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.

REALMS at Ryan Ranch

We had two beautiful days for the first field trips that the 7th graders took to Ryan Ranch. Students were able to explore and discover the secrets of Ryan Ranch. The students learned a little about the history of the giant meadow and they began learning about the plants that can be found along the Deschutes River. This week, they will be putting their new knowledge into action while they collect vegetation data along six different transects. REALMS students will compare and contrast the differences and similarities between the meadow and the pine forest. They will compile their data in order to compare it to last year's student collected data collected. Hopefully, the days will be sunny and warm for the students. Stay tuned for fun pictures from our next two field days...

Busy Fall

Looking at the calendar, it looks like we have filled up October with field days working with local schools! We are excited for more days in November out in the field, to accommodate excited teachers to get their students outside. We are hoping for a very temperate November, lets all hope for a beautiful fall.

Last week was our first outings with Sisters Middle school, out at Camp Polk Meadow. The 7th and 8th graders collected a lot of information about the flora and fauna of Whychus Creek for their end project of field guide for the creek. We are starting to work with REALMS this week. They will be learning about general information about Ryan Ranch, the history, and the proposed restoration project for Ryan Ranch. The students will also have an introduction into the plants that can be found in the area to prepare them for the next outing when they will be collecting data from a preset transect. This will be happening this Wednesday and Thursday, so look for an update and fun pictures later this week.