Reconnect for Earth Day
"Caring for the Land and Serving People" has been the Forest Service mission for over a hundred years. The Forest Service teamed with the producers of the Lorax to help inspire kids ages 8-12 and their parents to reconnect and experience nature firsthand.
The Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) comprise over three million acres and encompass lands from Norwood to Ouray, Lake City to Crested Butte, Montrose to Grand Junction, and a few other towns in between. "We hope that by visiting the forest either virtually or in person, that kids will begin to have a lifelong relationship with their environment," stated Sherry Hazelhurst, acting forest supervisor.
The GMUG has water quality trunks with equipment and curriculum for teachers to use that are geared toward seventh to 12th grade students. The kits have activities focused on aquatic species — dissolved oxygen and temperature, nitrogen and phosphorus content, water PH and water clarity. "These 'aqua kits' are an excellent tool for students to learn basic water measurements and can be used to monitor a stream's water quality," stated Mike Carillo, fisheries biologist. The kits are available for teachers to request and check-out for use with students.
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, and this year's theme is "Mobilize the Earth – A Billion Acts of Green." Use of the information and activities in "Discover the Forest" combined with a few Project Learning Tree activities, planting a tree or visiting the national forest are ideal ways to celebrate Earth Day. A host of other resources and information are also available to students, teachers and parents, including a monthly e-mail containing information and volunteer opportunities, on the GMUG website at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gmug/CE_conncections.
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