On April 21, over 250 students and their teachers celebrated Earth Day in the Forest. This event hosted by Mississippi’s Lower Delta Partnership, USFS – Delta National Forest, Mississippi State Extension – Sharkey and Issaquena counties, and other sponsors was held at Blue Lake Recreation Area in Delta National Forest.
The purpose of this fun day was to introduce students in grades 3-5 to a National Forest and teach them about various topics related to nature and science. Some of the stations visited by students included: pollinators, the web of life, products made from trees, litter prevention, poisonous plants, seed planting, and snakes and other forest critters. Students also engaged in a nature scavenger hunt. The Forest Service had their shocking boat that is used for sampling the types of fish found in bodies of water on site. Student groups were able to watch professionals harvest fish from Blue Lake and then hear about each type of fish as the fish were returned to the water.
After all the stations were visited, everyone enjoyed a sack lunchprovided by the hosts and heard the story of The Lorax before returning to school.
Thanks to the many sponsors that helped make this event possible – LDP, USFS, USF&WS, Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, MDOT, Mississippi State University Extension Service, Stop & Shop, Chucks Dairy Bar, McAllisters, Sharkey Issaquena County Library, and the Rolling Fork Garden Club.
