Amphibmeander Program a Success
June 17, 2001

The last bus load of third graders for the Woodland Dunes spring wetland educational program, Amphibmeaner, arrived on Friday, June 1st.

As with the rest of the 1,010 third graders (from four counties) they were to learn all about the plants and critters that live in wetlands.

This program ran for 10 full days and six half days during May. After the program ended, the volunteers met for a sandwich and an evaluation session.

One helper suggested that now that the third graders know all about the wetlands there should be something the adults can also learn. You are now reading the story of what the third graders learned!

Recreational activities include: swimming, fishing boating, canoeing, photography and there are many more. One of the activities in the wetlands at Woodland Dunes is the use of educational programs.

Habitat has already been listed but it is interesting to note that there is more variety and numbers of wildlife in wetland habitats than in any other habitat on earth.

Another value of a wetland is to act like a filter by cleaning the water of pollutants and other unwanted debris before the water enters rivers or lakes.

Wetlands also act like a giant sponge to absorb water after a heavy rain or heavy snow melt. The water is slowly released to the rivers, streams and lakes. This prevents flooding by rapidly rising rivers and streams.

There are also misuses of wetlands such as filling, draining, dumping and pollution. Wisconsin has lost over one half of its natural wetlands. With this disappearance also went the diversified wildlife that lived there. Total frog numbers are down and many bird species are declining.

We must never forget that the oxygen we breath comes from plants. The great amount and variety of plants in wetlands helps make "our air" clean. Communities that are blessed with wetlands usually have clean, healthy air.

Amphibmeander also gives students an opportunity to observe little critters up close--with magnifying lens. Mosquito larvae, dragonfly nymphs, tadpoles, snails, water mites, caddisfly larvae and many other "small things" are available in small "dishes" for close-up inspection.

What is adaption? How do some animals live in wetlands? Do wetland animals have the "right equipment" to survive in wetlands?

Great Blue Herons have long legs for wading and long legs and beaks for spearing fish. This large bird is adapted for wetland living.

Ducks and geese have webbed feet for swimming. turtles are reptiles that have webbed feet for swimming; most lizards, also reptiles, do not have webbed feet because of their usually dry habitat.

Many birds that live in wetlands like cattail marshes, have streaked plumage to help blend in with the vegetation. Female Red-winged Blackbird and American Bittern are two good examples.

Bird and frog songs are discussed at length. Why do they sing? How do they sing?

The recent, very successful, third grade program may have ended but the students who participated will remember their visit to Woodland Dunes hope to inspire values in visiting students.

These youngsters are the decision-makers of tomorrow. We the staff and volunteers here at Woodland Dunes hope to inspire values in visiting students.

Thank you students, for visiting us! Thank you volunteers for the many hours of your precious time you have given to help educate our future adults.

Goodbye, last bus! As we wave goodbye we know that there will be another thousand-plus third graders, eager to learn all about wetlands again, next May.