Embark on an Exciting Wetland Adventure with Scientists in School
Ready for a wetland adventure with your young curious explorers? Our resident nature enthusiast, Scientist Heather, guides us through the wonders of wetlands, swamps, and bogs. Discover the incredible plants and animals that call these habitats home. Let’s dive in!
Water is super important for all living things, but some creatures rely on water to breathe, lay eggs, and even for shelter. Here is the low-down on what you may find on your next wetland adventure!
Enrich the learning experience before heading out by watching Exploring Wild Wetlands!
First up, Frogs!
These bouncy little guys are the athletes of the wetlands, hopping and swimming like pros. They have long, sticky tongues for catching insects and lay their eggs in squishy jelly masses that need to stay moist. Imagine needing water just to breathe! Frogs have it all figured out.
If you listen carefully, you might catch the wood frog’s “chuck, chuck, chuck” or the spring peeper’s loud “peep, peep, peep”. And don’t forget the boreal chorus frog, whose call sounds like strumming a comb. These frogs are the rock stars of the wetlands.
But why are frogs so important? Well, aside from being adorable, they’re like the superheroes of the marsh! They help keep the food chain balanced by eating pesky insects and providing snacks for birds. Plus, they’re like nature’s pollution detectors, warning us if the water isn’t clean.
Marshes
Do you see reed-like plants standing tall in marshes? They are called cattails. They’re like a luxury hotel for wetland critters. Many aquatic insects live among the cattail roots, like dragonfly and damselfly nymphs. There’s even a caterpillar that lives in the fluff of the cattail, using the fluff as a warm sleeping bag during the winter months. Muskrats feed on the cattail roots and herons stalk the water looking for frogs and fish.
Swamps
Here, trees rule the land and provide homes for all sorts of creatures. You may find fairy shrimp, mosquito larvae, or caddisfly larvae with their tiny stick houses. It’s like a whole underwater city! Ducks love to dabble in swamps eating plants and small invertebrates. Wood ducks nest high in trees in old woodpecker holes. Some colourful warblers love swampy areas because they feed on the insects that live near water. The trees in swamps are specially adapted to live in dry soil part of the year and endure wet conditions in the spring.
Logs
Explorers need keen eyes. When out and about, look closely at unsuspecting logs, you may be lucky to find painted turtles! These cool reptiles love soaking up the sun before taking a dip in the pond. And watch out for busy beavers! They can change the landscape by building dams and lodges, creating new homes for themselves and their family.
Water isn’t just for drinking – it’s a vital home for countless creatures, big and small. And by exploring wetlands, we can discovery the nature of wonders right in our own backyard!
Remember to leave only footprints and take only memories when exploring nature. Animals and logs should be left untouched, respecting the balance of the natural world.
More resources that are simply wild!
Hands-on Classroom Workshop: Wetland Wonders!
Dive into the world of wetlands! Discover who calls them home and how they influence their environment. Create a food chain, investigate adaptations and explore invasive species. Build a mini wetland, explore how it holds and filters water, and learn the importance of preserving this habitat. Wetlands are truly a wonder!
A Conversation With a Wetland Biologist: Kelsey Moxley
Kelsey Moxley is a Wetland Biologist and Fields Project Manager at Scales Nature Park. Her boots-to-the-ground approach to fieldwork has her working up close with turtles, snakes, frogs, and salamanders. She closely monitors their populations to reduce or mitigate threats, protect their habitat, and engage the community in species-at-risk conservation! Join the conversation as we dive into swamps, marshes, and bogs!
Wild Wetlands Scavenger Hunt
Put on your rubber boots, engage your sense of observation, and head to wild wetland near you to find these 18 scavenger hunt items. Resource is free to download and print.
