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Saint Brendan's Fifth Grade and Science in NCF

5/6/2013

5 Comments

 
Picture
FNCF President, Jeanie Robinson, is smiling about forest science without using cars.
In addition to securing the ecological benefits of North Creek Forest our stated dream is: To enable a giant outdoor "walk to laboratory" to inspire students in science, art and literature.

On May 1 we took a big step in that direction. Saint Brendan students walked from school and did scientific research under the guidance of noted northwest naturalist, Rob Sandelin.

Rob teaches at the Sky Valley Education Center in Monroe. He has also been a park naturalist at Yosemite, Olympic Peninsula and Denali National Parks and a field educator at Yellowstone.

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Decent into a research zone.






The day was absolutely perfect in every way.

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After going over a personal story about recovering a baseball in nettles and showing students what nettles look like, Rob weaves his magic. Adults and students were captivated.

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Rob had students group in teams of three. Each team was given a clipboard and 2 wood stakes coupled with exactly five meters of string. Field research involved randomly placing the stakes and recording how many different plants fell under the stretched string and the count for each plant in each sample. Students took as many samples as they could in about 45 minutes.

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Random sampling (and fun) was magnified when Rob said, "Come back to this spot when you hear this sound," and proceeded to howl like a wolf. With a grin student teams scattered everywhere.

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It is worth pointing out how serious students were about their research. They were meticulous in getting the string tight and counting every plant under the string.

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The event was important enough that Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition (WWRC) brought in a professional photographer to make a video.

[Also see: Bothell Reporter ]


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After students regrouped at the sound of the "wolf" Rob talked about the plants they found. He held up a plant and asked "How many of you found this plant to be the most abundant in more than half of your samples?" Student were able to see how different plants dominate in different parts of the forest. He then helped them learn plant names. They will probably remember when he waved the fern (in his left hand) like a sword... a Sword Fern, right?

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Hanna Clark, with WWRC, told students about the Land and Water Conservation Fund and how important it is to saving North Creek Forest, not for a few years, but forever.

The money for this fund comes from a tax on oil and gas drilling and has been in place since 1965. It has been difficult to get Congress to fund the grant even though the the money is collected.



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Thank you Senator Murray!
Senator Patty Murray has worked very hard to get Congress to keep funding for the LWCF. Without that work, the forest you see in the background (right) would not be in purchase negotiations with the city.

A second LWCF grant we worked with the city to apply for will be used to help purchase 3 remaining forest parcels IF Congress funds the LWCF.

Senator Murray was once called "the Senator in white tennis shoes". So students signed a gift of white hiking boots to express gratitude for her help in saving the forest.

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North Creek Forest is an urban gem. If you have a giving program please consider a donation to our organization so we can continue our activities of conservation, education and stewardship. If you are a current or retired Boeing employee your gift will be matched by Boeing. All gifts are deductible.

This is a fragile forest. No official trails exist. We will advocate for special trails. We want trails to be designed by biologists so people can see diverse habitat without disturbing the wildlife.

So far UW Bothell students have carefully mapped key plant communities across 35 acres. Our Cascadia CC interns started a one year amphibian study and key amphibian habitats will also be mapped.

Someday the whole forest may be saved (with a lot more work). Someday you may be able to see this waterfall and let your mind go where it does in places like this.

All is possible because you support it.
Gratefully,
FNCF
ALSO...

Picture
Rob Sandelin, "This is what I do."


If you want to get a very useful book check out:

Field Guide to the Cascades and Olympics
by
Rob Sandelin
Stephen Whitney
Published by the Mountaineers

It's made for the field: sturdy, compact and full of what you need, to identify many of the plants, animals, insects and a lot of other you things might run into.

5 Comments
Jeri Molloy
5/6/2013 08:06:28 am

Loved this story!!! Our children all went to St. Brendan's School many years ago.......I had a twinge of wistfulness over "what could have been" for them. Also......is it difficult to find that beautiful waterfall?
jeri :)

Reply
Jim Freese
5/6/2013 01:57:53 pm

It's so difficult it's secret:)

Reply
Krystle Minerich
5/6/2013 02:11:58 pm

I absolutely love the fact that the kiddos were able to walk to this outdoor laboratory! Not only reducing their carbon footprint, but getting exercise in the process.

I also enjoyed the pictures. I almost didn't need to read the article to get the full picture and see that the kids were actively engaged in field studies.

Lastly, I'm excited to see the new partnerships that FNCF is developing with Rob Sandelin and WWRC!

Keep up the good work!

Reply
Kent Parkinson
5/7/2013 10:57:05 pm

Wow, wish I had been along for that one. It is great to see the kids out learning with such a great guide. It is neat to see the forest being used in such a meaningful way and being accepted by such an interested audience. I think it is great to see people from other areas coming into the forest too. It just goes to show that this forest belongs here so people from all around the state can come and see its majestic qualities.

Reply
Ann Goff
5/10/2013 08:38:06 am

Really enjoyed the article and pictures. I felt I was right there with them on their field trip. "And the children help show us the way".

Reply



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Mailing address: 

 
Friends of North Creek Forest
      PO Box 2053
      Bothell, WA  98041-2053

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Tax ID: 27-5439187

20598 - 112th Ave NE,  Bothell  98011
stewardship work site address
​Directions: 
From I-405 
Take Exit 24
West on Beardslee 
​Right on 112 Ave NE
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  • Home
  • About
    • Strategic Plan 2021-2025
    • Employment Opportunities
    • History
    • 10th Anniversary!
    • Gallery and Info
    • Contact Us
    • Directions
  • Programs
    • Community Programs >
      • Forest Bathing
      • Birding
      • Citizen Science
      • Forest Yoga
    • Summer Day Camps 2022
    • Stewardship
    • Education >
      • Forest Field Trips
      • Leadership Training and Internships
      • Learning at home resources
      • #FNCFselfies
    • Research
  • Get Involved
    • Volunteer
    • Trails Info & Safety tips
  • Support / Donate
    • #GivingTuesday
    • OktoberFOREST with Cairn Brewing
    • Forest Keepers
    • Supporters
    • Wear Your Support