Have you ever wondered how to learn to ID birds by their songs? Are there simple tips to ID plants in your backyard? How do animal tracks and scat fit into the ecology of the environment? How does the plants, animals, soil, water, and clouds all fit together in a never ending cycle? These are some of the questions this curriculum helps you answer.

LEP was developed by an association of eight Illinois Soil and Water Conservation Districts (Council of 16). They based it on the lessons of Gary Laib, a Wisconsin biology teacher. In 1991 it was revised by a committee of teachers, resource agency personnel, and curriculum specialists to make LEP what it is today.
Target audience: Conservation District Employees and other non-formal educators.
Contact: Diane Curlee, Education Coordinator
Orangeburg Conservation District
1550 Henley St., NE Room 103
Orangeburg, SC 29115
Phone: (803) 534-2409x.3
Diane.Curlee@sc.nacdnet.net

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I drove out to the preserve and as the sun was going down, I set up my Dobson telescope. It looks kind of like a black cannon, but more easily maneuverable (if that’s a word). In other words, it’s a lighter kind of cannon looking thing that you can wrap your arms around and point in the direction you want to look. No electronic parts. Very user friendly and easy to set up. I set it up and I waited. And low and behold as the sun faded they started to come. The general public. My people!!!
Right away I was grateful for the mobile planetarium I have: it’s a hand held box-like thing that you point at a star, push a button, and it tells you what you are looking at. If you need to learn astronomy fast, I definitely recommend this Sky Scout. I was barraged with “what’s this?” and “What’s that!” And with a sigh of relief one of the “what’s that?!?!” turned out to be a family of deer who jumped the barbed wire fence and were grazing in the meadow near the parking lot. The next thrill came when the bats came out. They were swooping past people. I explained that mosquitoes are attracted to the CO2 in our breath and the bats are after the bugs. Kind of like you breathing and cheeseburger suddenly floats your way and your buddy swoops by and grabs it with his mouth. I mean come on… who can resist a floating cheeseburger?

The best moment of the night came when a little 7 year old boy on his first stargazing expedition squealed with such shrill and intense excitement half the adults bolted upright at once. The panic ended when we heard “Mommy! Mommy! LOOOOK!”
He had accidentally found Saturn and was gazing at the rings for the very first time. And having access to an easy to move telescope and especially having permission to try and find anything to his heart’s content… had sealed the deal. This kid was hooked.
For the rest of the night it was EEEEE and OOOOO and OH WOW!!! His enthusiasm was infectious and the way it encouraged all of us to find more in the night sky was the very reason I do this job. That excitement is my candy.
I definitely encourage everyone to find ways to let people, especially kids, touch, play with, and control their experiential environment. In other words… try to strive for as few “please don’t touch that” and “Be careful with that” as you can. Allowing the freedom to explore makes room for these really awesome moments. And it restores your soul. because no matter how tired you may be of paperwork, or worn out from a week of camps or busy visitors… that moment… that squeal of delight… that refills your cup in the best way possible. Give yourself permission to share those moments.

Camp along the Cheyenne River during the LEP field session

Nine teachers in South Dakota spent three days doing field activities to discover the Missouri River watershed. One day was spent in the classroom and two days were spent on the Cheyenne River. Teachers used a combination of resources including Lessons in a Land Ethic and Teaching Outdoors with Aldo Leopold.

All the pictures from the class can be seen at: Discover a Watershed Photos