FROM MARLA RUSKIN
THE ALABAMA WILDLIFE FEDERATION
The Alabama Nature Center (ANC) in collaboration with the Tallassee City School system recently held the Tallassee Water Festival at the ANC in Millbrook.This one-day event took place on Friday, September 23rd and nearly 100 sixth grade public school students from Southside Middle School.
The program was specifically designed to discuss the water cycle and the importance of clean water, including our personal responsibility for water resources in an educational, fun and engaging atmosphere.
Students were exposed to water through a wide variety of activities such as:
• Creek Hike – The hike in Still Creek sparked a discussion about how humans contribute to the overall health of our waterways, including man’s effects on water quality, erosion and pollution. Students learned that our drinking water is the result of a treatment/filtering process provided by our local water systems. They also saw firsthand what happens to precipitation when it reaches the earth’s surface by tracing water’s journey from its source as a natural spring to its destination in a stream.
• Aquatic Life Roundup – Students explored the myriad of life that is supported by a pond by using nets to sample for animals that live there. Students discovered how animals adapt to aquatic life and how their survival is related to water quality.
• Aquatic Animal Presentation – Students had the opportunity to meet several of the ANC’s education animals, including a midland water snake, turtles, salamanders and frogs.
“Neptune is an enthusiastic supporter of the Tallassee Water Festival. This valuable educational program teaches students how their actions impact the environment around them, including opportunities to learn about the importance of clean water and protecting our water resources. Our team enjoyed the day participating in the Aquatic Roundup, Animal Presentation, and Creek Hike alongside sixth grade classes from Southside Middle School,” stated Ashley Brooks Kelser, Human Resources Manager at Neptune Technology Group.
Many thanks to our funding partners: Alabama Power and Neptune Technology Group.
The Alabama Nature Center, a hands-on outdoor education facility located at Lanark in Millbrook, Alabama, is a joint project of the Alabama Wildlife Federation and benefactors Isabel and Wiley Hill. The Lanark property, State Headquarters for the Alabama Wildlife Federation, contains 350 acres of striking forests, fields, streams, wetlands and ponds that are traversed by five miles of trails and boardwalks including a tree top viewing platform. In addition to the trails, boardwalks, and pavilion, the Alabama Nature Center includes the NaturePlex, a 23,000 square foot structural facility that serves as the Welcome and Education Center. The grounds at Lanark contain five destinations: AWF Headquarters, Historic Lanark, Lanark Pavilion, ANC and the new NaturePlex. The Alabama Nature Center has a great partnership with the following: Alabama Power Foundation, City of Millbrook, Hyundai, International Paper Company, The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, The Daniel Foundation of Alabama, The Hobbs Foundation, US Forest Service, Vulcan Materials Company Foundation and Walmart.
Alabama Wildlife Federation is the state’s oldest and largest citizens’ conservation organization dedicated to the conservation and wise use of Alabama’s wildlife and related natural resources. To learn more visit www.alabamawildlife.org.
