Marsh Explorers

Rain or Shine! On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, Mrs. Michele Wurst’s third grade students explored a salt marsh within an estuary at The Meadowlands Environment Center. Following an introduction to the habitat, students ventured out on field walk amid the phragmites to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of a salt marsh. Along the way to a collection site, students made observations about the weather, physical environment, fauna and flora. At the collection site, students used dip nets to collect and identify aquatic organisms that inhabit the impoundment of DeKorte Park. Working with the live specimens, such as grass shrimp, blue crab, killifish, and eel, students learned how to make observations about nature and how to record their observations through journaling and sketching. Students also completed an outdoors salt marsh scavenger hunt and earned a Platinum Award for scoring all required points and an additional 15 of 17 bonus points. Students were provided with pre and post lesson plans at school surrounding this unique adventure and cannot wait to return to DeKorte Park in the future.