Activities and Resources

View A Personal Welcome from Gay   Please call to schedule class visits. Not all resources and services are listed. The Environmental Educator, Gay Brantley, is available to assist teachers and can help them customize materials to meet specific classroom needs.   Gay Brantley (318) 387-1114 gay_brantley@fws.gov  Visitor Center 1. Welcome Students to Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) 2. Introduction to the National Wildlife Refuge System Students (third grade and up) view a short film, “America’s National Wildlife Refuge System.” 3. Orientation to North Louisiana Refuges Complex including Black Bayou Lake NWR 4. Students Visit Exhibits Habitat Dioramas Bat Roost Tree Bird Diorama with Sounds Interactive Migration Panel Storyboard Artifact Exhibit “Touch Me” Table Mounted Bald Eagles Alligator and Turtle Skulls Conservation Learning Center 1.   The Conservation Learning Center has a large Discovery Room with learning stations. Some will be changed seasonally and other stations may follow specific curriculum needs upon requests if possible. 2.   Large, live aquaria exhibits include native fishes, reptiles, and amphibians. 3.   The Discovery Room may be set up with tables and chairs to facilitate activities as needed by teachers. 4.   The Conservation Learning Center will house equipment such as: microscopes, hand-held magnifiers, binoculars, thermometers, soil and water test kits, collecting equipment (specimens collected will be returned to their habitat), field guides, etc. This equipment is available for check out by the teachers.    Habitat Investigations Small Group Activity for Fifth Grade and Up 1. Investigate three types of habitats Pond/Lake Meadow/Field Bottom Land Hardwoods/Swamp Depending on the age group some of the activities to develop the above investigations are: Students can take soil and water samples and perform chemistry tests Students can take temperatures at various sites to compare and contrast Students can utilize the equipment on hand to collect insects and aquatic organisms for study Students can make lists of various plants, animals/evidences, and decomposers After the investigations, the students compare the findings and draw conclusions about the plants and animals and their habitats.  Discovery Hike Appropriate for any age group The Discovery Hike can be customized to fit the needs of your lessons. For example: Plant and Animal Adaptations; Colors in Nature, Shapes in Nature, Who Lives Here, Animal Sightings and Sounds, etc.  Rhythms of the Refuge Rhythms of the Refuge is an environmental education program in which teachers are introduced to the refuge. It includes a one-day, hands-on workshop at the refuge which familiarizes teachers with the refuge's history and habitats, tips for organizing field trips, many educational activities, and a Customized Educator’s Guide is included. Pictures of Monroe City teachers in the Rhythms class....  Visitor Center Conservation Learning Center Nature Trail Wildlife Pier Activities and Resources Black Bayou Home | Curriculum Materials | Resources | Black Bayou Lake NWR | Monroe City Schools