11.01.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 2:26 pm by dougpotter
Lee Beasley and Doug Potter Took a trip over Halloween weekend to expand their knowledge about the flora and fauna of the great state of North Carolina. Their main subject of study was the elk reintroduction in Cataloochee Valley.
It was a great and informative weekend that included studies and units that can be used inour own outdoor classroom, as well as around the school grounds. Soon, we’ll be able to use this information to incorpoarate more outdoor learning into our school day.
Elk History in North Carolina:
The experimental release of elk into Great Smoky Mountains National Park began in February, 2001 with the importation of 25 elk from the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area along the Tennessee-Kentucky border. In 2002, the park imported another 27 animals. All elk were radio collared and were monitored during the eight-year experimental phase of the project. In 2009-2010, the park began developing an environmental assessment of the program and a long-term management plan for elk. Project partners include the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Parks Canada, Great Smoky Mountains Natural History Association, Friends of the Smokies, the U.S.G.S. Biological Resources Division, and the University of Tennessee.
Elk once roamed the southern Appalachian Mountains and elsewhere in the eastern United States. They were eliminated from the region by over-hunting and loss of habitat. The last elk in North Carolina was believed to have been killed in the late 1700s. In Tennessee, the last elk was killed in the mid-1800s. By 1900, the population of elk in North America dropped to the point that hunting groups and other conservation organizations became concerned the species was headed for extinction.
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Two young bulls getting ready for a mock battle
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Two young bulls facing off.
A primary mission of the National Park Service is to preserve native plants and animals on lands it manages. In cases where native species have been eliminated from park lands, the National Park Service may choose to reintroduce them. Successful wildlife reintroductions in Great Smoky Mountains National Park have included the river otter, Peregrine Falcon, and three species of small fish.
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09.11.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 3:02 pm by dougpotter
This little guy was spotted not too far from campus after the recent storm.
In case you don’t know, it’s a preying mantis. I seem to see many
more of them as we head towards Fall. When researching them I found out about their interesting diets.
The praying mantis is a carnivorous insect that takes up a deceptively humble posture when it is searching for food. When at rest, the mantis’ front forelegs are held up together in a posture that looks like its praying. These front legs are equipped with rows of sharp spines used to grasp its prey. They wait unmoving and are almost invisible on a leaf or a stem, ready to catch any insect that passes.
There is much more to learn about this amazing insect, follow the links to read more.
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09.10.10
Posted in Uncategorized tagged elementary school, frogs, NHES, outdoor classroom, Pickerel, pond habitat, Southern Leopard Frog at 8:38 pm by cindywise
Frogs have taken up residence in our pond.
As one 2nd grader was kneeling to make
an observation, the frog leapt from the middle of the
pond over his head to the garden area!!
Some students were able to observe 4 frogs at
one time. We think the frogs are the
Southern Leopard Frog and Pickerel.
Exciting times
at the po
nd!
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07.28.10
Posted in Garden of Learning:Mini Pond at 6:12 pm by cindywise
We had a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Garden of Learning. Check out the wonderful article by Sharon Sullivan (Dare County Board of Education).
Click here to read about this.
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Posted in Bird Habitat at 6:06 pm by cindywise
What birds have you observed on our school grounds?
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Posted in Butterfly Garden, Uncategorized tagged Butterfly Garden, Ladybugs, NHES, outdoor classroom at 3:59 pm by cindywise
Checking for Ladybugs
Spring brought excitement to our Butterfly Garden. Students were able to experience the life cycle of ladybugs – from eggs to larvae to adult ladybugs. The daisy plant became the ladybug nursery. Later in the spring, a wonderful surprise greeted us. A Black Swallowtail caterpillar took up residence on the Bronze Fennel. The students were able to experience the caterpillar in it’s chrysalis stage. Very cool!
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07.27.10
Posted in Uncategorized at 4:02 pm by cindywise
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