DEAL ISLAND, MD (September 25, 2024) – 4th Grade students of Somerset County Public Schools (SCPS) recently attended the Annual Wetlands and Wildlife Field Day, hosted by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources’ Estuarine Research Reserve. Over a two-day field trip, students visited the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area to learn about environmental stewardship and interact with natural resources professionals. Students rotated through stations participating in hands-on learning experiences that focused on wetland conservation and the marsh as a habitat for many species of wildlife.
“The Wetlands and Wildlife event is an experience we look forward to sharing with our 4th Graders each year. Many of our students are learning for the first time that a vast ecosystem exists right in their own backyard. Through experiences like these, we hope to inspire future generations of conservationists to look after our coastal community in Somerset.”
Students learn about the features that help animals survive in the marsh at the Annual Wetlands & Wildlife Field Day at Deal Island Wildlife Management Area.
A student touches a black rat snake; an important species inhabiting the marsh at the Deal Island Wildlife Management Area.
Students observe oyster, flounder and blue crabs in a crab float, and learned how crabs shed in order to grow. Students also learned how oysters filter the Bay and serve an important role in the local marsh habitat.
Students observe a model that demonstrates how agricultural runoff impacts the Bay, and how water quality can impact local wildlife habitats in a negative way.
Students observe a tank containing live fish that inhabit our local waterways, and learn how marsh grasses provide the fish with food and protection from predators.