Visiting Virtually

NO BUS NECESSARY

VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS BRING THE WILD CENTER HOME

On a Friday this spring, a group of 5th graders from PS 38 in Brooklyn marveled at Scarlett and Ta:wi:ne, two of our otters. As usual, the critters were putting on a show, slicing through the water beneath Otter Falls and rooting through piles of leaves to find their food. The students loved it.

“She is so cute!” one said.

“I can’t swim, stop showing off,” said another.

It would have been a typical scene from a typical field trip, if not for one big difference: These students were 300 miles away, watching a livestream in their own homes.

We usually welcome hundreds of students to The Wild Center each spring, but because of COVID-19, those field trips stopped. So last fall, we began offering online sessions for schools, hosted by a Wild Center educator: Creature Features, which are an encounter with one of our animals, or virtual field trips, which involve two educators and more time. And while the experience isn’t quite the same as being here, in a year when a lot of students are spending a lot of time at home, having the opportunity to see nature—even separated by a screen— is a big deal.

“You can see the learning taking place,” says Michael Trumbower, our school programs coordinator. “We want to make it an adventure, not just a presentation.”

Interactivity is the key to that. Trumbower asked students to observe

the animals and talk about special characteristics they may display, such as the otters’ smooth coats or sharp teeth. They contributed both out loud and in chat messages that ran alongside the video feed.

“It looks silky, like it just came out of the water,” one girl noted.

As much as Trumbower misses the in-person

interaction, virtual field trips have their own benefits. Because educators can put the iPad camera right next to an animal, students get an even closer view than if they were a few feet away. And while field trips are generally restricted to districts within driving distance, this spring, schools from faraway places like California, Georgia and Maryland have been able to attend.

In the case of Gina Duclayan’s class from PS 38, they’ve been more than once. In a normal year, she said, city kids have fewer opportunities to see wildlife; this year, when class has been fully remote, they’ve been stuck home even more often. Every PS 38 student has had the chance to participate in at least two Creature Features.

Her students have responded. “They become very engaged,” she says. “I have one kid who is struggling in almost every other subject area, but he

actually takes notes during the Creature Features because he wants to remember everything about the animals.”

And students aren’t the only ones sitting in on the calls.

“You probably weren’t aware of it, because they had their cameras off, but some of the attendees were parents!” Duclayan said. “They love the animals so much.”

Would you like your school to pay a virtual visit to The Wild Center? Email Michael Trumbower at mtrumbower@wildcenter.org.

HAPPY TRAILS, TIM!

After almost 10 years of helping coordinate The Wild Center’s membership & development activities, Tim Holmes is stepping down in August. He’s among The Wild Center’s earliest supporters: Holmes says Betsy Lowe’s passion and vision drew him instantly to the promise of this place. In retirement, he says he’s grateful to have participated in its ongoing (and never-ending) evolution. “I’m looking forward to continuing to be inspired by what’s next at The Wild Center,” he says.

As usual, members and donors can always get assistance with anything here by dialing 518-359-7800 or emailing info@wildcenter.org.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

We’re opening our doors, and to make sure everybody has enough space to shop, the Wild Supply Co. is taking over a portion of the Great Hall (Josh Pratt, the store manager, is seen here taking a break during the early stages of our expansion.). Shop in person, or go online anytime at thewild-supply-co.myshopify.com, where you can arrange for curbside pickup or home delivery.

WILD STYLE

We were outdoorsonly all winter, so the latest set of your best pix has something in common: They’re all from Winter Wild Walk and our Wild Lights installation. How magical was our firstever season of Wild Lights, which drew almost 8,000 visitors? Just take a look at our top shot, from @cmw.style.

Didn’t see it yourself? You’ll get another chance in November, when Wild Lights returns for a second season.

OTHER WILD SHOTS!

top to bottom: @wanderlusters2 @pa1gemon @onlyandrewkim @nikkinikcole

Each of these photographers will get a copy of “A Wild Journey,” our photographic history of The Wild Center.

We’ll do this again in our next issue—but this time, maybe, inside! Get your masks, charge your phone and tag your pix #WILDCENTER.