Inlet Common School teacher Deb Daiker took her fifth and sixth grade students to Lake Pleasant on Thursday, September 19 to participate in a county-wide Conservation Field Day sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District.
They, along with students from Lake Pleasant, Long Lake, Wells, and Wheelerville, spent the day hiking a nature trail and visiting five separate stations that were manned by experts in various aspects of the conservation field.
Among the topics discussed were invasive insects, the habits of black bears, ornithology, the value of wetlands, and renewable energy.
Following lunch, the students were transported to the Lake Pleasant Transfer Station where operator William Weaver gave a history of the station, from its early beginnings as a dump where people watched bears to its operations today as a modern recycling facility.
“These students are the future stewards of our Earth, and Conservation Field Day not only offers our fifth and sixth graders a day of learning and fun outside, but affords them the opportunity to meet professionals in fields of work that may become careers for these young people,” said Caitlin Stewart, conservation educator with Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District.
Following the event, the students had the opportunity to apply what they learned by entering poster and essay contests.
The contests were revamped to reflect the New York State Common Core standards, with students describing the station they felt would most effectively conserve and protect Hamilton County’s natural resources.
Prior to Christmas break, Debbie Daiker was notified that her sixth grade student Natalie Brownsell had won first place in the county for the poster she created.
In recognition of the honor, Natalie received a bag filled with art materials and conservation items.
She also had her name added to a plaque which will remain on display at the Inlet School until next year’s contest.
This was a second-time win for Natalie who took first place in last year’s essay contest.