Damariscotta River Association’s
School for Field Naturalists

Group Programs

Our new group natural history programs are led by a professional environmental educator. Our goal is to enable students to make their own discoveries about the natural world because engaging in this process is what connects them to nature. All programs are designed to teach basic concepts of ecology and integrate hands-on opportunities to learn scientific methods. We incorporate a variety of activities including observation time, games and nature journaling designed to help students develop naturalists’ skills. Special classes can be designed for an additional fee. We encourage you to consider a two hour program or choose a couple of programs for a complete day of outdoor learning. Information about how these programs support Maine ’s Learning Standards is available.

The Heritage Center : Here on the shores of Great Salt Bay , Maine ’s first marine protected area, we have an unparalleled teaching resource. The 115-acre preserve surrounding the Heritage Center is an outstanding setting for an outdoor classroom, offering marine and freshwater marshes, fields, oak-pine forest, and historic and pre-historic archeological sites.

Fees: Fees are used to cover our costs and any revenue generated goes back into our education program.

• $50/hr (for groups of more than 15 students add $15/hr. to cover the cost of additional staff in the field)
• Travel Cost for off-site programs: $ 0.35/mile
• Scholarships may be available.

Programs Available :

Each can be tailored for any age and is offered year-round unless otherwise specified.

CLIMATE CHANGE:

Climate Change Curriculum Available to School Groups

We recently received a grant from the Kay E. Dopp Fund of the Maine Community Foundation to support the development, and trial, of a Climate Change Curriculum. I invite you and your students to become part of this exciting program. These classes will be offered for free (to a few schools, first come first served) through June 2009. Schools must register for at least 3 classes including at least one field trip in order to participate. Additional in-class support may be available upon request. Homeschool and other groups are welcome with a minimum of 10 participants.

Class Offerings:

1. Wheel of Change: Find out what your students know about climate change and introduce relevant basic concepts through this fun game. Led by DRA staff at your school.

2. Maine’s Natural Communities Respond to Climate Change: Through field observations and hands-on exploration students will discover some of the impacts that climate change has had and will have on natural habitats and the organisms that live in them. Led by DRA staff at the DRA Great Salt Bay Farm Heritage Center.

3. Islands Imperiled: Visit an island in the Damariscotta river (via the University of Maine Darling Marine Center’s boat the Ira C) and discover first hand the impact that climate change will have on Maine’s islands. Document sea level rise through a beach profiling and mapping activity. Trips available May, June, September and early October.

4. What Can We Do? Determine your families’ carbon footprint and learn what a difference each of us can make. Led by DRA staff or a teacher (lesson plan and background information provided).

ANIMALS:

All About Horseshoe Crabs (Offered June - October 1): These remarkable and ancient creatures present many mysteries. Learn how scientists are tracking these animals in Great Salt Bay and how critical they are to the life cycles of many other animals.

Animal Tracks and Signs: Tracks and signs can tell the life histories of wild animals if we learn to read them carefully. Go beyond footprints and scat identification to discover the habits of the many animals living among us. Observe signs of the interactions of animals with each other and with plants.

Birds of Midcoast Maine: Borrow our binoculars, a guide and learn to identify some common (and perhaps some uncommon) birds in several different habitats. Observe bird behaviors and make your own discoveries about the fascinating life histories of these animals that live all around us.

Fear and Fangs – Predators (Ages K- 4 only): Large and small, predators are feared. Discover why we love them, the critical roles they play in the ecosystem and what really controls animal populations.

Incredible Insects: Even in winter, insects make their living all around us. Discover the many adaptations that insects have that enable them to thrive and focus on natural selection. Learn about the variety of life cycles.

Mammals of Maine: What makes a mammal a mammal? Become familiar with the variety of mammals in Maine and discover what makes them specially adapted. Do you know the difference between a mole and a vole? (Live trapping of small mammals is weather dependent.)

CULTURAL HISTORY

 Wabanaki Living Skills and Culture: Our recreated Wabanaki village site is the actual site of thousands of years of history where Wabanaki people have lived. Help maintain wigwams or other village structures, learn about traditional Wabanaki culture and, if time permits, visit a shell middens left by people thousands of years ago.

PLANTS:

Tremendous Trees: Trees have fascinating adaptations that enable them to survive in a variety of conditions. Learn to identify common trees and why they are important resources for people and other animals.

PLANT AND ANIMAL INTERACTIONS:

Forest Ecology: Learn to identify key forest flora and fauna. Focus on succession and the life history of forests. (Older groups may practice using a transect to document plant and animal diversity.)

Forgotten Pollinators, Seeds and Fruits (Offered August - October 15): Discover how seeds are the result of millions of years of coevolution of plants and animals. Witness these complex and highly developed relationships.

Prehistoric Relics (Grades 4 and up): Take a trip back in time by observing plants (like horsetails and conifer trees) and animals (like horseshoe crabs) that survived millions of years and have adapted to the modern environment.

WETLANDS AND COASTAL ECOLOGY:

Coastal Studies in Great Salt Bay (Two hours is required): Explore the shore of Maine ’s first Marine Protected Area and discover how organisms have adapted to exist in an ever-changing tidal environment. (Older groups will learn about nutrient cycling in the ocean.)

Freshwater Habitats: Compare stream and marsh habitats and the life they sustain. Observe the fantastic adaptations of freshwater invertebrates and plants. Learn how water quality is critical to supporting healthy aquatic environments.

Saltwater Marsh Geologic History and Ecology: Marshes serve a variety of important functions including as a nursery for young fish spawning, a sponge controlling flood tides and a hotel and restaurant for migrating birds. Witness the effects of tens of thousands of years of tides and other mechanisms that transport living and nonliving matter throughout this ever-changing environment.

CLASSROOM PROGRAMS:

Who are the Wabanaki? – An introduction to the culture and history of the Wabanaki people. Make a birch bark spoon or cedar twine.

Microscopic Ocean Life (Offered April 15 - October 1, add a $20 charge for microscopes, grades 4 and up.): View the extraordinary world of phyto and zooplankton through quality microscopes. Learn how these minute organisms impact the atmosphere and all life on earth. Identify key phytoplankton.

Meet a ‘Famous Naturalist’ – What is a naturalist and what contributions have important naturalists made? Meet a ‘famous naturalist’ (DRA staff in costume).

Life and Times of Tigerbeetles – Special program with Mark DesMeules and his tigerbeetle collection.

Rattlesnakes – Special program with Mark DesMeules about the lives of rattlesnakes.

A few items to consider when planning your trip to the Damariscotta River Association …

• Please discuss any special needs your students may have with DRA staff when you make your reservation.
• Prepare your students with pre-visit and post-visit activities/lessons to enhance their learning. If you want assistance with this, please let us know.
• Consider having our staff provide an in-class program to prepare them for the field-trip and enrich their experience.
• Encourage your students to come dressed appropriately for the weather and wear shoes or boots for walking. We frequently have muddy areas on the trails even if it has not rained for some time.
• You are welcome to lead your own activities on our trails, although we appreciate being told of your plans.

To register or for more information:

Sarah Gladu

Education Coordinator, School for Field Naturalists
Damariscotta River Association
PO Box 333
Damariscotta , Maine 04543
                          207.563.1393
                          e-mail: dra@draclt.org