Turtles, frogs, and birds: Students from Ha:san Leadership Academy spent a cool May morning learning about all of the animals that call the Santa Cruz River in Tumacácori National Historical Park their home. Students learned from Michael Bogan about his research on the population of Sonoran mud turtles in the Santa Cruz. In addition to helping measure the turtles, students learned about other animals in the river, including bullfrogs, giant water bugs, and birds. Using Merlin, over 20 species of birds were recorded.
Congratulations! The first Thursday in May was the Living River of Words Awards Ceremony. Nearly 2,000 students from greater Tucson participated in Living River of Words Residencies, including field trips to the Santa Cruz River, this school year. This year we congratulate BIORETS alumni teachers Mr. Buckley (LROW Teacher of the Year!), Ms. Heaton, Ms. Jasmine, Mrs. Carpenter, Mr. Collier, Ms. Valenzuela, Mr. Dukes, and Mrs. Hipps for their student's incredible photography, art, and poetry. Learn more about Pima County's Living River of Words Program on their website.
One more field trip! Mr. Buckley, 6th grade science teacher at Los Amigos Tech Academy, fit in one more field trip to the Santa Cruz River this year. With the assistance of University of Arizona staff and students, students and families collected data on birds at the Irvington outfall area in the river. Students collected bird data using Merlin, and found 33 different species of birds!
