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ENLARGE
Teresa Middleton
You’ve heard the saying, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” That saying would certainly apply to 4-H Wildlife Steward’s volunteer Lea Bates. Lea is a first grade teacher at Lookingglass Elementary and has been a 4-H volunteer for almost two decades. For 11 of those years, Lea was the 4-H camp director for Douglas County 4-H resident summer camp. Since she loves to plan things, it was a great position for her. More recently Lea has been the driving force in the Wildlife Steward Program at Lookingglass Elementary School.
Wildlife Stewards is a program that promotes science learning among students while creating wildlife habitat education sites on school grounds. Lea had already had a start with Lil Sprouts Discovery Garden, including its outdoor science laboratory when a former co-worker contacted her about a new 4-H program called the Wildlife Stewards Program. After checking the program out Lea was hooked. After attending a training session she discovered that “It’s a wonderful program.”
The strength of the program lies in the student involvement. Students are included in all steps of the program from planning the habitat to planting and upkeep. Since implementing the Wildlife Stewards Program, Lea has noticed that the children’s pride in the school has increased. Students are stepping up to take leadership roles. They choose to be members in the Garden Club, a club that meets on a regular basis after school and that helps in decision making about the gardens. They take pride in their schools, and they exceed academically. Students get to go outside and integrate their learning with habitats they themselves have had a part in creating.
What’s the best part of the program for Lea? It’s getting the kids started, then standing back and watching them use all their skills. It’s seeing them learn they’re an important part of learning and for them to volunteer to do things without even being asked. With the outdoor lab, the students have so many opportunities to do so much more than the ordinary things.
Apparently the effect carries on even after students leave the small school. Many former students come back to help work on the gardens. Some of the sixth-graders recently said they were concerned that after leaving Lookingglass, they wouldn’t have the gardens that they love so much. They said they had hopes of starting a garden club at their next schools.
Obviously there are some difficulties with a school habitat. The biggest challenge they face is funding. Local businesses have been great with their support, but there is always work to be done, not to mention the ever-pesky deer that like to nibble whatever they can.
Even with the challenges in building and maintaining a wildlife habitat, Lea believes that the Wildlife Steward Training is an “opportunity every teacher should have.” When asked about her years of volunteer service, and not just for 4-H, Lea says that when you ask “How can I help?,” you find your place. And once you get a taste of it, you’re hooked. The world can use a lot more Lea Bateses.
Wildlife Stewards is a program that promotes science learning among students while creating wildlife habitat education sites on school grounds. Lea had already had a start with Lil Sprouts Discovery Garden, including its outdoor science laboratory when a former co-worker contacted her about a new 4-H program called the Wildlife Stewards Program. After checking the program out Lea was hooked. After attending a training session she discovered that “It’s a wonderful program.”
The strength of the program lies in the student involvement. Students are included in all steps of the program from planning the habitat to planting and upkeep. Since implementing the Wildlife Stewards Program, Lea has noticed that the children’s pride in the school has increased. Students are stepping up to take leadership roles. They choose to be members in the Garden Club, a club that meets on a regular basis after school and that helps in decision making about the gardens. They take pride in their schools, and they exceed academically. Students get to go outside and integrate their learning with habitats they themselves have had a part in creating.
What’s the best part of the program for Lea? It’s getting the kids started, then standing back and watching them use all their skills. It’s seeing them learn they’re an important part of learning and for them to volunteer to do things without even being asked. With the outdoor lab, the students have so many opportunities to do so much more than the ordinary things.
Apparently the effect carries on even after students leave the small school. Many former students come back to help work on the gardens. Some of the sixth-graders recently said they were concerned that after leaving Lookingglass, they wouldn’t have the gardens that they love so much. They said they had hopes of starting a garden club at their next schools.
Obviously there are some difficulties with a school habitat. The biggest challenge they face is funding. Local businesses have been great with their support, but there is always work to be done, not to mention the ever-pesky deer that like to nibble whatever they can.
Even with the challenges in building and maintaining a wildlife habitat, Lea believes that the Wildlife Steward Training is an “opportunity every teacher should have.” When asked about her years of volunteer service, and not just for 4-H, Lea says that when you ask “How can I help?,” you find your place. And once you get a taste of it, you’re hooked. The world can use a lot more Lea Bateses.
Teresa Middleton is the 4-H Education Program assistant at OSU Extension Service of Douglas County. She can be reached by e-mail at teresa.middleton@oregonstate.edu or by phone at 672-4461.
