Submitted by Becky Hallowell
Lichens, moss, and fungi delighted fourth-grade students at Hidden Valley Nature Center as
they came for their monthly visit. Naturalists Cami Wilbert and Karen Simpson greeted the
students at the HVNC entrance and set the purpose for their hike to the barn. Examples of
lichen and moss were shared, while the scarcity of mushrooms brought on by lack of rain was
discussed. The students were charged with filling paper bags with lichen and moss from felled
sticks and leaves. However, the students were also thrilled to find a few mushroom examples on
huge logs that they carried to the barn to show their friends.
After a quick snack break, the students played a game that created a web to show how all
plants and animals are connected, and how water is the source of life. Magnifying glasses were
brought out, and the fourth-graders sketched the lichen and moss they found in their nature
journals after noting the date, place, temperature, and weather. Then they visited the trees they
had adopted in September to note any changes that had occurred. Children were surprised to
learn that the beautiful leaf colors their trees were showing had been in the leaves all along!
As the day wrapped up, Cami Wilbert read a story to the students, highlighting the importance of
dead trees called “snags.” The students gathered around several different snags to make
observations before hiking back to the bus. Wiscasset Elementary School fourth-grade students
appreciate the work of Hidden Valley Nature Center and Midcoast Conservancy in making the
monthly naturalist visits possible.
Photo Credits: Becky Hallowell
Nolan Hartford : big log
Nathanael Bruccato: several sticks
Callie Pieciak: beaver sign on tree
Spencer Grover: lichen
Whole class playing web game
