Woodland Tour
50th ANNUAL CRUICKSHANK Woodland Tour May 11 & 12, 2011
Bus Form: Click Here
Background
In the early ‘60’s Outdoor Schools for 6th graders were held throughout the state. In 1961, Extension Agent Hugh Hickerson, SWCD Director Rex Brown, and local tree farm owner, Ross Cruickshank, decided it would be good for 5th graders in Yamhill County to have some outdoor experience before they spent several days in the woods the following year. Ross Cruickshank provided the site on his farm, and Hugh Hickerson with Soil Conservation Service (SCS) staff set up the sites and arranged with agency workers to volunteer to teach the students about all aspects of forestry. The event has endured and up to 800 students from Yamhill county schools attend the SWCD-Cruickshank Woodland Tour each year.
How the Tour Works
The Woodland Tour is an annual outdoor educational opportunity for 5th graders throughout Yamhill County involving six stations. The 5th grade students spend approximately 20 minutes with at least one instructor at each station. Instructors are local experts from agencies and private enterprises. Students are guided from station to station by volunteers. After all six stations have been visited, the students are directed back to the parking area and return to their schools.
The Woodland Tour is hosted for two days with two sessions held per day. One session is held in the morning and the second session is held in the afternoon. Each session lasts approximately two hours.
SCHEDULE FOR 2011:
Session 1 – May 11 (9:00 – 11:00AM) FULL
Session 2 – May 11 (12:00 – 2:00PM)
Session 3 – May 12 (9:00 – 11:00AM) FULL
Session 4 – May 12 (12:00 – 2:00PM)
To See Current Reservations Click Here
Woodland Tour Objectives
- To inform students of the benefits derived from a well managed woodland
- To introduce the concept of proper outdoor behavior, safety, and fire prevention
- To introduce the forest as a natural system with interdependent animal, plant, and soil systems
Woodland Tour Cooperators
Yamhill County Small Woodland Owner’s Association, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service, National Resource Conservation Service, Yamhill Sheriff’s Department, Oregon Department of State Police, McMinnville Fire Department; Stimson Lumber Company, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Cruickshank Farm
Woodland Tour Curriculum and Event Stations
Forest Harvest:
Objective: To inform 5th graders of the numerous products made from the forest. Hands-on displays provide students with an understanding of how forest products impact their lives.
Helpful information to go over with students before the event:
Carbon Poster: Click Here
Plants and Wildlife:
Objective: Demonstrate to students the interaction between forest plants and wildlife. The needs of various animals will be discussed (e.g., hollow trees and snags, nesting sites, insect sources, etc.)
Fun Plant Activities for students: Click Here
Wildlife Facts and Activities: Click Here
Soils and Watersheds:
Objective: Teach students how the composition of soil determines why plants grow at certain locations. Concepts regarding watersheds and their importance are also introduced.
Soil Properties: Click Here
Water Cycle Game for students: Click Here
Know Your Watershed: Click Here
Water Curriculum for students: Click Here
Outdoor Behavior & Safety:
Objective: Law enforcement officers use props and displays to demonstrate the importance of proper outdoor behavior and safety. There is discussion about safety when camping and/or visiting the woods, as well as environmental stewardship.
Outdoor Behavior & Safety: Click Here
Fire Prevention & Safety:
Objective: Staff from the McMinnville Fire Department discusses fire prevention and safety. They review the components of managing fires, along with what to do in crisis situations.
Fire Prevention & Safety for students: Click Here
Forest Management
Objective: The complexities of managing a healthy forest are explored. Forest managers explain why foresters need to know about insects and diseases, tree thinning, weed control, fire prevention, wildlife, recreation, and selective harvests.
Forestry Info Sheets: Click Here