Monday, May 11, 2015

Wild Earth Week Field Trips Successful

LABELLE, FL. -- Thanks and appreciation is extended to everyone who provided materials, donated services or volunteered to make Hendry/LaBelle Recreation's 8th Annual Call of the Wild Earth Week Field Trips a success. Over one thousand 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grade students from Upthegrove, County Oaks, LaBelle, and West Glades schools participated in the free field trips held April 20-23 at the City of LaBelle's Hendry House and LaBelle Nature Park.

Funding for the busses for LaBelle and Country Oaks Elementary was provided by the Rotary Club of LaBelle with the Kiwanis Club of LaBelle sponsoring the transportation for West Glades School.

Students had a chance to pet and learn about goats during the Hendry County 4-H's presentation by Sonja Crawford, Patricia Gonzalez, and Liz Shaw. Florida Forest Service foresters, Clark Ryals, and 

Melinda Avni Service lead the “ Nature Walk Using QR codes” and “Florida Exotics” programs. International Students from Intelligentsia International and FGCU Student Ashley Pascale used models and demonstrations during their interactive “Groundwater” activity. 

There were lots of hands opportunities as specimens were shared during the Florida Department of Environmental Protection “Oysters, Mangroves, & Seagrass” programs with Terry Cerullo, Julie Neurohr, and Tim Steeves . Vicki Parrish, representing Family Eye Care, made learning about sun safety fun during the “Don’t Fry Day: Slip, Slop, Slap, Wrap” activity with each child receiving a UV ray bead bracelet.

Thank you to everyone for their generous donations of materials for students and teachers, services, and volunteer time with special recognition to: Hendry County Recycling, City of LaBelle, Hendry County Emergency Medical Service, Hendry County Health Department, Florida Department of Health, Riverwatch and 2015 Call of the Wild Planning Committee volunteers.

1 comment:

  1. The Intelligentsia International college students always have a great time sharing their knowledge with our local school children during this event. The groundwater and surface water model demonstrations are actually a joint effort of Port LaBelle Utility System, Intelligentsia International, and Caloosahatchee Riverwatch. Master Naturalist Margaret England is the creator and annual organizer of Call of the Wild. In 2007 Margaret led a group that transformed LaBelle's previous Earth Day celebration (initiated by Tina Noel and Lois James) into the current rambunctious, week-long field trips involving more than 1000 children each year. Ramiro Rodriguez and his team at Hendry-LaBelle Recreation Board are also essential in making the event happen. Activities, places, and people like this make LaBelle a special place to live.

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