YA Eco Mysteries, Memoirs, Novels & Travel
Munford Green Ribbon School
09/04/14 12:07 Filed in: Environment
We immediately sensed that our visit to Munford Schools would be a rewarding experience because there was Smokey Bear, welcoming us to the campus, and there was Kimberly Murray, science resource teacher, ushering us into the school with a warm smile.
As Mrs. Murray escorted us down the hallway, we were surprised and delighted by the lively, colorful murals depicting the nearby forest, which echoed the schools natural setting. Located in the lovely foothills of the of the Talladega National Forest and the southern tip of the Appalachian Mountains, Munford Schools are the first in the southeast to incorporate forestry, conservation, and conservation education themes throughout the curriculum.
Murals created by Barry Nehr, illustrator for the Forest Service.
Mrs. Murray explained that the theme of Munford Schools, “Discovering through Nature the Enchantment of Learning,” is reinforced throughout the school by these murals and exhibits.
The teachers skillfully use these displays to interpret specific environmental themes explored at different grade levels. As we stepped into Mrs. Beard’s first grade class, busily learning about the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies, the excitement was clearly evident.
After creating a display on paper plates, the students went out into the butterfly garden to observe and to apply their problem solving skills to figuring out the best habitat for butterflies and milkweed.
In Mrs.Free’s second grade class, students entered data about the progression of spring flowers across North America. As citizen scientists with Journey North, a free internet based program, they will be tracking seasonal changes in the growth of wildflowers. Their observations are reported online to a national database. As a result, valuable environmental information is being collected in a consistent way across the country. Scientists can use the budding citizen scientists’ data to learn about the responses of individual plant species to climatic variation.
These are just two examples of the outstanding conservation projects throughout the elementary, middle, and high school.
Munford schools richly deserve the National Green Ribbon Award for their participation in sustainable conservation and partnerships. The schools are also certified Wildlife habitats with the National Wildlife Federation. In addition, they are registered Project Learning Tree: Green Schools. Around all three campus they have created “Hot Spots” that can be used for multiple ages. These “Hot Spots” include an Eastern Bluebird Trail, Discovery Nature Trail with 125 seat Amphitheater, Butterfly Garden, Frog and Fish Pond, Aquaculture Training Center, Community Garden, Longleaf Pine stand, Bald Cypress Swamp, and Arboretum. As a designated Children’s Forest, the Munford staff will continue to grow and develop programs that tie these “Hot Spots” to Conservation Education.
And there’s more, including:
* An amphitheater with seating for 125 students for assemblies and outdoor gatherings and learning opportunities;
* †Kiosks that showcase each “Hot Spot” on campus which are linked by a trail with brochures created by students;
* †An aquaculture and greenhouse building which allows students to have hands on learning experiences with on-going university research;
*†4-tier wetland to study the effects of runoff, discover wetland habitat flora and fauna, and view successional processes;
* †Butterfly gardens provide needed habitat to monitor the migration patterns of butterflies and other insects;
* †A frog pond provides a living laboratory for species identification as well as looking for signs of the chytrid fungus.
*†The Low Ropes Challenge Course is a developmental tool that challenges groups or teams both mentally and physically.
* †The annual National Get Outdoors Day Event cosponsored by the Munford Schools, Town of Munford and the Forest Service .
To add even more value to this outstanding environmental education program, there’s a strong community outreach project that involves parents and citizens of Munford and the surrounding areas.
At the end of the tour, I was honored to donate a set of my Eco Mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, to the elementary school library, and a set to Mrs. Murray to circulate around the schools. The series can be used as complimentary reading to reinforce environmental studies in the classroom.
Kudos to the Munford School board, principals, and staff of Munford City Schools, the US Forest Service, and to generous sponsors for the fine work they are doing in shaping future generations of wise and well-informed citizens who will protect our natural heritage for generations to come!
Kim Murray, science resource specialist, with author Claire Datnow
Other Links:
Alabama Environmental Education Association
Eco Mystery Series
Project Learning Tree
ALSO FOLLOW MY BLOG POST:
WANT TO SHARE OR COMMENT? Please click on the icons(s) of your favorite social media to share, or to comment.
Murals created by Barry Nehr, illustrator for the Forest Service.
Mrs. Murray explained that the theme of Munford Schools, “Discovering through Nature the Enchantment of Learning,” is reinforced throughout the school by these murals and exhibits.
The teachers skillfully use these displays to interpret specific environmental themes explored at different grade levels. As we stepped into Mrs. Beard’s first grade class, busily learning about the life cycle of Monarch Butterflies, the excitement was clearly evident.
After creating a display on paper plates, the students went out into the butterfly garden to observe and to apply their problem solving skills to figuring out the best habitat for butterflies and milkweed.
In Mrs.Free’s second grade class, students entered data about the progression of spring flowers across North America. As citizen scientists with Journey North, a free internet based program, they will be tracking seasonal changes in the growth of wildflowers. Their observations are reported online to a national database. As a result, valuable environmental information is being collected in a consistent way across the country. Scientists can use the budding citizen scientists’ data to learn about the responses of individual plant species to climatic variation.
These are just two examples of the outstanding conservation projects throughout the elementary, middle, and high school.
Munford schools richly deserve the National Green Ribbon Award for their participation in sustainable conservation and partnerships. The schools are also certified Wildlife habitats with the National Wildlife Federation. In addition, they are registered Project Learning Tree: Green Schools. Around all three campus they have created “Hot Spots” that can be used for multiple ages. These “Hot Spots” include an Eastern Bluebird Trail, Discovery Nature Trail with 125 seat Amphitheater, Butterfly Garden, Frog and Fish Pond, Aquaculture Training Center, Community Garden, Longleaf Pine stand, Bald Cypress Swamp, and Arboretum. As a designated Children’s Forest, the Munford staff will continue to grow and develop programs that tie these “Hot Spots” to Conservation Education.
And there’s more, including:
* An amphitheater with seating for 125 students for assemblies and outdoor gatherings and learning opportunities;
* †Kiosks that showcase each “Hot Spot” on campus which are linked by a trail with brochures created by students;
* †An aquaculture and greenhouse building which allows students to have hands on learning experiences with on-going university research;
*†4-tier wetland to study the effects of runoff, discover wetland habitat flora and fauna, and view successional processes;
* †Butterfly gardens provide needed habitat to monitor the migration patterns of butterflies and other insects;
* †A frog pond provides a living laboratory for species identification as well as looking for signs of the chytrid fungus.
*†The Low Ropes Challenge Course is a developmental tool that challenges groups or teams both mentally and physically.
* †The annual National Get Outdoors Day Event cosponsored by the Munford Schools, Town of Munford and the Forest Service .
To add even more value to this outstanding environmental education program, there’s a strong community outreach project that involves parents and citizens of Munford and the surrounding areas.
At the end of the tour, I was honored to donate a set of my Eco Mystery series, The Adventures of The Sizzling Six, to the elementary school library, and a set to Mrs. Murray to circulate around the schools. The series can be used as complimentary reading to reinforce environmental studies in the classroom.
Kudos to the Munford School board, principals, and staff of Munford City Schools, the US Forest Service, and to generous sponsors for the fine work they are doing in shaping future generations of wise and well-informed citizens who will protect our natural heritage for generations to come!
Kim Murray, science resource specialist, with author Claire Datnow
Other Links:
Alabama Environmental Education Association
Eco Mystery Series
Project Learning Tree
ALSO FOLLOW MY BLOG POST:
WANT TO SHARE OR COMMENT? Please click on the icons(s) of your favorite social media to share, or to comment.