LOCAL

5th graders trek through Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge

'Conservation Field Day' a tradition for 57 years

Port Clinton News Herald

Students trekked through the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge at the 57th annual Fifth Grade Conservation Field Day.

CARROLL TOWNSHIP - For more than 50 years, local fifth-grade students have gotten the chance to spend a day outside of the classroom to explore the natural habitats in their community’s own backyard.

The tradition continued on Thursday and Friday with the 57th annual “Fifth Grade Conservation Field Day” organized by the Ottawa Soil and Water Conservation District.

Over the course of two days, over 500 students from Port Clinton, Oak Harbor, Genoa, Danbury, Immaculate Conception, St. Boniface and Lakota trekked through the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge while learning about various environmental topics, from agriculture to animals.

Getting familiar with local animals

Sue Bixler, of Ohio State's Stone Lab, shows students an eastern foxsnake, species of concern in Ohio, during the 57th annual Fifth Grade Conservation Field Day.

Bald eagles, along with plenty of other native creatures home to Lake Erie marshes, such as migrating birds, fish and snakes, were discussed and even got up close and personal.

Sue Bixler, education and outreach specialist at Ohio State’s Stone Laboratory, introduced the students to her friend Sheldon, an eastern foxsnake, while teaching the students about endangered and threatened species.

In Ohio, the eastern foxsnake is considered a species of concern. It is native to only five counties in Ohio — Ottawa, Sandusky, Erie, Lucas and Wood — as well as a few limited pockets in Michigan and Canada.

'Not snakes you need to worry about'

In addition to its remaining habitat being reduced, the eastern foxsnake faces human threats because of its resemblance to the venomous copperhead snake, which can be found as far north as southern parts of Ohio.

The eastern foxsnake, however, is not venomous and is generally harmless to humans. But in addition to their looks, as a defense mechanism, they also vibrate their tails when frightened to mimic a rattle and scare off potential threats.

“This poor little snake, because of its mimicry, gets killed often times,” Bixler said. “That’s why its numbers are so limited.”

Students learned all about local conservation issues, from agriculture to animals, during the 57th annual Fifth Grade Conservation Field Day held at the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday and Friday.

Students got the chance to hold Sheldon, who is used to being handled as he regularly works with children at Stone Lab. However, Bixler said, even though eastern foxsnakes are not venomous and actually are quite docile, snakes found in the backyard should be left to do their thing.

“If you have these on your property, it’s going to take care of mice that might otherwise be coming into your house,” Bixler told the students. “You’re going to see these in Ottawa County, so you guys need to help spread the word that these are not snakes you need to worry about.”

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