Youth Conservation Day held at Honey Creek Park

Jeremy Ziegler and Natalie Irizarry, soil scientists from Natural Resources Conservation Service, show New Glarus fifth-graders the difference in sand, silt and clay particle sizes that make up soil during Youth Conservation Day at Honey Creek Park Oct. 5.

youth conservation day 1 — Jeremy Ziegler and Natalie Irizarry, soil scientists from Natural Resources Conservation Service, show New Glarus fifth-graders the difference in sand, silt and clay particle sizes that make up soil during Youth Conservation Day at Honey Creek Park Oct. 5.

MONROE — Five buses delivered about 150 fifth-graders to Honey Creek Park on the west side of the city Oct. 5.

Students came from New Glarus and Monticello elementary schools and Monroe’s Parkside Elementary School. The light rain didn’t dampen their excitement for the opportunity to enjoy a day of outdoor classroom education during Youth Conservation Day.

Ten stations were set up around the park for students to rotate through. The educational stations included native prairies, watersheds, wildlife management, bee keeping, fishing, soil conservation and biology, soil basics, forestry, water microbiology, and local fish management. Many stations had hands on activities for students to learn from. A favorite for the students is fishing. Many tried, but only a few were successful to catch the fish that were stocked the day before.

The day was made possible through cooperation of several agencies, organizations and individuals. Green County Land and Water Conservation Department is grateful to Green County Conservation League, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Lower Sugar River Watershed Association, The Prairie Enthusiasts, Pheasants Forever, City of Monroe, Compeer Financial and Pat Holmstrom.

The next Youth Conservation Day for remaining area fifth-graders to attend will be held on May 3. The event was started in spring of 2014 to teach children about conservation and their environment. There are two dates held each year for scheduling flexibility for schools to attend.

For more information, contact Tonya Gratz with the Green County Land and Water Conservation Department at 608-325-4195 ext. 121.

Bob Blankenhorn and Norm Williams, from the Green County Conservation League, untangle a student’s line at the fishing station for Conservation Youth Day Oct. 5.

youth conservation day 2 — Bob Blankenhorn and Norm Williams, from the Green County Conservation League, untangle a student’s line at the fishing station for Conservation Youth Day Oct. 5.

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