Wildlife Scavenger Hunt
Big Idea
We may not see wildlife every time we enter a wild space, especially with a large group of students, but is there evidence of them being there? If you know what to look for and take some time to look for it you may discover that wildlife is (was) all around you.
Materials
Time
45-60 minutes
Audience
Gr. 2-11
Procedure
From moose browse on the willows to squirrel middens under a pine tree, evidence that wildlife is near can be abundant. Animals that dig holes, chew vegetation, leave scat, mark trees etc. are indicating who they are and to some degree what they are up to. Once you tune your senses into these types of signs you begin to really see just how alive the forests are.
The table can be printed off and used to collect evidence of the presence of wildlife. Alternately you can use devices such as a class set of IPads. The
table can be uploaded and students should collect photo evidence of the wildlife sign.
Next Steps
These qualitative observations quickly transform into quantitative data. Just imagine the information you would have after collecting wildlife evidence 3 times each season (fall, winter and spring). Data that when collected repeatedly and analysed can reveal trends and patters in wildlife
behaviour.
Another great extension for this activity is to equip each group with a GPS unit. Consider having students mark each wildlife sign as a waypoint. These waypoints can then be uploaded to Google Earth to create wildlife distribution maps. Several layers of student data can easily be uploaded to produce a telling graphic.
Procedure
Risk Management
Extensions
Big Idea
We may not see wildlife every time we enter a wild space, especially with a large group of students, but is there evidence of them being there? If you know what to look for and take some time to look for it you may discover that wildlife is (was) all around you.
Materials
- Wildlife sign checklist
- Clipboard
- Pencil
- Optional: Cameras or IPads to collect digital evidence
Time
45-60 minutes
Audience
Gr. 2-11
Procedure
From moose browse on the willows to squirrel middens under a pine tree, evidence that wildlife is near can be abundant. Animals that dig holes, chew vegetation, leave scat, mark trees etc. are indicating who they are and to some degree what they are up to. Once you tune your senses into these types of signs you begin to really see just how alive the forests are.
The table can be printed off and used to collect evidence of the presence of wildlife. Alternately you can use devices such as a class set of IPads. The
table can be uploaded and students should collect photo evidence of the wildlife sign.
Next Steps
These qualitative observations quickly transform into quantitative data. Just imagine the information you would have after collecting wildlife evidence 3 times each season (fall, winter and spring). Data that when collected repeatedly and analysed can reveal trends and patters in wildlife
behaviour.
Another great extension for this activity is to equip each group with a GPS unit. Consider having students mark each wildlife sign as a waypoint. These waypoints can then be uploaded to Google Earth to create wildlife distribution maps. Several layers of student data can easily be uploaded to produce a telling graphic.
Procedure
- Plug the GPS unit into your computer using the USB cable.
- Open Google Earth
- Select the Tools option from the top men
- Select the GPS option
- A window will pop up asking you for information about your GPS brand and what information you wish to import. Be sure to click on waypoints
- Click the Import button and the waypoints will appear on Google Earth
Risk Management
- For younger students this activity could take the form of a guided hike
- Always set boundaries for your students that they can recognize and understand
- Visit the site prior to going with students. If significant bear sign is present be sure to pack bear spray with you and have students working in
groups of 4 or more. Educating students on Bear Awareness is always recommended
- Establish a means of communicating to all students, such as a whistle, and a meeting place
Extensions
- Predator Prey Simulation
- GPS Eco Cache
- Forestry Studies
