Forks Forum Staff

The Olympic Natural Resources Center at the University of Washington welcomed nearly 100 kindergarten children to its campus in Forks for its annual Nature Day, Wednesday, May 22.

“Children and educators from the kindergarten classes at Forks Elementary School and the Quileute Tribal School joined us for our 17th annual Nature Day,” said Ellen Matheny, director, Education and Outreach. “Each year, older siblings and friends tell the younger children about this special event that they went to and it gets the kindergarten students very excited about this end-of-the-school-year ritual.”

The staff at ONRC and community volunteers from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, the Forks Library and Forks High School, to name a few, provided an up close and personal view of nature at a series of field stations. The children explored the sounds and habits of orcas, climbed on a DNR fire truck (and squirted their classmates with the hose!), touched pelts from regional animals, held and identified clippings from local trees and heard about the many animals that live on the state’s coastal shores.

A special treat was provided by Smokey Bear, who made a personal visit and joined in a photo session.

“The event is a team effort,” said Theresa Santman, ONRC’s manager of program operations and the lead on this year’s event. “Each year, dedicated volunteers return to create new experiences for the youngsters. We really appreciate everyone’s participation and avid interest in passing on their passion for nature with our young children.”

For more information on the annual event, contact Matheny at 374-4556.