Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center

Amphibians: The unique world of amphibians will be explored as students catch live specimens in our ponds, forests, and river. Participation in an amphibian life cycle activity and an amphibian call game will help round out the identification portion of the class. Emphasis is placed on the role of amphibians as bio-indicators and how amphibians are clues that tell us about the health of the environment. Offered April through mid-October.


Class Outline	Pre-Activity	Post-Activity	Journal Page

Animal Signs: Using all their senses, students will try to unravel the mysterious lives of Eagle Bluff's wildlife and discover the food chains living nearby. Time will be spent exploring and interpreting animal signs, acting out an example food chain, and the entire class will work together to form one large food web. Offered all year.

Birds: This class visits feeders for a close-up view of songbird species, explores the woods for a glimpse of canopy dwellers, sits quietly as wild chickadees approach, and enjoys a view of soaring eagles, hawks, and vultures high above the Root River Valley. Offered all year.

Fungus Among Us: What lurks inside the Chamber of Disgust? Only you will know after investigating the important role that decomposers play in the world. Participants will be amazed by the diversity of fungus as they search for and identify mushrooms, molds, crusts, and slimes. They will witness decomposition in action and discover that pizza (and many other foods for that matter) just would not be the same without fungus. Offered April through October.

Insects: Insects are the most successful creatures in the entire animal kingdom. They are highly adaptable and able to live almost everywhere. Although often seen as pests, insects play a crucial role in their respective habitats. Participants will have the opportunity to explore Eagle Bluff in search of some of the over one million species of insects, to be observed, and classified. Offered April through October.

Pond Life: Participants will catch and identify examples of a variety of aquatic organisms, learn how their adaptations allow for survival in an aquatic habitat, and explore how bio-indicators (organisms sensitive to environmental changes) help humans understand how our actions can impact aquatic ecosystems. Offered April through October.

Trees and Keys: There are 1,800 plant species in Minnesota and approximately 40 native tree species, which can seem overwhelming to learn at first. By working with a team, participants will learn to use a dichotomous key to identify distinguishing characteristics of some of Eagle Bluff's trees and discover the many uses for them. Offered all year.

Nature Identification Classes