Morgan County Leads in Recreational Center’s Environmental Education Program

by Myra Badger, Public Relations Coordinator, Hartselle Field Office, AL

"There’s more to life than movies and mini-golf," states Lisa Burns, director of the Osborne-Warren-Oden Recreation Center (OWO) in Hartselle. Lisa has a desire to see children get outside and enjoy their environment. She says, "I grew up camping, hiking, and four-wheeling. Some of these children have never been for a walk to see a creek." Lisa is a certified teacher and understands the importance of hands on learning, which is apparent in her directing of the recreational center. Three years ago she was asked to direct the OWO. She began with an older building and an empty room. She needed to build a daily program for 75-100 children, ages 6-16, that would allow them to learn while having fun. This is where the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District along with the Flint Creek Watershed Project came into the picture. They were able to offer conservation education programs that encourage the children to explore and learn about their environment. "They have been a great help!" states Lisa. "They take the day of the week designated as Environmental Conservation Day and plan a program for the children. They give me a schedule of who is coming and what the theme is."

Many of the children who attend the OWO are from the city with limited opportunity to be outdoors to observe plants and wildlife. Debbie Segars, Education Coordinator for the District, kept this in mind as she organized a summer of environmental activities. Drawing from the acquaintances she had made participating in other community educational events, Debbie was able to find others who would partner with her in her conservation education programs. April Waltz, from the Wildlife Federation, worked with Debbie to teach about birds. They followed up the lesson with crafts. The children went home that day all smiles wearing colorful bird masks and carrying a peanut butter and pinecone treat to give to the birds in their own neighborhood. April returned another day for a discussion about Alabama black bears, and Debbie emphasized the importance of protecting their habitat. David Sims, a forester from Joe Wheeler Electric Cooperative, brought his "Electric City." Emily Johnson from Decatur Recycling partnered with Debbie for a joint program on recycling and water quality. Daphne Moland, a Ranger at the Wheeler Wildlife Refuge, worked with Debbie bringing "Andy," her corn snake, and "Hawkeye," her red tailed hawk.

The final Thursday was a day packed with adventure. David Sims returned to do tree identification with the children as they walked along a stream. Brad Bole, Coordinator for the Flint Creek Watershed, and Debbie did a stream assessment with the children to show them the importance of water quality. One little boy, while on the walking field trip, was overjoyed when Brad let him hold a crawfish. Lisa commented, "He wanted to take it home so badly. In fact, since then his mother bought a tent and took him camping. He’s been attending the OWO for three years, and I think the introduction to the outdoors from the environment programs has encouraged him to explore the outdoors. Now his mom is enjoying the outdoors with him."

After this walking field trip, Lisa took her students on a white water rafting trip.

"The kids were trying to identify trees and were discussing the quality of the water," states Lisa, fascinated with how much the children remembered and could apply from the environmental program. "It’s great to see what an impact the conservation programs have on the life of these kids and their families too."

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