Wildlife Gardening keeps 4-H'ers busy

From staff Reports

A group of 4-H'ers pose near plants at the Wildlife Gardener Day held at Cooper Farm near LaGrange. Clockwise from far left: Emma Neuendorff, Kalie Pietsch, Kelley Ullrich, Michael Roensch (assistant leader), Jessie Neuendorff, Emily Noak, and McKenna Sodolak. - Staff photo by Carolyn Rost

July 15, 2004 - On June 30, 4-H members from Fayette County attended a Wildlife Gardener activities day at Cooper Farm near LaGrange.

The purpose of the Wildlife Gardener program is to engage children in outdoor activities and exploration, according to Fayette County Extension Agent of 4-H Robyn Williams. Williams said the program increases environmental awareness and allows children to learn responsibility in caring for living things.

Through the program, children become familiar with animals they may come across while gardening. In addition, the activities teach children about habitats, and then children can apply that knowledge while gardening and attract desirable wildlife to the area.

The children started the day getting to know each other and having a scavenger hunt. The group spent the second part of the morning helping Cooper Farm Manager Lee Fritsch pull weeds and transplant plants. The farm allowed students to take some plants home for transplanting.

The participants learned the important components to a good habitat. They were able to use their new knowledge in a "habitat tag" discussion. Originally students were going to receive a habitat tag and venture outside to find the ideal place for their animal to live. Rain kept the activity inside where the children instead described their ideal habitat for a specific animal.

The 4-H'ers took advantage of the opportunity to learn about proper garden behavior. Williams said the children learned several gardening groundrules.

"These included ones such as no running, listen to instructions, use tools properly and others. The catch is that all of these rules were created by group members," said Williams.

The Wildlife Gardening day wrapped up with activities that included making recycled paper out of newspaper, and making bird feeders out of plastic jugs.

The Wildlife Gardening program is part of the Junior Master Gardeners program. According to Williams, in order to become a certified Wildlife Gardener, group members have to register, complete 12 activities from teaching and learning areas such as life skills and career exploration, and projects in learning and leadership development.