Sage Park

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Sage Park 6th Grade Science
presents . . .
Modified by S. Figotenwith permission from
theVernal Pool Association
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PREPARING TO VISIT . . .
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OUR VERNAL POOL
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All Pools Have RULES. . .
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So Let's Review Some
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Dress Properly

• We will be walking through
• a thickly wooded area and
• across a stream, so
• Wear jeans or other pants
• Wear sneakers or boots (no sandals/ slippers)

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Be Careful

• The trail may have holes,rocks, roots,
  slipperypatches, deeper areasof stream water,
  so
• Watch where you step.
• Watch for branches whipping back towards you
• Dont step on or scare an animal.

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Watch for Poison Ivy                           
           

• We may be walking near patches of poison ivy or
  sumac, so if you are allergic
• Watch for plants with 3 shiny green leaves.
• If you brush against some, wash the area with
  soap when you return to class.

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Don't EatAnything

• Never put any type of plant, berry, animal, or
  leaf in your mouth.

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PackProperly
Bring supplies for exploring, including

• Magnifying glasses
• Containers
• Field guides

• Journal for sketching
• Chart the Change Packet
• Pencil

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Keep the Area Clean                            
          

• Trash endangers the lives of animals, so
• Never throw away containers, wrappers, gum or
  other trash.
• If you find someone elses trash, pick it up.

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Be Careful with Animals

• You should be sure your visitcauses no harm to
  plants oranimals in this ecosystem, so
• Never purposefully destroy or damage any plants
  or animals.
• If you pick up an animal, CAREFULLY place it back
  in the pool while supporting its body.

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Be Gentle

• Amphibians absorb thingsthrough their skin, so
• Dont pick up frogs or salamanders while wearing
  hand lotion or bug repellant.

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Never Damage Eggs

• Egg masses can be found nearthe surface of the
  water orattached to aquatic plantsjust below
  the surface, so
• Never poke at floating egg masses.
• Never pick up egg masses or take them with
  you.

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Remember What You Observed When

• Life near and in avernal pool changes over time,
  so
• Sketch or photograph what you observe.
• Take notes beside your sketches.
• Always print the date on your notes.

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Leave Everything There

• Animals living in aroundthe vernal pool need
  theirnatural habitat to survive, so
• When leaving, do NOT take any animals home.
• Be sure to visit our vernal pool critters again.