A wonderful opportunity presented itself on the evening of May 3rd. We were given the chance to bring groups of 12-15 students from grades 6th and 7th to the annual Wirt County Wetlands Day in Elizabeth, WV.
If you are unfamiliar with Wetlands Day, it is an outdoor event held annually by Wirt County Middle School. The Wetlands program was started with a small number of exhibits and presenters and has grown into one of Wirt County's best known and fun learning activities of the school year. The program bring in presenters and professionals from the Department of Natural Resources, Department of Agriculture, Department of Environmental Protection, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and WV Fish Hatchery.
Wetlands are important natural resources with numerous values, including fish and wildlife habitat, flood protection, erosion control, and water quality maintenance. The State of West Virginia have always recognized the importance of wetlands to waterfowl, other migratory birds, and wildlife.
The students participated in many activities that focused on the importance of preserving our environment and took the advantage of the great outdoors. Some of the learning stations were archeology, fur-bearing animals, nature center, soils, fishing, oil and gas environmental issues, ground water, insects, wildflowers, and forestry to name a few.
Our students were invited to experience Wirt Wetlands to plant the idea of establishing an event like this in Calhoun County for our students.
