Help your teacher
bring outdoors to the classroom
Would you like your school to help
you learn more about Missouri’s outdoors?
If so, why not ask your teacher to
sign up for a Missouri Conservation Department’s summer workshop. The department
shows teachers how to use outdoor subjects in their classrooms.
For instance, one workshop is called
“Lewis & Clark and the Big River Confluence.” That’s about the historic
trip from St. Louis up the Missouri River. It makes a good social studies
subject.
Other courses to be offered this
summer involve conservation subjects in teaching of art, science, literature,
writing and other subjects.
For information, your teacher can
visit the Conservation Department’s website at:
www.conservation.state.mo.us/teacher/workshops/workshops.html |
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