Nottingham Students Become Environmental Experts through Hands-On Exploration

This summer, Nottingham students in the school’s Natural Resources Career and Technical Education (CTE) program worked with environmental scientists, educators, and professionals from New York State Parks to collect data and explore real life environmental problems.
 
Through the Wet Nets watershed engagement program, in partnership with the New York State Park system, students were connected with colleges and careers in the natural resources fields through hands-on exploration.
 
Through visits to Fort Ontario, Green Lakes, SUNY ESF, Selkirk Shores, Fair Haven, Chittenango Falls, and Clark’s Reservation, the students examined watersheds, forest ecology, invasive species, stream ecology, and more. They had the opportunity to set plots to measure tree growth, test stream water, conduct a fish survey, and more.
 
Incoming Nottingham junior Sofia Calvert hopes to become an ornithologist one day – studying rare birds and working to help save endangered species.
 
“It’s been very fun,” Sofia shared of her summer field experience. “I’ve loved flipping over logs and finding salamanders! We’ve seen osprey and a great blue heron, and quite a few birds. When we went to SUNY ESF, it gave me insight on what to expect when I go to college. I definitely want to enter the field of forestry, and now I’ve had some experience in doing field work and going out somewhere to study the environment. I’m so grateful to have this opportunity. I love science and collecting data… this has been an incredible experience!”
 
At the end of the summer, students participated in a community engagement day at Green Lakes State Park, where they spoke with community members about what they learned and answered questions about the local environment.
 
“I love going outside and being in nature,” incoming Nottingham sophomore Josh Davis shared. “This camp has given me time to be in nature with people, and I’ve learned a lot! There are a lot of rare species that you can find around here… we even found a snail species that is extremely rare!”
 
Thank you to SUNY ESF, the New York State Hemlock Initiative, Finger Lakes Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management, CNY Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Region 7 for partnering with our Natural Resources program to bring students this engaging #SCSDSummerLearning experience!