Seventh graders at Indian Mills Memorial School learned why owl conservation is important as part of a co-curricular project.
Owl conservation is important.
That’s what all 71 seventh graders at Indian Mills Memorial School learned as part of a co-curricular project called “Words in the Woods: Exploring Ecosystems and Owl Conservation.”
“This was an idea (English teacher) Sabrina Futty had that was made possible through funding from our local Shamong Foundation,” said Laura Hoffman, director of curriculum and instruction for the Shamong school district.
The project was sponsored by a grant from the Shamong Foundation for Educational Excellence. As part of the experience, students in Futty’s English and Language Arts (ELA) classes and Andrew Loder’s art classes researched owl conservation, the efforts of rehabilitation centers, the dangers owls face in the wild and simple actions individuals can take to help protect them.
The ELA students presented their findings through writing, reflecting on the importance of protecting natural habitats and wildlife. In art, students applied what they learned by designing and constructing owl nesting boxes to bring home, where they can hang and maintain them as part of ongoing conservation efforts.
The owl project culminated in a visit from Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, whose educators brought two resident owls along with a variety of artifacts for students to explore. Students asked thoughtful questions, made meaningful connections to their research and saw first hand the impact of conservation work in action.
Some students commented on the project, but the school withheld their last names.
Student Owen F. liked the hands-on experience.
“This project is not just a simple plug for an essay like topics in the past,” he said. “It was a true
lesson about owls, why they need help and their conservation. Lessons that aren’t just a quick essay, but a full hands-on experience, are lessons I want in the future as part of my learning experience.”
Sierra H. said the project pointed out that “owls and all wildlife deserve to be treated well just as much as everyone else.”
“Even just turning off outdoor lights at night will aid in favor of the owls, and to be able to help such beautiful animals is a good enough motive, which is why this project was important to me,” she noted.
Cedar Run has a number of resident owls, including Gemma, Nazar and Clementine, Eastern Screech-Owls; Luna, a barred owl; and Hoo-dini and Athena, great-horned owls.
According to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the short-eared owl is on the endangered list and the barred and long-eared owls are on the threatened list of Endangered and Non-game Species. Also on that list are barn owls.
Endangered species are those whose prospects for survival in New Jersey are in immediate danger because of a loss or change in habitat, over-exploitation, predation, competition, disease, disturbance or contamination. Assistance is needed to prevent future extinction.
Threatened species are those that may become endangered if conditions surrounding them begin to or continue to deteriorate.
