Morse Wildlife Preserve

We were invited to a program at this preserve and thought it would be great to go to. Our adventure started when there was no address on the invitation and I couldn't find it listed. The town it is in is rather small and I thought for sure there would be signs but we got there and no luck. After three stops at gas stations where people did not know what I was talking about we stopped at a post office. With all the people there only one of the carriers knew.
We finally get there and I mentioned how difficult it was to find and they explained that it is not open to the public accept by invitation twice a year or by request from someone they know as the primary mission is land and animal conservation and secondly education.
As a result of me being late we didn't get to do everything, but we started at a display of animal skins, skulls, snaje skins and turtle shells. The lady explained why the different textures of fur and feathers where needed by different animals. Some feathers are used for flying, decoration, warmth, or stability depending on the animal. So interesting!!
We then went on a plant hike where the woman explained the different varities of foliage and what they could be used for. She also talked about the conservation efforts they were having to make in this forest. Did you know that when a tree falls and the stump starts to decay and grow new trees that is called a "nursing stump" because they are nursing new growth?
After this it was to the fire to get warmed up a tad and then to the barn for some hot chocalet and stories. We heard a tale about how the Kinglet bird got to be the king of all birds and earned the golden crown that sits on his head along with a few others.
Then it was back outside to play a game of survival. There were five cups in a line and each child got four chances to knock a golfball into the cups. They were labeled with things birds need in order to survive, food, water, shelter and space. The fifth was labeled ESA. The child picked a bird to be and then had to shoot one ball in each of the four neccesary areas to survive, or if they got a ball in the ESA they automatically survived because the Endangered Species Act would provide their needs for them.
The children loved it!!!
The pictures show racoon foot prints that we saw and the kids at the look out tower. What a great day!!