Hiking, Bird Watching, and Observing a Natural Env

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Our Ojai Valley Land Conservancy, 58 acres, Ojai Meadows Preserve

     This expansive protected area is next door to our campus. It is convenient and a wonderful opportunity to get exercise and learn at the same time. We tried to go twice a month, during Physical Education class. Other classes went once a month, or once a trimester. Before we entered the preserve we reviewed rules of respect, silence, walking at all times, and to use our senses to evaluate our surroundings.

     Adding an activity to each hike helped peak interest in the students and led them to continue involvement in an expedition manner. The field guides were simple and small. We put students in groups of 6-8, one carried a backpack with supplies for their group in ziploc bags. They had field guides which they recorded and drew what they saw, heard, smelled, and felt. We also made bird watching kits which contained a bird checklist, bird identification chart, pencils, and binoculars. The bird watching groups were 3 students to a kit. They really enjoyed each of these activities. They did them several times at different areas of the preserve. When engaged in task they recorded with their groups on the recording documents, this gave evidence of understanding and mastery. This also refected quiet moments in time where as individuals they observed and relayed many different and exciting discoveries.

     For management purposes we did permission slips far in advance, made sure they all had water, sunscreen, and hats if necessary. We had 2 adults for 2 classes, one in the front of the group, and one in the back. This also gave opportunities to the special needs students who joined us many times and enjoyed all aspects of the hikes.

     About halfway through the year the students' really looked forward, and still do, to our hikes. Their enthusiasm, recorded data, respect of animal habitat, and enjoyment of their surroundings was evident. Once we entered the preserve an ownership took place, and they became protectors, and showed passion to continue restoration and preservation.

     One of our last hikes involved a cross-age student pairing. The sixth grade took their Little Buddy class, Kindergartner and First Graders, to the meadows. They held their hands and led them to a place that they now knew well, and were anxious to teach them all they had learned. On this day we saw two adult egrets and their baby. We also had a red-tailed hawk circling above us. This was a magical moment and drew such excitement from the students and adults.

     This nature adventure cornerstone has many possibilities. Students have suggested to do animal prints with plaster a paris, sketching, drawing animals, plants, and doing plant identification. All grades are involved with the meadows in some aspect, whether it be exploring, planting, observing, recording, restoring and respecting.

     In our final Green Ribbon Schools assembly we wrote a motto, "It takes a Village to Pay It Forward". This was true for this cornerstone, each grade adapted the enviroment for their level. We also attached a song, "Shrek", and the characters from this film to this activity. Shrek, Donkey, and Puss n' Boots were made with posters to help students remember the association between nature adventure and our neighbor, Ojai Meadows Preserve. The sixth graders played the song on the violins, and they did a skit on bird watching and being observant.

     This cornerstone was very successful at Meiners Oaks School. All students participated and were able to benefit from this wonderful preserve.