Marion County sixth graders observe Earth Day
NRCS sponsors seventh annual event at reservoir
Marion County sixth graders seemed to have plenty of questions regarding law enforcement for Marvin Peterson with Kansas Wildlife and Parks.
They asked about his attire — specifically his gun, the personal water craft emblazoned with the words, "law enforcement," rescue equipment, and questions regarding his job.
Peterson was one of a number of presenters participating Thursday in Earth Day activities at Cottonwood Point, Marion Reservoir. The day's events were sponsored and organized by Marion County Natural Resource and Conservation Service (NRCS).
Sixth grade students from all Marion County schools — Marion-Florence, Hillsboro, Goessel, Centre, and Peabody — attended, along with one home-school student.
"This was the seventh year for our Earth Day event," explained NRCS secretary Betty Richmond. "Our purpose is to try and get kids out in the country and see what's going on with crops, trees, fisheries, and other parts of the environment."
Presenters and their topics included the following:
Gerald Wiens showed how to find animal signs; Steve Bartel, Marion County conservation district supervisor, and Doug Svitak with NRCS, explained the rainfall simulator.
Sara Kay Carrell with NRCS, discussed how to identify native plants; Dale Ehlers with NRCS, explained the shoreline stabilization project at Marion Reservoir.
Dennis Carlson with the Kansas Forrestry Department, discussed trees; Tom McClosky with Kansas Wildlife and Parks conducted a fishing demonstration including various methods of seining.
Neal Whitaker with the Corps of Engineers talked about mussels and clean water; and Peterson discussed law enforcement.
