IRAS Participates in Zoo In Service for Teachers

IRAS Participates in Zoo In Service for Teachers

By Barb Venuto

On February 7, our chapter teamed up with the Brevard Zoo to offer a teacher in service, “If You Had Wings.” This event took place in the awesome tree house classroom. The day started with training on how to use optics by Cary Salter, field guides by Tom Atkinson, and beginning bird watching by Jason Fredericks. We then kayaked through the 22-acres of wetlands practicing our new bird watching skills. Nelia Lake introduced the “Wings Over Florida” Junior Birder’s Program, by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The afternoon was then spent dissecting eagle’s, hawk’s, kookaburra’s and owl’s pellets by the dry and wet method with instructions by Julie Seberry. IRAS purchased classroom kits for of all the teachers. They contained 15 pellets and instructional materials. We also discussed other bird related topics such as the importance of conservation and environmental awareness. The Zoo has a collection of items found that had killed birds that was quite alarming. Statistics of bird deaths by ingesting cigarette butts, monofilament lines, fishing hooks and lures are quite distressing and there is a lot one person can do. We also discussed many other bird related topics that can be examined, such as, isn’t it amazing you can squeeze an egg as hard as you can in your hand and it will not break? Oops, except for the fifth person who tries it. Or how about soaking a raw egg in vinegar for 5 days, taking the shell off, and bouncing it. Oops, but not too high. Or testing the strength of four half eggshells—they can hold 32 pounds!

The day ended with an exclusive tour of the zoo where we got to pet a wallaby, see the dingoes be fed, and get up close to the flying foxes. It was a wonderful day and we thank the Brevard Zoo for their initiative and inspiration.