Environmental Field School
Alabama's youth, some of whom will be the state's future business, community, and political leaders, need factual information and critical thinking skills necessary to identify environmental and economic development issues and determine well-reasoned actions to achieve a balance.
The Alabama 4-H Center, a conference facility dedicated to providing positive learning experiences that combine a relaxing natural setting with an opportunity for personal, professional and intellectual growth, created a residential environmental education program for school groups in 1994. This field study-oriented program, conducted by trained environmental educators, provides a supplement to the classroom experience and focuses on developing an awareness and appreciation for the complex interrelationships of the natural world.
By exploring and learning in a hands-on style, environmental education program participants experienced environmentally-oriented extensions to their science, social studies, mathematics, reading, and literature classroom lessons. In addition to learning about the characteristics, adaptations, and misconceptions about vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and flora, students practice team building, teamwork, and problem solving. These experiences provide opportunities for logical thinking and group cooperation - the same skills needed for decision - making in the "real world."
During a two-night, three day stay, youth participate in hands-on investigations and observations dealing with lake, wetland, forest, and upland ecosystems. Classes offered include lake ecology, water quality, herpetology, orienteering, raptors, forestry, and astronomy. For a complete class listing and more information, go here.
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