WAJ Science Club Members Explore Nature Signs

Students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett (WAJ) Science Club spent the afternoon of February 13^th exploring the winter landscape of the Siuslaw Model Forest in Acra and learning about carrying capacity and how it relates to deer populations in the Catskills and the Hudson Valley.

Conditions were challenging with a few inches of slushy snow and mud to walk through, but the Science Club came prepared. While there was not quite enough snow to try snowshoeing, students had the opportunity to observe the winter landscape by completing Nature Bingo scavenger hunts. For Each observation made they were able to check a box on their scorecard. Students walked through the woods observing different types of trees, bird nests, tracks in the snow, and even some scat.

After completing their winter walk students played a game in which they represented the white tail deer population and learned to define carrying capacity and limiting factors as it relates to local animal populations.

The WAJ Science Club would not be possible without the generous financial support of The Windham Foundation. Their support has enabled Cornell Cooperative Extension’s (CCE) 4-H Youth Development Program to create hands-on natural resources and environmental awareness programs, offering these elementary-age students an exciting opportunity to learn about the natural world through visits to CCE’s Siuslaw Model Forest. 

Last updated March 9, 2020