Wetlands adventure entertains, informs homeschoolers
May 1—Shayna Terry and Emily Chairez stared down a "pretty big crawfish" Tuesday during an Earth Day event near Hartselle.
"He was pretty big, but he didn't pinch me," said Terry, a 12-year-old homeschool student showing her pride at lassoing the crawfish with a big net at the wetlands area.
Some 60 homeschoolers and 18 volunteers came out for an Earth Day event to plant trees and seed bombs, tour the wildflower meadow, do arts and crafts, search for fish and amphibians, and generally commune with nature.
"We just want the kids to celebrate nature, take care of the planet and become interested in conservation," said Kelly Holladay Richardson, education coordinator for elementary and middle schools with the Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District, which organized the event. The event was held at the U.S. Department of Agriculture Service Center.
The homeschoolers — who represented Master's Hand Christian School of Decatur and Limitless Academy of Hartselle — had been set to celebrate on Earth Day, April 22, but had to reschedule due to rain.
After some morning events, including Hula Hoops, bubbles, beach balls, face painting and dam building, they stopped for a free Chick-fil-A lunch.
Then they broke into four or five groups and went to different "stations" throughout the wetland area to learn about different aspects of nature including skins and skulls, tree planting, nature walks and scavenger hunts, water quality surveys, planting seeds for peas and beans, coloring Earth Day scenes on wooden ornaments and building watersheds in a box. "Our Power, Our Planet," was the theme of the event.
"This is the first time in many, many years the kids have gotten to go out here to see the wetlands," Richardson said. "It was a wetland then farmland and then they restored it to wetland."
A curious black lab followed one group to a vernal, or ephemeral, pool the students decided to stop and study. These vernal pools are temporary water sites in the wetlands created by rain.
"They are great for wildlife, and they filter the water," Richardson said of the benefits of the vernal pools. "They are a natural purification system."
With the sun overhead, it was a bit steamy in the wetlands despite all the tree cover. Whatever was swimming in the primordial ooze Tuesday seemed to quench Jag the dog's thirst. He shook the water off himself and moved on. Meanwhile, around him were students dipping their long nets into the water to see what they came back with — tadpoles, crawfish, plus the occasional leech. After identifying the wildlife using a chart, the kids agreed to put it back. Though one student begged to keep a frog, in the end he promised to put back any amphibians.
Chairez, 11, of Master's Hand, enjoyed learning about how to build and work a beaver dam using sand and a pathway for the water, she said.
Brad Bole, retired Soil and Water Conservation District employee who was instrumental in restoring the wetlands, taught one group about the two types of trees — evergreen and deciduous, or those that have leaves that shed seasonally.
They discussed the value of trees including shade, oxygen output, habitat for birds, animals and insects, recreation and more. When he was finished, the group planted an oak tree.
"Oaks prefer shade when they are starting, when they are little," Bole said. "As they age, they inch out the pine trees," he said while pointing out the 27-year-old stand of oaks the students were standing among.
The wetlands the students toured Tuesday are part of the Flint Creek Wetlands Mitigation Bank, a 653-acre wetland preserve located off Alabama 36, 3 miles west of Hartselle. The land was deeded to Morgan County by Robinsong Ecological Resources in 2006. Robinsong committed to the restoration of the former cattle and grain farm to a hardwood bottom wetland and agreed to deed it to Morgan County.
"They planted 160 trees," Richardson said.
Morgan County will provide perpetual care for it with it being managed by Morgan County Soil and Water Conservation District and the Flint Creek Watershed Conservancy District. Wetlands work to remove pollution from bodies of water, particularly agricultural runoff, Richardson said. Not only do the wetlands provide clean water, they offer students an outdoor classroom where they can soak up some knowledge.
— jean.cole@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2361
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
20 hours ago
- Associated Press
Critter Stop Offers Permanent Solutions to Homes and Businesses with Launch of Pest Control in Richardson, Texas
Richardson, Texas – Critter Stop's new pest control in Richardson provides targeted solutions to residential and commercial properties that are uniquely tailored to their specific needs. The DFW-based wildlife removal and pest control company has made a name for itself in North Texas for its commitment to customer satisfaction and transparent pricing for high-quality service. It's no secret that life in Richardson can sometimes entail pest infestations in homes and businesses. Wasps, fleas, mosquitoes, spiders, cockroaches, and scorpions can be a considerable health threat to people and pets. Termites and ants can cause costly property damage, and silverfish, centipedes, and bedbugs are always unpleasant sights. These are precisely the insects that Critter Stop's pest control in Richardson services target. 'Our clients trust us with their home or business, and we take that seriously,' stated Critter Stop owner Chisam Reiter. 'We care about our neighbors, so we strive to be the best Richardson pest control company, going above and beyond when servicing properties with customized treatment for every situation,' he added. Critter Stop's pest control in Richardson approach ensures that clients can go about their daily activities while the company's technicians employ the highest professional standard techniques to fully eliminate the infestation and provide permanent protection. In addition, the company also employs eco-friendly solutions that are safe for both people and pets. Critter Stop stands out in the local pest control and wildlife removal industry. It has served hundreds of clients, has a five-star reputation, and glowing reviews from all over the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. This family-owned wildlife and pest control leader offers termite treatment, mosquito management, rodent exclusion, general pest control, wildlife removal, outside live trapping for skunks, opossums, and armadillos, mole and gopher removal, and dead-animal removal—all performed by licensed professionals. Critter Stop invites home and business owners seeking high-quality Richardson pest control to reach out via the contact form provided online to receive a free estimate on reliable and effective solutions today. About Critter Stop Established in 2018, Critter Stop is a locally owned and operated family business that is committed to offering a responsive, high-touch customer service and providing customers across North Texas with permanent solutions to a wide variety of common insects, such as cockroaches, ants, wasps, and wildlife, including mice and rats, as well as the humane removal of squirrels, raccoons and opossums with additional physical fortification of entry points around a building and energy efficient attic insulation services that caters to all insulation brands and types. More Information To learn more about Critter Stop and the launch of its pest control in Richardson, please visit the website at Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Marion County entrepreneur a staple at area farmers markets
KATY — Every morning for 22 years, Sudawan Richardson rises at 5:30 in the morning to tend to her five-acre farm atop a mountain in the unincorporated community of Katy. Farmer's market season began over two weeks ago, and for rest of the hot summer months, Richardson alone will do everything from maintaining and harvesting her crop to selling at market. At 70, her farm, with its nine gardens, three green houses and one koi pond is a one-woman operation. 'Yesterday I go to Bridgeport Farmers Market,' she said. 'So busy. I don't have time to stay and bring the water. I'm so tired and I think, 'oh I come home and take a nap.' But I walk over there, open my greenhouse for it because too hot. I see some insect, I have to put the trap. Sometimes on Saturday, I work the green onion, I cut the lettuce. I have to wash it first before I go to the market. I work until 10 p.m.' The green hill Richardson's farm sits atop is picturesque. Small black birds with orange fringes flit between trees and chirp their annoyance at having to share their space with humans. At the end of a path descending down a hill is a small pond, turned muddy from the deluge that has fallen on the state in recent weeks. Richardson throws a handful of fish food onto the surface, and at first a few tiny fish appear to peck at the pellets, but with enough patience the ghostly outline of two Koi appear just beneath the surface. However, perhaps shy at the presence of a stranger, they disappear out of sight to join the rest of their bretheren in hiding. The only signs there's more fish in the pond are concentric ripples that regularly expand on the surface. Richardson arrived in the United States in 2003 from Udon Thani, Thailand, the capital of its province and the sixth largest city in the country. Richardson taught physical education in Thailand. 'My dad wanted I to be pharmacist, because we have the land and open the pharmacy, make a lot of money,' she said. 'But I love sport. I love to play sport. That's why I did physical education program.' Richardson also held positions at high paying jobs in coveted industries and with the country's court system. Richardson met Curtis Richardson, a Fairmont native, through online dating. They got to know each other for a brief period virtually before he offered to move her to West Virginia. While she helped her family take care of the animals on her family's farm in Thailand, she didn't garden. After arriving in the United States, she told her husband she wanted to work and not stay at home. Initially, she was interested in babysitting but he worried about liability in case a child got injured. The language barrier kept her from teaching. So, she started to garden, and found happiness in that. However, in the early 2010s, her husband developed cancer and retired from his job. He also had diabetes. He passed in 2016 at the age of 80, according to his obituary. She was now alone on her farm on top of a mountain. Planting starts in February and takes about four weeks. She does all the work by herself. Her neighbors worry she plants too early, that her seedlings will die but Richardson is prepared for the remaining cold weeks. She uses covers to keep the plants warm and once cold season is over, her plants are healthy and ready to soak up the sun. Right now, in early June, she's harvesting potatoes, green tomatoes, kale, broccoli, strawberries, sugar cane and more. She has several varieties of tomatoes growing in her green houses. Harvesting doesn't take as long as planting. She picks her product the day before market so her produce is the freshest. The zucchinis she grows are giant, and go well in a cast iron pan with oil, salt, pepper and parmesan cheese and served with a sauce made from greek yogurt and dill. Kent Leonhardt, agriculture commissioner of West Virginia, said the state has tripled the number of farmers markets in the state since he was elected eight years ago. The state now has 275 registered licensed farmers markets. Leonhardt said most farmers in the state, like Richardson, are independent farmers. 'We've got just shy of 23,000 farms,' Leonhardt said. 'Most of them are independent. We have some farms that have contracts, like our poultry growers but the farmer owns the farm. It's just contracted for the poultry house. We have some turkey farms that are corporate but for the most part our farms are independent.' The West Virginia Grown program, developed in 1986, lists more than 500 companies throughout the state and more than 34 product types in its 2025 directory. The typical West Virginia farm focuses on cow-calf operations, but there's more high tunnels for seasonal fruits and vegetables. 'People are going more and more to these markets and buying local produce,' Leonhardt said. 'It's fresher, it doesn't spoil in your refrigerators rapidly. You may pay a little more, but it's worth it.' Leonhardt said the state has eased regulations and encouraged independent farming, to promote the West Virginia Grown brand. The U.S. Department of Agriculture also promotes the program. Last year a historic drought struck the state. While the prediction from meteorologists last year was the drought would continue into this year, so far it's been a wet and rainy season. However, it's been too wet. Farmers are behind in planting their crops, Leonhardt said. And he hopes this summer doesn't get as dry as last year. Leonhardt said last year it also rained heavily in the spring but dried out over the summer. Also, the heavy rains are running off and not rebuilding the water table. Soil moisture hasn't rebuilt. 'That's why I say we should have a little bit of rain a lot, rather than a lot of rain at once,' he said. Richardson isn't worried about the rain or dry spells. She deals with each situation as it comes. Part of the reason she's not worried about a dry summer is because the USDA came and installed water lines to feed her crops directly and the City of Fairmont can provide the water she needs. Richardson's season lasts 29 weeks. She wishes she could find someone to help her sell her product at market, but is wary about who she hires because she's been the victim of theft from an employee before. More than anything else though, she said hiring someone might mean raising prices to pay the employee, and she wants to keep her prices low. She has also gotten offers for her farm, but she's not eager to sell to just anyone. As far as she's concerned, there should always be a little farm on top of a mountain, with its koi pond, producing good food for people to afford. 'I don't want people to throw down the ground, the water system, the high tunnel — everything perfect for the garden,' she said. 'A lot of people call me, 'you want to sell farm?' I hear, oh boy, you're not a farmer. I want to sell my farm for people work in the farm.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
USDA Issues Warning on Ground Beef Sold Nationwide for Possible E. Coli Contamination
The USDA issued a public health alert warning consumers against eating 1-lb. vacuum-packed packages of "Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% LEAN 15% Fat' The agency noted that the product tested positive for E. coli The agency said there have "been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products"The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service has issued a warning for ground beef that may have been contaminated with E. coli. The USDA shared a public health alert on Tuesday, June 3 warning people to avoid eating the 1-lb. vacuum-packed packages of "Organic Rancher Organic Ground Beef 85% LEAN 15% Fat' if it is located in their homes. The ground beef product was produced on May 22, 2025, and May 23, 2025 and bears establishment number "EST. 4027" inside the USDA mark of inspection, according to the agency. The USDA said the product was shipped to distributor locations in Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois and Maryland, and was later distributed to Whole Foods Market retail locations nationwide. The agency was eventually notified that the ground beef product tested positive for E. coli. A recall was not announced since the USDA said the 'products are no longer available for purchase.' However, if they are in a person's freezer or refrigerator, that person should throw it away or return it to the 'place of purchase," the alert said. 'There have been no confirmed reports of illness due to consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider,' the USDA said in a statement. E. coli is a bacteria that is commonly found in the gut of humans and warm-blooded animals, and if people eat foods contaminated with certain strains of the bacteria, it can cause 'severe foodborne disease,' according to the World Health Organization. Some symptoms of ingesting a food item with E. coli include diarrhea and severe stomach cramps, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). In severe cases, people can also experience a high fever of 102°F and above and hemolytic uremic syndrome, which can lead to 'kidney failure, permanent health problems, and even death.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'This condition can occur among persons of any age but is most common in children under 5-years old and older adults,' the USDA said. 'It is marked by easy bruising, pallor, and decreased urine output.' 'Persons who experience these symptoms should seek emergency medical care immediately,' the agency added. The USDA noted that it advises all consumers to 'safely prepare their raw meat products' and 'only consume ground beef that has been cooked to a temperature of 160° F' — which is a high enough temperature to 'kill harmful bacteria.' Read the original article on People
