Students explore nature's classroom

Have you heard the old saying, "How do you eat an elephant? ... One bite at a time." I heard this saying often when I was young and wondered what it meant, and: Who would want to eat an elephant?

As I got older, I found the explanation was quite simple. How do you do anything that seems like a huge task? One bite at a time. So take the "elephant" and apply it to the big tasks in life. How do you spring clean your house? One room at a time. How do you advance your career? One skill or responsibility at a time. How do you raise a child? One day at a time.

Now, apply it to the world beyond. How do you plant a forest of trees? One tree at a time. How do you improve water quality? One river or lake at a time. How do you inspire the need to protect and preserve our natural resources for future generations? One child at a time.

Teaching conservation values "one child at a time" was a goal of the Area III Envirothon on May 6, a natural resources education competition held at the Cloquet Forestry Center each spring. The 25th annual event was sponsored by the Carlton Soil and Water Conservation District and other local county SWCDs. This event brought teams of high school students from Cook, Lake, St. Louis and Carlton counties together for a morning of presentations, hands-on experiences, and tests at five different stations: forestry, soils, wildlife, aquatics and current events.

As I wandered and checked out the various stations, I watched students measure to discover the diameter of trees and drip lines. I observed as they scrutinized soil to determine composition and texture. And I smiled as I saw them trying to figure out how to use a hygrometer (to measure moisture in the soil) and a secchi disk and tube (to measure clarity in river water).

I even had the great pleasure to spy a future Envirothon participant examining animal skulls with her father, Russell Kurhajetz, District 2 supervisor for Carlton SWCD. Kurhajetz, who valued his Envirothon participation when he was a student years ago, spent the morning as this year's "runner," collecting score sheets from the stations after each session. He brought his 10-year-old daughter Kennedy to volunteer with him and to gain some "pre- experience" and learning along the way. Kurhajetz strongly believes that "in order to have these natural resources, it is imperative that we understand what it takes to maintain them." Amidst the abundance of computer games, smart phones and professional sports, Kurhajetz believes that "to gain appreciation for our natural resources, we should show children how amazing nature is."

The Envirothon does this as it teaches youth how important it is to protect water quality, reduce erosion, increase soil health and encourage biodiversity.

This year's topic, "Agriculture and the Environment: Knowledge and Technology to Feed the World," focussed on sustainable agricultural systems. Ryan Clark, Ag Water Quality Certification Specialist with Carlton SWCD, led the topic station.

"As you can imagine, this year's topic is complex and impacts everyone whether they know it or not," Clark said. "I was very impressed in the students' enthusiasm for learning about ways farmers produce an environmentally friendly crop for our growing population. Growing up with technology will help this next generation advance conservation and efficiency in agriculture and it showed with their understanding of these new practices."

Several teachers, including Cromwell science teacher Lori Wester, have been bringing students for many years.

In addition to the activities at the five stations, each team gave an oral presentation based on the annual Minnesota State Envirothon scenario. This year, with the State Envirothon set for Monday, May 20 at the Oliver Kelley Farm in Elk River, student teams gave presentations on the best irrigation system for cropland at the Oliver Kelley Farm, based on a synopsis of the farm.

In between watching students, taking pictures, and enjoying nature, I had enlightening conversations with some of the presenters who are all professionals in their fields.

Becca Reiss, a North St. Louis SWCD''s community conservationist, said it was evident how much effort some teams put into their presentations.

"I love this event because it really engages students, connects them with natural resource professionals and potential careers, and inspires them to care about woods, water, soil, and wildlife in whatever future paths they choose," Reiss said.

The Forestry Center's Rachael Olesiak said the Envirothon is an excellent way of getting kids outside "as learning about their surroundings gives them a greater love and respect for the environment."

"A picture in a book may be worth a thousand words, but an outdoor experience is worth a million," she said.

I strongly believe in having students exposed to the wonder, the inspiration, the appreciation of our awesome natural surroundings.

Kim Samuelson is Carlton SWCD's elected supervisor for District 4. For more information about the Envirothon, contact Julie Radovich, Carlton SWCD Office Manager, at 218-384-3891. For more information about Carlton SWCD, check them out on Facebook or on their website at http://www.carltonswcd.org.