Learning Landscapes
 |
 |
Montana and Dakotas Lewis and Clark described the beauty and diversity of Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Nearly 200 years later, much of the region looks the same as it did in Lewis and Clark's time. More than 8 million acres of public lands encompass the high plains of eastern Montana, the Dakotas, as well as the Rocky Mountains. At Pompeys Pillar National Monument, there is evidence of Native Americans, early explorers, and railroad development. Educational programs focus on these topics as well as other outdoor recreation and land management issues. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Pompeys Pillar National Monument
SCHOOL PROGRAMS Billings Field Office, Phone: (406) 896-5013 Pompeys Pillar Environmental Education Pompeys Pillar National Monument Environmental Education school programs comprise four, 45-minute rotations in history, geology, biology, music, art, navigation/surveying, archaeology, and other topics. Butte Field Office, Phone: (406) 533-7600 Fire Triangle and How to Put Out a Fire This program for pre-schoolers addresses basic fire ecology and basic firefighting principles. Fire Ecology and Fire Behavior Principles This program for students in grades K-8 addresses basic fire ecology and behavior as well as fire-dependent ecosystems. Fire Ecology/Behavior Principles; Management Decisions This program for high-school students addresses basic fire ecology and behavior, fire-dependent ecosystems, land management and decision-making. Fort Benton, Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center, Phone: (406) 622-4000 Various cultural and natural history programs are offered to school groups on-site or in the classroom. Students can rotate among several stations or participate in specific programs lasting 1 – 2 hours. Programs are grade appropriate for K-12. Occasional evening programs are available and are suitable for the entire family. Journey Through the Monument This education trunk introduces students to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and the Upper Missouri River. Class field trips for Fort Benton Schools complete the “journey.” Education programs are delivered and important historical sites are highlighted along the way; best for middle school students. Glasgow Field Station, Phone: (406) 228-3750 Northeast Montana Aviation and Technology (NEAT) This one- to two-day event involves high school students from Valley County. Agencies and private businesses present career information and displays. Aviation is featured, but professionals in other science careers are also invited. Havre Field Station, Phone: (406) 262-2820 5th Grade Conservation Day The goal of this program is education about the spread of noxious weeds. Soils Studies Classroom and field studies on soils are tailored to the high school student(s) participating. Lewistown Field Office, Phone: (406) 538-1900 Range Ecology Presentations Presentations are given on rangeland ecology, habitat, plant identification, and the influences of fire, wildlife, and cattle on rangelands. Wildfire Awareness Week Presentations Presentations are given on fire ecology, fire behavior, fire-dependent ecosystems, prevention of unwanted human-caused fires, and defensible space. Forestry and Fire Field Day A field day is offered to interested schools and youth groups to discuss forest habitats and fire-adapted landscapes. Fire Ecology Presentations Presentations address basic fire ecology and behavior as well as fire-dependent ecosystems. Malta Field Office, Phone: (406) 654-5100 Kids Fishing Day Malta-area 5th-grade students are offered the opportunity to try ice fishing. Miles City Field Office, Phone: (406) 233-2800 Paleontology and Archaeology Presentations Paleontology and archaeology presentations are given to local and area schools. In addition to the presentations, there are demonstrations in flint napping and atlatl throwing. Outdoor Education Day BLM coordinates an education day for 3rd-grade students with five separate educational hands-on activity stations. Stations have included wildfire, fisheries, wildlife, aquatic education, forestry, gold panning, and use of an atlatl. Fire Programs for schools and other groups consist of school-related activities, presentations, discussions, and/or field trips. Fire personnel discuss fire ecology, fire history, wildland/urban interface issues, firefighting, fire weather, “good fire/bad fire,” and aviation. Hands-on activities include touring the airbase, visiting with smokejumpers, a walk around an engine, fire shelter deployment, and games involving the fire engines. Missoula Field Office, Phone: (406) 329-3914 Garnet Ghost Town Guided Tours Tours for students include an interpretive talk on Montana history. Rural School Wildlife Program Rural grade schools in Granite, Powell, and Missoula counties are visited each spring; presentations include various Montana wildlife-related topics, such as, threatened and endangered species, songbirds, bears, weasels, and other wildlife species inhabiting the landscapes students live in.
North Dakota Field Office, Phone: (701) 227-7700 Kids Fishing School Fishing school for 1st-8th graders teaches fishing safety, fish identification, fish handling, and ethics. Envirothon Students learn about cultural landscape preservation and its impacts on our natural resources. South Dakota Field Office, Phone: (605) 892-7000 Project Learning Tree The primary theme of this program is fire’s role in the environment. Project Learning Tree workshops provide educators with instruction and materials they can use in the classroom. Local fire department officials often participate in teacher workshops as well. BEYOND SCHOOL Billings Field Office, Phone: (406) 896-5013 Pompeys Pillar Junior Ranger Program Younger visitors can complete the Junior Ranger Program and Coloring Book learning about the Lewis and Clark expedition and the natural history of the Monument. Butte Field Office, Phone: (406) 533-7600 Cub Scout Fire Ecology Patch Presentation Cub Scouts are given a presentation on fire ecology, fire behavior, and fire-dependent ecosystems to help them earn a fire ecology patch. Wildfire Awareness Week Presentations Presentations are given on fire ecology, fire behavior, fire-dependent ecosystems, prevention of unwanted human-caused fires, and defensible space. Glasgow Field Station, Phone: (406) 228-3750 Glasgow Feather Fest This annual celebration of the birds of northeastern Montana features field trips and informative talks with a keynote speaker. Lewistown Field Office, Phone: (406) 538-1900 Kids Fishing Days BLM and partner organizations sponsor 2 fishing days annually, featuring activities and presentations on casting, tackle, and fish filleting. Kids go out in boats to fish with volunteers, who stress safety and ethics. Participants receive fishing-related items and participate in a drawing for prizes. Firewise Presentations Presentations are given to homeowners on fire safety, defensible space, and general fire ecology within the Wildland Urban Interface.
Miles City Field Office, Phone: (406) 233-2800 Paleontology and Archaeology Presentations Paleontology and archaeology presentations are given to local and area groups. In addition, there are demonstrations of flint napping and atlatl throwing. Kids Fishing Day Area children receive instruction in casting, avoiding hypothermia, boat safety, and fish identification. In addition, they are provided time to fish, with assistance from BLM staff and volunteers. National Public Lands Day National Public Land Day is a national program that brings volunteers together to restore and refurbish public lands. Volunteers clean up trash and old fence material and work on the Natural Bridges Trail within the Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area. BLM staff provide instruction to participants about the history, geology and the significance of the WSA.
Missoula Field Office, Phone: (406) 329-3914 Birds This presentation for the Five-Valleys Audubon Society’s Beginning and Intermediate Birders class teaches about birds, bird body parts, and bird identification, and has sometimes used actual bird skins borrowed from the University of Montana. Montana Natural Resources Youth Camp BLM natural resource specialists teach a class on the wildlife that live in Montana as well as different survey methods.
North Dakota Field Office, Phone: (701) 227-7700 Kids Fishing Derby This annual partnership event at the Dickinson Dike teaches kids about fishing. High Five Camp Fishing School This fishing school is designed for children with social-skills issues and children at risk.
Kids Fishing Days Kids Fishing Day is held the first Saturday in June at McNenny Fish Hatchery. Kids receive fishing materials and information when they arrive and then rotate through 10 stations in order to learn about fish, wildlife, lake and stream habitat, and various fishing techniques. Many participants head out to the lake to try out their technique. A second additional event is held in Spearfish for those who can’t attend Fishing Day in June. National Public Lands Day Volunteers gather twice during the summer months on the Ft. Meade Recreation Area to restore and upgrade public lands. Activities range from trail building to creek-side litter control. BLM staff and specialists provide information about the history, biology, multiple-use philosophy, and significance of the activity and area. |
|