*for grades: 3 i 4 i 5
*(can be adapted for older audiences)
Wildlife History of New York
Offered at: Wildlife Education Campus or In-school
Description: Four hundred years of human settlement and development have brought many changes to the Hudson Valley, which has had a significant impact on wildlife. Learn about 5 keystone species as we trace their natural histories through to the present day. A close look at the Sturgeon, Beaver, Box Turtle, Wolf, and Bald Eagle will be presented. Students will have the opportunity to meet a live Box Turtle. Materials used in this program include many pelts, skulls, bones, shells, and mounted specimens.
Learning Objectives: Students will learn concepts such as habitat loss/preservation, the effects of pollutants such as DDT and PCB, over-hunting, and population management as we explore 5 keystone species of New York. Students will understand what a keystone species is and how sturgeons, beavers, box turtles, wolves, and bald eagles have had such a large influence on our ecosystems. We will also investigate what happens in ecosystems when these animals are negatively impacted.
NYS Core Curriculum Standards:
3rd- Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems &Inheritance and Variation of Traits: Life Cycles and Traits: 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS1-1, & 3-LS3-2
4th- Structure, Function, and Information Processing: 4-LS1-2
5th- Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems: 5-LS2-1
as a field trip
Program Length: 90 minutes
45-minute presentations/activities
30 minute guided hike
10-15 minutes in the Hall of Animals
Gift shop available upon request
Picnic area available upon request
Program Cost:
$250 for up to 25 students
Staff is free
Location: Wildlife Education Campus
(25 Boulevard, Cornwall-on-Hudson NY, 12520)
in the classroom
Program Length: 45 minutes
Program Cost:
$275 plus mileage cost, for the first program
$250 for each additional program on the same day
Large Audience Presentation
Program Length: 60 minutes, depending on age group
Program Cost: $375, plus travel expense, for up to 60 students
Please Note: The Hudson Highlands Nature Center and its professional staff are fully licensed by state and federal agencies to maintain a collection of live native animal species for the purpose of education. Choice of animals is at the discretion of the Nature Center staff, based on availability.