By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BERRIEN SPRINGS – They saw snakes, turtles and frogs. They touched rocks, felt sand and even learned some cool facts about plants. Some even got to see their teachers compete in a recycling fashion show, which definitely brought out many laughs.
Most importantly, hundreds of fifth grade students from schools in Berrien County learned the importance of conserving our natural resources.
For two days, a total of 920 students from 23 different schools in the county took a trip to the Berrien County Youth Fair for the 14th annual Berrien County Natural Resource Days. Among the group were students from Howard Elementary School and Moccasin Elementary in Buchanan.
The purpose of the program is to help students understand the importance and necessity of conserving natural resources and teach basic conservation principles that can be practiced at home.
Jill Adams of the Berrien County Community Development Department has organized the event for the last seven years and said she is excited with how much it has grown.
"It's a big deal now. And I really like the fact that the same presenters come back year after year and look for ways to make it more exciting and hands-on for the children," Adams said.
The half-day program featured five different stations, where children were educated on soil and water, plant science, recycling, wildlife and the coast guard.
"It focuses on the positive things we can do to not only keep out earth clean, but make it a better place to live," Adams said.
During the soil and plant demonstration, students in Joe Racht's class at Howard had a chance to learn about rocks, sand and other aspects of the ground.
"I know that the color of rocks is made by minerals," Rivir Britton said.
At another station, students had a chance to see wildlife up close and personal and learn why it is important to keep the earth clean for them.
"If we keep littering, reptiles and other animals are forced to live in and eat trash, which is something they cannot survive on," Sarah Story of Love Creek Nature Center said.
Luckily, most children are already a step ahead when it comes to helping Mother Nature. Students in Niles, Buchanan, Bridgman, St. Joe and other schools admitted they recycle at their school and even plan "clean up the earth" trips.
"It's great to see so many schools teaching their children how important it is," Adams said.
The Natural Resource Day started in 1994. More than 10,000 students have attended the annual spring event, which is scheduled to tie in with Michigan Arbor Week, Earth Day, National Wildlife Week and National Science and Technology Week.