A watershed education project located in the Pedlar River watershed of western Amherst County, VA.
Designed and hosted by One Source Graphics LLC
was the chorus of the song that the Class of 2009 learned before they went out to the Forest Study Site to investigate the relationships involving their adopted trees. Plants need animals and animals need plants. They also found out whether or not their adopted tree was one that lost its leaves in winter, as they tested their predictions from their visit to their trees in September 2005. Many were excited to find new buds on their tree’s branches. Others found tiny pine cones just starting to grow.
April 2006
“We’re hitchhikers—hitchhiker seeds. We need a ride so we can get what we need!”
“We’re hitchhikers—hitchhiker seeds. We need a ride so we can get what we need!”
My Tree Grew How Much?
The Class of 2009 practiced measuring in inches and centimeters as they explored the Forest Study Site to look for spring
growth on the branches of their adopted trees. They got to practice teamwork, too!
growth on the branches of their adopted trees. They got to practice teamwork, too!
During Natural Resource Conservation Week (October 2006), third graders learned that forests are one of Virginia’s most valuable resources. They investigated what makes up forests by looking at their adopted tree’s community and thinking about how everything fits together as a functioning natural system (ecosystem).
Once they had a list of the animals, plants, and nonliving features of the Forest Study Site community, they assigned each category a dollar value and practiced their understanding of math and money. When they added up their tree team’s findings, they also discussed how it was really not accurate to give forests a dollar value, since there were so many benefits that couldn’t be counted in dollars. They figured out that animals, plants and the nonliving components of the ecosystem—such as soil, water, and air—are all important to a healthy ecosystem—and important to our health as well!
Once they had a list of the animals, plants, and nonliving features of the Forest Study Site community, they assigned each category a dollar value and practiced their understanding of math and money. When they added up their tree team’s findings, they also discussed how it was really not accurate to give forests a dollar value, since there were so many benefits that couldn’t be counted in dollars. They figured out that animals, plants and the nonliving components of the ecosystem—such as soil, water, and air—are all important to a healthy ecosystem—and important to our health as well!
Second Grade (Class of 2009)-