Students Explore at Turnbull NWR

Ecology, zoology and wildlife biology are growing fields of opportunity. That’s why Lind-Ritzville High School’s Advanced Placement Biology class and Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) club took a field trip on May 27 to Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge.

The trip gave students the opportunity to learn more about local flora and fauna, explore the importance of ecology and conservation, and gain exposure to potential career paths in STEM.

The National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) system preserves habitats like Turnbull across the country. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services’ website, “The National Wildlife Refuge system is a network of habitats that benefits wildlife, provides unparalleled outdoor experiences for all Americans, and protects a healthy environment.”

There are 560 wildlife refuges, 23 of which reside in Washington State.

Turnbull, south of Cheney, is the closest refuge to LRHS, making it ideal for STEM outreach. Founded in 1937, the 18,000-acre refuge is in the middle of the Channeled Scablands. It supports and protects a diverse variety of species, which students had the chance to observe.

Turnbull’s website explains, “To help plants and wildlife, refuge staff use a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values.”

Specifically, students learned that by managing and protecting the habitats, animal conservation—such as that of local mammals and migratory birds—is a natural side effect.

On the trip, students were guided on a hike through a portion of the refuge. They then participated in a hands-on aquatic macro-invertebrates lab, which saw the catching, identifying, and releasing of small pond invertebrates. The trip concluded with an animal adaptations discussion and activity.

The tour engaged students in ecology as they grew to greater appreciate habitats and the wildlife within them.

Michael Carruth, who attended the trip, said, “I really enjoyed just sitting down and discussing animal adaptations and how to identify them… I learned [that] the fourth most important thing to a habitat is space, which we don’t really think about, actually has a big importance.”

Tyler O’Brien added, “I liked catching the aquatic life, it was interesting to see the variety of organisms living in the mud of the wetlands. I think that wildlife refuges are important, to preserve nature as it is!”

Sara Aldrich enjoyed the trip and said, “My favorite part was going on the short hike through the refuge because we got to see the wildlife and the habitat in their natural states. I found the aquatic invertebrates lab to be really interesting… I never thought about what exactly was in pond water until then!”

She continued, “Animals need a habitat just as people do, and the refuges provide them with a safe and unharmed one.”

“I enjoyed observing the invertebrates and fish that everyone caught in the pond,” said Kate Schell. “I think the refuges are very important to allow habitats to be preserved that would otherwise be developed by humans.”

Overall, the LRHS Advanced Placement and STEM club trip was a successful learning experience.

Jason Aldrich, STEM club advisor, explained: “This is just another possible pathway kids could go. It’s important to have an open mind and a learning attitude, to be able to look at an experience and <ask>, “what can I take away from this opportunity?”