A (b)log of Natural Resources Info

A First of Many: Finding My Voice as a TFT Educator

“Can you tell the students about the taxidermy you have here?” asked one of the recent teachers who visited Trees For Tomorrow (TFT) with their 7th grade class. “I’m sure there are several animals here that some students have never seen up close.” As a seasoned TFT educator, Todd was quick to begin listing and describing the mounts found around the Forest Room of the Education Hall. All eyes were on Todd as he explained the specialized tongue of the Pileated Woodpecker on the wall in the front of the classroom. Students turned in their seats to follow him as he moved towards the Bobcat mount in the corner. Their attention peaked as Todd encouraged students to use their free time to visit the interactive bone and skull display in the case beneath it. As Todd continued toward the owl lineup, I found my thoughts drifting in awe that I work at a place like Trees For Tomorrow.

The past few weeks had felt like a dream, a daze, a flurry of excitement. I was the newest TFT educator, and this was actually real. My days will be filled with teaching students who are eager to learn about their natural resources. I get to introduce tomorrow’s future biologists and researchers to scientific concepts and investigative practices. I can make a difference in their...wait what did Todd just say?

Students' heads turned 180 degrees towards me; teachers and chaperones were looking at me. Why was Todd smiling at me? OH! Did he just say my name? That I’d tell them about the bird mounts that were on the shelves behind me? “Yes, of course,” I replied as I tried to steady my nerves, “now let’s see.” I stepped to the side turning to see what was on the shelf and hoping my general “naturalist” knowledge wouldn’t fail me. There had to be at least one bird on that shelf that I could identify and describe to the 7th graders, who I most definitely wanted to impress. I took a brief pause to examine my options:  woodpeckers or grouse. Was that a Red Headed or a Red Bellied woodpecker? Or was it an example of a male and a female? A juvenile maybe? Both have red on their heads; both are woodpeckers. No, I’ll start with something stronger, a bird I really know. “Well, Todd, I’d love to talk about the grouse species we have here.”

“On the wall behind me you can see several of these brownish, chicken-sized birds. These are called Ruffed Grouse.” I went on to describe the “thunder chicken” and several of its adaptations that make it well suited for life in the forest. Their mottled appearance helps them camouflage in with the shadows of the forest floor. "Interestingly," I told the students, "they can have reddish brown or greyish brown phased plumage." I explained that red phases are more commonly found in milder climates; whereas the grey phase is more often found in harsh climates where snow is heavy. They are adapted to eat a varied diet that changes throughout the seasons. I joked with the students, "Ruffed Grouse really like their greens. If you see one while you're here, invite them to the salad bar we have in the dining hall tonight." I highlighted the importance of Ruffed Grouse conservation as a game species for upland hunters. 

“Thanks McKenzie! Now up here you’ll see an elk shed.” Todd continued. As quickly as the attention was on me, it shifted away as Todd began to talk about the difference between antlers and horns in the next corner of the room. Phew! I survived the first of many impromptu educational opportunities that I’ll encounter as a Trees For Tomorrow educator. My adrenaline was pumping as I heard the teacher say, “Thank you for identifying and describing the taxidermy for the students. I think we’re ready to begin the lesson now.” With that queue, Todd rolled right into teaching the planned lesson of the afternoon. And I made a mental note to research the differences between the woodpecker species of Wisconsin.

     A red phase grouse harvested near Lake Tomahawk, WI  

      McKenize's bird dog, a Small Munsterlander named Colby, with two grey phased grouse. 

     McKenzie and Colby take a celebratory picture with their "thunder chicken"

Photos and article by McKenzie Grant, TFT Environemental Educator