Washington Third Graders Visit Sweetbriar Nature Center

Washington Primary School third graders traveled to Sweetbriar Nature Center where they participated in the raptor program. It proved to be a fun learning experience for the youngsters.

The program introduced them to live birds of prey and learned about the adaptations that help them survive. The third graders met a hawk, an eagle and some owls. “We even got to pet one,” a third grader said.

The students had fun dissecting an owl pellet and discovering bones of their prey. But what stuck with the kids most is how the birds became patients at Sweetbriar. Seeing these injured animals firsthand really put things in perspective for them.

“In our current science unit, animal adaptations and survival, we touch upon human impacts on nature and how it affects animals and plants,” teacher Katie Kalkau said. “I think this unit will be a lot more meaningful to students now that they have had this experience.”

Sweetbriar provides educational programs for people of all ages. From metamorphosis and butterflies to the tropical rain forest and predator/prey relationships, the center offers a thriving learning atmosphere.

“Our programs are designed to involve participants through the use of live animals, hands-on activities and interactive experiences,” according to Sweetbriar’s website. “It is our hope that all visitors will gain a better understanding and respect for the natural world.”

A private, not-for-profit corporation, Sweetbriar’s mission is to offer natural science education and native wildlife rehabilitation services.

Now in its 52nd year, Sweetbriar’s 54 acres are filled with garden, woodland, wetland and field animal habitats on the Nissequogue River. “Hundreds of plants and animals make homes here,” the group’s website states.