By Tippi Rasp Staff Writer



Fourth-graders studying conservation science got an education from the experts Wednesday as county, state and federal officials demonstrated the importance of land, water and wildlife preservation.

Jason Skaggs, district manager of the Garfield County Soil Conservation District, and officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Services and state Department of Wildlife Conservation educated the Monroe Elementary School students on the significance of land, soil and water conservation.

"Water might be a high commodity when these kids are older," Skaggs said.

Skaggs displayed a topographical map, complete with simulated polluted runoff from fertilizer and other chemicals. Students were able to see how rain can cause pollutants to enter streams and lakes without proper conservation efforts.

"We want to try and prevent pollution," Skaggs told students.

Jay Betchan, a soil conservation technician with NRCS, showed students aerial photographs of the area and talked about how erosion affects the landscape. He told students it was his job to determine how to prevent soil erosion from water and wind by building terraces and other structures.

"When it rains, all that dirt goes somewhere," Betchan said.

Alva Gregory, a private lands wildlife technician with the ODWC, showed students molds of animal tracks, skins of scavenging and predatory animals, deer antlers and other animal skulls. He demonstrated to students the need for all kinds of wildlife.

Steve Alspach, soil scientist for NRCS, showed students different types of soil and how his office pulls samples and talked about topsoil, subsoil and bedrock.

D'Ann Peterson, soil conservationist for NRCS, demonstrated watersheds and water quality and the need for watershed lakes and proper drainage.

Skaggs spoke to Monroe fourth-graders several weeks ago about soil conservation, then decided they would benefit from the outdoor classroom experience.

"They were really receptive to the skulls and skins," Skaggs said. "They got into that a lot."