By Deanna Brown
The student exchange program, also known as L.A.N.D.S. (Learning across New Dimensions in Science) Trinity River Stewardship Project, kicked off this week as fourth grade students from Blooming Grove went to White Rock Creek in Dallas, and kids from St. John’s Episcopal School in Dallas came to the 77 Ranch north of Blooming Grove.
The ranch, owned by Gary and Sue Price, was the site of the Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas Wildlife Association program last year as well. The 77 Ranch consists of approximately 2,100 acres total, with 1,730 acres of native range or woodlands, 200 acres of cropland, 90 acres of non-native grass and about 40 acres of ponds, creeks and lakes.
Students made the rounds of several different stations, where they measured flow, turbidity and temperature of creek water, checked it for dissolved oxygen and nitrates, measured the pH balance and ammonia levels, and observed fauna and flora.
“After they spent the morning in the creek bed, they came back up to the shade to have lunch,” said Monica Paul. “Those kids were pushing the big heavy round bales, having a hay-rolling contest!”
Nathan Paul, a 13-year-old homeschooled student, spoke to the students about his experience this past summer at the Texas Brigade Wildlife Leadership Development Camp. Nathan, who chose the Bobwhite Brigade, spent a week in Valera, near Coleman, learning about biology, habitat management, watersheds, ecology, botany, firearm safety, fishing, team building, and developed public speaking skills. The camp is a cooperative effort of the Texas AgriLife Extension, Texas Wildlife Association, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Chapters of Quail Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Lower Colorado River Authority.
“Nathan brought his stuffed quail, his tri-fold display, and talked to the kids about taxidermy,” Monica Paul said. “The kids were very interested, and we felt very welcome.”
Dr. Dale Rollins, founder of the Brigade camp, gave Nathan the nickname “Preacher Paul,” and his group or “covey” was called the Crazy Quail. Nathan relayed his experiences to the kids about working as a team, making a scrapbook, and finding quail using a radio telemetry.
“I’ve had dreams about camp since I got back,” Nathan said. “I’m planning to go back next year.”
After Nathan spoke, Jimmy Stewart with Natural Resources Conservation Service brought the “rain station” and demonstrated the difference between run-off that has been filtered through hay or some other ground cover, and simple soil.
The Blooming Grove students and the Dallas students will meet all together at the Texas Freshwater Fisheries in Athens on Nov. 20.
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Deanna Brown may be contacted via e-mail at deanna@corsicanadailysun.com
