Students in South Shore area elementary schools will receive ecology study materials from the Audubon Society of North Central Arkansas through a grant from the South Shore Foundation of $2,318. Through the grant, 61 classrooms of third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders will receive “Audubon Adventures” study kits. Schools receiving the materials are Flippin, Yellville-Summit, Bruno-Pyatt, Lead Hill, Omaha, and Bergman.

The topic for this year is North American Bio-regions - freshwater wetlands; temperate deciduous forests and woodlands; coastal environments; and deserts. Classroom teachers use the materials to supplement their science textbooks or provide additional hands-on activities for students. The classroom kits contain 32 copies of four Audubon Adventures tabloid-style newspapers; posters; a teacher’s resource guide with additional background information, lesson plans, and tips for outdoor study; and the Audubon Guide to a Healthy Schoolyard.

Marg Bangert, vice president of the local chapter of Audubon Society, has chaired the project for eight years. She said the Audubon Adventures program has been well received by teachers and students alike. “It gives the children the opportunity to learn at a formative age to care for our environment.”

The Audubon Society of North Central Arkansas meets the second Monday of the month at 1 p.m. at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Hwy. 5 North in Mountain Home.

Kayla and Sean read from Audubon Adventures in class.   Flippin third grade teacher Kerry Ponder leads a class discussion using the ecology study kits given to the school by the local Audubon Society with a South Shore Foundation grant. Students shown are Kaelyn, Chase, Austin, Sean, Kanaan, Chris, Erica, and Mariah.

Flippin third graders read Audubon Adventures, part of nature study kits provided to South Shore area elementary schools by the Audubon Society of North Central Arkansas and the South Shore Foundation, the charitable foundation of NATCO. Pictured clockwise, starting with teacher Kerry Ponder (standing) are Jodie Jeffrey-Sanders, a South Shore trustee, students Erica, Kanaan, Chris, Kayla, and Shelby. At far left is Marg Bangert from the Audubon Society. The study materials are for grades three through six, and go to six schools: Flippin, Yellville-Summit, Bruno-Pyatt, Lead Hill, and Bergman.