Eighth and Ninth grade students from Caroline County Public Schools poured out of bright yellow school buses on the mornings of April 25th and 26th at Fort Walker, VA.
Accompanied by science teacher chaperones, these eager learners broke into six teams and began to cycle from station to station around the long and winding path that surrounds Beaverdam pond. Fort Walker’s Earth Day was back after a years-long hiatus, and the local community was very excited to return to the post!
Ambling clockwise around the pond, the groups encountered all sorts of educational displays, as well as get-your-hands-dirty events. One moment, the students were inches away from the pond’s bank, among the lily pads, then the next, they were boring into the earth taking core samples to learn about soil composition.
Down the path, they found themselves digging in the dirt and sifting with our expert Archaeologists; yes, they’ve heard all the Indiana Jones jokes. Simultaneously, a vivid oral history of the land of Caroline County prior to the establishment of the installation was given by Cultural Resource Manager John Mullin.
Circle farther to the shoreline, the students encountered our Fish and Wildlife department where they held the pelts of the animals that call Fort Walker home. Large portable fish tanks were placed on site and our attendees were able to hold various species of native fish, almost all of them for the first time. Even chaperones discovered new facts regarding our fauna, as the wildlife specialists shared fascinating tidbits about our endangered bat species.
Not everyone participating at the event were Fort Walker personnel; but rather, allies from our community. American Water explained to the students how wastewater is treated and safely released to the ground wells on the installation. Friends of the Rappahannock came with aquariums of the various wildlife you might find in the local rivers or the Chesapeake Bay.
The Rappahannock Electric Company brought in foresters who spoke of the dangers of trees that fall on power lines, and how they proactively try to identify those at risk. Additionally, REC had a specialist on hand who spoke about renewable energy.
In the end, the students learned about conservation, animals, plant life, unexploded ordnance, artefact investigation and documentation, energy conservation, all while walking among enchanting, peaceful nature.
Lt. Col. Jason Duffy, Garrison Commander, who welcomed the attendees both mornings said this of the event, “We made bringing the Earth Day event back to Fort Walker a priority to plant the seed in young peoples’ minds of just how much the Army truly does to preserve the health of our environment, and I believe no one does it better that our people at Fort Walker. Our mission is training and it is no-fail, but every day we persevere to live up to the Army’s Earth Day message of ‘Sustain the Mission, Secure the Future’.”
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