Our 6–8 students’ learning adventure at the Global Wildlife Center continued to unfold in new and exciting ways. Each day brought new opportunities for discovery, connection, and real-world learning:
This morning at Global, Cali transports us into the world of the long leaf pine savannah, first through a digital presentation in the tree house (our outdoor classroom perched above the pastures), then in the field among the pines. We examine needle bundles, pine cones, and bark to differentiate each species. Cali’s enthusiasm for saving milkweed for monarch butterflies before the pasture gets mown leads us to helping her dig up milkweed for replanting elsewhere. To reach the pasture, we are treated to a private ride through the pastures. With our feeding cups full, we attract crowds of hungry critters, hoping for a mouthful of nutritious treats.
Global’s capybaras have been tugging at our hearts since our first day when we watched them grazing along the pond’s edge and swimming group laps around the water’s edge across from our “tree house” where we meet each day with our naturalists. Mikayla and McKale introduce us to the family, supplying branches of delicious leaves, according to the capybaras, so we can feed the gentle creatures. They love their treat and us petting them and rubbing their bellies. How do we know that? Capybara whistles and grunts tell us “Please don’t stop! We love this!”
After lunch the Center’s two tortoises decide to make an appearance, moving slowly and steadily from their shelter onto the grass. McKale allows us to go into the enclosure to meet the girls, who, thinking we might have tortoise treats, follow us around.
Before dinner, we plunge into the Bogue Chitto River and float, pushed by its current until we cool off and shed the dust of the Global fields and pastures. Splashing and carousing together, both in the river and water park, we end our adventures today wet and joyful.