Ask a Naturalist: What is Envirocaching?

Discovery Place Nature

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You may have noticed some new programs popping up at the Museum with our monthly Citizen Science Fridays, Bird Walk and Wisdom of the Woods speaker series.

We have been enjoying these new programs, and one that is close to my heart is Envirocaching at 1:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month.

But what is Envirocaching anyway?

This program came together after a lot of research about ways to get kids out of the classroom, including educaching, which makes it easy to tailor a lesson plan around geocaching. I’ve always liked geocaching, which is a scavenger hunt that uses satellites and GPS units to find small caches or containers. It’s an activity that’s a hit with people worldwide.

Envirocaching is a nature-themed scavenger hunt. Guests can borrow a GPS unit and search for specific natural objects to learn more about, with the help of a staff member.

The first Envirocaching program taught us all about thorny plant defense mechanisms. We even found some crazy looking non-native plants around Freedom Park!

Our last program focused on the lichen and fungus around us, taking a look at the different shapes and structures that these complicated organisms create.

On Saturday, September 12 at 1:00 p.m., we will be setting out on a new Envirocaching adventure to learn about the relationship between human and the plants or animals that we encounter on a daily basis. If you enjoy scavenger hunts, nature or just taking walks, this program is a lot of fun.

Envirocaching is free with Museum admission. We hope to see you there!

Dpn
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