Bureau of Land Management
Environmental Education Feature

Feature Program of the Month

 

BLM Idaho Presents:

The Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area Environmental Education Days

 

Every year in early May, BLM-Idaho's Lower Snake River District Office hosts an educational tour for fourth- through sixth-graders in the Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (SRBOPNCA). School groups from the local area reserve a spot during one of the four days of the event. The tour takes about 1.5 hours and includes activities at four stations.

At the "Critter Man" station, children get a peek - up close and personal - at the area's wild residents. On display are a live raptor, a variety of snakes and lizards, a ground squirrel and, occasionally, a scorpion or two. Often, a gopher snake or horned lizard is passed around the crowd for the students to handle. An adult is always close by, keeping a watchful eye on the activities.

Photo credit: Larry Ridenhour

A scavenger hunt called "Desert Hunt" helps the students explore the characteristics of the desert environment with hand lenses. The children's hypotheses about desert living are then tested to see if they have an understanding of how the desert works .

 

At the canyon overlook, students peer down into the Snake River Canyon to see the nesting habitat of the many raptors in the conservation area. The proximity of the canyon walls to the rich prey base on the rim help make the conservation area a special place for raptors.

Photo credit: Larry Ridenhour

Finally, a Project WILD (Wildlife in Learning Design) activity called "Quick Frozen Critters" illustrates the relationship between habitat and two important populations of wildlife in the area, the golden eagle and the black-tailed jack rabbit.

Fun is had by all as the students learn about the lands they share with the raptors!

For more information about the program, please contact Larry Ridenhour at (208) 384-3334 or Nancy Taylor-Grant at (208) 384-3463.

 

Last Updated: July 15, 2003

For questions about our programs contact Bibi Booth
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