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Educational Activities > Students Move Classroom to Panguitch Creek
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Students Move Classroom to Panguitch Creek |
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 Marilyn Bulkley shares her passion for the Outdoor Classroom |
Panguitch Elementary students probably won’t forget their outdoor classroom experience-at least for a little while. May 24, 2002, armed with nothing more than able minds and bodies, students and teachers joined with different agency resource personnel to learn more about their watershed, in conjunction with “Community Watershed Days,” sponsored by the Upper Sevier River Watershed Committee. In addition, students planted willows and grasses, pulled unwanted vegetation, cleaned up trash, and erected birdhouses. To a casual observer, the Panguitch Outdoor Classroom, complete with a small amphitheater, fence, bridge, and several nice stream meanders, might resemble “just a well-cared for section of stream.” But add 230 plus excited gradeschoolers, and one passionate teacher with a vision, and this place is like a little bit of Heaven on Earth, complete with its’ own guardian Angel. “I love this place,” said Marilyn Bulkley, Panguitch Elementary Teacher and Visionary. “I want them to love and take care of this like I have. I just think there is no better teacher than the outdoors itself.” Well, Marilyn, after today, you’re not alone. Students spent the morning in small groups learning about the water, vegetation, and animals and fish in their little piece of watershed Heaven. In addition, students learned to act responsibly in caring for these resources, and the impact that fire and introduced plant and animal species can have on their watershed. |
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Fire | Vegetation | Water Quality | Fisheries | Big Game | Habitat Improvements |
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 Skeet Houston explains fire safety to area youth |
“This blanket could help save your life,” explained Skeet Houston, U.S. Forest Service Assistant Foreman for the Powell Ranger District. Houston and John Harding, U.S. Forest Service Fire Crew, led students in a hands-on discussion about the role of fire in the environment. “You have to be careful not to start fires, because you never know what they will impact,” said Houston. “On the other hand, sometimes we [Forest Service] start fires on purpose and we are just helping Mother Nature out, but it is important for you to act responsibly.” |
 Raigan Hatch, 4th Grade, dons fire safety equipment |
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 Dr. Jim Bowns knows plants! |
Dr. Jim Bowns, Southern Utah University Professor and Ecologist knows plants and is a favorite with younger students.
“I learn from you and you learn from me,” said Bowns, as he moved among his group of students, explaining the different types of plants. “You locals call this puzzle grass, but it has a different name for biologists.” Students, with Bowns’ help, identified such plants as wild iris, river birch, yarrow, golden pea, stinging nettle, Indian tobacco, rabbitbrush, buffalo berry and numerous others. In addition, Bowns helped students understand the importance of native plants to help control erosion and enhance the watershed. |
 Shelby Taylor examines some of the local plants |
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 Alan Reynolds examines caddis flies caught in this section of stream |
Students will never forget Kevin Heaton, Utah State University/Garfield County Extension Agent and his lesson on water quality! “I want you to come over here and drink out of the creek,” said Heaton to a student volunteer. Of course, the student refused, as Heaton went on to explain that, “…water quality means a lot of different things to a lot of different organisms.” “There are a lot of other uses of this water than just for you to drink. If I put soda pop in the stream, that might be good water quality for you, but for the domestic livestock, native plants and animals and irrigation users, that would not be good water quality.” Heaton stressed the importance of using water resources wisely, and explained how managers test water quality by sampling stream insects and analyzing the water’s chemical content. |
 Kevin Heaton stresses the importance of understanding water quality |
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 Students listen intently as Gordon Nelson talks about fish in Utah |
Mammoth Creek Hatchery Superintendent Gordon Nelson explained the importance of habitat requirements such as food, water, air and shelter, that all organisms, including fish, need to survive. “Native Bonneville cutthroat trout once wandered this stream,” said Nelson. Now only a few remnant populations remain, and biologists work to restore native cutthroat to Utah’s streams. Nelson also stressed the importance of vegetation and downed trees and logs within a stream, to help fish hide from predators, such as birds, bear, otter and other mammals. “Someday you may want to choose a career that will help our environment,” said Nelson, as he completed with one group of kids and rounded up another. |
 Planting willows and grasses will improve the fishery on Panguitch Creek |
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 Trimming dead branches off local plants will benefit big game |
“Now tell me the difference between antlers and horns,” said Adam Bronson, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources Wildlife Biologist, to his eager group of students.
Bronson wowed students with radio telemetry equipment that biologists use to study big game animals. Students learned first hand about radio-frequencies, as they used high-tech equipment to search for a “hidden” radio collar. “The one guy that put the collar on the deer was my favorite,” said Austin Riding, at the close of the break-out sessions. |
 Students work with Bronson to track a hidden radio collar |
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 A scavenger hunt for younger students helped them feel involved and learn about the watershed |
Even the youngest students were able to help improve the riparian area at Panguitch Creek. Marching in a line like little ants, the younger children hauled rocks and filled in holes, while older students planted willows and sedges, pulled weeds, trimmed roses, and placed birdhouses throughout the area. The younger children then participated in a nature scavenger hunt, to help pick up garbage, discover leaves, feathers and different types of grasses.
After a long, almost perfect day, students returned to their traditional classrooms. But, as a remembrance and lasting legacy of this project, each student carried with him an Englemann spruce, donated by the U.S. Forest Service, and a mind full of memories and new ideas about the watershed to pass on to others. |
 Each student participated in learning and planting |
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