Hands on Field Day at Hamburg Park

The third grade students of Tennille Elementary School, nearly 80 students along with teachers and parents, attended a hands on Forest and Wildlife Field Day at Hamburg State Park.  Students were divided into groups and hiked along an interactive trail to visit displays and participate in discussion about Forest Habitat, Trees, Forest Fire, Forest Colors, Forest Products and Measuring, and a historic trip through the Hamburg State Park Mill Museum.  The main focus was to inform and teach students how the nation's forest and people interact - why animals need forests, and why people need forests and how proper management makes it possible.  American Forest Management, Inc. (AFM), has been hosting the event for seven years.  Almost 1,000 students from third through fifth grades have gone through the program.  AFM currently manages over 1.5 million acres of forestland in the eastern US and 1.2 million acres of forestland data for institutional investors and private non-industrial landowner clients from Wisconsin to Texas.  AFM's Sandersville, Georgia office manages over 45,000 acres throughout middle GA.  Educational materials were supplied by American Forest Management, Georgia Forestry Commission, Hamburg State Park, Georgia Forestry Association, International Paper, Crossties of Virginia, US Forest Service, American Forest and Paper Association, and the Society of American Foresters.

The Georgia Forestry Commission led a discussion on how fire is important while also destructive to the forest.  Students learned that some fire was beneficial to the forest, as long as man controlled it.  Benefits discussed from fire included wildlife enhancement by increasing the availability of new herbaceous plants for wildlife to browse, access into timberland, control of unwanted vegetation or competition, controlled fire reduces wild fire, and improves aesthetics.  Fire caused by lightning, careless campers, and arson were discussed as careless fires.  A fire suppression unit was on display so the students could see how forest fires are fought and suppressed.

AFM led a discussion on how and why trees change colors in the fall months.  The students were asked to observe the various colors around them and draw a picture on a bumper sticker to take home with them.

The GA Forestry Commission led a discussion on various forest habitats and what plant and animal communities live in each area.  Students learned to characterize each forest type based on plant composition and soil conditions.  The forest types were further delineated into habitats.  The students gathered various types of food from each habitat type, and discussed what species of plant or animal could survive on the food source gathered.  Also discussed was what happens when habitats change either by man building a shopping center or by timber harvesting.

AFM and International Paper led a discussion on the life cycle of a tree -- from the nursery to a mature forest.  Reforestation, seedling care and planting were discussed.  Each student received a "tree cookie" to examine as the instructors demonstrated how to identify growth rings, origin and development of bark and branches, how a tree grows, and determine the age of the tree.  In addition, each student took home a pine seedling to plant.

AFM led a discussion on what type of forest products are generated through proper forest management.  These products ranged from toothpaste to building materials to sport drinks.  In addition, various tools used in the woods to measure forest productivity.  They learned how to use a compass, increment borer and clinometer.

Hamburg State Park personnel led the students on a tour through the old gristmill museum and described the history of the park, wildlife that lives in the park, and past use of the land in the area.

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