How Important are Field Trips?

Field trips not only offer a break from everyday classroom work, but also a new perspective that may awaken a child’s interest. Perhaps, more importantly, however, field trips allow the teacher to observe their students in a different environment. “As a teacher,” says retired middle school teacher, Jeanne McCune, “you’re able to have the kids [...]

Disposing of a Pet

Perhaps we’ve all at one time or another wondered how to dispose of an unwanted pet. Whether it’s a dog, a cat, a rabbit, or a reptile, responsible pet owners investigate responsible disposal methods before acting on their intentions. Reasons Regardless of the reasons for wanting to end a relationship with an animal – illness, [...]

Serpent Spinal Injuries

In the evening, snakes often bask on roadways that have warmed by absorbing ultraviolet rays during the day. Because of this, snakes can be run over by passing traffic. “Yeah. We ran over a snake the other day,” several people have told us, “and it just slithered off the road. It wasn’t hurt.” Slithered Off [...]

Wildlife’s Future Caretakers

While leading hikes at national wildlife refuges, we stress at the beginning that we probably will not see any animals, but we will likely see signs they leave – scat (feces), tracks, holes, feathers and fur, bones, etc. Recently we joined Professor Walt Anderson from Prescott College and his environmental students who drove to Tucson [...]

Captive Animals

“That animal is just lying there with nothing to do!” a woman at the zoo where I once volunteered griped, head shaking in disgust. The Siberian tiger she viewed was, indeed, lying in his enclosure, sound asleep. Whether or not he had access to his outdoor area was not evident. “He doesn’t have enough space [...]