Our Programs >> Spring

Take naturalist guided hike along 3 miles of the majestic Old Sauk Trail. View and identify a variety of native plant species including trees, ferns, liverworts, mosses and lichens. We will study the effects of pollution, topsoil erosion and loss of wildlife habitat on this old growth forest ecosystem. The Old Sauk Trail is also home to abundant wildlife making it a great place to identify bird songs and follow the tracks of some local furry friends. This curriculum is easily modified for all ages and abilities with crafts, games and visual aids. This short flat trail is also accessible to children with physical disabilities and all terrain strollers are available upon request.

Goals
1) Provide students with a basic understanding of the flora and fauna with in a riverside riparian area (ENV)
2) Provide students with an introductory class on hiking and orienteering with a map and compass (REC)
3) Provide diversity training to special education and general education students (EDU)
4) Increase multi-ability integration between special education students and general education students (EDU)
5) Increase the adaptive and life skills of special education students (EDU)

Objectives
- Be capable of describing the importance of staying on the trail and Leave No Trace

- Identify and log 80% of the following flora: Douglas fir, big leaf Maple, western Hemlock, Alder (red or white), sword fern, old man’s beard, witches hair.

- Identify and log sightings or evidence of 50% of the following fauna: banana slug, merganser duck, harlequin duck, woodpecker, Stellar’s jay, red squirrel, beaver, deer, black bear

- Be capable of describing what it is like to hike on a riverside trail through a wilderness forest

- Be able to identify the following features on a map of this area: the Sauk river, the Old Sauk trail, the old Mountain Loop highway and directional north

- Be able to name 5 of the 10 essentials of hiking: map, compass, flashlight, food, clothes, sunglasses, first aid kit, pocket knife, water proof matches, fire starter

Read about our trip on May 8th!