All About Biodiversity Week

For Biodiversity Week, the various classes go out to vernal pools, ponds, streams and forest, to survey flora and fauna. And of course, the children are very excited to notice all the spring manifestations of nature, coming back to life. We set a school record this year for our biodiversity count. 2nd-6th grade, in two separate field trips listed 138 different types on plants and animals with the help of Joe Zorzin, Katrina Walton and Cathy Szal.

The 4th-6th class visited Lawrence Brook at Doane’s Falls and competed to find and identify as many species of plants and animals as possible. The groups spent half their time trawling Lawrence Brook with Cathy, and looking for insects and small organisms in the water. The rest of the time, we looked for various trees, under the guidance of local forester, Joe Zorzin. As always we’re very grateful to Joe for sharing his decades-long experience with the class.

The 2nd-3rd grade visited Camp Caravan for a careful look at the creatures living in the pond including wood frog and salamander eggs, dragonfly larvae, mayfly larvae, water boatman, diving beetles, snails, fingernail clams and the ever popular leeches. They also explored woodland trails with Joe Zorzin.

The following day the K-1 class investigated the Camp Caravan pond using nets and magnifying glasses as well as going on a woodland walk with Martin and Lindsey. A small stream captured the children’s attention and they came back to the school wet and happy.

The Preschool visited the vernal pool behind the school with conservation biologist and parent David Graham Wolf and Cathy Szal. The children saw a number of aquatic creatures but the biggest hit was the wood frog tadpoles hatching from egg masses.

You will find the list and count of flora and fauna in the upstairs hallway, along with paste paper creatures made in art with Renee in celebration of Biodiversity Week.