Nicole ChavarinGCP Class of 2013

SENIOR PROJECT

Objectives • Research portion was based on the importance of implementing environmental education• Project portion was based on the actual implementation of the environmental education• Volunteer/ educator at Shollenberger Park

Shollenberger Park • The center of 500 acres of publicly-owned wetlands. • Frequented by 180 species of migratory and year round birds and other numerous animals and plants.• Visited by at least 400 people daily.• The purpose of the park is to create unique opportunities for children and adults to learn about he wetlands.

The beginning • Initial idea presented to the judges and staff was to educate students from Miwok Valley about the wetlands, Shollenberger Park and how it helps our community.• Didn’t realize some of the larger issues, such as transportation.• The feedback given buy the judges influenced my project entirely.

Began research at the Public Library, in the history room.• Found articles and news paper clippings of the Park, as well as photographs taken by Bob Dyer.• Began my search for an advisor with Bob Dyer and followed his suggestions.• Found advisor, Helen Heal, who had informed me of The Docent program which is incorporated in the Petaluma Wetlands Alliance.

The beginning

PWA & The Docent program•Wetlands docents offer educational activities to 2nd and 3rd grade students using hands style of learning. • Provide service to over 800 school children per year FOR FREE.• Teach students about the life the park has and how it helps our community.• In order to become a docent you go through a program of about 2 to 3 months long where you are training to become a tour guide/ educator of the park.

Requirements • Have to meet the requirements of science criteria for 2nd and 3rd graders • Only science portion of the year for some schools.

3 central points• 1) Sense of wonder • 2) Developmentally appropriate • 3) Science standards

In class• Includes a Power Point presentation to visually acquaint the students to different habitats in the wetlands. • Put into 4 different groups and go through different hands on activities. • -Petaluma Watershed and wetlands • -Birds beaks and feet • -Bird feathers• -Who am I?

Petaluma Watershed and Wetlands

Bird Feathers

Birds beaks and feet

Who am I?

Field trip• 4 different activities teaching the children different things in each station. • -Habitat walk• -Bird observation walk • -Barn owl pellet dissection• -Miwok Indians activities

Habitat Walk

Bird Observation Walk

Barn owl pellets

Miwok Indians Activity

The purpose of the field trip• Help the students understand the watershed they live in, the role of the wetlands to the community.• The concepts learned in the classroom are reinforced by allowing the students to observe first-hand the habitats, plants, and the animals in their diverse habitats. • The purpose of the park is to see the uniqueness that the wetlands are and where people can observe animals in their natural homes.

“It is our hope that children will learn to respect and love Shollenberger Park with its many mysteries of plant and animal life, and that they will return many times to enjoy nature in ‘their own backyard’”

-PWA