Swaner Nature Preserve Hosts Annual Fieldtrip
Frogs of the Preserve had more attentioduring the last week of May than they will during the entire year put together. With the visit of over 400 Park City fourth grade field-trippers throughout the week, Frogs were hunted, caught, handled, ogled, and - of course - released. Although these chorus frogs were the main attraction, students also toured the Wallin Farm, discovered the macro-invertebrates of Preserve ponds, and learned how to site and identify various native birds. Students fathomed at the  wing span of the bald eagle, eeked and awed at the creepy-crawlies of the ponds, and shrieked at the chilly water as they mucked through the very wet wetlands of the Preserve.
As an introduction to the Preserve and the benefit of the Wallin Farm acquisition, Pat Horyna, education volunteer for Swaner Nature Preserve, explained to students, "When you grow up and come back to Park City, or if you are lucky enough to stay here, this will still be here." As the students looked over the span of the Preserve, they commented on how big it is; Morgan Pitcher said, "It looks a lot smaller from the highway than it really is."
While on the Preserve, the wetland warriors sited sandhill crane, red-winged blackbird, yellow-headed blackbird, redtail hawk, and many hole-digging voles. In bucketed water the students identified threadworms, leaches, snails, water boatman, mayfly larva, water spiders, and damselfly larva. As part of the Wallin tour, the students learned how and where hay was stacked and realized they were lucky to be attending school and not forking hay all day - as once was true of youth their age.
 After thoroughly exploring the Preserve, the students climbed onto the bus with muddy shoes, wet pant cuffs, and big smiles on their faces. Many students agreed with Brett Peters when he said, "That was the most fun field trip I have ever had in my life!" Swaner Nature Preserve field trips are not only educational, but also forever memorable.
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