Nature School Report: Holly Hannum 

February Outdoor School Report

The Nature School staff attended the annual conference of the Maryland Outdoor and Environmental Educators on February 5.  The keynote speaker was renowned butterfly expert, Robert Pyle.  He spoke about the history of teaching natural sciences in American education.  Some of the topics of workshops that we attended were: natural recycling; ospreys; weather websites for teachers; preschool ideas; planning a countywide birding or herp day; and maple-sugaring.  Overall it was a very productive day. 

United Way Executive Director, Robin Spurdle attended an outreach program at Cecilton Elementary School recently.  Representatives from the Cecil County Arts Council had to cancel because of water leak in their office but plan to attend a program within the next two weeks.  Rising Sun Lions Club members will watch us this week. 

I have arranged two meetings during the first week in March.  I will meet on the 1st with a possible new substitute teacher and volunteer and on the 2nd with a representative of the Girl Scouts to finalize plans for our Girl Scout Day scheduled for April 23rd.

Maple sugaring is going well so far.  I have about a pint of syrup cooked up and more sap in the frig .

Trail Day is scheduled for March 19.  I plan to work with Park staff to see if we can get some gravel out to repair the trail behind the Center that we use regularly.  This trail was severely eroded last fall by the heavy rains.  We have a number of volunteers lined up to help with this project but we can use more.  Cathryn will send an e-mail to our volunteer list soon.

Jerry Newman tells me that the right hand barn door track is rotted out.  This needs to be addressed ASAP to prevent an injury to anyone entering the barn.