By: Anna Gurney, Education Specialist, Paulding SWCD
The third annual GREEN Day, or Growing Resources for Environmental Exploration in Nature, was held on Friday, September 29th at the Black Swamp Nature Center, and the Paulding County Fairgrounds. The Paulding Soil and Water Conservation District hosted the annual event for all the 5th graders in Paulding County. This year the day began with buses from all over the county arriving before 9:30AM. Throughout the day school groups rotated through nine different educational stations. Participants were given t-shirts, and lunch was provided as well.
Stations included a pollinator activity, taught by Education Specialist, Tammy Campbell, from Van Wert SWCD. Kids acted out the migration of a monarch buterfly, in their journey to Mexico. Did anyone make it after the hazardous 2,000-mile flight South?
Presenter Kayla Miller, Professor of Agricultural Studies from Northwest State Community College, examined soil.
Amanda Podach, Education Specialist, Fulton County SWCD, discussed Ohio Wildlife and showed the kids a variety of pelts and mounts of wild animal that can be found in our area. Educator Wendy Baker, from Defiance SWCD, presented a forestry activity and Courtney Kreiger, OSU Water Quality Extension Associate, made a Water Quality non-point pollution model with the kids. A Nature Walk led by Paulding County Master Gardeners took the kids from the Nature Center through the woods to the fairgrounds. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) education trailers were added to the event this year. In these activities, kids got to learn about archery and gun safety by shootng a bow and BB gun at targets under the watchful eyes of local conservation officers. The final experience was the fishing and casting station where kids learned to cast a fishing pole and “catch” fish targets.
Why does Paulding SWCD host this event for the kids? There is a growing amount of evidence that demonstrates that getting kids outside and connected to nature is important for their growth, development, and overall well- being. Additionally, if they enjoy nature and have positive connections and experiences, it will foster a sense of stewardship and conservation of natural resources, preserving it for future generations. This event supports both concepts. “We look forward to this event every year because it gets kids outside and gives them an opportunity to experience nature and learn how its conservation is vital to our health and well-being,” says Anna Gurney, Education Specialist, Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District. The SWCD had the opportunity to share this message with approximately 240 students on this years’ GREEN Day.
Paulding Soil & Water Conservation District would like to thank the sponsors who helped to make this day possible: Van Wert County Foundation, Mercer Landmark, Bob Sinn & Sons Farm, Baughman Tile Co., Cooper Farms, Williamson Insurance, Ideal Setech, Ken Feld Group, Premier Bank, Haviland Tile, Redline Equipment. Flatrock Dairy donated bottles of milk to the kids and Ag Credit donated botles of water. Special thanks to Paulding OSU extension staff for planning support, volunteers, and the Paulding Co. Agricultural Society for use of the fairgrounds. Support from these organizations helped to make this event fun and successful!
