Forest ecology and cycles

Forests once covered most of Europe and North America, and presently cover most of the headwaters of the Pit River in the Warner Mountains. The forest provides a healthy start for our river. This talk focuses on how there is a lot more to a forest than just the trees. Plants, animals, fungi, food webs and physical components such as light, water and nutrients are covered with grade specific levels of detail.

Habitats in forest/stream systems

Food, water, shelter and a place for offspring, create the framework for a habitat. What habitats may be found in the Pit River watershed and who uses them? We will travel from the forested headwaters of the Warner Mountains, to the wetlands of the wildlife refuge, to the confluence of the Fall and Pit Rivers, all from the comfort of your classroom, to look at how plants and animals find and make their dream home.

Life cycles

All life begins and ends, and does some stuff in the middle. Easier said than done! This talk explores the many different ways to go through a life cycle, and the critters (worms, insects, fish, reptiles, birds, mammals) that live them. Time permitting, it can also cover how plants and mushrooms go through their lifecycles and make life easier for the following generation.

Or would you rather be a fish?

Get a different perspective of the Pit River. Get a fish-eye view of life and struggles to make it as a "big fish" in a small stream. Also, meet the other players in a stream system along the way. A fun and slightly different view of our own backyard.

Local food webs

How do local plant and animal species interact to survive? Where do nutrients come from and where do they go? Who really is at the top in our ecosystem food chain? It might not be whom you think.

Riparian ecology

Most species in our watershed depend on the river in one way or another, yet don't live in the stream all the time. The "riparian" zone is the area next to the stream that relies heavily on the stream, but isn't actually in the stream itself. Species found in this area include otters, willows, frogs, aspen and sedges. This area, along with wetlands, is the most threatened habitat in California, yet contains most of the biodiversity associated with streams. This presentation focuses on the ecology of riparian plants and animals.

Stream ecology

Streams link adjacent ecosystems, and connect landscapes. Our own Pit River is a great example as it travels from Goose Lake and the forested Warner mountains, through sage covered rangeland and grassy marshes, back to forest again near Burney. Although the same water may travel down stream, the life that inhabits it greatly changes as the stream grows. This presentation focuses on the in-stream life of the Pit River and other rivers like it as they transform from small creek to deep river. (Better for grades 2-3)

Time Traveler

Travel back in time on the Pit River and see who lived here before you and me! This presentation starts with present day and goes back in time stopping to look at ice age, and early pre-historic life including plants and animals. You might not recognize what your back yard looked like 5 million years ago! This talk includes information on climate change, geology (Volcanoes!), food webs, and ecology.

Water cycle

Where does water come from? Where does it go and how does it get there? Photography enhances this presentation of the processes that give us rain, snow, fog, rivers and the oceans.

Hands on activities in the classroom

A stream close up

Very small and Microscopic life from the Pit River. Hand lenses and scientific grade microscopes come to your classroom to examine what lives hidden in the water.

Classroom water meter

Each student creates their own water meter which then can be added up each day to track how much water your class uses in a week. An eye opening exercise in how much water it takes to do daily tasks. Prompts discussion on where water use can be conserved. Also teaches about data recording and applied basic mathematics. Suggested for grades 4th- 8th. Great as a pre-cursor for the web or water users activity.

Food Web

An interactive (and very active) food web games for students to learn about the food webs and critters involved in their area.

H2O Olympics

Celebrate the winter games in your classroom with a series of "events" that display the properties of water. Race water along a string, or "self-powered" boats among other activities. Who will win the gold?!?

Habitats

What are habitats? Where are habitats? A walk-and-talk exploration of where plants and animals make their living in our neighborhoods.

How much water in a human body?

Younger students can explore fractions while learning about water in the human body. A reminder why we need to drink water every day and how important water if to life everywhere!

Life cycles

Fish: A fish tank will come to your classroom for 1 month to watch baby guppies be born and grow. Guided lesson book available as a companion to the tank.

Plant: Each student receives a pine seed to plant in the classroom and watch grow. Tree seedlings are then cared for by the river center staff till they are big enough to plant in a restoration project. Pot, soil and seed are provided by the River Center, as well as a storybook for your classroom.

Mycology

Learn about the fabulous and under-represented world of mushrooms! We wouldn't survive without them, but they are one of the least talked about kingdoms in science classes. Learn hands-on about the different types of fungi, how they live and reproduce. Make beautiful spore prints from our samples. Must have several weeks notice to prepare samples.

Native plants

Samples of native plants come to the classroom. Students learn how plants are identified, and ordered in science. Plant native seed/plants for use in our future restoration projects.

Salmon Scents

How do salmon find their way back to the stream where they were born? A get up and walk around exercise in salmon navigation methods.

Water cycle

Dozens of activities, games and experiments to choose from! Can be varied by time, space and grade level depending upon need.

Water play

Play with, measure and mix colored water. Watch how ice floats. Learn about making a hypothesis and experiments. See how adding salt, heating or cooling changes the density of water.