Jasper County 6th Grade Conservation Day
Source: Katie Turkal, Jasper County Extension, 4-H Program Coordinator
Jasper County 6 th Grade Students had the opportunity this fall to take their
classroom outdoors for the Jasper County Conservation program sponsored by
the Jasper County Soil and Water Conservation District and the University of
Illinois Extension in Jasper County.
On Tuesday, September 27, the students had the privilege of using Sam Parr
State Park as their classroom. While at Sam Parr, they were presented with
information concerning many different aspects of conservation.
A huge thank you to all presenters, including Jasper County Ag in the Classroom,
presented by Jenny Bierman from the Jasper County Farm Bureau, Pollinators
was presented by David Dhom, Aquatics/Macroinvertebrates was presented by
Patty Gillespie, and Bob Gillespie represented the Prairie Chicken Sanctuary in
Jasper County. Nicole Haverback from University of Illinois Extension discussed
watersheds and demonstrated the importance of protecting water quality using
the rainfall simulator.
After lunch, Jack Nuzzo and Jane Seitz with the Illinois Raptors in Decatur visited
the students. During this one-hour program the students were provided the
opportunity to see the birds they normally see high in the sky at ground level.
The program presented students with information about the various raptors in
Illinois and how important they are to our environment.
Students also participated in an outdoor scavenger hunt that was led by the FFA
Officer team, and Brad Tarr and Lisa Holland from the Jasper County SWCD
tested the 6 th graders’ knowledge about conservation with Conservation
Jeopardy.
To complete their conservation education, each student will complete a project
focusing on one conservation area. Due to the students’ efforts and research of
their projects Jasper County will be more environmentally friendly. The Jasper
County SWCD is providing t-shirts to all the students and teachers.
The Jasper County Extension and the Jasper County SWCD have been able to
bring this program to the 6 th grade students in Jasper County for over 30 years
with the cooperation of the Jasper Community Unit 1 and staff.
