Field Trip to PATUXENT REFUGE Type to enter text THE THIRD GRADE STUDENTS OF MS. SMITH BARRETT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION
Introduction continued President Theodore Roosevelt made the first wildlife refuge on Pelican Island, Florida in 1903. Patuxent Wildlife Refuge in Maryland serves as a home for endangered animals and birds that are migrating. It provides a habitat for over 1,000 animals. When you visit Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, you can ride on a tram, go to an awesome visitor center, hike into nature, and see lots of animals. Patuxent Wildlife Refuge researches sea ducks and Whooping Cranes. When you go to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge don t leave anything behind. 2
CHAPTER 2 TRAM
Tram continued On the tram ride we went into different types of habitats like wetlands, forests, and meadows. We saw plants and animals. When we went into the forest we saw fungi and a tree that was knocked over by a big storm. In the forest we saw a tiny fern from the dinosaur times, but back then they were as tall as trees. Some of the animals we saw were ducks, frogs, turtles, geese, and fish. If you looked closely, you could see insects like butterflies, beetles, and mosquitoes. There were also bird 4
boxes that were off the ground so predators would not get the birds. The tram ride was really fun! 5
CHAPTER 3 HIKE
Hike continued On the hike at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge we saw many animals, habitats, and plants. Some animals we saw were frogs, birds, geese, tadpoles, and ducks. We also saw animal habitats such as bird nests, beaver lodges, and burrows in the ground. The plants we saw were grass, lily pads, cattails, trees, and flowers. The kinds of trees we saw were river birches and oak trees. On the hike we walked over the Snake Bridge. Some things that were near the bridge were the beaver deceiver and root holes. I hope you take the hike at Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. 7
CHAPTER 4 VISITOR CENTER
Visitor Center continued When we went to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, we went to the Visitor Center. In the Visitor Center we saw exhibits of endangered species. Some animals we saw were foxes, otters, birds, condors, bears, whooping cranes, wolves, and crocodiles. Then we saw animals that are not native to Virginia. For example, we saw a polar bear and a poison dart frog. We went to the observation area after looking at the animal exhibits. We used binoculars to look through the glass to see geese and cattails in the pond. After we used the binoculars 9
we went to play a game. The game was called Guess That Fur. We saw and touched examples of mammal fur. After touching the fur, we tried to identify that animal it came from. The Visitor Center was interesting. 10
CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION We had so much fun on our field trip to Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. We went on a tram ride to see three types of biomes. All three of these were very interesting. On the hike, we saw many different plants and animals. In the Visitor Center, we saw exhibits of endangered animals and how scientists study animals in their natural habitat. I can t wait to go there again!
Endangered Threatened with extinction. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Forest A large area with trees, animals, and plants. There is more than one type of forest. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Grasslands Large lands covered with tall grass where animals can eat. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Lodge A small house Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Meadow Another name for grasslands. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Migrate To move from one place to another. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Snag A standing dead or dying tree with a hollow trunk and/or branch which may provide habitat for wildlife. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term
Wetlands Piece of land that has water most of the time. Similar to marshes or swamps, can be large or small. Related Glossary Terms Drag related terms here Index Find Term