Chippewa Valley Times

On a sunny Saturday morning in May, 24 area children engaged in hands-on scientific activities led by University of Wisconsin-Stout environmental science faculty and retired educators at the Colfax Red Cedar Preserve and Recreation Area’s annual Science Exploration Day. The event aimed to educate second- to sixth-graders about local habitats and creatures through interactive sessions.

The children participated in three 50-minute sessions, exploring with UW-Stout biology professors Keith Gilland and Julia Chapman, as well as committee members Mark Mosey and Paul Verdon. The sessions covered topics such as grassland bugs, prairie ecology, amphibians, reptiles, rocks, and minerals.

Gilland and Chapman have been volunteering at the preserve since 2019. “The connection we have with the preserve has been really valuable for providing our environmental science students opportunities to do research, gain hands-on experience and develop new skills,” Chapman said.

During the event, Gilland and Chapman focused on grassland insects and prairie ecology. Mosey covered amphibians and reptiles while Verdon discussed rocks and minerals. The children displayed enthusiasm by asking numerous questions.

“Science lends itself to wanting to share it with anyone who is genuinely interested,” said Mosey. “Children are naturally curious about their surroundings, and I feel obligated to help them better understand their world.”

Verdon emphasized the importance of public understanding of earth sciences: “It’s so important that the general public has a good understanding of the earth and how it works so that we can take care of it.”

The Colfax Red Cedar Preserve offers various events throughout the year across its more than 150 acres. Julie Bates-Maves, a UW-Stout clinical mental health counseling professor who attended with her family, praised the partnership between Stout professors and local educators for providing free programming for local children.

Gilland explained how native grasses are being replanted to create habitats for various animals at the preserve. During their walk, they found several creatures including garter snakes and prairie skinks.

Mosey shared his experiences documenting phenology at the preserve. He highlighted differences between amphibians and reptiles during his session near Ferry Pond's wetland area.

Verdon introduced children to different rock types using samples from his collection. He demonstrated how water can reveal a rock's true color by spraying an apple-sized agate.

Hands-on activities like these embody UW-Stout’s polytechnic approach. Professors Gilland and Chapman also conduct controlled burns at local natural areas with Prairie Enthusiasts, involving students in managing these environments.

This summer, UW-Stout faculty will study beaver effects on riparian areas at Beaver Creek Reserve; water quality management at Gilbert and Wilson Creek trout stream restorations; ash die-off impacts on swamps; among other projects funded by the Wisconsin Freshwater Collaborative’s Red Cedar Basin Monitoring Grant.

Civic engagement remains a core commitment for UW-Stout in preparing students for leadership roles within their fields and communities.

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