Third Graders Explore the Bay

Field Trip to the Salt Marsh at Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center

By Jennifer R., Mom to Totally Terrific Taco Mateo
 

The 3rd graders visited the Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center to learn about Bay Area landforms. This protected bayland offers an 120-acre salt marsh — a coastal wetland that is flooded and drained by salt water brought in by the tides. This local gem is an excellent place to learn about what makes up the Bay Area’s ecosystem and to see the plants and birds of the region.

When asked, “What did you notice about the surroundings?,” one third grader replied, “I noticed it was low tide because there was a lot of mud and not water.” Such an observant statement!

As the day went on, the tides came in and the third graders were able to fish in brackish water. They also learned about the plants of the salt marsh — pickleweed, cordgrass, dodder/devil’s thread and others. In the lab they observed phytoplankton and zooplankton under the microscope. Through binoculars they spotted birds — the American Avocet, Western Sandpiper, and Black Necked Stilt among others. It truly was one amazing day in nature.

 
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