On the Trail the students participated actively , asking many questions along the way , as Brogin discussed the various plants , some of their historic and current uses for humans , and their importance to different wildlife species on Kiawah Island . It was a buggy day , and the students were especially interested in Brogin ’ s observation that the leaves of the beautyberry bush were nature ’ s mosquito repellant . Students were given a small piece of a beautyberry leaf to rub on their arms and place in their pockets in an effort to ward off the mosquitos , and they were amazed — it worked ! The students also enjoyed exploring the undergrowth in search of small creatures . They found a broadhead skink in the hollowed out bottom of a tree and watched quietly until it finally retreated out of sight .
The students enjoyed the tour and returned to their classrooms armed with personal experience and an expanded understanding of their subject matter . Following their visit , the students created and sent the Conservancy handmade cards with drawings and notes of their favorite memories from the trip .
The Conservancy is pleased to offer field trip programs to our Maritime Forest Reserve and Nature Trail , as well as our new Naturally Kiawah Pathways tour programs to our local schools , in an effort to involve a new generation of conservation minded individuals . If you have an interest in volunteering to help with this effort , please contact Jennifer Woody at ( 843 ) 768-2029 or jennifer @ kiawahconservancy . org . NK
Reaching Out to Schools in Our Neighborhood : Kiawah ’ s Classroom on the Move As part of our ongoing effort at the Kiawah Conservancy to engage our neighbors in our efforts to preserve and enhance the natural beauty of all barrier islands , we are offering to bring our programs to local elementary , middle , and high schools . Our presentations will include our fabulous videos about loggerhead turtles and alligators and will be accompanied by some of our members who can answer questions and encourage interest in the wildlife and habitats of our world .
WINTER / SPRING 2017 • VOLUME 37
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