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2012-132012-132012-13For TEACHERS: Local Environmental Education News

OWLS

c o m p e t it i o n s

the Natural Resources District works with

Educators.

Free of Charge

the NRD offers its nationally

recognized programs free of

charge. Times for programs

go quickly so call early to

schedule.

WHO WE ARE:

THE NRD PROVIDES ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

The Papio NRD is one of 23 NRDS in the state. Some of our most visible and

important projects include building the large flood control reservoirs at Chalco

Hills and Walnut Creek as well as Papio Creek flood control projects.

In 2011, NRD staff reached more than 7,000 youth through its programs. We teach environmental conservation to youth so they will practice it in the future.

Schools, families, teachers and youth groups in Douglas, Sarpy, Thurston, Burt, Dakota & Washington Counties are all eligible for our opportunities.

2012-132012-132012-13Teacher Resources

Grants for Outdoor Education Classrooms

Grants of $1,000 per year are available per year from the NRD for outdoor classrooms at your school. These classrooms can include

butterfly gardens, prairie grass plantings, ponds, vegetable gardens, arboretum trails and so many other ideas.

Get the kids outside and let them explore nature. Teach math, science and language arts concepts as well. For help in planning your classroom, request a packet from the NRD by calling 402.315.1713.

Tip: Start small, and grow every year.

Scholarships & Grants$200 Teacher Scholarships are available for teachers taking environmentally-related classes or training.

Mini-grants of $50 for small classroom and school environ-mental science projects are also available. Find the forms on-line at www.papionrd.org; look under the outdoor classroom link.

The Papio NRD has made our materials available online for check out. We have a wealth of books and videos on natural resource topics including starting up outdoor classrooms. All items are available to check-out for free. www.papionrd.org (kids activities tab).

Library Materials on Natural Resources

Trees n SeedsEvery year the Papio-Missouri River NRD gives away thousands of trees and wild-flower seed packets. The trees are small seedlings and the flowers are purple coneflower. In late April, 2013, the trees and seeds will be distributed in time to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day festivi-ties. You will need to pick up the trees at Chalco Hills.

Tip: Set up a program with one of our NRD Educators to teach your students about the seedlings they have been given!

Order now through the late winter. Contact Austen at ahill@papionrd.org

Nightime Nature FunThe Metro Omaha Resources For Exploring Nature – M.O.R.E Na-ture – is looking for schools to host family nature nights. Set up a night at your site for schools and families to come together and experience nature through activities by local experts. To set up a nature night, contact Christine Jacobsen at cjacobsen@papionrd.org

Field Trips!CHALCO HILLS

Focus: Chose an outdoor theme for your age that gets the kids outside.

Schedule: Times (and nature!) are available year-round, but on a limited basis. Schedule early to get your choice of times.

Location: NRD staff can meet you many places; but Chalco Hills Rec Area offers a lake, wetlands, prairie grasses and forest ecosystems.

Get the Kids Outside!

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Nature Hikes: Take a guide-led nature trail hike

through the woods and prairie grasses to learn about our ecoy-

sytem.

Nature Playground: Have fun with free play in the sand piles,

hollow logs & water and nature art in this new area.

Play with nature, not just in it!

Wetlands/Macro Inverte-brates: Investigate a wetland up close. Learn about the animals,

soils and plants & larvae in wetlands. 3rd grade +

Geocaching: High-tech program combines

electronics and the out-doors using GPS devices to find

hidden treasures at the park (or at your school site.)

Bird Nests: Discover the the diver-sity of bird nest designs as well as fun facts about the little feathered engineer who made them.

Youth Youth >>

>>

NEW: Recycle Relay: Conservation, natural resources, and recycling are the topics-of-the-day! Learn what makes something a natural resource, decide what common household waste is recy-clable, and end with a sustainable snack activity.

NEW in 2013: Environmental History: Since the first people crossed into what is now Nebraska, humans have relied on our state’s natural resources to survive. Learn how various cultures shape their environ-ment, and are shaped by it in a topic that complements Nebraska history.

NEW: Slithering Serpents: Did you know: before snakes were feared they were worshipped? Learn why they are not to be feared with the help of a few Nebraska snakes.

Animal Adaptations: Exam-ine first-hand common wetland animals and the adaptations that make them home in water.

Animal Tracks/Pelts/Skulls: Explore the life history of various Nebraska mammals. Through the use of pelts, skulls and tracks, kids will get a better understanding of how these animals live.

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Wetlands: Get down and dirty as you investigate a wetland up close. We use various types of equipment to teach about animals, soils, and plants in local wetlands.

new

Taloned TeachersTwo new educators have recently

nestled their way into the hearts of area students. They are teaching without ever saying a word.

Red, an Eastern Screech Owl, and Luna, a Great Horned Owl, are making their way into area classrooms. They are excellent teachers on predator/prey relationships, animal adaptations and owl pellets, providing students and teachers alike an up-close view of wildlife that many do not get a chance to see.

Call today to set up a (free) visit, either as a field trip to Chalco Hills or as a visit to your classroom.

new

Youth Youth ProgramsIncredible Insects: Insects are a mysterious and often misun-derstood animal. With the aid of real insects, we will explore the wonderful world of six-legged critters.

Tree Planting: Discover what a tree needs to survive, as well as how trees help us survive. Later, get your own tree to take home and plant (April/May).

Analyze Your River: Students will collect, sort, classify, identify, analyze, and evaluate a sample of ordinary materials representing aquatic macroinverte-brates right in the classroom.

Erosion, Surface Water and Groundwater: Hands-on models are used to help students better understand where our water comes from and focus on current water issues.

SELECT A TOPIC

Select a date & time range

Contact: 402.315.1713 or email Christine cjacobsen@ papionrd.org

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Programs

SAVE THE DATESHeld May 7 & 8 at Schramm Park, Water Works is the premier Water Education Event in the metro area. This educational field day is exclusively for fifth grade classes; and schools are randomly picked to attend. More than 32,000 students have heard a water conservation message during the last 22 years. Applications in January on www.papionrd.org.

water w

orks is fun!You can get 500+

gallons of tap water

for the price of one

bottled water.

Every class attends six water-related sessions during the day. The sessions are taught by experts in the field from a variety of agencies.

CLASSROOM: NRD staff are avail-able to talk to your students if you cant make water works.

TESTS ON:

water wildlife soils range

ENVIROTHON h i g h sch o l quizWHAT: An environmental competition for high schools. Teams of 5 students. Schools may have have multiple teams.

TESTS: Knowledge on aquatics, forestry, policy, range, soils, wildlife and current environmental issues.

$200 GRANT: awarded to all schools who compete for use towards environ-mental projects.

WHEN: March 5, 2013 at Chalco Hills Rec Area. Two choices: 10:30 & 4 PM. Winning team will proceed to the State Competition in May and pos-sibly national finals in the summer.

Study Guides are Available!

for more info: Christine at the

Papio NRD: 402.315.1713

cjacobsen@papionrd.org

>>

winners!

sum er camps!

NRD Summer Camps

For more information, visit www.papionrd.org

The NRD summer camps ran by the NRD in 2012 went extrememly well! Chil-dren got a chance to experience and explore nature in a whole new way.

Plans for 2013 include similar camps. The preschool camp Backyard Explorers has a focus on water, plants and play. Discovering Nature Camp ages 6-8 year-olds gives children a chance to play in nature; this upcoming year we will have two camps due to demand. Older children experience nature through Boys Challenge camp and Girls in the Wild camp. Check our website in February for registration.

Backyard Explorers: Discovering Nature Camps 4-6 yrs old 6-8 yrs oldJuly 8 -13 Camp #1: June 3rd-7th; #2 June 17-21st

Boys Challenge Camp Girls in the Wild Camp9-14 yrs old 9-14 yrs oldJuly 24-26th August 7-9th

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CalendarCalendar2013

Programming: Christine Jacobsen 402.315.1713 Cjacobsen@papionrd.org

Trees & SeedsAusten Hill 402.315.1777ahill@papionrd.org

Papio Missouri River Natural Resources District: 8901 S. 154 Street at Chalco Hills Recreation Area Directions: I-80 to exit 440 (144 street/Hwy 50). Go North to Giles Rd; turn west. Park entrance on south side, <1 mile on Giles. www.papionrd.org

Many programs are on-going: Call now to schedule fall and spring field trips, as well as in-school presentations.

402.315.1713 402.444.6222 www.papionrd.org

Oct. 5&6; Project Wet Workshop 6-8 PM; 8:30 AM - 12 PM. Water Resources for educators. Contact Austen Hill to register.

Nov. 27, 29 & Dec 4; Project WILD, Project Wet & Project Learning Tree Workshop at Creighton; Reg. $20. 9:30- Noon.

January: Order your free trees and seeds. Ahill@papionrd.org. Envirothon applications mailed to high schools.

February: Water Works Applications Online due for 5th Grade. Also: Register NRD summer camps. Forms online.

March: Envirothon March 5th; two competition times; 10:30 or 4PM. Nebraska Teacher Appreciation Day

April: Earth Day Omaha Celebration April 20th at Elmwood Park. Earth Day April 22 and Arbor Day April 26.

May: National Teacher Appreciation Day May 7; 5th Grade Water Works May 7&8.

June: Summer Camps: Discovering Nature, June 3rd-7th; #2 June 17-21st

July: Summer Camps: Backyard Explorers, July 8-13; Boys Challenge; 24-26th.

August: Summer Camps: Girls in the Wild: August 7-9

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