||| FROM RUSSEL BARSH for KWIAHT |||
KWIAHT’s Ten Treasures project, supported by more than 30 individual donors through the Orcas Island Community Foundation, will highlight a unique local plant, animal, or other organism twice a month, with clues about where to look for it on Orcas, and a map and photo gallery for Orcas kids to share their discoveries and get personal feedback from the biologists at KWIAHT.
The first treasure — Orange Jelly Fungus — is already posted with a background story, clues to finding this interesting organism on Orcas, and an opportunity for young islanders to post their own photos and field notes to share them with others, and with KWIAHT science staff, who will also comment and reply to questions. Nine more treasures will be added by the end of the school year. We hope that you’ll find this useful as a way of engaging students more directly in observing and documenting the natural world around them, especially at a time when school-organized field trips are not possible.
The map will also be a valuable guide for teachers and parents for future field trips. All Orcas children and their families are welcome to participate regardless of what school they attend; and home-schoolers are welcome, too, of course. Find the treasure map by Googling: www.10treasures.org
Have fun with this (virtual) nature-show-and-tell table for Orcas kids!
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My 3 year old daughter says it’s actually called “Witches Butter” – that’s according to her very serious studies at Kaleidoscope’s Forest School.. thanks KWIAHT for the fun activity!
Lindsay, your daughter is correct: Orange Jelly Fungus is often called “Witches Butter” but that name is also used for its relative
Tremella mesenterica, which is uncommon in the islands as it prefers to grow on deciduous trees.
Is this fun event only for kids?
Such a fun idea.
Found some yesterday but am a few decades (!) older than your target audience!
Susan, while making sure kids can participate is our priority, the treasure hunt is indeed open to everyone.