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Take
a real hands-on approach in one of our environmental education programs
like Geology of Otter Creek Park. How about an afternoon exploring
the ecology of streams, wetlands, or caves?
Or,
join our naturalist in the study of the forest where the student will
discover the plants and animals that call it home.
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Wildlife & Plant
Checklists
During your visit to
Otter Creek Park, you'll encounter a wide variety of living things.
Here are lists of plants and wildlife that have been observed in the
park:
All check lists are in PDF format. Adobe
Acrobat Reader is required to view. You can download and
install Acrobat Reader for free,
click here. |
WETLAND ECOLOGY
(3rd grade and up/ 1 hour, 90 min.
or half-day program)
Students will take a scientific approach in studying the Nature Center
Pond and gain a better understanding of the ecosystem of wetlands.
In this hands-on study, special emphasis will be given to the food
web of the pond. Discussions
include: wetland importance
and uses, hydrology, water chemistry, water pollution, and conservation.
GEOLOGY
OF OTTER CREEK PARK
(3rd grade and up/ 1 hour, 90 min. or half-day program)
Many of the geological aspects of Otter Creek Park will be explored
including: geological
history, rock types, cave formation, fossil formation and weathering.
The tools and techniques of geological study will also be
presented. Exploration
of the local rocks and a fossil hunt may be included.
This program normally takes place at Garnettsville Picnic
Area.
FORESTRY
MATH
(4th grade and up/ 1hour, 90 min.
or half-day program)
Why would anyone want to measure a forest?
For starters, every person uses 100 board feet of wood each year.
In this program, students might explore methods used to estimate
height of trees, number of board feet in a tree, number of trees in the
forest, how many trees it takes to build a house and more.
CAVE
ECOLOGY
(3rd grade and up/ 3 hour program)
Experience a wild cave. Unlike
most tourist routes, you will get wet in Morgan’s Cave!
This activity is of moderate physical difficulty.
Prior to the cave tour, students will have a Nature Center class on
cave ecology, cave geology and cave safety.
THE
USEFUL FOREST
(Kindergarten to 5th grade/ 1 hour
program)
Students will explore the vegetation of the Otter Creek Park woodlands and
learn how important plants are to animals on the planet.
Special emphasis will be given to the use of plants by humans (past
and present) and other animals. The
role of plants will be stressed and integrated with conservation.
SMALL
CREATURES OF THE FOREST
(Kindergarten to 5th grade/ 1 hour program)
We will be searching for the less-noticed small animals in the forest and
fields of Otter Creek Park. The
role that these little creatures play in our ecosystem is vital, so we
will try to discover the niche that these animals fill in the bigger
scheme of things.
STREAM
ECOLOGY
(3rd grade and up/ 1 hour, 90 min. or
half-day program)
Streams are the ultimate in dynamic systems, being constantly flushed with
new water and changing conditions. In
this scientific exploration, we will learn how streams are monitored for
contamination and explore the many diverse life forms found within them.
Wading exploration of the creek will be encouraged.
ASTRONOMY
The Otter Creek Park Observatory is a
modern facility which enlightens students of all ages. Our observatory is
for everyone from young students just discovering the nighttime skies to
educators seeking increased knowledge of the cosmos. Otter Creek Park's
staff can custom design classes, lectures and star parties for public,
private or educational groups.
For
More Information Contact:
Bryan Lewis - Park Naturalist
Tel: 502-574-4583 ext. 130
bryan.lewis@louisvilleky.gov |
