Day on the Chesapeake Bay with Mr. Stewart's class, November 21

As the bus from Mardela Springs High School pulled onto the lane at Pickering Creek the fog that had given the morning its special feel lingered. The students were gathered in anticipation of what the day would be, Pickering Creek staff was gathered in anticipation over what the weather would do. With a 50% chance of rain forecasted the day could have gone either way, as luck would have it the 28 high-school students enjoyed a perfect, rain-free day at Pickering. This being the second part of the AWE program, many of the students were prepared to explore the 400 acre property, armed with knowledge they had gained from their first AWE program (Chesapeake Bay 101). The students participated in several activities: a biodiversity hike through an old growth forest, seining and netting in the creek, fishing, oyster cage exploration, and water quality monitoring.

Mr. Stewart's class got to see and experience a lot of interesting native Maryland species. During the biodiversity hike, the students identified over 15 different bird species, including the Bald Eagle, Tundra Swan, Snow Geese, Chirping Sparrows, and the ubiquitous Turkey Vulture. One group of student's were even able to identify 135 individual birds! The students also had some success in the water. Grass shrimp, White Perch, Mummichog, and Silversides were all seen during their trip. While the students observed the flora and fauna that could be seen around Pickering, one of the things that stood out the most to students was the quietness of the forest. This is a powerful lesson that everybody can appreciate, when we slow down our crazy fast-paced life and enjoy nature for what it is, we realize that the world is a big wonderful place and that all of our interactions are connected in ways that we may never fully understand.

Pass it On with Digital Harbor Dr. Pannu 11/15/11

Picking up where their classmates left off, this second group from Digital Harbor High School completed the Pass It On portion of their Audubon Watershed Experience by cleaning up the area surrounding their own school. Students worked very hard, earning volunteer hours and nods of approval from their teacher, removing 175 pounds of recyclables and 125 pounds of trash from a site just uphill from the Inner Harbor. With the rain that was on its way later that day, this litter may have polluted the Patapsco River and eventually the ever-important ecosystems of the Chesapeake Bay! These students certainly know what it means to be stewards, and the fact that they got to do it in their own neighborhood makes it even more beneficial. They get to see the fruits of their labor every day!

Pass it On with Digital Harbor- Johnson 11/15/11

Just uphill from the Patapsco River, Digital Harbor students donned gloves and heavy duty trashbags to do a good deed for the environment. And they didn't have to go far ... they walked out the front door of their school and picked up litter in the schoolyard and nearby Federal Hill neighborhood. Without the help of these courageous young adults, 125 pounds of recyclables and 75 pounds of garbage would have eventually found its way downhill and into the closest arm of the Chesapeake Bay. By getting hands-on in their own community, students are able to gain an appreciation and sense of pride in how they are benefitting their community and the wildlife with which they share it. Thank you so much for your hard work and positive attitudes!