Field Trip to PATUXENT REFUGE THE THIRD GRADE STUDENTS OF MRS. QUINZIO K.W. BARRETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Introduction continued There are refuges all around the United States. All refuges are for plants and animals. The United States has 560 refuges. Refuges are nice places to visit. People visit refuges to learn about nature. On our field trip we went on a great tram ride. We saw a lot of interesting plant and animal habitats. We observed many birds, fish, and trees. More than 40 million people visit refuges each year. Maybe you will be one of them. Patuxent Research Refuge opened in 1936. Its size is more than 12,800 acres of land. It has many different parts. Patuxent is a research refuge as well as a wildlife refuge. In the Patuxent Refuge there is a National Wildlife Research Center. There they do a lot of animal and plant research. In the Visitor Center they can tell you more information about the animals they have. 2
CHAPTER 2 TRAM
Tram continued We rode a tram around Patuxent Refuge. We went by habitats such as wetlands, forests, and meadows. We observed animals such as birds and insects. In addition to animals we also saw many kinds of plants. edge of the meadow. We also saw beautiful butterflies and a bird house with birds. Wetlands The wetlands provide food, water, and shelter for many animals. Some animals that live in wetlands are ducks, turtles, butterflies, Blue Heron and geese. There are some plants too like cattails, grass, lily pads, and algae. Meadow On the tram we saw meadows. The meadow provides a habitat for many animals such as frogs, butterflies, birds, and dragonflies. The meadow also provides a habitat for plants such as cattails, Creeping Jenny, dandelions, grass, and leaves. The decomposers in the meadow are worms and fungi. We saw cattails by the 4
Forest Birds On the tram in the forest we saw decomposers like fungi and animals like birds and frogs. We also saw trees such as living trees and snags. Snags are dead trees that have hollow trunks or branches that can provide habitats for plants or animals. While we were on the tram we saw some birds. For example, we saw a Blue Heron fly by next to the water and a goose swimming on the water. In addition, we saw a cardinal and an oriole. The oriole is a small black and orange bird. 5
CHAPTER 3 HIKE
Hike continued There are many hiking trails at Patuxent Refuge. For our field trip we hiked with a guide. He taught us about plants and animals. We observed living and nonliving things. Living Plants While we were hiking we saw plants. For instance, we saw a sweet gum ball, oak trees, walnut trees, and some good smelling pine trees as well as prickers, grasses, poison ivy, and cattails. One tree, a chestnut tree, was protected by a tall fence and taken care of daily. A lot of plants live at Patuxent refuge and the people there take care of them carefully. Plants are important and that is why we love them dearly to our hearts. We love our plants so much. Animals We saw many living animals. For example, we saw a little slippery green and brown frog. In addition, we saw blue 7
singing birds. Also, we saw a butterfly that was in a flower. The color of the butterfly was brown, orange and white. Furthermore, we saw brown and gray squirrels that were climbing in the tree. Decomposers On the beautiful hike we saw decomposers. For example, on the cold leafy ground we saw fungi, bright brown mushrooms, worms, and maggots. We also saw small pink and brown balls on a rotted log. In addition, we saw bright green moss. Apart from that we observed crawling caterpillars. Nonliving things We saw many nonliving things on the hike such as mud, soil, and wood chips. The dirt was sort of wet. There were towering dead trees that fell down during a massive storm. 8
CHAPTER 4 VISITOR CENTER
Visitor Center continued At the visitor center we saw endangered and non-endangered animal exhibits. In addition, we observed the animals by using technology. My partners and I saw exhibits about the endangered animals. For instance, we saw stuffed whooping cranes, bats, wolves, and sea turtles. Some of the types of animals and plants have glass around them because they are either endangered or fragile. bear, and white-tail deer. We observed animals by using technology too! We used telescopes and binoculars to observe animals. We really liked to see the birds using binoculars! Also, we looked at plants. We saw conifers, deciduous trees and lily pads! We liked the Patuxent Visitor Center a lot because there were a lot of exhibits that we learned about and liked to look at. I d recommend that you go too. In the exhibit we saw predators and prey. For instance, we saw a wolf eating a rabbit. We saw carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores such as otters, orioles, black 10
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION
We had a good time at Patuxent Refuge. Our class learned a lot at Patuxent and after the field trip we learned more about Patuxent at school. We really like Patuxent. marvelous field trip. In conclusion, the field trip to Patuxent Refuge in Maryland was awesome, amazing, and wildly wicked! The guides were super kind and helpful. In addition, they were knowledgeable and brainy. The tram ride was grand for viewing plants and animals. Going to Patuxent was a 12
Decomposers break down dead plants and animals and the waste (poop) of other organisms. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Forest land that has a lot of trees such as conifers and deciduous trees and some shrubs Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Meadow land that has tall and/or short grass without many trees Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Predator hunts the prey for food. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Prey it is what the predator hunts for food. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Snag is the name for dead trees left up right to decompose naturally. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term