Thanks to a recent grant from the Roundhouse Foundation, Sisters Middle School students discover Whychus Creek with the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council!

Discovery of a snow berry!

Having fun on the log bridge

Sketching an aspen tree for the Whychus Creek field guide

Learning how to identify the different trees along Whychus Creek

Reflecting on the day

Enjoying the fall colors and the beauty of Whychus Creek

On the scavenger hunt for new plants and wildlife

Last week, we had our second field trip to Whychus Creek with 120 students from Sisters Middle School. We began our field studies by hiking into Whychus Creek canyon at the Discovery Outpost. The days were so beautiful! Aspen and alder trees were changing colors and the resident golden eagle flew above us in the blue sky. The students went on a discovery scavenger hunt to find new plants and signs of wildlife. Some of the investigative students found deer tracks and raccoon tracks. Owl  feathers and deer bones were found by another group of explorers as well. The students had a blast learning about the ecology of Whychus Creek through hands-on investigations. We finished each field study with a short writing project to reflect upon the lessons of the day. The kids spread throughout the canyon to write and reflect on what they had discovered about the botany and wildlife that call Whychus Creek their home. Here is a short poem written by Ross, an 8th grader from Sisters Middle School:

Whychus Creek

Slashing, gurgling,
Sweeping downward
Through palisades of pine trees.
Ever moving,
Ever flowing, it is a stream
And will be for evermore.
Rocks and trees
All dependent on its fertile soil.