{"id":1551,"date":"2022-01-20T15:48:49","date_gmt":"2022-01-20T21:48:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sustainabledriftlessmag.com\/sdmunicdn\/?p=1551"},"modified":"2022-03-18T14:03:14","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T19:03:14","slug":"driftless-education-exploring-the-driftless-with-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sustainabledriftlessmag.com\/sdmunicdn\/driftless-education-exploring-the-driftless-with-students\/","title":{"rendered":"DRIFTLESS EDUCATION : Exploring the Driftless with Students"},"content":{"rendered":"
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By Jan Wee \u2013
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Editor\u2019s Note:\u00a0 Below is a compilation of recommedations for students.\u00a0 Jan\u00a0 Wee, education coordinator with Sustainable Driftless, has been an extraordinarily talented volunteer working with Sustainable Driftless for a few years now.\u00a0 She is officially retired, but for us she brings notable professional skills to help SDMI coordinate outreach, manage the development of lesson plans, help with administration, and mailing all those DVDs! <\/i>Below is Jan\u2019s list for Minnesota\u2019s part of the Driftless Region ideal places for students.\u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n

Exploring the Driftless Region with Students<\/i><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Minnesota<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

1) Eagle Bluff Environmental Center<\/b> https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

info@eagle-bluff.org
\n<\/a>(507) 467-2437<\/span>
\n28097 Goodview Drive<\/span>
\nLanesboro, MN 55949<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Year-round environmental learning center located in rural southeastern Minnesota, just a few miles from the small historic town of Lanesboro in Fillmore County, the heart of the Minnesota Driftless Region. The campus is a two-hour drive from the Twin Cities, 45 minutes from Rochester, 45 minutes from Winona, and one hour from La Crosse, WI. \u00a0 Find out what makes this center so extraordinary for school and overnight trips, summer and family camps, team building, adult learning and continuing education, environmental education fellowship, and public hiking and recreation. https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/resources\/driftless\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

The K-12 Residential Outdoor School Program is based on the belief that students learn best when they engage directly with nature, learn through discussions, think like a scientist, and follow the learning cycle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lodging accommodations are available for overnight Outdoor School with 31 rooms accommodating up to eight people.\u00a0 See https:\/\/eaglebluffmn.org\/campus\/lodging\/<\/a> for more detailed information.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2) Niagara Cave <\/b>https:\/\/www.niagaracave.com\/<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

29842 County Hwy. 30\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harmony, MN 55939<\/span><\/p>\n

Tel: 507-886-6606<\/span><\/p>\n

Email: niagaracave@gmail.com<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Located near Harmony, MN was discovered in 1924 and is one of two publicly accessible limestone caves in Minnesota. Explore Minnesota\u2019s karst topography found in the limestone formations of this part of the Driftless Region. Karst topography<\/i> features include sinkholes, springs, disappearing streams, bluffs, and limestone cave systems.\u00a0 One hour mile long tours of the cave can be arranged by calling Niagara Cave. Education rates are available for school groups.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3) National Trout Center<\/b>\u00a0 https:\/\/nationaltroutcenter.org\/visit-ntc\/<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Note: Presently closed due to Covid19 Pandemic<\/i>
\n<\/i>120 St. Anthony Street S.<\/span>
\nPreston, MN<\/span>
\n507-765-2452<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"Located in the town of Preston in the Upper Root River Valley near the western border of the Driftless Region. Customizable group visits can be arranged https:\/\/nationaltroutcenter.org\/visit-ntc\/group-visits<\/a>\/<\/span>
\nThe working goals of the National Trout Center include:<\/span><\/p>\n

To educate<\/b>\u00a0people of all ages and abilities about trout biology, ecology and behavior, trout habitat, the conservation and restoration of cold-water stream habitat.\u00a0 <\/span>
\nTo promote<\/b>\u00a0the arts, cultural heritage and experience of trout fishing and angling in cold-water streams and rivers for people of all ages and abilities.<\/span>
\nTo develop<\/b>\u00a0and operate a national trout center in the City of Preston, Minnesota, that provides exhibits, research, education and programs focused on trout biology and behavior, trout habitat and cold-water streams.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4) Mississippi River Visitor Center \u2013 <\/b>https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/miss\/planyourvisit\/mrvcabou.htm<\/b><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

120 Kellogg Blvd West<\/span>
\nSt. Paul, MN 55102<\/span>
\nPhone: 651-293-0200<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"The Upper Mississippi River and related tributaries and watersheds are an essential part of the Driftless Region defining the landscape and its river erosion and deposition features.\u00a0 Visit the Mississippi River Visitor Center<\/i><\/b> to see videos about the Mississippi National River and recreation and other parks within the National Park system, interactive exhibits, reading nook, and\u00a0Junior Ranger program. Exhibits explain Mississippi River culture, biology, and history.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n

A Hamline University Center for Global Environmental Education online program for grades 3-5, Big River Journey Online<\/i><\/b>, is available via https:\/\/bigriverjourneyonline.org\/<\/a> \u00a0 \u00a0 Explore the mysteries of the Mississippi River through the education resources, videos, and activities and engage in a virtual trip on the Mississippi River. <\/span><\/p>\n

An extension scavenger hunt guided exploration activity is available as well called Waters to the Sea Mississippi River Adventu<\/i><\/b>re https:\/\/waterstothesea.org\/mississippi\/<\/a>\u00a0 Learning modules include the water cycle, watersheds, water quality and ecosystems.\u00a0 \u00a0 A wonderful matrix<\/b> of standards aligned resources (lesson plans, YouTube playlists, panorama images, and\u00a0 interactives) for grades 5-8 found via https:\/\/waterstothesea.org\/mississippi\/<\/a>.\u00a0 Be sure to view the Educator Resources tab at the top of the page.<\/span><\/p>\n

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5) Visit the Scenic Overlooks\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n

Students love to get outside and experience the Driftless Region through hikes and hands-on learning. The Great River Road Overlooks<\/i> provide opportunities for exploration, ecology, and wildlife viewing.<\/span><\/p>\n