by Jessie Diermier
Education Coordinator
Lassen Land and Trails Trust
This year, Lassen Land and Trails Trust’s Nature Camp enjoyed record high enrollment of children from throughout Lassen County, and visitors from Nevada and Utah. Campers in both sessions held July 20 through July 31, participated in activities including wading, hiking, watershed discovery, rock, plant and bird studies and music lessons. The annual day camp offered children ages 8 to 12 adventures exploring our area’s landscape and the features that make Lassen County unique.
Thanks to a Lassen County Transportation Commission Charter and Lassen Rural Bus, more than 40 children were able to participate. This year, children learned the importance of a healthy watershed with Tim Keesey of TCK Environmental, toured Honey Lake Wildlife Area’s Fleming Unit with Wildlife Habitat Supervisor Rob Schrag, practiced orienteering on a treasure hunt around the Historic Susanville Railroad Depot and had a special opportunity to observe Lassen College’s vast collection of wildlife taxidermy and skulls with volunteer Crystal Baker.
Camp included a trip to Roxie Peconom Campground in Lassen National Forest for wilderness safety instruction with Marcus Pacheco, solar energy demonstrations with LMUD’s Theresa Phillips, and a tour of Lassen College with Outreach Coordinator Davis Murphy.
Nature Camp rocks and you will enjoy every little bit of it! The river has clear pools of water, it is great! The hiking has cool animals and trees. There are so many awesome activities. You also learn first aid and make great crafts. I love camp a lot and so will you.” — Emmalee ‘Strawberry Tallcake’ Rotlisberger, 2015 Nature Camp participant.
Retired botanist Bill Phillips presented introductory lessons on organic chemistry, California Department of Fish and Wildlife Biologist Brian Ehler gave wildlife safety lessons at Hobo Camp, Susanville Youth Orchestra Conductor Carol Fontana provided recorder lessons at Susanville Ranch Park, retired botanist Sue Noggles and her assistant Lindsay Noggles, shared information about native plants, Dori Davidson served as youth counselor, and Janiska Nordstrom led demonstrations on basic first aid.
This STEM-based, summer education and adventure program is made possible through support from Lassen Municipal Utility District, Lassen National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management Eagle Lake Field Office and the Lassen County Office of Education.
Nature camp is a program of the Lassen County Environmental Education Collaborative, a partnership among the BLM Eagle Lake Field Office, Lassen National Forest, the Lassen County Office of Education and Lassen Land and Trails Trust. For more information about the Collaborative and work of the Lassen Land and Trails Trust, visit www.lassenlandandtrailstrust.org.
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